Hoppy™ Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 (edited) Curtis Lofton has his speed backBy Pat YasinskasAug 4 1:42 pm ETFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- I just finished a great interview with Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Curtis Lofton. Some of what we talked about will be used in Atlanta’s Camp Confidential profile, which is scheduled for Saturday, and some will be used in our regular-season preview in early September.But there is one portion of the interview I’d like to share with you now. That’s because something Lofton said was very unique. It’s not often that an athlete will publicly criticize himself, but Lofton just did so in a very harsh manner. Lofton’s numbers weren’t bad. He started 15 games, led the team with 142 tackles.“Looking back on the film of myself from last year, I look real old,’’ said Lofton, who is 25. “I wasn’t as explosive as I could have been. I felt like I left a lot of plays out there that I normally would have made, that I should have made and I didn’t make them.’’Wow, brutal honesty. After getting over the shock of hearing Lofton’s self-critique, I asked if there was a reason why a guy felt he suddenly looked old in only his third NFL season.“I really don’t want to make any excuses, but I did have surgery on both my knees this offseason,’’ Lofton said.Lofton didn’t want to go into details about what was done to his knees. But said the surgeries were arthroscopic and were done mostly to clean up some minor damage.“I’m feeling like a whole new man now,’’ Lofton said. “I didn’t have my burst and now I’m getting my burst back.’’That’s good news for the Falcons and Lofton. He’s a player they’ve liked since the moment he arrived in 2008. There has been steady growth, but the Falcons and Lofton both have been thinking he’s been on the verge of becoming a big-time playmaker for a couple of years. Maybe now that the knees are healthy, that will happen.“What I’m going to ask from myself is to be a good leader for the guys and start making more plays,’’ Lofton said. “I couldn’t make the plays I wanted to last year and I didn’t even realize how slow I was until I went back and looked at the film. The burst is coming back now and that should allow me to go out and make a lot more plays.’’http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/23248/curtis-lofton-has-his-speed-back Edited August 4, 2011 by Hoppy™ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raysnill1 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 just when you think everything is safe ... CURTIS GOT YOU B!#CHES!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Birds Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 He definitely had a drop off last year but he was overly critical of himself. But that's a good thing. So long as he isn't content. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoppy™ Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 In BVG's scheme where everything builds off of solid play from the Mike, you GOTTA love to hear this.... Has anyone who has been to camp so far noticed that he is getting more explosive off the snap?The guy was already a solid MLB last season, but if he thinks he is in position to improve his game significantly over last season, this is going to be HUGE...Man, I'm getting excited about this season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 (edited) I am glad he was brutally honest because he looked downright terrible at times. He is a really good player and was a better coverage LB at OU than here so far. Hopefully he gets that back. If not, sit him on the bench for passing situations.I have been telling you guys that the defense is pissed about that Packers game when I defend Owens. This just further proves things. They aren't sulking. They are trying to be the #1 defense. So far, Babs, Jerry, Peters, Owens, Franks, Spoon, and now Lofton have criticized themselves and the defense, pointing to getting better and more explosive. Edited August 4, 2011 by vel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballfan Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 This is really good news. His slowness was part of the problem in Pass defense. Now if Spoon can get it back, we are MUCH better all of a sudden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHOCTHEFALCONFAN™ Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Nice. That man is a MEAST = Man + beast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyin' In DC Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Thats awesome news.Secondary that news guy flippin' out about the gecko was pretty funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoppy™ Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 just when you think everything is safe ... CURTIS GOT YOU B!#CHES!!!! Nice.... It DOES look like he's got his burst back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackredfellow Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Cant run from the Police!!That is awesome to hear. He and spoon should make for a deadly duo this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raysnill1 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 (edited) Nice.... It DOES look like he's got his burst back!true dat.Ray & Abe coming, QBs BEWARE!!! Edited August 4, 2011 by raysnill1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apl2g Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Ok now I'm getting all giddy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HASHBROWN3 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Man, more positive news. Everyone has been aware that the falcons have had their share of unfortunate injury setbacks. But between FA, the draft, and players overcoming injuries, you cannot help but to be psyched about this year gentlemen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConnFalcon Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I agree, he did look like her was 40 years old out there at times. I am very glad to hear he got his speed back. Dude is a monster against the run, I am hoping he steps it up this year in coverage.The more I think about it, the more excited I am about the defense this year. We have the potential to be VERY, VERY good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radiohead Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I really hope so. There were times he was on the field playing ST last season with "ankles". Now we know they were both of his knees. Hopefully the surgeries went well.Although to be frank, I never saw speed as one of his strengths.He is incredibly instinctive and is still a bit of a raw talent in my opinion. Lofton was milliseconds away a number of times last season on making big plays... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PapaJoe Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Good news indeed. I would be so happy to see the Falcons defense be in the top 10, or top 5, AND the offense be the #1 offense !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Crush'in It!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeytonMannings Forehead Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Knee issues scare me, especially on a guy so young, but I've always loved 5-0 going back to Oklahoma. I think he's got the talent to be one of THE impact linebackers in the NFC, up there with Willis. He didn't flash last year, but I thought he was better than solid. If he's feeling like a new man then I'm expecting this defense to be no worse than #5 in defensing the run. Let's get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyDirty Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Love that he's critical of himself and shows enough "self-reflection" to always seek to improve. We got some grinders on our team. They get dirty. Just like this year's Red Sox- "Grind and Shine!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I really hope so. There were times he was on the field playing ST last season with "ankles". Now we know they were both of his knees. Hopefully the surgeries went well.Although to be frank, I never saw speed as one of his strengths.He is incredibly instinctive and is still a bit of a raw talent in my opinion. Lofton was milliseconds away a number of times last season on making big plays...How is he still raw? Yea he struggles in coverage but I will blame that on the knees and lost step before being raw. Adkins is raw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltstorm2 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 He's never had speed since being in the NFL. He's a downhill thumper who's weakness is coverage. I'm sure his knees probably were a big part of this but to me he's looked to have been a little overweight. His face in an interview this year makes it seem like he's dropped 10 or so pounds and might help him be quicker. I'm glad he's being critical of himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 He's never had speed since being in the NFL. He's a downhill thumper who's weakness is coverage. I'm sure his knees probably were a big part of this but to me he's looked to have been a little overweight. His face in an interview this year makes it seem like he's dropped 10 or so pounds and might help him be quicker. I'm glad he's being critical of himself.Yea I thought the same thing. I didn't even know it was him! He does look slimmer and yea his weakness was always coverage but never this bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
84White32Quizz Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 He's never had speed since being in the NFL. He's a downhill thumper who's weakness is coverage. I'm sure his knees probably were a big part of this but to me he's looked to have been a little overweight. His face in an interview this year makes it seem like he's dropped 10 or so pounds and might help him be quicker. I'm glad he's being critical of himself.I'm glad I wasnt the only one who noticed that. Ofcourse we could only see his face but it didnt look as pudgy as last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interceptor430 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Well... ain't this special news... especially after he got OWNED in the Dome by GreenBay. :P show me something better.... or GTFO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltstorm2 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Well... ain't this special news... especially after he got OWNED in the Dome by GreenBay. :P show me something better.... or GTFO!According to our Greenbay game they should all GTFO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoppy™ Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 Man, more positive news. Everyone has been aware that the falcons have had their share of unfortunate injury setbacks. But between FA, the draft, and players overcoming injuries, you cannot help but to be psyched about this year gentlemen!Hear, hear!If there can be just ONE season that the Football Gods look favorably upon us and let us have one year free of key injuries, PLEASE let it be THIS year.... I really have a good feeling about this one.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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