When the Falcons hired Dan Quinn, he had a vision for his defense. He’s beginning to see it come to fruition.
The Falcons’ season ended with another thud in the playoffs, with the offense unable to get out of its own way in a 15-10 loss in Philadelphia in the divisional round. While Quinn readily admitted Thursday that he’s still frustrated by the loss, he spoke candidly about how pleased he was with the progress of the defense.
After needing a historically great offense to overcome a mediocre defense in 2016 on the way to the Super Bowl, the youth on that unit blossomed in 2017.
The Falcons’ defense jumped from 25th to ninth in the NFL in yards allowed per game. Their red-zone defense went from 32nd to fifth. The team finished the regular season in the top 10 in total defense and scoring defense. After giving up 25.4 points per game in 2016, the Falcons dropped that number significantly to 19.7, good for eighth in the league.
Quinn credited linebacker Deion Jones for making strides in his second season. The athletic LSU product was named to his first Pro Bowl, as an alternate, after posting 138 tackles and three interceptions while continuing to be an asset in coverage.
“I’m really pleased with the development,” Quinn said. “We really tried to feature his speed. We like to match him up on running backs, put him into hooks in the zones and he responds in that way. Is there another spot for him to go to in his game? You’re damn right there is. And that’s our challenge: to get it out of him and see where he can go to as a ball player. But we’re encouraged by where he’s at so far and we’re excited for him.”
Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff spoke glowingly of first-round rookie defensive end Takk McKinley on Thursday. The 26th overall pick was limited in camp following shoulder surgery, but worked his way into the lineup enough to amass six sacks, third most among rookies.
The Falcons fell in love with McKinley at UCLA because of his unrelenting motor and toughness, the two qualities Quinn values most in defenders, plus his eye-popping production (10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss).
They saw him as a perfect fit for their culture. One they hope makes the opponent say “I hate playing those guys,” according to Quinn.
“We love the speed,” Quinn said. “We love the toughness. For him not to have an offseason, and to come in and make an impact like he did, to keep growing, I think the guy’s got a really big future. That’s the style, our identity. He’s another member of that group that has that run and hit factor that we really covet. There’s a number of guys who have it and he’s certainly part of it.”
McKinley may take over a starting defensive end spot next season with Adrian Clayborn a free agent. If not next year, McKinley’s time in the spotlight will come soon enough.
“His presence on the field was exactly what we were looking for,” Dimitroff said. “We continue to get that pass rush, 44 (Vic Beasley) getting downfield and this guy getting upfield, we’re going to continue to grow very well and our defensive line continue to pressure quarterbacks as we want to, as Dan wants to. There are times Dan’s salivating seeing how those guys get up the field and to the quarterback. Takk’s a very important part of our future.”
Since Quinn took over, the Falcons drafted Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett, Keanu Neal, De’Vondre Campbell, Duke Riley, Damontae Kazee, Jones and McKinley. The defense is plush with talent, and Quinn thinks the proper system is in place to maximize it.
“It’s been very encouraging to see the development of guys from year one to Year 2, or Year 2 to Year 3,” Quinn said. “I think it goes obviously to myself from a development plan. We are totally committed to developing players. To see guys developing in the program. … You can see why we’re so excited about the Rileys, Kazees, the McKinleys who will make jumps. ... I like that this team has been through it, has developed a connection with one another, the toughness they have. I’m very encouraged about our development of guys.”
As early as next season, maybe the defense becomes the Falcons’ backbone. At least, that’s how Quinn’s vision might have it.
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