Falcons trust young LBs with more responsibility

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons put De’Vondre Campbell and Deion Jones on a quick learning curve for linebackers last year.

Having shown they could handle added responsibilities as rookies, Campbell and Jones will have their roles expanded this season as the Falcons try to make it back to the Super Bowl.

Coaches want Campbell, who switched in May from weak-side to strong-side linebacker, to excel as a pass rusher. They want Jones to be more vocal on the field, in the meeting room and in the locker room.

Through the first half of training camp, head coach Dan Quinn has described Jones as louder and looser since the team began voluntary workouts in March.

It took a while for Jones to feel empowered as a rookie. He did what was required of every middle linebacker, convening the huddle, calling out alerts and lining up the front seven before the snap.

But yelling at veterans? That didn’t come naturally, and it required a 24-15 loss at Philadelphia in mid-November to get him going.

“It took a good bit of time, and it was after that Philly game that it really clicked,” Jones said this week. “I needed to communicate more, be more physical, get everybody on the same page and get ready to play fast.”

Jones has exceptional speed in coverage and in closing against the run, a sure ticket to get noticed by NFL scouts. He went on every team’s radar at LSU’s pro day in 2016, running the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds and then getting clocked again at 4.40 seconds.

Quinn was thrilled when Jones still available late in the second round of that year’s draft. He knew the Falcons were getting a special player, and once they got him on the field, Jones’ physical traits stood out.

He finished the season with a team-high 108 tackles, 11 pass breakups, three interceptions, two touchdowns and one forced fumble. Quinn wasn’t surprised by those numbers. He knew what Jones could produce if he had a chance to play.

Campbell is still learning his new position.

As the strong-side starter, he will be responsible for covering tight ends and beating their blocks to make tackles. At 6-foot-4, 232 pounds, he has the size to handle the role while the Falcons prepare rookie Duke Riley, a third-round pick from LSU, to become the weak-side starter.

But the Falcons have added a wrinkle to Campbell’s responsibilities as a pass rusher.

“They came to me right before (organized team activities) and threw the idea out, just told me to try to learn it,” Campbell said. “I played a little closer to the line of scrimmage before, so I was open to it. I thought it was something I could be really good at.”

Campbell signed up again with former Falcons defensive end Chuck Smith, who trained him before the NFL combine, to learn the nuances of pressuring the quarterback. Smith ranks third in career sacks with Atlanta and doesn’t sugarcoat his critiques.

“I knew he had the résumé to get me to where I really want to go,” Campbell said. “I really want to master the cross chop and the size scissors, because I would consider myself to be more in the category of a speed rusher.”

Campbell looked sharp in last week’s preseason game at Miami, dropping into coverage to intercept a pass.

Also, Campbell is seeing the field more clearly this year after undergoing laser eye surgery in the offseason.

Joked Jones: “We call him ‘New Vision.’”