The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
» Vic Beasley feels like he let coach Quinn down,
Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley and Rams running back Todd Gurley’s NFL careers will be forever intertwined.
With Gurley sitting on the draft board in 2015 when the Falcons picked eighth, they selected Beasley because they needed a pass rusher. Two picks later, the Rams selected Gurley, who played at the University of Georgia.
The two crossed paths early in the Rams’ 37-10 victory over the Falcons on Sunday. The Rams sent Gurley out of the backfield on a wheel route. Beasley had him in coverage one-on-one.
Rams quarterback Jared Goff floated a nice pass over Beasley’s head for a 8-yard touchdown to make the score 10-3. Safety Jamal Crawford came over too late to help.
But Beasley, who’s heard the trade rumors, feels he’s let down head coach Dan Quinn. “He’s made some great calls,” Beasley said. “It’s up to us to execute them.”
The Falcons dropped to 1-6, which tied their worst start since the 2007 season.
“It’s very tough,” Beasley said. “It feels like a lot of times, every week, we definitely feel like we have the players to go out there and win. But it just ain’t happening for us right now.”
The Falcons did not get a sack for the fourth straight game. They did have three quarterback hits. “We almost got there,” Beasley said. “But almost doesn’t get it done. We’re getting pressure, but it’s just not turning into sacks for us.”
Beasley doesn’t know whether trade rumors are legitimate but said “I’m aware of it.” He said he wants to stay with the Falcons. “I didn’t ask for it,” Beasley said. “If upstairs, coach (Quinn) and (general manager Thomas) Dimitroff feel that’s what is needed, I’ll understand. But as long as I’m (here I’m) going to try to help this team win games.”
Beasley led the league in sacks with 15.5 in 2016, but teams figured out his moves and he’s having trouble getting to the quarterback. Quinn wanted to work with Beasley this past offseason to develop some moves, but Beasley elected to stay away from the offseason program and work out on his own. He’s not sure whether he needs or would welcome a fresh start.
“I feel like we got the players in this room to win games,” Beasley said. “The team here, the players here ... is the same collection of guys who went to the Super Bowl a few years ago.”
While the Falcons have not been competitive for most of their games, “We are so close to getting over the hump,” Beasley said. “I think it really just comes down to execution.”