Jarrett, Pees want to change Falcons’ defensive culture
FLOWERY BRANCH — Defensive coordinator Dean Pees is set on changing the Falcons defensive culture. As is that wasn’t clear from his last press conference, where he used no uncertain terms stating that mediocrity will no longer be tolerated around here.
The Falcons aren’t aiming for the middle. They’re looking to be ranked among the very best. That will be an undertaking, one Pees is ready to see through after helping the Ravens and Patriots become dominant defenses.
“We’re changing the culture around this daggum place and it’s not going to be mediocre,” Pees said. “It’s not going to be average. It’s not going to be in the bottom half of the league like it’s been 15 out of the last 20 years. Sick of that crap. We’ve got to take charge and it’s not going to be anybody else to do it but us.”
Pees will need a talent infusion (or two) to help usher in a period of sustained dominance. He’ll also need player leadership to get this defense right.
There’s nobody better than Grady Jarrett to help him do it. The veteran defensive tackle is an excellent player, someone with no problem being a vocal leader who sets the right example.
Jarrett’s also invested in this effort, having recently signed a contract extension that’ll keep him here through the 2025 season.
His presence on the field and in the locker room will help get this 2021 defense going while leading it into the future.
Jarrett doesn’t think it’s rocket science to get a defense going strong.
“That comes from putting in work on the grind every day,” Jarrett said in a Wednesday press conference. “You have to make sure everyone’s on their details from the front end to the back end, with everyone giving great effort. I feel like we have the pieces to do what we need to do, but we have to execute. We’re not going to be able to execute on game day if we’re not doing it on the practice field.”
Jarrett also has experience playing solid team defense. He was an integral part of a 2017 squad that ranked eighth in scoring defense (and ninth in yards), the only time in the last 20 years the Falcons have been in the top 10 in the only metric that matters.
Jarrett knows from both experience and what Pees preaches how to reach that level. He isn’t adding players. He’s helping those here play individually as part of a collective.
“You have to stay on the daily grind,” Jarrett said. “When it gets hard, you have to stay focused, locked in. You have to let the coaches coach you and give it everything you’ve got. You’ve got to win matchups, with all 11 men doing one job. If we do that, we’re going to get it done. Everything else will take care of itself.”
Jarrett has done a good job taking care of himself, coming into 2022 in excellent shape and ready to produce at his level.
“This offseason was very different. Exercise is like therapy for me, keeping my mind right,” Jarrett said. “I got back in the gym early and spent a lot of time with my sports doctor…training me and pushing me to my max. It was about being disciplined.
“I’m always trying to get better, so I had to take it another step further. It was about putting in the work, even when I’m tired, and stacking the days. I’m still doing that today, because I always feel like I could get better. As I get older, I feel like I’m getting stronger and faster and better. I’m in a really good space right now, and I want to keep it going.”
In other Falcons’ news from training camp:
MARIOTA SAYS PITTS MAKES IT EASY FOR QBS
FLOWERY BRANCH — Marcus Mariota is getting to know his pass catchers well now that training camp is in full swing. He’s throwing a ton to the Falcons’ top targets.
That includes tight end Kyle Pitts, who put in tons of detail work on his route running heading into his second NFL season.
Mariota can tell. The first-unit quarterback sees a savvy route runner who is easy to throw to, a large target with long arms who can make plays on passes anywhere in his vicinity.
“For a guy his size, with his catch radius, his length and his ability to get in and out of cuts makes it easy on us,” Mariota said in his Monday press conference. “His body language as a receiver makes it simple. You know when he’s coming in and out of breaks. We know when he’s going to break down. It’s really a credit to him. I think that, as we continue to jell, our chemistry will continue to grow.”
Being quarterback friendly is key for pass catchers. Being in the right place at the right time, with steady hands and providing a wide target is key. So is the trust built by making plays in traffic and tight coverage, providing confidence for a quarterback throws it into tight spaces.
That’s especially true on third down, or anytime an offense is trying to move the chains. Pitts set out to be better in that area.
He set out to dissect defenses better, finding soft spots in coverage where he can comfortably receive a pass. He’s also working to be better against double teams or safeties and linebackers shading toward him
“Running good routes is really important, especially when you’re trying to get first downs,” Pitts said last week. “That’s definitely a focus for me.”
Mariota can tell. He has been impressed by Pitts as a route runner, especially for a second-year pro.
“Everyone has a skill set and everyone can get better at some things,” Mariota said. “For Kyle, it’s about continuing to push some of those things so he can run anything on the field. That allows him to get into different situations and different matchups.”
Mariota had a tough time finding a comparison for Pitts from his past, which is no shock for a player nicknamed “The Unicorn.”
“I wouldn’t compare Kyle to anybody else,” Mariota said. “He has a very unique skill set, one that benefits us. We just have to find ways to get him the ball.”
DAVIDSON IS READY FOR YEAR 3
FLOWERY BRANCH — Marlon Davidson’s early NFL career has had its share of setbacks.
The former Auburn standout suffered from an ankle injury and COVID-19 during his first two seasons in the league, making it harder to realize vast potential. This will be a big year for Davidson to display his strength and versatility on the defensive front alongside Grady Jarrett and Anthony Rush, and he knows it.
That’s why he pushed so hard to get ready for Year 3.
During the offseason, Davidson focused a lot on shredding body weight, toning up and getting more explosive. Lower body strength was something that Davidson struggled with at a period in time, and didn’t squat for as long as two years. He’s now back squatting, feeling stronger and powerful in the lower end of his body. Getting back to physical shape is key for him in being able to compete at the highest-level.
“I went back to the dungeon,” Davidson said laughing. “I went back to madhouse. Started back at my roots, you know what I mean, back in that hot gym. Long days, long mornings, heavy weight. That’s all I was doing.”
Since the injury, this is the first time Davidson doesn’t feel anything physically wrong. He said it was nothing like last year or the year before.
“I remember there were some days I couldn’t even wake up and just feel decent,” Davidson said. “Every day I was walking around limping. I could be doing this and that and I was still trying my best to come out here and perform because that’s my job. I can’t put my past on my injuries. That’s still on me because as long as I’m out there, I still need to be out there to play football and make plays.”
The pressure to live up to his second-round draft pick status only fuels Davidson, adding motivation to keep working and block out the outside noise. He sees the headlines. He sees everything on social media. Adding an extra rep on the field, in the weight room, and extra minute in the film room is what keeps Davidson going.
“I just take it in and keep going man,” Davidson said.
The Falcons defensive line will be in a great spot this year with Davidson back in the rotation. With everyone back healthy on the front line, this defense will look completely different from last year. Despite the setbacks Davidson might have faced in the past, that’s behind him now. He’s only looking forward for what’s lies ahead.
“This year I’m just trying to get myself going, get my feet wet and just progress,” Davidson said. “Keep continuing to get better and keep stacking days like I’ve been doing everyday out here. That’s all I can do.”
Marlon Davidson is back and doing all he can to get ready for a big season.
“Every year for me is a work year,” Davidson said. “Doing what God brought me here to do and that’s to play football. When I get my opportunity, my number called, I’m going to just go out there and have fun.”
LONDON MAKING SOLID FIRST IMPRESSION
FLOWERY BRANCH — After a relatively quiet first day at training camp, rookie Drake London stood out on day 2. He’s been feeling 100 percent after recovering from an ankle injury, even before he arrived for OTAs. Players from around the Falcons locker room have been impressed with what they’ve been seeing in the 2022 first-round draft pick.
“He’s a subtle, stay-out-of-theway type of guy, and I respect that. On the field, man, he really pops out at you,” said wide receiver Bryan Edwards. “He moves really well in and out of breaks for a bigger receiver. He’s very shifty. He kind of reminds me of a shiftier version of Mike Evans down there in Tampa Bay. Much respect to that kid. I can’t wait to see him grow and blossom into the great player I know he’s going to be.”
London was all smiles after being back in action. He looked loose, confident, and conformable in Thursday’s training camp practice. Over the course of the summer, he has been training with fellow rookie Desmond Ridder, establishing that chemistry on and off the field.
“It’s not even the training part. It’s hanging out with him, chilling with him, getting to know him as a brother, you know?” London said. “That’s going to be my teammate, and I just want to get to know him on a personal basis. And that’s what we did back in Cali.”
With the quarterback position uncertain this early into the season, building that rapport with both Marcus Mariota and Ridder has been of importance to London.
He comes into an offense that has seen momentous changes over the last 10 months. A new quarterback. Some new pieces competing on the offensive line, and pretty much a whole new pass-catcher corps outside of Kyle Pitts and Olamide Zaccheaus.
After the NFL Draft in Las Vegas, London talked about joining Pitts in this offense and how excited he was to play alongside the secondyear pro. Now that they’ve had a little time together, the relationship is starting to build amongst the two receivers.
“He’s always in my ear here and there, making sure that I’m doing the right things and giving me tips that he didn’t know when he was here so it’s very good,” London said. “Just like Ridder and Marcus and just all the guys, I’m trying to build a connection with him.”
With London most likely being a starter for this unit, his size, speed, and playmaking ability will be key for this offense.
Offensive coordinator Dave Ragone sees all the young guys understanding their responsibilities on offense but, more importantly, coming out and being completive amongst each other.