Falcons Trying To Figure Out Hageman

[atljbo]

Falcons trying to figure out Hageman

FLOWERY BRANCH —

Ra’Shede Hageman has been like a complex crossword puzzle for the Falcons, who are trying to figure out how to develop the team’s second-round pick — taken 37th overall — in the 2014 draft.

He’s played sparingly through 10 games for a coaching staff that has a track record of quickly assimilating rookies into the lineup, dating to quarterback Matt Ryan, left tackle Sam Baker, linebacker Curtis Lofton and nickel back Chevis Jackson in 2008.

The Falcons hope that Hageman, who blocked a field-goal attempt to save Sunday’s victory, will take off down the stretch of the season, as they are set to face the Cleveland Browns at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

The Falcons’ coaches have done a good job of getting second-round picks ready to play.

In 2009, William Moore was injured. The team didn’t have a second-round pick in 2010 or 2011. In 2010, third-round pick Corey Peters averaged 34.7 snaps per game.

Center/guard Peter Konz was the second round pick in 2012 and he played 42.7 snaps per game.

Cornerback Robert Alford, the team’s second-round pick in 2013, averaged 36.5 snaps per game his rookie season.

Hageman is playing 14.5 snaps per game. He has nine tackles, one tackle for loss and two blocked field goals.

At 6-foot-6, 318 pounds, Hageman has massive size and the potential to dominate the line of scrimmage. But consistency has been an issue. It’s been a problem that followed him from his playing days at Minnesota to the NFL.

In college, he dominated against Nebraska, but then was invisible against Northwestern, according longtime NFL personnel man Gil Brandt.

Hageman shined for the Falcons’ coaching staff at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. He dominated the one-on-one drills for the entire week, but he has not been able to play at a consistently high level in the pros.

In part because of his physical gifts, Hageman has his supporters.

“They need to start getting him some snaps on defense,” SiriusXM NFL radio analyst Alex Marvez said. “I think at this point, I know that you’re fighting for jobs (and the Falcons’ record is 4-6) but you know what, get this young man on the field. Get him ready to play for 2015. He’s going to have to go through some growing pains no matter what. I’d rather have him take his lumps now as long as he’s not costing your team.”

Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan places a high value on practice performance

“As they prove that they can play consistently, the more consistent they play and the more consistent they practice, the more you get them (on the field),” Nolan said. “You don’t want to disrespect or disregard what happens in practice.”

Hageman is not going to develop watching from the sidelines, but Nolan doesn’t believe you can just hand him 25 snaps a game.

“At the expense of who? The team?,” Nolan said. “We’re trying to win the ballgame before we get somebody plays. Sometimes a lot of people lose sight of that. The objective is to win.

“In the process, if you can develop guys and all of that because that’s what you hope to do, then that’s what you do.”

Hageman did beat a double-team against the Panthers and played strong during his limited time on the field.

“If you do it consistently, then you’re known as a real good player,” Nolan said. “If you do it inconsistently, then you’re known as a guy who’s trying to get consistent to be a good player.”

Falcons coach Mike Smith also is closely watching Hageman’s development.

“Again, a lot of the play time can be predicated on what the offense is doing based on their personnel groupings,” Smith said. “I think that he’s continued to develop. He’s’ a guy that’s in the rotation, and obviously I thought he made some plays in the ball game (against Carolina). I think he’s earning more opportunities to play on defensive snaps.”

Smith wants to see Hageman perform better in practice, too.

“Ra’Shede continues to develop not only on game day, but on the practice field,” Smith said. “I think that’s really where a young player starts to get his confidence is out there on the practice field while he’s training. When he’s out there where he gets a comfort level, where it slows down for him, and if it slows down in practice for him then it’s going to slow down in the game for him as well.”

Hageman clearly is trying to find his way in the NFL.

“Every day, I’m just trying to get better,” Hageman said. “It’s a hustle. It’s a grind. I’m staying positive. I’m getting better with the things I need to work on. Every day, I’m just trying to perform my best in practice and obviously it will follow into games.”

Nolan said that Hageman’s showing against Carolina was his best of the season.

“I did OK,” Hageman said. “I felt there were some minor things that I felt I had to adjust to. Overall, making the game-winning field goal block was cool. At the end of the day, I’m just trying to do my job.”

The Falcons are hoping the blocked kick will spur Hageman to fulfill his potential.

“It was a win-or-lose situation, and I kind of gave it my all,” Hageman said. “I shot my hands up, and I got a hand on it.”

[trubirdfan4life]

If the light comes on....watch out!

[AndySG]

Hageman is exactly what we were expecting him to be. He's inconsistent but has the potential to dominate. There appears to be some work ethic and personality concerns, but he can do things that nobody else on our team can.

[I MUS WRITE]

Hageman is exactly what we were expecting him to be. He's inconsistent but has the potential to dominate. There appears to be some work ethic and personality concerns, but he can do things that nobody else on our team can.

Yeah you're right nobody on this team can identify womens clothing like this guy. 😒

[THE ICEMAN]

he has talent but hasn't really lived up to his pick

even the horrible konz came in as a rookie played guard and held his own although sense then its been all been down hill

[Jigglypuff]

Yeah you're right nobody on this team can identify womens clothing like this guy.

umm I bet harry dougie can...

[*Old Pappy Falcon*]

I think we are trying to figure a lot of stuff at this point. Maybe, just maybe...they can figure out what the fan's want.

I like the guy and think he has the "it" factor, but only time will tell.

[falconsd56]

I think we are trying to figure a lot of stuff at this point. Maybe, just maybe...they can figure out what the fan's want. I like the guy and think he has the "it" factor, but only time will tell.

Fans want to win............ if putting Hageman in for 15 snaps a game means us winning so be it............ like wise if it means 4o snaps a game... so be it.

I want to win.. I do not care about who does it or how its done.

He has shown incredible physical ability in brief glimpses like I remember in the Giants game on a couple plays where he rag dolled the offensive lineman. it was pretty awesome. But as the article demonstrates he needs to do it more consistently . Hopefully he does that because as some people have said .. if the light goes on for him.... Then he can be a wrecking ball on the Dline.

[falconsd56]

he has talent but hasn't really lived up to his pick

even the horrible konz came in as a rookie played guard and held his own although sense then its been all been down hill

Konz was playing better this year..... I think his issue was more Pat Hill.............. It is clear something with him and our team did not click year 2 and Konz regressed.

Under Tice Konz was holding his own... not a prob owler by any stretch but he he was not near the liability he was in 2013.

[trubirdfan4life]

Konz was playing better this year..... I think his issue was more Pat Hill.............. It is clear something with him and our team did not click year 2 and Konz regressed.

Under Tice Konz was holding his own... not a prob owler by any stretch but he he was not near the liability he was in 2013.

the line in general has played better, not great but not all time worse either... Even with 5 guys gone to IR

[Nono]

If the so called falcon braintrust knew Hageman's potential and shortcomings why did we take a project with a 2nd round pick? If you ask me they missed on the pick again

[Mega Flare]

It was dumb to draft this clown, especially in the second.

[JC Falcon]

If the so called falcon braintrust knew Hageman's potential and shortcomings why did we take a project with a 2nd round pick? If you ask me they missed on the pick again

And there it is. We get guys like Hawley, Dent, and Biermann that have limited ceilings and it's wrong picks. Then we take guys with high ceilings and work issues like Holmes, Hageman, and It's a wasted picks.

You get both by drafting a guy in the top 5 like Suh or Julio, because that's where they get drafted. Or you draft them In the 2d and hope to coach them up to their potential.

You have to pick both types and see what works out. Also getting coaches to develop the ceilings better helps.

Edited November 23, 2014 by JC Falcon

[AndySG]

Konz was playing better this year..... I think his issue was more Pat Hill.............. It is clear something with him and our team did not click year 2 and Konz regressed.

Under Tice Konz was holding his own... not a prob owler by any stretch but he he was not near the liability he was in 2013.

Agreed. I'm hoping that we actually keep hold of Tice, even if we do a mass clearout.

[YoungHeezy]

It was dumb to draft this clown, especially in the second.

Please. It's dumb not to play him. This is far from the first time we've seen this situation.

[toadfishtom]

It was a gamble to take him because of character concerns, everybody knew this

He is about where I though he would be

The more he plays the better he gets

But....he has to earn playing time

Do better at practice = more playing time

[B_Lo_Touchdowns]

He'll be ok

[GrimeyKidd]

It was a gamble to take him because of character concerns, everybody knew this

He is about where I though he would be

The more he plays the better he gets

But....he has to earn playing time

Do better at practice = more playing time

#ryanschraeder

[vel]

I love how people judge this pick after 10 games as a miss or poor pick. I guess Matthews was a poor pick too, since he's struggled.

What I don't like is how we just refuse to play guys where they win until they get their feet under them. They have to be able to do everything before getting snaps. Line Hageman up at the 3T and give him one assignment: blow your man up.

[toadfishtom]

I love how people judge this pick after 10 games as a miss or poor pick. I guess Matthews was a poor pick too, since he's struggled.

What I don't like is how we just refuse to play guys where they win until they get their feet under them. They have to be able to do everything before getting snaps. Line Hageman up at the 3T and give him one assignment: blow your man up.

smh at our defense sometimes, we make it too complicated. ....let's drop Hageman into pass coverage. ..smh

[4dabirds]

What's disappointing to me is that Hageman for the most part displays NO competitive fire. Yes, he got the block on the FG, but up until then the guy has shown next to nothing. He should be at least disruptive to some extent. I never expected to him to come in and take over games, but I did expect to see a guy who plays with a chip on his shoulder and to physically impose his will on other players from time to time. From what I'd heard, he was angry and felt disrespected over his draft selection.

Instead all I hear now is that he is young, raw, and not well conditioned to play in the NFL. In other words he is now officially classified as a "Project Player". I'm sorry, but you don't draft project players in the 2nd round. What happened to the interview process that, the front office has acted like they conduct well? Playing on the defensive line is not rocket science, but is more about physicality and endurance. Hageman certainly looks the part, but that is where it ends. My guess is that he'll be out of the league in 2 years.

[4dabirds]

I love how people judge this pick after 10 games as a miss or poor pick. I guess Matthews was a poor pick too, since he's struggled.

What I don't like is how we just refuse to play guys where they win until they get their feet under them. They have to be able to do everything before getting snaps. Line Hageman up at the 3T and give him one assignment: blow your man up.

Matthews has been forced to anchor an OL as a rookie. Yes, Matthews is racking up penalties every game, but he is keeping Ryans blind side protected for the most part. I'm a little disappointed that Matthews has not performed better, but he is out there on every offensive snap putting fourth a full game effort, all while playing injured. Hangman on the other hand is so much of a liability that he sees limited snaps and still looks lazy after just a few plays. BIG DIFFERENCE.

Edited November 23, 2014 by 4dabirds

[samueladams]

Almost sounds like a Gerald McCoy project, the only difference McCoy gets alot of PT. Hopefully he comes around and gets more PT.

[The O.D.B]

DT's rarely shine their first year and he'd done fine, considering. I'm very surprised we haven't tried him at DE in a 4 man front, it would seem like a low risk experiment. He's got a large radius and enough power/speed to be disruptive on plays run his way and the attention he'd get would lower the pressure on guys like Sol and Mass who are often disrupting the pocket. it seems like they want him to play inside at all costs. IMO he could be a serious threat at DE. Several of his big plays at Min came from this lineup.

[Falcanuck]

"At the expense of who? The team?"

****

Nolan you're a complete moron.