Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith believes that rookie defensive end/linebacker Vic Beasley has a chance to be a special player in the NFL.
In 1988 with the Houston Oilers, former Falcons coach and defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville gave Smith his first NFL job.
Smith, 59, has seen a lot of NFL action. He most recently was Denver’s linebackers coach and had Von Miller when he was a rookie. Miller was one of two players who were drafted in the top 10 over the past 10 drafts who registered double-digit sacks as a rookie.
He believes Beasley is in the same class.
“He’s got tremendous ability,” Smith said. “He reminds me of Von Miller. I think he has an opportunity to be special if he keeps working at it.”
Beasley was off to a great start in training camp until a stomach virus knocked him out of practice Thursday.
“Beasley is doing fine,” Smith said. “He came in here and the other day at practice he took a really huge hit. I’m really happy that he wasn’t hurt on the play. That’s part of the game. The thing that was impressive to me was that he came back and played hard afterwards.”
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