Coach Ryan Nielsen Can Do 'Wonders' for Falcons If...
The Atlanta Falcons are weeks away from a training camp that could unlock defensive potential thanks to new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.
Already players have praised the impact Nielsen has made since taking over for newly retired coach Dean Pees in late January.
"I'm getting some of the best coaching instruction I've had, and I'm super, super excited to see it translate on the field," defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said.
It should come as no surprise that Nielsen has impressed defensive linemen. Nielsen previously coached the New Orleans Saints defensive line for six seasons before eventually serving as an assistant head coach in 2021 and co-defensive coordinator in 2022.
After allowing the sixth most total yards to opposing teams the hope is that, Nielsen will be able to quickly turn around a defense that had one of the worst performances of any unit in the league,
"If Nielsen can get a two-time Pro Bowler like Jarrett to play better, he could do wonders for Atlanta's overhauled defense," Bleacher Report writes. "It'll be fun watching him install new schemes and a new identity during training camp."
Elevating a Pro Bowler to reaching first team All Pro potential is something that Nielsen is familiar with. Back in 2017, Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan reached the heights of his career while Nielsen coached him, raising his sack total by 5.5 from the prior season.
If Jarrett can propel his 6 sack total from 2022 beyond double digits for the first time in his career, then the Falcons defense as a whole could be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks thanks their already proven talent in the secondary.
When training camp start, Atlanta could be in store for the beginning of a major defensive turanround thanks to Nielsen.
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