The Falcons’ major personnel moves through free agency and the draft have been made this offseason.
Now, they can start shaping the roster with the hope of rebounding in 2015.
First-year coach Dan Quinn, who has final say over the roster, in an exclusive interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, gave a position-by-position analysis, with the team set to move onto OTA practices the week of May 25.
“To me it doesn’t really matter where we start, it’s going to be all about how we finish,” Quinn said about the roster.
He wants some competitors, and he doesn’t care if a player is draftee, undrafted or if he was a free agent. He doesn’t care if it’s a rookie or an sage veteran such as offensive tackle Tyler Polumbus, who signed Thursday.
Matt Ryan is the quarterback and Jake Matthews is the left tackle. Everything else is still on the board.
Defensive end Adrian Clayborn, linebacker Paul Worrilow and defensive end Ra’Shede Hageman have made good first impressions on their new boss.
“He’s down in weight to maybe 310 or 315,” Quinn said of Hageman. “Man is he strong. I love his attitude and approach. He’s going for it.”
Here’s Quinn’s position-by-position look at the roster heading into OTA practices:
Quarterbacks: Ryan is learning a new offense for the first time in his career, but he has a key helper in backup T.J. Yates.
Yates played in the scheme when was a member of the Houston Texans.
“He feels really comfortable being in it,” Quinn said of Yates. “Matt has attacked it just like you would expect him to do. I couldn’t be more thrilled with the way that he’s going after it.”
Running backs: Quinn has expressed his pleasure with running backs Devonta Freeman and Antone Smith. He's interested to see how fast rookie Tevin Coleman, the team's third-round pick, can pick up the system.
Wide receivers: The torch from Roddy White to Julio Jones was passed last season as he posted his first 100-catch season.
White was productive as he caught 80 passes. The team must fill Harry Douglas’ vacancy.
Leonard Hankerson, Justin Hardy, Eric Weems and Devin Hester are behind Jones and White.
“We have a good group with these guys,” Quinn said. “They are ready to come in compete and work. For me, it was great fun to get to know some of these guys personally after getting to coach against them.
“I realized that they were talented. … But just to find the hunger of some of the guys like Julio, Roddy, Devin and Eric Weems, these guys battle and we’ve added some guys to the group.
“I’m looking forward to see what they can do. Hankerson is new to the group. Hardy is new to the group. That connection, how long does it take for them to bond?”
Tight ends: Wade Harman moved from his assistant offensive line position to take over as coach of the tight ends in his second season with the team.
Mickey Shuler Jr., a seventh-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2010, has been with seven teams and is getting his second shot with the Falcons. He’s still respectably trying to find his niche in the NFL.
“(Shuler) has come back in, and he looks strong,” Quinn said. “We’ll get a better evaluation of him when we get into camp. I have a sense that he may really thrive as a blocker in this system. It will be interesting to see what he can do.”
The Falcons added Jacob Tamme and Tony Moeaki in free agency, but Quinn isn’t sure how they’ll contribute.
“They are good pass-catchers,” Quinn said. “They are talented guys.”
Levine Toilolo started at tight end for the Falcons last season.
“It’s all about pad level for him,” Quinn said. “He’s come in, and he’s been ready to work. I’ve been anxiously waiting to see what he can do.”
The group is doing well in the offseason program.
“You should see how close they are. They are doing all of their drills together,” Quinn said. “They’ve been boxing. They’ve been lifting. They’ve been conditioning. It’s a pretty cool group to see how tight they are becoming.”
Offensive line: Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff reported that all of the players recovering from surgery are coming along well. Matthews (foot), Sam Baker (knee), Joe Hawley (knee) and Peter Konz (knee).
“Most of them are doing drill work, all of the conditioning and they are running,” Quinn said.
The goal is to have everyone ready for training camp.
The competition to replace Justin Blalock at left guard will be highly competitive.
“To be honest with you, the group and (offensive line coach) Chris (Morgan) have connected,” Quinn said. “Although there are some people that are out, it will be nice to see what the guys can do.”
With Quinn going with Matthews at left tackle, former starter Sam Baker will have to find him a spot either at left guard or right tackle. Polumbus also is a candidate at right tackle.
“Jake will be at left, and we’ll take it from there,” Quinn said.
Defensive tackles: The interior of the defense seems pretty clear.
“We have (Paul) Soliai and Hageman, and in the nickel package we are using (Jonathan) Babineaux and Clayborn as inside guys,” Quinn said. “We have kind of a big-guy group and a pass-rushing group.”
Clayborn, a former Tampa Bay Buc, was signed in free agency.
“I’ve been most impressed by Adrian Clayborn in terms of his attitude to come in here and work,” Quinn said.
Defensive end/outside linebackers: With a mandate to improve the pass rush, these two positions have been stacked.
“Some other guys who have jumped out as pass-rushers include O’Brien Schofield,” Quinn said. “He’s come in and has looked as quick as he has in a while. Brooks Reed is as strong as we expected.”
Quinn is preaching versatility to all of his players.
“Some guys will play outside linebacker and will also play defensive end,” Quinn said. “Some of the LEOs, we’ll see if they can play another spot. We are going to try to find the best combination of guys. They will not only add versatility, but in a way you’re added to the depth of your team.”
Inside linebacker: Worrilow is having a strong offeason and figures tough to beat out. He's been asked to improve on his mobility, which could help him get to the ball a little quicker.
Secondary: The Falcons drafted two cornerbacks in Jalen Collins (second round) and Akeem King (seventh) and added veteran cornerback Phillip Adams in free agency.
Also, Dezmen Southward, who was drafted last season to take over at free safety, has been moved to cornerback.
Cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford and safeties William Moore and Dwight Lowery were the preferred starters last season. With Moore in and out of the lineup because of injuries, Kemal Ishmael saw extended action.
Veteran Charles Godfrey, Ishamel and Ricardo Allen are contending for the free safety spot after the team did not re-sign Lowery.
Don’t be surprised of Alford, who is 5-foot-10 and 186 pounds, gets a look at free safety. Quinn may see clone of Seattle safety Earl Thomas (5-10, 202) in Alford.
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