The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terrell, Hayward glad Bates is joining unit
Falcons cornerbacks A.J. Terrell and Casey Hayward are elated that safety Jessie Bates signed with the team.
About a month before free agency started, Terrell, Hayward and tight end Kyle Pitts went to dinner with Bates in Atlanta.
“We are definitely real happy to have Jessie on board,” Terrell told The Atlanta Journal-constitution at the “A.J. Terrell Relays” at Westlake High on Saturday. “I can’t wait to see what comes with it. I know that he had a good run with Cincinnati and I’m happy that he’s going to be with me in the A now. I can’t wait to get to work with him.”
Bates, who was named second-team All-pro after the 2020 season, signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Falcons on Wednesday.
Terrell is also looking forward to working with new defensive coordinator Ryan Neilsen. “I’m behind 100% of what we’ve got going on,” Terrell said. “I’m just ready to get to work. To get in the playbook, go out and practice, put things in motion.”
How will Bates make the secondary better?
“All around,” Terrell said. “He’s got all of the accolades. He’s got the experience and adds more depth to the secondary. He’s somebody that I can just learn from and play with. I’m happy.”
Bates helped the Bengals reach the Super Bowl in his fourth season. He played last season on the franchise tag.
“It’s a great addition,” Terrell said. “A lot of experience … comes with Jessie. Being able to pick his brain, play alongside him in the secondary is huge for us.”
Hayward is recovering from pectoral surgery he had last season after starting six games.
“I’m doing good,” Hayward said. “I’m getting a lot better. Hopefully, by OTAS and camp, I’ll be 100%.”
Hayward felt he was off to a strong start until the injury derailed his season. “At the time, I thought I was playing some solid ball,” Hayward said. “It’s a new year. So far the team is doing a good job in free agency signing some key pieces. Hopefully, as a team and as a defense we can be a lot better than what we were.”
Hayward also believes that adding Bates will elevate the defense. “We were definitely trying to recruit him. It worked. So, we’re happy to have him here.”
Cornerback Dee Alford and safety Jovante Moffatt, who had his last season cut short with a calf injury, were also on hand to support Terrell.
“I just had a minor setback at the end of the season, but right now I’m just preparing to get healthy and doing what I need to do as far as conditioning,” Moffatt said. Moffatt played in three games last season before going on injured reserve with two games to play. He’s also looking forward to working with Bates.
“It’s going to be really good to have another vet in the room with Casey,” Moffatt said.
Bates, 26, who spoke to Atlanta media virtually Friday, is looking forward to joining his new teammates.
“There’s always another level that you can tap into. Hopefully, I’ll be able to bring that out of Richie (Grant), A.J. and those guys and they’ll do the same for me,” Bates said. He doesn’t plan to be a bashful leader, but rather “someone that has experienced (the) postseason. Has experienced the bad. Has experienced the good. So, I’ve had a little bit of it all. ... I’ll have a lot of wisdom and stuff to talk about to the guys in the locker room.”