Reed vows to help Falcons’ pass rush
Linebacker Brooks Reed comes to the Falcons with a reputation for run-stuffing but he acknowledges that his production so far doesn’t suggest he’ll add much to their pass rush.
Reed says that can change now that he’s left the Texans for the Falcons, who had had one of the least productive pass rushes in the NFL in the past two seasons.
“I know I can improve my pass-rushing game,” Reed said a day after signing a free-agent contract with the Falcons. “Being in a clean slate with new coaches, I think it will be a little bit different.”
Reed played outside linebacker in Houston’s 3-4 scheme and said he will play strong-side linebacker in new Falcons coach Dan Quinn’s 4-3 “under” defense. The position is responsible for holding the edge on running plays and covering on pass plays but also is tasked with pass-rushing at times.
According to Pro Football Focus, Reed has rushed the quarterback a total of 1,625 times over four seasons with the Texans. Reed has been officially credited with 14.5 career sacks and Pro Football Focus also counted 17 quarterback hits and 106 hurries.
“I know that (pass rushing) is a big emphasis for this team under coach Quinn,” Reed said. “I do have a lot of experience and I know the stats haven’t shown for it in the past but I’m working hard every day to get better. He’s going to put us in the best possible position to succeed. It’s a defense for the players to get to the quarterback and move him off the spot.”
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