The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
COACH WANTS THESE 6 PLAYERS TO STEP UP
Falcons coach Dan Quinn is already working on the open
ing speech he will deliver when players return for the offseason program.
In the meantime, before the April 16 reporting date, he and his staff are prepar
ing a point of attack video to show players what each needs to be get done before the start of the NFL season.
Quinn was asked by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at last week’s owners meetings to name several players who could elevate their level of play for the 2018 season. On offense, he noted tight end Austin Hooper and right tackle Ryan Schraeder. On defense, he mentioned defensive end Vic Beasley, linebacker Duke Riley, nickel back Brian Poole and strong safety Keanu Neal.
Quinn broke down the areas of improvement for the players.
TE Austin Hooper
Hooper played 787 snaps (76.6 percent of the offensive snaps) last season. He sparkled early before proving to be undependable as the season progressed.
He caught 49 of 65 targets (75.4 percent catch rate) for 526 yards and three touchdowns. He had 265 yards after the catch.
Hooper is a pass-catching tight end.
“Some of the ones are not on the stat sheet,” Quinn said of his areas of improvement. “In the run game, he can get better. Then his abil- ity to where we can use him in different matchups based on guys for us that are tough option route (runners) to cover, especially on third down ... how do we get to the next space.”
RT Ryan Schraeder
Schraeder missed two games last season while in the concussion protocol. He played 893 snaps, which was 81.2 percent of the offensive snaps.
He was the 29th rated tackle by Pro Football Focus and had a 77.5 grade, which is considered average on their scale, for his play last season.
“I’m looking forward to Ryan Schraeder and the style and attitude for him to really kind of come through,” Quinn said.
DE Vic Beasley
The Falcons played Beas- ley at linebacker last season and his sacks dipped from a league-leading 15.5 to just five last season. He’s being moved back to left defensive
end in the nickel package. “Our takeaways defen- sively were down,” Quinn said. “He’s one of the guys that we count on to get the ball off of people. The quar- terback from a forced-fum
ble standpoint is usually the one that you go after.”
The Falcons play nickel 70 percent of the time and plan to unleash Beasley and right end Takkarist McKinley and hope they re-vital- ized the pass rush. “We may flip them some,” Quinn said.
LB Duke Riley
Riley was drafted in the third round (75th overall) last season out of LSU and was the opening-day starter against the Bears.
After missing too many tackles, he eventually lost his position and then suffered a knee injury. The Fal- cons still believe he can turn in to a player.
“Duke Riley is one that I really think is going to make a big jump from year one to year two,” Quinn said.
He’s going to get pushed along by linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich.
“I’m looking for an significant jump,” Quinn said. “A couple of things that we are going to ask him to do at his spot, really be a good space-tackler and he’ll have to play a little bit of manto-man on backs and tight ends. He’s able to do both of those.”
NB Brian Poole
Poole played in 15 regular-season games and made two starts. He played 697 defensive snaps (60.2 percent).
Damontae Kazee, who played free safety, but was a cornerback in college at San Diego State, is being moved to the slot to compete with Poole.
SS Keanu Neal
The Falcons believe the
hard-hitting Neal can make the jump to Pro Bowl status.
“The thing I really admire about his game, first is his ability in the run game to force fumbles,” Quinn said. “I think in two years, he has eight. I don’t know where that stands, but that’s a good number for a (defensive back).
The Falcons want Neal to make better decisions on when to go for the knockout shot and when to make the quality tackle and get a player to the ground or to make more interceptions.