The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Minicamp would go long way to settle in new Falcons
With Bucannon, Atlanta loaded with 17 first-round picks.
A few things to know about the Atlanta Falcons this week:
1. The no-spin zone. The NFL quickly refuted reports that it had dates set for mandatory minicamps. Some workers have returned to team facilities around the league, including Falcons staff, but coaches and players have not yet returned. The NFL and the NFLPA have not negotiated the return of players as the nation slowly reopens during the coronavirus pandemic.
In 2019, the Falcons’ mandatory minicamp was held June 11-13. Wide receiver Julio Jones, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Vic Beasley were on hand, after skipping the offseason program. Jones and Jarrett had contract situations, while Beasley had no interest in receiving extra coaching from then coach/defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
Optimism was high for the Falcons defense, which was set to welcome back safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen from injuries. Both discussed the unit’s expected return to top-10 status in the league. Players were praising the coaching changes and Quinn taking over the defense. It was a time to think the Falcons would easily rebound from a 7-9 season in 2018, with three new coordinators: Quinn, offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica.
Things didn’t go so well for Quinn and the defense. After a 1-7 start, Quinn essentially removed himself from running the defense. The offense never had a chance, as it was hit with injuries along the offensive line and was playing from behind. The special teams, who would go on to finish 30th out of 32 in overall rankings, were sputtering, too.
If things get settled in time this year, a lot of the attention will be placed on offseason pickups — running back Todd Gurley, defensive end Dante Fowler and tight end Hayden Hurst. Also, defensive end
Takk McKinley, who’s on the spot to produce after his $10 million fifth-year option was declined, will be scrutinized as he recovers from his third shoulder surgery.
The Falcons started their offseason program April 18 and have conducted sessions virtually. You never want to put too much stock in the mandatory minicamp, but it would be good to get a glimpse of the new-look Falcons.
2. We caught up with former Falcons defensive line coach Bryan Cox for our new “Where are they now” series this week.
Cox (2014-16) played for the Bears during part of the Chicago Bulls era. “You look at (Michael) Jordan and that time, for two years of that, ’96 and ’97, I was in Chicago and I got to hang out with Ron Harper,” Cox said. “He was the guy that I hung out with in Chicago even more than some of my Bears teammates. I got to see something. I got to know what they were doing on some level.”
So, did Jordan really “bully” his teammates into being great?
“Yeah, the only problem, when you are a player, which is part of my problem, you can control some of that in the locker room,” Cox said. “When I was playing, I could control that. When you’re a coach, you have to back away from that a little bit. That has to come from the locker room. That can’t come from a coach. That can’t come from the staff. So, in my self-judging, I understand that more now. Whereas maybe then, in the moment, I didn’t understand that as much.”
3. Coach of the Year odds. New England’s Bill Belichick and Tampa Bay’s Bruce Arians are 12-to-1 favorites to win the Associated Press Coach of the Year Award for the 2020 NFL season, according to BetONline. ag. First-year Dallas coach
Mike McCarthy is next at 14-to-1, followed by Indianapolis coach Frank Reich at 16-to-1. Falcons coach Dan Quinn is in the 18th position, along with a pack of coaches at 30-to-1 odds to win the league’s top coaching award.
4. Bucannon makes it 17 first-rounders. With the signing of linebacker Deone Bucannon last week, the Falcons have signed or acquired six former first-round draft picks during this offseason. On the 90-man roster, the Falcons have 17 players who were selected in the first round of the NFL draft. In addition to first-round pick cornerback A.J. Terrell (16th overall), here are the former first-round picks acquired: Bucannon, LB, 27th overall, 2014; Dante Fowler, DE, 3rd overall, 2015; Todd Gurley, RB, 10th overall, 2015; Laquon Treadwell, WR, 23rd overall, 2016; Charles Harris, DE, 22nd overall, 2017; Hayden Hurst, TE, 25th overall, 2018.
Here are the other former first-round picks on the roster: QB Matt Ryan (3rd overall, 2008); center Alex Mack (21, 2009); wide receiver Julio Jones (6, 2011); guard James Carpenter (25th, 2011); left tackle Jake Matthews (6, 2014); safety Keanu Neal (17, 2016); defensive end Takk McKinley (26, 2017); wide receiver Calvin Ridley (26, 2018); right guard Chris Lindstrom (14, 2019); right tackle Kaleb McGary (31, 2019).