Sean Weatherspoon dresses and plays to impress
FLOWERY BRANCH — After games, Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon usually is a finalist for the best-dressed player on the team.
In Indianapolis this season, he broke out a burgundy velvet sports coat and a bow tie that won him praise on the team’s charter plane.
“I have to figure it out this week,” Weatherspoon said Wednesday. “When you go the road, you’ve got to be fresh.”
In his second season in the NFL, Weatherspoon’s play on the field is matching his stylish wardrobe.
“If you go over there by Mike Peterson, you know he’s definitely going to be looking good,” Weatherspoon said. “All of the linebackers have had to step their game up.”
The group clearly wants to be the best dressed and hardest-hitting unit in the league.
After going through an injury-marred rookie season, Weatherspoon is fulfilling the promise that led to the Falcons selecting him with the 19th pick of the 2010 draft. He’s second on the team with 109 tackles and passes defensed with seven. He also has three sacks.
His numbers indicate that he’s playing the run, rushing the passer and playing well in pass coverage.
“Sean Weatherspoon, the young guy out of Missouri, is a dynamic guy,” Carolina coach Ron Rivera said. “He’s a playmaker. He’s a physical guy that plays downhill. He plays good with his hands. He’s got enough athletic ability to make plays for them.”
Last season Weatherspoon landed the starting strongside linebacker spot, but suffered an ankle injury against New Orleans in the third game. He came back two games later against Cleveland and took a helmet shot to his knee that knocked him out of the next four games.
When he returned his mobility was limited, but he completed the season. He finished with 52 tackles, a sack and knocked down one pass.
After the lockout, Weatherspoon was moved to weakside linebacker in order to take better advantage of his speed and ability to play in space.
“It’s just starting to come together,” Weatherspoon said.
In pass defense, Weatherspoon plays close attention to where receivers line up to get a tip on whether they are going outside or are trying to come into his area.
“If they are inside, they want to break outside,” Weatherspoon said. “When they are outside they are coming inside on a route. You just have to know those little things like that. When a wide receiver is going to run a slant, he’s going to try to widen the cornerback out so he can get that space between the corner and the linebacker. That’s something that you have to really make sure you are looking at it because it could be a big play.”
The Falcons, who have to face the pass-happy New Orleans Saints twice each season, were attracted to Weatherspoon because of his ability to play the pass in college.
Also, Weatherspoon has filled his role against the run. The Falcons give up 90 yards rushing per game, which ranks third in the league.
“It’s pretty much a pride thing,” Weatherspoon said. “In our defense, when they do have a good run against us, it’s pretty evident that we understand what happened and who’s supposed to be in that gap. That’s about being accountable. You definitely want to always be accountable to your teammates, so you have to play with a chip on your shoulder.
“You definitely don’t want anybody to run the ball on you. As a linebacker, that’s what you’re taught first. Get down hill and hit something. That’s pretty natural there.”
With Weatherspoon, who has had double-digit tackles in six games, playing so well, the Falcons have put more on his plate.
“His knowledge has grown to the point where he feels much more confident in our scheme,” defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder said. “When you get to that point, the athletic ability starts to show. He’s a very good athlete.”
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
