Post by Guvmintcheeze on May 27, 2015 0:11:59 GMT
Dan Quinn praises pass-rushers on Day 1 of OTAs
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn singled out several pass-rushers while reflecting on Day 1 of organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday.
Quinn mentioned Adrian Clayborn, Kroy Biermann and rookie Vic Beasley as players who caught his eye in third-down situations.
"The big thing that we're going to preach is trying to move the quarterback off the spot; how many times can we get that quarterback to move," Quinn said. "So the speed and the effort and the way that we come off the ball, that's some of the things that you try and implement on third down. Some of it was pressure, some of it was rush so for the first day, I have to take a look back at the film.
"I thought inside, Clayborn was one that jumped out. I saw Beasley jumped out for one. Biermann, I thought, had a good one. Those three jumped out in that period (where) we had about eight plays of third down competition at the end where you win it or lose it based on that down and distance.''
There was a couple times throughout the day when Beasley dominated left tackle Lamar Holmes, including on a bull rush. Beasley also showed off his spin move and got grabbed around the neck by undrafted rookie offensive tackle Matt Huffer.
So what does Quinn think of the spin moves?
"I think it depends on the player," Quinn said. "If a guy who has really good sudden [movement] and can spin, then it's something that we'd utilize. And if it's a bigger guy who uses more power, well, we kind of avoid it. So it's really like as a player, knowing who you are. If it's something that a guy who's got great quickness can use, we'll use it. And if it's a guy who doesn't have that kind of quickness, then we tend to stay away from it.
"If you can't shoot from the top of the key, we're not going to put you out there."
The Falcons sorely need to upgrade their pass rush. Their 83 sacks over the last three seasons are the fewest in the NFL over that span.
Here are some other observations from the first day of OTAs:
Julio Jones, who showed up despite there being no new negotiations toward a long-term contract, looked like his typical self in tiptoeing the sideline and reeling in a catch essentially with one hand. There was a moment late in practice when Jones was on the ground getting stretched out by the medical staff but he was right back in after one play.
Devonta Freeman was first up at running back through the entire day, but rookie Tevin Coleman got plenty of chances to carry the ball and catch out of the backfield while working with the second unit. Coleman had one nifty cut and explosion during teams drills, while Freeman was as impressive as he was this time last year, save for one drop.
Justin Hardy didn't get a lot of opportunities to shine, but the rookie fourth-round draft pick from East Carolina did look rather fluid with his route running.
O'Brien Schofield had an impressive speed rush going up against right tackle Tyler Polumbus.
Leonard Hankerson had a great catch down the sideline against linebacker Nate Stupar. An obvious mismatch, of course.
In the two-minute drill with the first-team offense, Jacob Tamme was in at tight end and Devin Hester in as third receiver alongside Jones and Roddy White.
Linebacker Prince Shembo made a play in 7-on-7 drills in knocking the ball away from running back Jerome Smith.
Newcomer Phillip Adams was the primary nickelback with Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford playing outside at cornerback. Corners Dez Southward (knee) and Jalen Collins (foot) were sidelined.
The first-team offensive line was the following: Holmes (left tackle), Mike Person (left guard), James Stone (center), Jon Asamoah (right guard), Ryan Schraeder (right tackle).
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn singled out several pass-rushers while reflecting on Day 1 of organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday.
Quinn mentioned Adrian Clayborn, Kroy Biermann and rookie Vic Beasley as players who caught his eye in third-down situations.
"The big thing that we're going to preach is trying to move the quarterback off the spot; how many times can we get that quarterback to move," Quinn said. "So the speed and the effort and the way that we come off the ball, that's some of the things that you try and implement on third down. Some of it was pressure, some of it was rush so for the first day, I have to take a look back at the film.
"I thought inside, Clayborn was one that jumped out. I saw Beasley jumped out for one. Biermann, I thought, had a good one. Those three jumped out in that period (where) we had about eight plays of third down competition at the end where you win it or lose it based on that down and distance.''
There was a couple times throughout the day when Beasley dominated left tackle Lamar Holmes, including on a bull rush. Beasley also showed off his spin move and got grabbed around the neck by undrafted rookie offensive tackle Matt Huffer.
So what does Quinn think of the spin moves?
"I think it depends on the player," Quinn said. "If a guy who has really good sudden [movement] and can spin, then it's something that we'd utilize. And if it's a bigger guy who uses more power, well, we kind of avoid it. So it's really like as a player, knowing who you are. If it's something that a guy who's got great quickness can use, we'll use it. And if it's a guy who doesn't have that kind of quickness, then we tend to stay away from it.
"If you can't shoot from the top of the key, we're not going to put you out there."
The Falcons sorely need to upgrade their pass rush. Their 83 sacks over the last three seasons are the fewest in the NFL over that span.
Here are some other observations from the first day of OTAs:
Julio Jones, who showed up despite there being no new negotiations toward a long-term contract, looked like his typical self in tiptoeing the sideline and reeling in a catch essentially with one hand. There was a moment late in practice when Jones was on the ground getting stretched out by the medical staff but he was right back in after one play.
Devonta Freeman was first up at running back through the entire day, but rookie Tevin Coleman got plenty of chances to carry the ball and catch out of the backfield while working with the second unit. Coleman had one nifty cut and explosion during teams drills, while Freeman was as impressive as he was this time last year, save for one drop.
Justin Hardy didn't get a lot of opportunities to shine, but the rookie fourth-round draft pick from East Carolina did look rather fluid with his route running.
O'Brien Schofield had an impressive speed rush going up against right tackle Tyler Polumbus.
Leonard Hankerson had a great catch down the sideline against linebacker Nate Stupar. An obvious mismatch, of course.
In the two-minute drill with the first-team offense, Jacob Tamme was in at tight end and Devin Hester in as third receiver alongside Jones and Roddy White.
Linebacker Prince Shembo made a play in 7-on-7 drills in knocking the ball away from running back Jerome Smith.
Newcomer Phillip Adams was the primary nickelback with Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford playing outside at cornerback. Corners Dez Southward (knee) and Jalen Collins (foot) were sidelined.
The first-team offensive line was the following: Holmes (left tackle), Mike Person (left guard), James Stone (center), Jon Asamoah (right guard), Ryan Schraeder (right tackle).
