Falcons' Hayden ready to step up

[Northern_Falcon]

Falcons' Hayden ready to step up

Source

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons enter their season opener on Sunday with their starting lineup set -- except for one key position.

While the coaching staff might have decided privately as to who might have won that last job, they have not let the secret slip publicly.

That position happens to be nickelback -- which proved the team's Achilles' heel last year in the playoffs -- and it also happens to be a spot where the Falcons officially announced the signing of veteran Kelvin Hayden one week ago today.

During the preseason, the Falcons had hoped that third-year man Christopher Owens, who played the position for most of the first half of last season and then in the team's disastrous showing in their lone playoff game in January, or Dominique Franks, a 2010 fifth-round pick, would step to the fore.

The signing of Hayden, 28, seems to reflect a dissatisfaction with the above younger duo. Much like the acquisition of Brian Williams to play that same position in 2009, the Falcons are getting a player in Hayden who was cut for salary cap reasons. In six seasons in Indianapolis, Hayden had 37 passes defended and nine interceptions and, most notably, a 56-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Colts' 29-17 victory over the Bears in Super Bowl XLI.

Coming off a season-ending neck injury that has limited him to 20 games over the last two seasons, Hayden was set to earn $6 million this season when the Colts cut him to make room for quarterback Peyton Manning's five-year, $90-million contract extension.

"You got to understand it is a business," said Hayden, who has said on multiple occasions that his neck is fine. "It's a game, but it's a business as well. Things don't always go in your favor. I learned that the hard way. I take it and ran with it. I understand the situation and the guy they were trying to free cap space for it. He's well deserving."

That might be an understatement. In 2009 when Jacksonville cut Williams, they also were asking him to take a pay cut -- though not for any Manning-caliber player. When he refused, they waived him and he supplanted Chevis Jackson, who did not inspire confidence as the nickelback with his preseason.

The big difference was that Williams played for Falcons head coach Mike Smith when Smith was the defensive coordinator for the Jaguars, so he stepped into a familiar situation.

It's not quite the same with Hayden.

"Well, I think the similarities would lie in the fact that there's a new player coming into your system and there's a big language change, so all the communications are different," said Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder in comparing Hayden's situation to that of Williams'. "What would be similar with the two of them would be (that) they're both NFL veterans, so that most of the things schematically that you're doing, they're familiar -- they have a familiarity with.

"It's just a different type of call and there might be some technique differences that need to be polished up to get the players on the same page with how we do it. But both those guys (safety James Sanders whom the Falcons also signed last Thursday) are guys who will pick it up because they're smart players and they've been in the league a long time."

One factor in Hayden's favor is the nature of defense itself. While offenses might have myriad variations, defense -- especially nickelback -- is perhaps not as multi-faceted.

"It's similar in a couple ways, but once you play Cover 2, Cover 3, you can only play it so many ways," said Falcons veteran linebacker Mike Peterson, a former Colt himself. "So it's basically just get the lingo down, speaking the same terminology, and I'm sure he'll adapt. He'll pick it up fast."

Smith told reporters after practice on Thursday that Hayden would be active for the game, along with Sanders, but he did not reveal whether Hayden would start. (The Falcons consider the nickelback a starting position because they use the package so often.) Earlier in the week, VanGorder said he was confident that Hayden would be ready to play.

"I'm confident," he said. "Again, he's played football in this league for years and we already know what he's done and we can use that background and that knowledge in our system and have an effective player."

While most players took last Friday, Saturday and Sunday off following the team's final preseason game, Hayden gave himself a crash course in the defense. He took the playbook home -- or whatever passes for home right now -- and called defensive backs coach Alvin Reynolds when he had questions.

Hayden admitted that he will not have the book memorized by Sunday, but if the Falcons scale down their playbook when he's in the game, he should be fine.

"Of course, I don't know the whole defense," Hayden said, "but if they're putting in a defense that's just going to be called on Sunday and I can have those down pat, then I'm fine and if I can just learn defenses that are going to be run week in week out, I think I can handle that challenge."

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said in a conference call with Atlanta reporters on Wednesday that Chicago might target the Falcons' new secondary players if the chance presents itself.

"If we get the opportunity," Cutler said. "We don't really kind of hammer at one certain guy we're going at. Just depending on what their coverage is, that's going to tell me where to go with the ball. So if it comes up where they've got a new guy in there and we've got the coverage we want against the play we got and we got a chance to test ‘em, we will."

On a few occasions last year, the Falcons saw opposing teams target their nickelback -- Owens in particular. He had 13 tackles in a 39-32 win over Cincinnati as the Bengals went after him. He lost his job after that to Williams, who was coming off season-ending knee surgery in ‘09, but regained it when Williams went out again late in the regular season with another knee injury (which is why the Falcons elected not to re-sign him). Then in January, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers torched the Falcons in a 48-21 win.

If Hayden can help the Falcons improve their 22nd-ranked pass defense from a season ago, it will go a long ways towards helping on Sunday -- and beyond.

"Especially coming out of the system in Indianapolis," Peterson said of his new teammate, "you got to be a ballplayer."

[Hoppy™]

+1

Very good read... Well-written and informative..... Take notes, D-Led...

Edited September 9, 2011 by Hoppy™

[IrishFalco]

If Hayden is just average, our nickel defense will have improved significantly.

[PapaJoe]

+1

Very good read... Well-written and informative..... Take notes, D-Led...

Yes, great article.

I just hope that Hayden is ready to go in limited sets NOW, he is 100% healthy and that stays that way the entire season. I am certain he will take the NB spot in firm grasp sooner or later. Won't be surprised if Dunta sometimes slides to the slot while Hayden goes to outside CB in the Nickel sets.

The addition of Hayden AND Sanders has HUGE positive implications for our D in 2011. Here's to hoping our Secondary jumps to the #1 unit for entire season.

[Hoppy™]

If Hayden is just average, our nickel defense will have improved significantly.

If his neck is healed up good (and I can't imagine that TD would have signed him if it were not), I think Hayden has the ability to be one of the top nickle DB's in the NFC once he learns the terminology....

Nonetheless, I only expect to see him used sparingly this weekend.... But by the time the playoffs are around the corner, I think both Hayden and Sanders will be two of the most important assets in our backfield...

I honestly haven't been this excited about our DB corps in..... well..... ever, acutally!

[IrishFalco]

The potential is here...we just have to realize it!

[Hoppy™]

Won't be surprised if Dunta sometimes slides to the slot while Hayden goes to outside CB in the Nickel sets.

I totally agree...

As the season rolls on, and assuming his neck is not a problem, I think his role will increase with every game as they add a little more of the playbook to his game each week... If he can return to old form, by the end of the season, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him rotating a lot with D-Rob....

I don't think the difference in the number of snaps between our two outside guys and our nickle will be nearly as drastic as it usually is.... If he can get even close to the form he was in playing for the Colts, he is going to be a major factor for us...

Many would argue that D-Rob is making way too much money to play nickle, but once Hayden is completely familiar with the calls, you have to actually love the idea of someone as physical as Dunta sliding inside...

I have always seen D-Rob as a bit of a corner/FS tweener.... In fact, I could see D-Rob eventually moving to nickle and then to free safety as he gets older.... I love the nastiness that he brings to the position...

Edited September 9, 2011 by Hoppy™

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

Smith told reporters after practice on Thursday that Hayden would be active for the game, along with Sanders, but he did not reveal whether Hayden would start. (The Falcons consider the nickelback a starting position because they use the package so often.) Earlier in the week, VanGorder said he was confident that Hayden would be ready to play.

"I'm confident," he said. "Again, he's played football in this league for years and we already know what he's done and we can use that background and that knowledge in our system and have an effective player."

While most players took last Friday, Saturday and Sunday off following the team's final preseason game, Hayden gave himself a crash course in the defense. He took the playbook home -- or whatever passes for home right now -- and called defensive backs coach Alvin Reynolds when he had questions.

Since the coaching staff won't come outright and say Hayden has the position, they decided to drop hints I guess.

If we consider NB a starting position then no way and I mean no way should Owens or Franks start IMHO. I trust the learning curve of Hayden over the young duo by miles. Vets have worked out for us in this situation.

Edited September 9, 2011 by Mid-Nite-Toker

[Hoppy™]

Since the coaching staff won't come outright and say Hayden has the position, they decided to drop hints I guess.

If we consider NB a starting position then no way and I mean no way should Owens or Franks start IMHO. I trust the learning curve of Hayden over the young duo by miles. Vets have worked out for us in this situation.

Yeah... I think the coaching staff doesn't want to do any more damage to Owens ego, and they want to show loyalty to their players by selling the "let them battle for the position" mantra, but anytime a GM like TD who preaches stability and chemistry goes out and signs a player who missed every day of TC only days before the season starts, that is a clear sign that they thought the defensive backfield was in pretty big trouble...

I don't think you bring in veteran players like Hayden and Sanders in the final hour unless you are banking on them playing a major role... I'm pretty sure that they had plans to make Hayden our primary nickleback the moment they signed him...

Nonetheless, it is still way too early to give up on Franks and possibly even Owens (though it's not looking very good for Owens).... It really takes a special kind of player to play DB, and very rarely do kids come right into the league and dominate in the secondary.... I have always preferred addressing needs in the secondary and the O-line with proven vets over draft picks....

But even if Owens and Franks pan out in the long run, these late signings tell me that the coaching staff was pretty sure that neither one of them would be ready to handle nickle duty this year.... As soon as Hayden knows the calls/terminology, he will almost certainly be the guy...

As for Sanders, I think he was brought in more to push DeCoud and maybe take over the starting FS spot (even though we have him listed at SS on the depth chart), if DeCoud does not show the kind of promise he showed his first year... Last season was definitely a step back for him...

Either way, while the Falcons do not usually rotate safeties like they do other areas on the defense, I think that regardless of who wins the starting spots, I think you will see Sanders as part of a 3-safety rotation like Sanders was part of in NE....

I'm usually not this excited about cast-aways, and Hayden's neck is still a concern, but I love the fact that in just one day, by signing these 2 guys we went from having the secondary being a very weak spot to being a pretty **** good unit...

And if the addition of Edwards has a significant impact on our pass rush like we expect, obviously that will only further bolster our secondary....

Man, I'm ready for SUNDAY!!!!!! This has felt like one of the longest off-seasons ever....

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

Nonetheless, it is still way too early to give up on Franks and possibly even Owens (though it's not looking very good for Owens).... It really takes a special kind of player to play DB, and very rarely do kids come right into the league and dominate in the secondary.... I have always preferred addressing needs in the secondary and the O-line with proven vets over draft picks....

Man, I'm ready for SUNDAY!!!!!! This has felt like one of the longest off-seasons ever....

+1

You made a lot of sound points.

I have not given up on Franks after only playing 3 real games(10-11)...if that many. My sentiment is that there is no time for the learning curve that Franks will need to make considering the early part of the schedule. Won't mind seeing Franks getting a crack at returning a punt once in awhile.

Sorry, no faith in Owens. If Owens plays, I hope he does well...but won't hold my breath.

Ready for Sunday as well...tired of speculation. Time for some hitting.

[ru_serious]

Many would argue that D-Rob is making way too much money to play nickle, but once Hayden is completely familiar with the calls, you have to actually love the idea of someone as physical as Dunta sliding inside...

I have always seen D-Rob as a bit of a corner/FS tweener.... In fact, I could see D-Rob eventually moving to nickle and then to free safety as he gets older.... I love the nastiness that he brings to the position...

I never understand that argument either. Does Charles Woodson make too much money to slide over to Nickle?

[Hoppy™]

I feel so much better about the defense with Edwards, Sanders, and Hayden on board.

Definitely.

I love the fact that TD saw exactly what was a problem against GB in the playoffs and addressed those problems in a big way.

Between our inability to rattle Aaron Rodgers (add Edwards) and our deficiency at the nickle, where Rodgers constantly attacked us (add Hayden) on defense, to the fact that they were able to key in on Roddy in the passing game and make us one dimensional on offense (add Julio), all the problems that cost us the playoffs - on BOTH sides of the ball - have been upgraded in a BIG way...

TD didn't just go out and make minor upgrades to these spots... All three of these guys are big-time additions....

To improve this much on a team that was already 13-3..... I'd say we have every reason to be stoked about this season....

[Hoppy™]

+1

You made a lot of sound points.

Thank you, sir!

Sorry, no faith in Owens. If Owens plays, I hope he does well...but won't hold my breath.

I'll certainly agree that it does not look good, and all signs point to him not making it, but the fact that they decided to keep 10 D-backs and STILL didn't cut him after bringing in Hayden and Sanders says that at least SOMEONE on the coaching staff who is very familiar with him still sees something and wants to give him a little more time... I certainly wouldn't put my $ on Owens panning out at this point, but at only - what...24? - I'm not that quick to write him off, either.... Grimes is a good example of a player who wasn't showing much promise at 24, but sticking with him paid off big for us... Like I said, most corners take a while to develop... But the mental part of the game - not only having the football IQ to read what's in front of you, but the ability to have a short memory, as well - is such a big part of a corner's game, and while I think Owens has the physical tools, it looks like he doesn't have the mindset to play the position.

Ready for Sunday as well...tired of speculation. Time for some hitting.

I heard that, my man! Let's get this thing started already!!!!

[Hoppy™]

I never understand that argument either. Does Charles Woodson make too much money to slide over to Nickle?

Exactly.

It's not like anyone is suggesting that Dunta come off the field in the nickle package... But if Hayden proves that he is back to form and able to stay with his man outside, why would you not want your most physical corner to slide inside? I'm pretty sure that, by the end of the year, after Hayden learns the nickle and is more and more comfortable with the verbiage and our scheme, we will see Dunta lined up on some of the more physical slot receivers at times.....

It all depends on just how much Hayden is able to recover from the neck injury... But if he is able to play at the level he played at in Indy, I could CERTAINLY see this happening later in the season....

[BCEagleATLFalcon]

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said in a conference call with Atlanta reporters on Wednesday that Chicago might target the Falcons' new secondary players if the chance presents itself.

"If we get the opportunity," Cutler said. "We don't really kind of hammer at one certain guy we're going at. Just depending on what their coverage is, that's going to tell me where to go with the ball. So if it comes up where they've got a new guy in there and we've got the coverage we want against the play we got and we got a chance to test 'em, we will."

Says the interception machine. Hayden's going to have a banner debut.

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

But the mental part of the game - not only having the football IQ to read what's in front of you, but the ability to have a short memory, as well - is such a big part of a corner's game, and while I think Owens has the physical tools, it looks like he doesn't have the mindset to play the position.

Ding Ding! The exact reason why I want Hayden thrown in the deep end and not the young pups.

Everything you typed about Owens is spot on and why I do not trust him...mental part of the game. He was a guy that IMHO would be pushing Grimes or moving DROb to NB because he would be the future.

He is not comparable to Grimes, a player that had a lot stacked against him to fail in the NFL...IMHO. Owens has and will be given more room than Grimes ever did. UDFA and a 3rd round pick...who looks under-valued/over-valued?

We can give him a chance like Grimes, but does he have the hunger(mentality) like Grimes?

[Hoppy™]

We can give him a chance like Grimes, but does he have the hunger(mentality) like Grimes?

I don't think so... But like I said, the fact that we decided to keep 10 DB's (despite how much Coach Hamilton and BVG love to rotate tons of down linemen), tells me that somebody within the organization is really high on Owens (or high on SOMETHING)...

I never expected us to keep 10 DB's.... And given Franks' age, and Walls' impressive camp, I thought Owens was going to have a very tough time making the cut after Hayden and Sanders were signed...

Either they wanted the "safety blanket" of having another CB besides Grimes with more than one year in the system under his belt, or there is someone on the staff making a really strong case for the guy....

I really don't get it either (even with a year's less experience, I haven't seen much of a drop-off from Owens to Franks), but I rarely question TD's moves.... He has more than earned my trust and he has proved me wrong many times already...

But like you, I am extremely concerned about the mental aspect of Owens' game, and if you are a DB with a fragile ego and an inability to think through the position, it doesn't matter how much physical talent you have.. You are going to get eaten alive in the NFL.

Most likely, he was only kept on to fill the void at nickle until Hayden is comfortable at the position... It could be a case where he is actually cut as soon as Hayden settles in.... The fact that he is one of the more experienced corners in BVG's scheme was most likely his saving grace.... After all, with so many young players - with Hayden and Sanders having never played a down in our scheme, and with Moore and Dunta only having a year in the system under their belts - Owens was probably guaranteed a spot for the season opener based on his experience alone...

I really feel like he is just an insurance policy of sorts right now because of his knowledge of the defense, and unless he makes huge strides this year, he may not even make it through the entire season.. He has definitely been put on notice, and I'm sure he knows it....

Edited September 9, 2011 by Hoppy™

[DavyDmx]

I believe Hayden and Sanders will be two of the most underrated and valuable free agent signings this year. Both give us Super Bowl experience and will motivate our younger players to step it up

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

Most likely, he was only kept on to fill the void at nickle until Hayden is comfortable at the position... It could be a case where he is actually cut as soon as Hayden settles in.... The fact that he is one of the more experienced corners in BVG's scheme was most likely his saving grace.... After all, with so many young players - with Hayden and Sanders having never played a down in our scheme, and with Moore and Dunta only having a year in the system under their belts - Owens was probably guaranteed a spot for the season opener based on his experience alone...

I really feel like he is just an insurance policy of sorts right now because of his knowledge of the defense, and unless he makes huge strides this year, he may not even make it through the entire season.. He has definitely been put on notice, and I'm sure he knows it....

+1

Amen Bro...and Owens needs to show he got the message.

[falken]

That's a very good point about not needing to know the entire playbook as long as he knows the game-plan for the bears.

[PapaJoe]

[i have always seen D-Rob as a bit of a corner/FS tweener.... In fact, I could see D-Rob eventually moving to nickle and then to free safety as he gets older.... I love the nastiness that he brings to the position...

Amen Bro'!

Dunta's thump on DJax last season was one of the BEST EVER hits by anyone playing football. And no, I wouldn't say that if the hit was truely questionable. It wasn't. He led with his right shoulder to the chest in the horizontal plane, not vertical, not upwards, not to the facemask. EOD.