The 2016 Atlanta Falcons Offseason Thread - Brought to you by Bird Brehs

[AVXL]

Surprised more teams don't do this

 

[AVXL]

We'll see.

FLOWERY BRANCH — Former Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin, who’s a free agent, is set to visit the Falcons on Monday.

Boykin was released by the Panthers on Monday. He had some interest from the Falcons before signing with Carolina in March.

The Panthers drafted three cornerbacks and after signing six tryout players, they didn’t have any room for Boykin, who’s been a solid nickel back when he’s had the opportunity to play in the NFL.

Boykin, 5-foot-9 and 183 pounds, had interest from three other teams before signing with the Panthers. The Falcons had Leon Hall in for a visit, but have decided to go in another direction after reviewing his medical records.

Boykin, who was a fourth-round pick by Philadelphia in 2012, had seven interceptions in three seasons with the Eagles, including six in his second season. Last season with Pittsburgh, he played mostly on special teams and backup duty.


The Falcons plan to move Robert Alford to nickel back and are hoping that Jalen Collins can win the right cornerback spot. However, Collins must serve a four-game suspension for violating the league’s performance enhancement drug policy.

LINK: Brandon Boykin to visit Falcons on Monday | Atlanta Falcons blog

 

[The ADD]

FLOWERY BRANCH — Former Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin, who’s a free agent, is set to visit the Falcons on Monday.

Boykin was released by the Panthers on Monday. He had some interest from the Falcons before signing with Carolina in March.

The Panthers drafted three cornerbacks and after signing six tryout players, they didn’t have any room for Boykin, who’s been a solid nickel back when he’s had the opportunity to play in the NFL.

Boykin, 5-foot-9 and 183 pounds, had interest from three other teams before signing with the Panthers. The Falcons had Leon Hall in for a visit, but have decided to go in another direction after reviewing his medical records.

Boykin, who was a fourth-round pick by Philadelphia in 2012, had seven interceptions in three seasons with the Eagles, including six in his second season. Last season with Pittsburgh, he played mostly on special teams and backup duty.


The Falcons plan to move Robert Alford to nickel back and are hoping that Jalen Collins can win the right cornerback spot. However, Collins must serve a four-game suspension for violating the league’s performance enhancement drug policy.

LINK: Brandon Boykin to visit Falcons on Monday | Atlanta Falcons blog

I like it but Collins really f-ed up.

 

[AVXL]

I like it but Collins really f-ed up.

Hopefully this works out b/c we gotta get a starting corner opposite Tru...Alford isn't a starting corner in this league and never was one

 

[The ADD]

Hopefully this works out b/c we gotta get a starting corner opposite Tru...Alford isn't a starting corner in this league and never was one

It's a temporary fix and that isn't a knock on Bam. If this happened to bridge until Collins is back I would take it.

 

[AVXL]

It's a temporary fix and that isn't a knock on Bam. If this happened to bridge until Collins is back I would take it.

I mean I'm not sure if Collins is the answer opposite Trufant either. Collins didn't exactly wow me last yr out there but b/c he was drafted by this coaching staff he's gonna get every chance to win the job (even if he's not the best player for the job)

 

[Nostalgic]

Vic Beasley preparing for move to SAM linebacker

The Atlanta Falcons are transitioning Vic Beasley from his role as a LEO pass rusher last season to SAM (strongside) linebacker.

"It's off to a great start," Beasley said of the change, via the team's official website. "I just know that it's a new position. I played a little bit of linebacker in college, but it's different in the league; there's more responsibility. But I'm off to a great start with it. ... I'm pretty sure in the game plan they'll use me in rushing and obviously dropping back, going back and forth."

Beasley will essentially fill the role that Bruce Irvin thrived in when Falcons coach Dan Quinn coordinated the Seattle Seahawks' defense. Beasley struggled as a rookie against the run. In the SAM role, the athletic defender will be in space to make plays, rather than immediately getting latched onto by an offensive lineman.

Interestingly enough, before Beasley was selected No. 8 overall in 2015, NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein compared Beasley favorably to Irvin. (Too bad the Falcons don't have clones of Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril as well.)

While Beasley is capable in coverage, the Falcons dropping their best pass rusher even 75-100 times is a mistake -- before leaving Seattle, Irvin complained he wasn't allowed to rush the passer enough in that role. Given that Beasley is their most talented pass rusher, Atlanta needs the second-year player getting after the quarterback most downs.

Moving Beasley to linebacker certainly upgrades a putrid LB unit, however, questions are created at defensive end. Among changes to fill the gap, Ra'Shede Hageman is expected to move over on the defensive line.

The position switches, along with adding Derrick Shelby should make the Falcons' defense much more stout against the run. Regardless of Beasley's position, we still have significant concerns about Atlanta's ability to consistently disrupt the passer.

Vic Beasley preparing for move to SAM linebacker

 

[AVXL]

Vic Beasley preparing for move to SAM linebacker



Vic Beasley preparing for move to SAM linebacker

I'm withholding judgment on this decision until after the season. I just hope we know what we're doing by taking our best pass rusher OFF the line on a team that still can't rush the passer

 

[Nostalgic]

I'm withholding judgment on this decision until after the season. I just hope we know what we're doing by taking our best pass rusher OFF the line on a team that still can't rush the passer

With that move it makes me think what the front 7 will look like now.

I'll take a quick stab at it

LDE. Clayborn
DT. Babineaux
NT. Grady
RDE. Shelby
SLB. Beasly
MLB. Worrilow ( I hate it but I think he'll get the start of GP)
WLB. Upshaw

 

[AVXL]

With that move it makes me think what the front 7 will look like now.

I'll take a quick stab at it

LDE. Clayborn
DT. Babineaux
NT. Grady
RDE. Shelby
SLB. Beasly
MLB. Worrilow ( I hate it but I think he'll get the start of GP)
WLB. Upshaw

D Led gave his projected defensive starters for both the nickel & 4-3

NICKEL DEFENSE (60 PERCENT)

RDE 99 Adrian Clayborn, 94 Tyson Jackson, 71 Brandon Williams

DT 97 Grady Jarrett, 95 Jonathan Babineaux, 98 Cory Johnson

DT 90 Derrick Shelby, 77 Ra’Shede Hageman, 92 Joey Mbu, 74 Chris Mayes

LDE 44 Vic Beasley Jr., 93 Malliciah Goodman, 52 Tyler Starr

LB 56 Sean Weatherspoon, 50 Brooks Reed, 41 Philip Wheeler, 59 De’Vondre Campbell, 46 Torrey Green, 48 Ivan McLennan

LB 55 Paul Worrilow, 45 Deion Jones, 91 Courtney Upshaw, 53 LaRoy Reynolds, 54 Josh Dawson

RCB 25 Akeem King, 32 Jalen Collins, 29 C.J. Goodwin, 33 Devonte Johnson, 38 David Mims II

NCB 23 Robert Alford, 43 DeMarcus Van Dyke, 34 Brian Poole

LCB 21 Desmond Trufant, 43 DeMarcus Van Dyke, 39 Jordan Sefon

FS 37 Ricardo Allen, 27 Robenson Therezie, 20 Sharrod Neaseman

SS 22 Keanu Neal, 30 Charles Godfrey, 36 Kemal Ishmael, 40 Damian Parms

4-3 – UNDER

RDE 94 Tyson Jackson, 99 Adrian Clayborn, 71 Brandon Williams

DT 95 Jonathan Babineaux, 98 Cory Johnson

NT 97 Grady Jarrett, 92 Joey Mbu, 74 Chris Mayes

LDE 90 Derrick Shelby, 77 Ra’Shede Hageman, 93 Malliciah Goodman, 52 Tyler Starr

WLB 56 Sean Weatherspoon, 41 Philip Wheeler, 46 Torrey Green, 48 Ivan McLennan

MLB 55 Paul Worrilow, 45 Deion Jones, 91 Courtney Upshaw, 53 LaRoy Reynolds

SLB 44 Vic Beasley, 50 Brooks Reed, 59 De’Vondre Campbell, 54 Josh Dawson

RCB 25 Akeem King, 32 Jalen Collins, 23 Robert Alford, 29 C.J. Goodwin, 33 Devonte Johnson, 38 David Mims II

LCB 21 Desmond Trufant, 43 DeMarcus Van Dyke, 39 Jordan Sefon, 34 Brian Poole

FS 37 Ricardo Allen, 27 Robenson Therezie, 20 Sharrod Neaseman

SS 22 Keanu Neal, 30 Charles Godfrey, 36 Kemal Ishmael, 40 Damian Parms

 

[The ADD]

I'm withholding judgment on this decision until after the season. I just hope we know what we're doing by taking our best pass rusher OFF the line on a team that still can't rush the passer

They are going to move him around and send him on certain packages. Hence the bigger DEs to handle obvious run downs.

 

[Stone]

in this spread it out and throw 50 times league were probably gonna end up in nickel most of the time anyway

 

[Sly Cookin]

I think deion jones ends up starting middle linebacker. Philip wheeler and campbell fight it out for wlb.

I don't see where brooks reed fits in tho.

 

[Rebel Soldier]

I don't like the approach this team went with on defense. They focused solely on improving the coverage but that wasn't the only issue. The d-line did a piss poor job consistently beating the men in front of them.

Looking at the depth chart, the pass rush is way too reliant on a number of the young guys improving. Especially Beasley. With the upcoming schedule, it wouldn't surprise me if that plan blows up in the front offices faces. You're not beating Green Bay, Seattle, Arizona, etc with a meh pass rush. Doesn't matter how much better this team is in coverage.

 

[FaTaL]

does boykin had a terrible personality, hes been a extremely productive nickel cb but he keeps getting released?

whats the deal on him?