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Falcons Riding With Southward, Godfrey At Free Safety -- For Now


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Falcons riding with Southward, Godfrey at free safety -- for now

By Vaughn McClure | ESPN.com

Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn realizes he has to get the free safety position solidified, and for now, he'll do that by sticking with a couple of players currently on the roster.

Quinn said the team has to ride with veteran Charles Godfrey and second-year player Dezmen Southward at the position.

"No. 1, we have Charles and Dez we're going to talk about at free safety," Quinn said. "Both of those guys have history at the position. And we're going to continue to look, as we go through this draft, at all spots, safety being that way as well."

The Falcons appeared to be high on Ron Parker from Kansas City before Parker re-signed with the Chiefs. Former Baltimore Ravens safety Darian Stewart was in Atlanta on a visit when he decided to sign with the Denver Broncos. And Dwight Lowery, the Falcons' starting free safety last season, conceded that the Falcons are looking for taller safeties with more speed than he has to offer, so he remains on the open market.

There aren't really many veteran options left for the Falcons, anyhow.

"I'm not really looking to build the team through free agency," Quinn said. "There's going to be guys that we added who are going to be part of it this year. But in terms of 'Oh man, we didn't get a guy in free agency,' that will never be the case. Put it this way: I don't worry about the guys who are not here."

Godfrey, who signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal to return, has 75 career starts through seven NFL seasons. The 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound Southward has the speed to cover the type of range Quinn wants in a safety. However, he is inexperienced and not known for making plays on the ball.

Southward, who is recovering from offseason wrist surgery, might be moved to corner if Godfrey pans out or if the Falcons find a capable starting free safety in the draft. Southward has spent time this offseason working on his press coverage technique.

"We're going to see how it plays out," Quinn said of Southward's status. "He's a valuable guy for us. He has versatility. I love it. Just like a defensive end who can play tackle, he's a safety who can play corner. So, can't wait to see what he can do. It may well could be him at corner, but I don't know that yet."

The Falcons have visited with at least one safety prospect in the past few weeks when they checked out Virginia's Anthony Harris, who led the nation with eight interceptions in 2013.

At strong safety, the Falcons are set to proceed with William Moore, although Moore might not do much this offseason coming off major shoulder surgery. Kemal Ishmael proved himself more than capable of being a playmaker at safety and is one of the team's best tacklers.

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"I'm not really looking to build the team through free agency," Quinn said. "There's going to be guys that we added who are going to be part of it this year. But in terms of 'Oh man, we didn't get a guy in free agency,' that will never be the case. Put it this way: I don't worry about the guys who are not here."

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With a pass rush, a talented free-safety like Southward could shine. Especially in this simplified scheme. "It allows you to play fast and not have to overthink things. Just play on your instincts and play football." I will believe in this scheme and what it could mean for superb athletes like Southward.

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Falcons riding with Southward, Godfrey at free safety -- for now

By Vaughn McClure | ESPN.com

But in terms of 'Oh man, we didn't get a guy in free agency,' that will never be the case. Put it this way: I don't worry about the guys who are not here.".

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA

This is for ALL you clueless armchair, potatoe couch GMs that think you all know something.

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With a pass rush, a talented free-safety like Southward could shine. Especially in this simplified scheme. "It allows you to play fast and not have to overthink things. Just play on your instincts and play football." I will believe in this scheme and what it could mean for superb athletes like Southward.

1) What pass rush?

2) Southward is athletic, but talented? Even in college he couldn't make a play. He has no instinct for the ball.

3) A "simplified scheme" works if you have pro-bowlers and wll pros up and down the roster. A "simplified scheme" will simply expose even further how untalented and how horrible our defensive personnel are.

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From the article:

"And Dwight Lowery, the Falcons' starting free safety last season, conceded that the Falcons are looking for taller safeties with more speed than he has to offer, so he remains on the open market."

I'm still not quite sure why the Falcons chose to re-sign Godfrey, rather than Lowery. They both are the same age, drafted in the same year, same weight, same height at 5'11", and both had virtually the same 40-yard speed coming into the pros. Lowery was a productive player last year, and Godfrey was not.

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Can anyone here please explain to me the logic of retaining Godfrey the guy that was so bad in the CAR defense that he was cut to be replaced by DeCoud ( whom EVERY Panty fan considered an upgrade ) instead of Lowery ? ....could the 1.5 we gave Godfrey have not come pretty close to keeping Lowery here ? ....I guess they think he is better than Lowery, just don't get it man ...sad.png

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From the article:

"And Dwight Lowery, the Falcons' starting free safety last season, conceded that the Falcons are looking for taller safeties with more speed than he has to offer, so he remains on the open market."

I'm still not quite sure why the Falcons chose to re-sign Godfrey, rather than Lowery. They both are the same age, drafted in the same year, same weight, same height at 5'11", and both had virtually the same 40-yard speed coming into the pros. Lowery was a productive player last year, and Godfrey was not.

I was a minute too late I guess LOL ....sad.png

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From the article:

"And Dwight Lowery, the Falcons' starting free safety last season, conceded that the Falcons are looking for taller safeties with more speed than he has to offer, so he remains on the open market."

I'm still not quite sure why the Falcons chose to re-sign Godfrey, rather than Lowery. They both are the same age, drafted in the same year, same weight, same height at 5'11", and both had virtually the same 40-yard speed coming into the pros. Lowery was a productive player last year, and Godfrey was not.

I thought Godfrey was a little taller. Also Lowery was a 4.5 guy and Godfrey was a 4.3-4.4 guy I thought.

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Quinn's overrated. He did well in SEA because of the talent. Should've promoted me to HC but it's ok I'll dominate on the west coast in Charger town

Everyone keeps saying he got blessed with a talented roster he got there in 09 the Seahawks was not very good that year and he was the dline coach then dc.. We are in better shoes then they were when he started there.. Any arguments

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Quinn's overrated. He did well in SEA because of the talent. Should've promoted me to HC but it's ok I'll dominate on the west coast in Charger town

Everyone keeps saying he got blessed with a talented roster he got there in 09 the Seahawks was not very good that year and he was the dline coach then dc.. We are in better shoes then they were when he started there.. Any arguments

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From the article:

I'm still not quite sure why the Falcons chose to re-sign Godfrey, rather than Lowery. They both are the same age, drafted in the same year, same weight, same height at 5'11", and both had virtually the same 40-yard speed coming into the pros. Lowery was a productive player last year, and Godfrey was not.

I wouldn't mind DL coming back.
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