Falcons DE Calais Campbell 'Big Fan' of New Teammates Jessie Bates, David Onyemata
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell loves the direction the team is going in and the vision for how they will return to contention.
Part of that vision includes the team's stellar free agency haul, headlined by Campbell, Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III and New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata.
Perhaps signing Bates and Onyemata was part of the reason why Campbell followed suit to join the Falcons.
“I’m a big fan of Jessie Bates,” Campbell said. “We played within the same division and (were) competing. I just love the way he plays football. Onyemata, another guy that I have respect for. He’s made a lot of plays.”
Bates, Campbell and Onyemata represent veteran leadership that this defense has lacked in recent seasons. Sure, Grady Jarrett was there to anchor the defensive line, but now he has help in the form of fellow veterans and a new defensive coordinator in Ryan Nielsen, who specializes in developing defensive linemen.
Ultimately, the Falcons' 2023 season will be defined by two things ... quarterback play and defense. While Bates, Campbell and Onyemata can't control how Desmond Ridder or Taylor Heinicke performs, they have power in how much the defense improves this season. If they can make the plays necessary to take some of the pressure off whoever is under center, the Falcons can be serious about returning to the playoffs for the first time in six years.
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