Falcons' Morris switching to WRs; Henderson added to staff

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Atlanta Falcons assistant head coach Raheem Morris was given an unusual change of duties on Monday, as the former defensive assistant moved to a new assignment on offense as the team's wide receivers coach.

The Falcons also have named former Dallas Cowboys assistant Jerome Henderson as defensive passing game coordinator. Henderson coached the Cowboys' secondary the last four seasons.

Morris, who was Tampa Bay's head coach from 2009-11, coordinated the Falcons' defensive passing game this season.

Morris replaced former receivers coach Terry Robiskie, who last week was named the Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator.

''I'm happy for him,'' said Falcons coach Dan Quinn of Robiskie. ''I thought it was a cool opportunity and one I endorsed for him.''

When asked about the unusual move by Morris from defense to offense, Quinn said he was convinced Morris will ''connect with the guys in the right way.''

Quinn said Morris is a ''perfect fit'' for the move to offense due to his background in the passing game from a defensive perspective.

In 2015, Henderson coached a Dallas secondary that gave up 227 yards passing per game to rank fifth in the NFL. He spent three years as the Cleveland Browns' secondary coach and also served on the New York Jets' staff for three years.

Quinn said he does not anticipate additional staff changes. There had been speculation the Falcons might replace offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

Quinn reported that wide receiver and return specialist Devin Hester needed surgery on his toe but otherwise the team enters the offseason program in good health.

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