When the Falcons lined up in their nickel defense for the first time this offseason at the OTAs, two projected starters were missing.
Defensive end Adrian Clayborn (strained pectoral) and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (tendinitis in his knee) were not on the field with defensive end Vic Beasley and defensive tackle Derrick Shelby. That’s the unit the Falcons hope will solve their pass-rushing problems.
With Clayborn and Jarrett out, a sleek and slender Brooks Reed and veteran Jonathan Babineaux lined up with the first unit.
In addition to revamping the defensive pass-rushing front, the Falcons are set to visit with veteran pass-rusher Dwight Freeney next week.
The Falcons had only 19 sacks last season, which ranked last in the NFL. Freeney, a seven-time Pro Bowler, wants to keep playing.
He’s 36 and played in 11 games and had eight sacks last season for Arizona. He has 119.5 career sacks.
The Falcons have confirmed that Freeney will visit. The team will meet with him, but will not hold a workout or tryout for the pass-rushing specialist.
In addition to Beasley, Clayborn and Reed, a converted linebacker, the Falcons lined up Shelby, Tyler Starr, Courtney Upshaw and undrafted rookie Ivan McLennan at defensive end in the nickel package, which was used more than 60 percent of the time last season. Upshaw also has mostly been a linebacker.
With the position moves and from internal competition, the Falcons hope to improve their pass rush.
“It’s like the competition is for yourself, and then it goes to the man that’s next to me on my unit, and then it goes past that to the man I’m going against at practice,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “When you put competition into those three things, it’s yourself, the man you’re playing right next to, and then the man that you’re going to play against.”
Much has been made of Beasley’s move to strongside linebacker in the team’s 4-3 defense, but a lot is still expected of Beasley as a pass rusher in the team’s nickel alignment. Beasley finished last season with four sacks.
“I’m just studying and getting comfortable with the playbook,” Beasley said. “There are a lot of different assignments and you can be confused going from nickel (end) to linebacker, but it’s just about being a student of the game and studying film, learning everything that I can learn.”
Beasley was thrown to the NFL wolves last season as a rookie.
Beasley, the eighth player taken in the 2015 draft, opened the season playing against some of the top tackles in the league. He faced Philadelphia’s Jason Peters, Dallas’ Tyron Smith and Houston’s Duane Brown in three of his first four games. Beasley had one sack, and it came against fellow rookie and New York Giants left tackle Ereck Flowers, in the second game of the season.
Beasley appears more at ease as he’s set to enter his second season.
“I’m very comfortable this year,” Beasley said. “Last year was a great learning experience. Now, I really know what to expect. Having that year underneath my belt is a great help.”
Quinn wants Beasley to add to his set of pass-rush moves. He’s a speed rusher by trade, but needs to master countermoves to mix with his speed.
“I just put my mind to it,” Beasley said. “Working in the offseason will serve as a great help.”
Beasley played with a torn labrum last season, but hasn’t used that as an excuse.
“Honestly, I just think it was kind of blown out of proportion,” Beasley said. “It didn’t really hinder me. I played with a labrum (injury) in college, but it didn’t hinder me any. I was able to become an All-American in college. Now, I’m off to a great start, and I feel 100 percent with my labrum.”
Beasley believes the Falcons’ pass-rush will be fine.
“I’m just trying to be the best that I can be,” Beasley said. “I’m surrounded by great players. We have Clayborn, Babineaux, Shelby and a number of other guys that are going to help and make this defense great.
He also singled out McLennan.
“I’m looking forward to see how good he can be,” Beasley said.
Jarrett could also turn into a pass-rushing force from the tackle spot.
“He brings energy,” Beasley said. “He’s obviously a great player. When he gets his opportunity, he takes advantage of it. He provides a pass rush and is a run stopper. We definitely can use him out of the field.”
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