With the acquisition of Dontari Poe, not only did the Falcons sign a former Pro Bowl defensive tackle. They picked up a player with a technological and entrepreneurial spirit.
Poe, who expected to take part in his first mandatory minicamp with the Falcons on Tuesday through Thursday and possibly pick up a $125,000 weight bonus, has several investments in Silicon Valley firms.
He most recently invested in a daily pay digital application. He has also held two Poe Man’s Challenges, an event modeled after the “Shark Tank” television show to help young start-ups get established.
“The tech world, just in itself, is interesting,” Poe told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently. “That’s the way the world is moving. Everything revolves around technological. I just like it.”
Poe has invested in digital application called DailyPay, which was released last week. It’s a financial solutions company with an app designed to reduce employee turnover through instant access to wages.
“Yeah, I’m kind of new to that one,” Poe said. “It’s an app to help people move forward with what is already pretty much theirs.”
Poe has become passionate about technology that empowers under-served Americans to take control of their financial situations. In the Poe Man’s Challenge events, he has brought under-served youth together to “sell” their company to a panel of influencers and connected investors. The winners have received $15,000 from Poe.
“I’ve been huge into technology,” Poe said. “I got into it a few years ago from one of my advisors. He was sending me articles on it. I read up on and just got interested in it.”
Poe was signed by the Falcons in March to a one-year, $8 million contract, which included weight incentive clauses. A two-time Pro Bowler with the Kansas City Chiefs, he is a key part of the Falcons’ rebuilt defensive line.
The Falcons elected not to re-sign veteran defensive tackles Tyson Jackson and Jonathan Babineaux after last season. They then signed Poe and defensive Jack Crawford and later selected defensive end Takkarist McKinley in the first round of the NFL draft.
“He’ll be a significant factor for us,” coach Dan Quinn said.
Poe has participated in the team’s offseason program and said he is fitting in with his new team.
“It’s been fun,” Poe said. “Everybody is running around the field and it’s high energy. They know where they want to go and they know how to get there. I’m just trying to follow their lead and do what I can to help.”
He’s also been impressed with Quinn and new defensive line coach Bryant Young. His projected role with the team also suits him.
“I feel real good about it,” Poe said. “(Young) knows a thing or two about the defensive line. I feel like I can learn a lot from him.”
Quinn, a former defensive line coach, also pitches in with tips.
“That’s good. He lets you know that he’s a (defensive) line guy,” Poe said. “He knows a lot of good stuff. As long as I follow up on what he’s telling me, I can be where I want to be.
“The speed and intensity of the practice itself is good to be around. We are just going to keep on pushing.”
Poe has a weigh-in on Tuesday and can earn $125,000 bonus if he reaches a designated weight. He has three other possible bonuses, each worth $125,000 if he weighs 330 or less at the start of training camp, regular season and in November.
Poe was listed at 346 pounds last season by Kansas City.
“It’s been pretty smooth,” Poe said. “I’m pretty much where I need to be. So as long as I keep doing that, I’ll be alright. I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
Poe said the heat and intensity of the team’s OTAs has helped keep his weight in line. The Falcons believe a sleeker Poe can be more disruptive on the field for longer periods of time.
“He’ll be in there on first, second and third down,” Young said. “Run plays and pass rush as well.
“We want to be as efficient as possible. The way we play the game, you want to be in the best shape that you possibly can. Weight-wise, we want to make sure, as we look at each guy, that they are where they need to be. He’s a guy that has an opportunity to do that.”
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