McShay projects Dent as 2-down starter

[lystrodom]

So, I read McShay's Insider post on draft successes, and he considered our picking of Dent to be our best move, because he gives us a 2-down starter at MLB. He mentioned Lofton, and I guess assumed he was more of an OLB? Here's what he actually said: "The Falcons have Sean Weatherspoon and Curtis Lofton on the roster and Akeem Dent gives them a true middle linebacker. Dent is NFL-ready, and will step in and be a two-down starter right away."

Anyway, my thought was Dent was a SLB in our scheme. Is that what others have been thinking? We're certainly not going to replace Lofton.

[Tribal Chief]

TD said he will be a key special teams contributer and will replace Lofton at times since Lofton take such a beating.

“If someone goes down, we feel like we have a player who can start if need be,” Dimitroff said. “As well, I want to stress him being rated very highly as a core special-teams player by not only our scouting staff, but by our special-teams coaches.”

He will start by learning the middle linebacker spot.

“Obviously, that’s a position that takes a lot of pounding,” Dimitroff said. “Curtis Lofton works through a lot and plays through injuries. We had to make sure that we have someone there to improve our depth.”

Edited May 2, 2011 by ya_boi_j

[chifalc]

I was unaware that Lofton wasn't a true middle linebacker. . .

[coachx]

So, I read McShay's Insider post on draft successes, and he considered our picking of Dent to be our best move, because he gives us a 2-down starter at MLB. He mentioned Lofton, and I guess assumed he was more of an OLB? Here's what he actually said: "The Falcons have Sean Weatherspoon and Curtis Lofton on the roster and Akeem Dent gives them a true middle linebacker. Dent is NFL-ready, and will step in and be a two-down starter right away."

Anyway, my thought was Dent was a SLB in our scheme. Is that what others have been thinking? We're certainly not going to replace Lofton.

I'm thinking that in year #1 Dent is insurance at MLB for Lofton since he was so banged up last year.......Bear Woods is not cutting it as a 2nd string MLB. If Lofton is banged up again we finally have worthy NFL ILB to put in.

He fits the character mold of what Dimitroff wants in the Atlanta locker-room (former Team Captain at UGA and has already earned is degree.) He is a special team ace as well.

[Tribal Chief]

I'm thinking that in year #1 Dent is insurance at MLB for Lofton since he was so banged up last year.......Bear Woods is not cutting it as a 2nd string MLB. If Lofton is banged up again we finally have worthy NFL ILB to put in.

He fits the character mold of what Dimitroff wants in the Atlanta locker-room (former Team Captain at UGA and has already earned is degree.) He is a special team ace as well.

Bear Woods was not our #2 MLB

[lystrodom]

TD said he will be a key special teams contributer and will replace Lofton at times since Lofton take such a beating.

“If someone goes down, we feel like we have a player who can start if need be,” Dimitroff said. “As well, I want to stress him being rated very highly as a core special-teams player by not only our scouting staff, but by our special-teams coaches.”

He will start by learning the middle linebacker spot.

“Obviously, that’s a position that takes a lot of pounding,” Dimitroff said. “Curtis Lofton works through a lot and plays through injuries. We had to make sure that we have someone there to improve our depth.”

Ah, thanks. It's good to see TD's take on it. I'm liking the players we got later in the draft. Makes giving some of this stuff up for JJ feel more worth it. Although the 1st next year still hurts.

[coachx]

Bear Woods was not our #2 MLB

Then who was ?

We cut Gilbert and Wire was no ILB. We had OLBs playing defacto backup ILB with Peterson and Spoon I assume. I know Peterson played some ILB back in his days with the Colts but that was nearly a decade ago.

Edited May 2, 2011 by coachx

[lystrodom]

Then who was ?

We cut Gilbert and Wire was no ILB. We had OLBs playing defacto backup ILB with Peterson and Spoon I assume. I know Peterson played some ILB back in his days with the Colts but that was nearly a decade ago.

Peterson also played MLB in Jacksonville just before we picked him up, didn't he? But he always felt more comfortable as an OLB.

Edit: Also, Wire was listed as the backup. Woods was on the PS, so he clearly wasn't the 2nd string.

Edited May 2, 2011 by lystrodom

[Tribal Chief]

Ah, thanks. It's good to see TD's take on it. I'm liking the players we got later in the draft. Makes giving some of this stuff up for JJ feel more worth it. Although the 1st next year still hurts.

Only way I see a first round pick in a assumingly weak draft hurting us is if it's top 10.

[chifalc]

I still am confused by the implication that Lofton is not a true MLB.

[Tribal Chief]

Then who was ?

We cut Gilbert and Wire was no ILB. We had OLBs playing defacto backup ILB with Peterson and Spoon I assume. I know Peterson played some ILB back in his days with the Colts but that was nearly a decade ago.

Bear was on the practice squad. I believe Wire was actually the #2.

Edited May 2, 2011 by ya_boi_j

[The O.D.B]

Then who was ?

We cut Gilbert and Wire was no ILB. We had OLBs playing defacto backup ILB with Peterson and Spoon I assume. I know Peterson played some ILB back in his days with the Colts but that was nearly a decade ago.

I don't believe we had another middle last year. I did a mock draft earlier in the season were I tried to reallocate roster spots bases on need, I was surprised to see Hammer was the only mlb listed.

[Tribal Chief]

Then who was ?

We cut Gilbert and Wire was no ILB. We had OLBs playing defacto backup ILB with Peterson and Spoon I assume. I know Peterson played some ILB back in his days with the Colts but that was nearly a decade ago.

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/depth-chart/

[etherdome]

I still am confused by the implication that Lofton is not a true MLB.

So am I. Did you notice that we had private workouts with LB's and that most of them were MLB candidates?

Is Lofton being moved to SLB?

[ukfalc]

I believe that Lofton could be a UFA next year (if we return to the pre-2010 position where players who were out of contract were unrestricted free agents after 4 accrued seasons).

Dent could be our insurance in case we are unwilling to resign lofton, or unable to do so for financial reasons. Alternatiely, if we lose Nicholas to free agency, Dent may be able to start at OLB as has experience playing OLB in a 4-3 system. If we keep lofton and Nicholas, Dent's role is as a valuable versatile backup who can fill in at more than 1 spot.

With so much uncertainty about free agency rules for 2011 and 2012 and which players we might lose, it makes sense to draft versatile players who may be able to fit more than 1 role for us.

[lystrodom]

So am I. Did you notice that we had private workouts with LB's and that most of them were MLB candidates?

Is Lofton being moved to SLB?

No. Lofton is one of the best MLBs in the league. The MLB's job in a 4-3 is to be a tackle machine, and he's great at that.

[Tribal Chief]

I still am confused by the implication that Lofton is not a true MLB.

So am I. Did you notice that we had private workouts with LB's and that most of them were MLB candidates?

Is Lofton being moved to SLB?

Come on. You two are reading to much into something a college scout says. What McShay and Kiper says means absolutely nothing. They give their scouting report on the player and give their opinion as to how a player should be used. Heck, even in the 6th round they talk about how guys will be brought in to provide a spark and half the time those guys don't even make the team

Edited May 2, 2011 by ya_boi_j

[Tribal Chief]

I believe that Lofton could be a UFA next year (if we return to the pre-2010 position where players who were out of contract were unrestricted free agents after 4 accrued seasons).

Dent could be our insurance in case we are unwilling to resign lofton, or unable to do so for financial reasons. Alternatiely, if we lose Nicholas to free agency, Dent may be able to start at OLB as has experience playing OLB in a 4-3 system. If we keep lofton and Nicholas, Dent's role is as a valuable versatile backup who can fill in at more than 1 spot.

With so much uncertainty about free agency rules for 2011 and 2012 and which players we might lose, it makes sense to draft versatile players who may be able to fit more than 1 role for us.

Unless Lofton finally makes the pro bowl this year, I can't see his resigning being a major problem.

[etherdome]

Come on. You two are reading to much into something a college scout says. What McShay and Kiper says means absolutely nothing. They give their scouting report on the player and give their opinion as to how a player should be used. Heck, even in the 6th round they talk about how guys will be brought in to provide a spark and half the time those guys don't even make the team

Yeah, I guess you are right. I was just a little bothered that we were supposedly paying more attention to MLB's than SLB's.

[Tribal Chief]

Yeah, I guess you are right. I was just a little bothered that we were supposedly paying more attention to MLB's than SLB's.

Our coaching staff prides itself on cross training on all 3 levels on our defense and the offensive line.

[chris30277]

Do you guys think we might look into mixing in some 3-4 looks this year? Dent and Lofton in the middle could be sick. I know we don't have a big NT on the roster, but a little 3-4 wrinkle could be effective in obvious passing downs.

[Tribal Chief]

Do you guys think we might look into mixing in some 3-4 looks this year? Dent and Lofton in the middle could be sick. I know we don't have a big NT on the roster, but a little 3-4 wrinkle could be effective in obvious passing downs.

I was hoping that we would change to a 3-4 when Smith was hired. That would be pretty sweet though

[chris30277]

we showed some 3-4 looks last year, but I didn't think we had the depth at MLB to run it.

[kschreck]

So, I read McShay's Insider post on draft successes, and he considered our picking of Dent to be our best move, because he gives us a 2-down starter at MLB. He mentioned Lofton, and I guess assumed he was more of an OLB? Here's what he actually said: "The Falcons have Sean Weatherspoon and Curtis Lofton on the roster and Akeem Dent gives them a true middle linebacker. Dent is NFL-ready, and will step in and be a two-down starter right away."

Anyway, my thought was Dent was a SLB in our scheme. Is that what others have been thinking? We're certainly not going to replace Lofton.

No way does he replace Lofton on 1st and 2nd down. McShay doesn't know what he's talking about. Subbing for Lofton is one thing but taking his place....

[ukfalc]

Unless Lofton finally makes the pro bowl this year, I can't see his resigning being a major problem.

I've no doubt that we will try to resign Lofton. Whether we are able to do so, will depend on a number of factrs, incluisng our cap space, whether he wants to stay, and how much money he asks for.

As it stands, we are mid-table in terms of spending, so we should be in a decent position under any new cap - although we have a number of starters who could be UFA's, including Claybo and Grimes who could both demand pro-bowl money. Therefore, we may face some tough financial decisions.