Falcons' Terry Fontenot Raves About Defense: 'Attacking, Aggressive, Violent'
For all the excitement building about the young skill-position talent that the team has on the offense -- running back Bijan Robinson, receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts -- there appears to be an internal confidence about where the Atlanta Falcons are headed defensively too.
General manager Terry Fontenot recently met with the media, and glowed about the culture that defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is instilling in his group.
[Ryan Nielsen] is the defensive coordinator, so it starts with him," Fontenot said.
"But you go down that staff and, whether you talk about [senior defensive assistant Dave] Huxtable, [assistant head coach] Jerry [Gray], [secondary coach Steve] Jackson, [linebackers coach] Frank Bush ... you go through that whole [group] and that attack, aggressive [mindset], the violence, the competitiveness that permeates through that whole defensive staff. That's the way that whole staff is wired."
A.J. Terrell is a key returning member of the Atlanta Falcons defense. (Dale Zanine/USA Today)
Probably more importantly, Fontenot made additions to the defensive personnel this year. Safety Jessie Bates III and edge rusher Calais Campbell are established players who come from winning cultures. Linebacker Kaden Elliss impressed last season for the New Orleans Saints. Outside linebacker Bud Dupree is looking to revive his career after disappointing in Tennessee. Cornerback Jeff Okudah will probably benefit from a change of scenery.
And those newcomers will join a group that already included defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and cornerback A.J. Terrell. This defensive may not be a finished product in the mind of Fontenot, but it's certainly improved from a year ago.
"Then, the players. We love our coaches and in regard to that mentality, the teaching aspect, and yet, you better bring in the right types of guys," Fontenot said.
"If we want to be an attacking, aggressive, violent football team, you have to have the right types of players or they're not going to fit. They're not going to work in the weight room in the way we need to. They're not going to work on the field and it's not going to carry over unless you bring in the right guys. So, that's why you appreciate that. You appreciate the players that we have here."
Obviously, the biggest key for the Falcons this season will be the play of quarterback Desmond Ridder. But if Ridder proves capable and the defense takes a step forward, the Falcons could very well compete for the NFC South title on the backs of their skill-position stars.
