20 replies to this topic

[xSICKxWITHxITx]

Akeem Dent - LB - Falcons
Akeem Dent has emerged as the favorite to start at middle linebacker for the Falcons following Lofa Tatupu's pectoral injury.
ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas suggests that the Falcons' coaching staff had wanted Dent to claim the job all along. He's now going to get it, "ready or not." Dent is expected to be a two-down player, coming off the field in nickel packages. He may still push for 90 tackles, but will lose big-play potential.
Source: ESPN.com Jul 22 - 6:05 PM

[muskokas finest ©]

Cue the Captain Obvious memes.

[Skareffect]

Hopefully it pays and Dent can come in and be better than Lofton. I still think having Lofa is great for our LB core.

[YoungHeezy]

Similar build and better knees than the MLB he is replacing, and a full training camp as the undisputed starter. Dent will be fine.

[xSICKxWITHxITx]

muskokas finest, on 22 July 2012 - 06:18 PM, said:

Cue the Captain Obvious memes.

I thought Lofa had a fair shot to win before the injury. Some still believe we will bring in someone to compete. We still might bring someone, but it would be depth according to this.

[Tuggle2®]

xSICKxWITHxITx, on 22 July 2012 - 06:29 PM, said:

I thought Lofa had a fair shot to win before the injury. Some still believe we will bring in someone to compete. We still might bring someone, but it would be depth according to this.

Well of course he did, it looked as if it was his to lose. Now he's hurt only one guy can take it.

[xSICKxWITHxITx]

Tuggle2000, on 22 July 2012 - 06:44 PM, said:

Well of course he did, it looked as if it was his to lose. Now he's hurt only one guy can take it.

If you didn't read the quotes of the first post it said they wanted him to win it. It's his job to loose. I know that doesn't mean he was guaranteed the job. But if they wanted him to have it and he didn't screw up it was prob his even if Lofa played better. I can see why cause he's the future, they want to see what he has and also gain experience.

I was just excited for Lofa, because of healthy he's a proven play maker.

[delaigle]

They started 08 with Lofton (rookie) Gilbert (vet)
They started 09 with Lofton (2nd yr) Gilbert (vet)

I do not think that starting 12 with Dent (2nd yr) and a rookie (say Harris) would be much of a drop off

and I'm one that is not completely sold on Dent

Just used Harris as an example I think Gruder and Schiller are the MLBs--Harris and Council OLBs

Edited by delaigle, 23 July 2012 - 10:35 AM.

[Theyhateme : )]

xSICKxWITHxITx, on 22 July 2012 - 06:13 PM, said:

Akeem Dent - LB - Falcons
Akeem Dent has emerged as the favorite to start at middle linebacker for the Falcons following Lofa Tatupu's pectoral injury.
ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas suggests that the Falcons' coaching staff had wanted Dent to claim the job all along. He's now going to get it, "ready or not." Dent is expected to be a two-down player, coming off the field in nickel packages. He may still push for 90 tackles, but will lose big-play potential.
Source: ESPN.com Jul 22 - 6:05 PM

A 600K decision....wow!!

[vel]

delaigle, on 23 July 2012 - 10:29 AM, said:

They started 08 with Lofton (rookie) Gilbert (vet)
They started 09 with Lofton (2nd yr) Gilbert (vet)

I do not think that starting 12 with Dent (2nd yr) and a rookie (say Harris) would be much of a drop off

and I'm one that is not completely sold on Dent

Just used Harris as an example I think Gruder and Schiller are the MLBs--Harris and Council OLBs

Let's ride with Dent and Harris. I'm fine with that. Dent is a good thumper at MLB. It's easy for LBs to play the run in the NFL. It's the pass that takes longer to catch up with. If Dent can be an above average run stopper and Harris can be solid depth, I mean he IS from BAMA, then we will be fine.

[JulioisCoolio]

Lose big play potential? What big play potential did Lofton offer?

[AtlantaFalconPokerPro]

xSICKxWITHxITx, on 22 July 2012 - 06:13 PM, said:

Akeem Dent - LB - Falcons
Akeem Dent has emerged as the favorite to start at middle linebacker for the Falcons following Lofa Tatupu's pectoral injury.
ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas suggests that the Falcons' coaching staff had wanted Dent to claim the job all along. He's now going to get it, "ready or not." Dent is expected to be a two-down player, coming off the field in nickel packages. He may still push for 90 tackles, but will lose big-play potential.
Source: ESPN.com Jul 22 - 6:05 PM

Shocking... I thought they were going to move Matt Ryan from the QB position to LB. I would have never guessed that since Lofa went down, that Dent would be the front-runner. I'm having a tough time picking my jaw up from the ground. Thanks xSickx!

Please keep us updated with such riveting news.

[vel]

JulioisCoolio, on 23 July 2012 - 11:11 AM, said:

Lose big play potential? What big play potential did Lofton offer?

EXACTLY! I hate the idiots who say this. Lofton got a pick 6 against the lowly Bucs at the end of the year that was literally thrown right to him. He didn't have to "make the play". That's what playmakers are. He's never broken on the ball and picked it. He rarely forces fumbles. That fumble that Mike P made on Chris Ivory when they both dove over the pile, that's a big time play. Lofton has never done that.

[AtlantaFalconPokerPro]

vel, on 23 July 2012 - 04:32 PM, said:

EXACTLY! I hate the idiots who say this. Lofton got a pick 6 against the lowly Bucs at the end of the year that was literally thrown right to him. He didn't have to "make the play". That's what playmakers are. He's never broken on the ball and picked it. He rarely forces fumbles. That fumble that Mike P made on Chris Ivory when they both dove over the pile, that's a big time play. Lofton has never done that.

Peterson's experience put in him good position to make big plays. Lofton's only upside was that he made a lot of tackles, which isn't the "big play capabilities" Pat Y. is talking about. Lofton isn't a playmaker. His salary says so. Nolan only wanting him in on first and second down says so. Us practically letting him walk, with no attempt to keep him says so. Yet the journalist act like we lost a HOF LB in their prime.

[LADBABY]

AtlantaFalconPokerPro, on 23 July 2012 - 05:21 PM, said:

Peterson's experience put in him good position to make big plays. Lofton's only upside was that he made a lot of tackles, which isn't the "big play capabilities" Pat Y. is talking about. Lofton isn't a playmaker. His salary says so. Nolan only wanting him in on first and second down says so. Us practically letting him walk, with no attempt to keep him says so. Yet the journalist act like we lost a HOF LB in their prime.

A tackle made 5 to 7 yds. down the field is a Keith Brooking tackle. We stopped having those.
An unmade tackle is a big play.... for them. We stopped having those. I liked Lofton and as a sage
once said "he is one of TD's better draft picks"

[AtlantaFalconPokerPro]

LADBABY, on 23 July 2012 - 06:31 PM, said:

A tackle made 5 to 7 yds. down the field is a Keith Brooking tackle. We stopped having those.
An unmade tackle is a big play.... for them. We stopped having those. I liked Lofton and as a sage
once said "he is one of TD's better draft picks"

That's not the point. The media is making it out like we lost an all-world LB. We lost a solid, tackling LB.  That's it. Not a playmaking, game changing LB.  It won't be hard to fill his absence.

[xSICKxWITHxITx]

AtlantaFalconPokerPro, on 23 July 2012 - 05:21 PM, said:

Peterson's experience put in him good position to make big plays. Lofton's only upside was that he made a lot of tackles, which isn't the "big play capabilities" Pat Y. is talking about. Lofton isn't a playmaker. His salary says so. Nolan only wanting him in on first and second down says so. Us practically letting him walk, with no attempt to keep him says so. Yet the journalist act like we lost a HOF LB in their prime.

Dang first time I've seen you actual post something that was worth reading. Keep it up maybe you will have more.

[Knight of God]

Should be just fine.

[FalconFanForLife]

Good Luck Akeem !

[RubberDucky]

Im glad...I'm ready to see some of these young guys get forced into action. We need some questions answered about the potential of future Falcons teams.