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****Atlanta Falcons**** And The NFL In General
- Thread starter Tony2X
- Start date
Whoa!!!!
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.”
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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Alabama lineman Austin Shepherd has met with the Falcons
Offensive lineman Austin Shepherd, left, hits a block of tight end Brian Vogler during Alabama’s Pro Day, Wednesday, March 11, 2015, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The event is to showcase players for the upcoming NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama offensive lineman Austin Shepherd, who played at North Gwinnett High, had a strong Pro Day on Wednesday.
He has met with a number of NFL teams including the Atlanta Falcons. He believes that he fits the teams’ new outside-zone blocking system.
“I think I did pretty well,” Shepherd said. “My whole point was to come in and improve on a few things from the combine, and I think I successfully did that. My 40 was a tenth faster, my 10 was faster, my L-cone drill was faster, so I think that was just being comfortable back here at home.”
Shepherd, who’s being scouted as a guard or right tackle, is the blue-collar type of worker who’d fits the zone-blocking style of play. Over his career at Alabama, he played in 44 games and made 27 starts at right tackle.
His scouting report on NFL.Com reads: “He can mirror in pass protection and takes good angles that help him get to his zone-blocking responsibilities. He’s a worker bee who can use technique and effort to win more snaps than he should against more talented players. He can be an NFL backup with the potential to become a starter.”
With the Pro Day over, Shepherd is set to meet with more NFL teams.
“I’m always motivated,” Shepherd said. “It’s a job interview every time you step on the field in front of these guys. If you’re not motivated for this, then it’s not for you.”
Offensive lineman Austin Shepherd, left, hits a block of tight end Brian Vogler during Alabama’s Pro Day, Wednesday, March 11, 2015, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The event is to showcase players for the upcoming NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama offensive lineman Austin Shepherd, who played at North Gwinnett High, had a strong Pro Day on Wednesday.
He has met with a number of NFL teams including the Atlanta Falcons. He believes that he fits the teams’ new outside-zone blocking system.
“I think I did pretty well,” Shepherd said. “My whole point was to come in and improve on a few things from the combine, and I think I successfully did that. My 40 was a tenth faster, my 10 was faster, my L-cone drill was faster, so I think that was just being comfortable back here at home.”
Shepherd, who’s being scouted as a guard or right tackle, is the blue-collar type of worker who’d fits the zone-blocking style of play. Over his career at Alabama, he played in 44 games and made 27 starts at right tackle.
His scouting report on NFL.Com reads: “He can mirror in pass protection and takes good angles that help him get to his zone-blocking responsibilities. He’s a worker bee who can use technique and effort to win more snaps than he should against more talented players. He can be an NFL backup with the potential to become a starter.”
With the Pro Day over, Shepherd is set to meet with more NFL teams.
“I’m always motivated,” Shepherd said. “It’s a job interview every time you step on the field in front of these guys. If you’re not motivated for this, then it’s not for you.”
King: Durant is Tuesday's 'Most Underrated Signing'
Posted Mar 11, 2015
Sports Illustrated's Peter King offered high praise for new Falcons linebacker Justin Durant, describing his addition as the most underrated deal of the first day of free agency.
The Atlanta Falcons opened the doors of the 2015 NFL free agency period by adding talent on both sides of the ball, including former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Justin Durant
.
Entering his ninth NFL season, Durant brings a lot of value to Dan Quinn's team, including veteran leadership and a versatility that will allow Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith to use the multipurpose linebacker in a variety of ways.
MORE: Five Must See Justin Durant YouTube Videos
Among the many NFL experts weighing in on Tuesday's free agent signings around the league, Sports Illustrated's Peter King believes Quinn found a possible gem in Durant to add to his defensive scheme.
"I think the most underrated signing Tuesday was Atlanta’s deal with linebacker Justin Durant, a rangy, attacking, highly instinctive sideline-to-sideline player … when healthy," King posted on mmqb.si.com. "In October last year, I remember Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli singing Durant’s praises; he said he thought that if Durant continued on the path he was headed he’d be a defensive player of the year candidate."
A torn right biceps injury prevented Durant's impressive 2014 campaign from additional exploits, missing the final 10 games of the season. It's clear, however, that the Falcons followed through with due diligence and were convinced Durant and his health is the best fit for the 2015 roster, possessing player-of-the-year talents.
"It’s a big 'if' whether he stays healthy, of course," King said. "But if so, new coach Dan Quinn’s got himself a terrific defensive leader and player."
Posted Mar 11, 2015
Sports Illustrated's Peter King offered high praise for new Falcons linebacker Justin Durant, describing his addition as the most underrated deal of the first day of free agency.
The Atlanta Falcons opened the doors of the 2015 NFL free agency period by adding talent on both sides of the ball, including former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Justin Durant
.Entering his ninth NFL season, Durant brings a lot of value to Dan Quinn's team, including veteran leadership and a versatility that will allow Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith to use the multipurpose linebacker in a variety of ways.
MORE: Five Must See Justin Durant YouTube Videos
Among the many NFL experts weighing in on Tuesday's free agent signings around the league, Sports Illustrated's Peter King believes Quinn found a possible gem in Durant to add to his defensive scheme.
"I think the most underrated signing Tuesday was Atlanta’s deal with linebacker Justin Durant, a rangy, attacking, highly instinctive sideline-to-sideline player … when healthy," King posted on mmqb.si.com. "In October last year, I remember Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli singing Durant’s praises; he said he thought that if Durant continued on the path he was headed he’d be a defensive player of the year candidate."
A torn right biceps injury prevented Durant's impressive 2014 campaign from additional exploits, missing the final 10 games of the season. It's clear, however, that the Falcons followed through with due diligence and were convinced Durant and his health is the best fit for the 2015 roster, possessing player-of-the-year talents.
"It’s a big 'if' whether he stays healthy, of course," King said. "But if so, new coach Dan Quinn’s got himself a terrific defensive leader and player."
Adrian clayborn signed!!! Derrick morgan left tampa bay without a contract also. We need him as well
Atlanta Falcons ✔ @AtlantaFalcons Follow
CB Phillip Adams and DE @AJaClay are Falcons! http://atlfal.co.nz/1MwmYpU #RiseUp
3:06 PM - 12 Mar 2015
