Cover 9@9: So What’S The Leo Position And How Does Beasley Fit? Ledbetter New Depthchart

[MayorWest13]

http://atlantafalcons.blog.ajc.com/2015/05/06/cover-99-so-whats-the-leo-position-and-how-does-beasley-fit/

1. Not the Horoscope Leo: Falcons first-round draft pick Vic Beasley will get a chance to test out the LEO position in the team’s 4-3 under defensive scheme at the rookie minicamp over the weekend.

Players report on Thursday and the camp will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We’ll move along the times when we get them.

“He’s going to be one of the guys that plays into that spot,” said Falcons coach Dan Quinn when asked about the LEO position. “The versatility from our LEO to our SAM linebacker and the way that we’re going to try to attack, there’s going to be a number of guys that can get into that (LEO position). We’re thrilled that he’s going to be a part of it.”

So what’s the LEO position?

2. Seattle Homework: Our good pal Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times has already done this homework for us in an article titled: “Defense 101: Understanding how the Seahawks play.”

Defensive line

Up front, the Seahawks try to get the best of both worlds.

While Seattle uses a base 4-3, it also incorporates many elements of the 3-4.

As Quinn puts it, “We happen to have lots of 3-4 looks, but we are a 4-3 team.’’

The Seahawks use a smaller defensive end who is primarily a pass rusher, a position the Seahawks call LEO. (The term, by the way, doesn’t really mean anything. When Carroll worked for the 49ers they had a similar position called Elephant and Carroll later changed it to LEO.)

The objective is to have three big players who can stuff the run, and faster players on the outside who can rush the passer, or at times drop back in coverage.

Quinn should change the name of the position to the “Dirty Bird.” Old Michigan coach Bo Schembechler used to call his attack guy the “Wolfman.”

3. The 4-3 under defense: Here’s a diagram some sent along on twitter.

4. Beasley’s pretty smart: Our pal Bob McGinn at The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel talked to 21 NFL personnel men for his pre-draft series on the linebackers.

By this group Beasley was not considered the best pass rusher in the draft. He was the best pass rusher with a clean record.

This month, the Journal Sentinel asked 21 personnel people for their choice as the best pass rusher in the draft regardless of position.

(Randy) Gregory, who had 17½ sacks in two seasons for the Cornhuskers, easily finished first with 10 votes

compared to five for Vic Beasley

, 2½ for Dante Fowler, two for Leonard Williams and 1½ for Shane Ray.

Beasley, who’s Wonderlic was 29, was the safest pick of the best pass rushers.

At the same time, 20 of the scouts (one declined the request) were asked to identify which player among the top defensive linemen and rush linebackers would have the best chance to bust.

Gregory was the runaway choice, drawing 11½ votes to 2½ for Ray,

two for Beasley

and one each for Arik Armstead, Carl Davis, Mario Edwards and Jordan Phillips.

Here’s our Falcons working two-deep depth chart:

OFFENSE

WR — Roddy White, Justin Hardy

TE — Levine Toilolo, Jacob Tamme

RT – Sam Baker, Ryan Schraeder

RG — Jon Asamoah, Peter Konz

C — Joe Hawley, James Stone

LG — Mike Person, Harland Gunn

LT — Jake Matthews, Lamar Holmes

WR — Julio Jones, Devin Hester,

FB — Patrick DiMarco, Collin Mooney

RB- — Tevin Coleman, Devonta Freeman

QB — Matt Ryan, T.J. Yates, Sean Renfree

DEFENSE

DE – Adrian Clayborn, Tyson Jackson

DT — Paul Soliai, Ricky Havili-Heimuli

DT — Jonathan Babineaux, Grady Jarrett

DE — Ra’Shede Hagemen, Vic Beasley/Kroy Biermann

SLB — Brooks Reed, Joplo Bartu

MLB — Paul Worrilow, Nate Stupar

WLB — Justin Durant, Prince Shembo

LCB — Desmond Trufant, Ricardo Allen

SS — William Moore, Kemal Ishmael

FS – Dezmen Southward, Charles Godfrey

RCB — Jalen Collins, Akeem King

NCB — Robert Alford, Ricardo Allen

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK — Matt Bryant

P — Matt Bosher

KR — Devin Hester, Eric Weems

PR — Devin Hester, Eric Weems

LS — Josh Harris

5. First-step very important: Quinn can’t wait to get started working with Beasley, whom he thinks can be special.

“I think it’s his first step quickness,” said Quinn when asked about Beasley’s strengths as a rusher. “Usually for a rusher when you can really get off the spot. That’s one of the things you talk about as a rusher, how quick can a guy get off the spot.

“When we evaluated all the guys, that was the thing that really jumped out, his initial quickness. When you can beat a guy to the punch, that’s when you can have your most success as a rusher, and he certainly has the ability to do that.”

6. Balancing out the offense: The importance of balancing out the offense can’t be over stressed this offseason as the Falcons implement the outside-zone perimeter blocking system.

Matt Ryan’s record when he’s attempted 40 or more passes is 13-26 (.333) percent:

2008 — 0-2

2009 – 0-3

2010 – 2-2

2011 – 1-5

2012 – 4-3

2013 – 2-5

2014 – 4-6

Total: 13-26 Pct. 333

7. Cheerleaders Final Auditions tonight. The Falcons will hold their final cheerleader auditions at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the at the College Football Hall of Fame. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. Final auditions are open to “College Football Hall of Fame season ticket holders.

8.Combine count/Undrafted rookies. Getting an invite to the scouting combine doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to get drafted. Check on the numbers from @SeniorBowlPhil. (Former Browns GM Phil Savage, who now runs the Senior Bowl down in Mobile, Ala.)

Phil Savage @SeniorBowlPhil

2015 #NFL Draft tidbit: of the 322 prospects invited to the Combine, 107 were not drafted, while 41 players not invited to Indy were picked.

Last season, the Falcons needed center James Stone, who was signed as an undrafted free agent. After Joe Hawley and Peter Konz were lost to knee injuries, Stone stepped in and started nine games.

Not sure what’s taking so long for the Falcons to release their list of undrafted rookie free agents (UDRFA) or college free agents (CFA), as general manager Thomas Dimitroff likes to call them. (Guess he doesn’t like calling them “undrafted” or something).

The players — draft picks, undrafted rookie signees and tryout players — are due to report on Thursday and will practice Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the team’s rookie minicamp.

One of the most interesting signees is Cincinnati left tackle Eric Lefeld, an all-conference left tackle.

All seven draft picks are scheduled to participate.

Here’s a partial list of “official” signings by the Falcons (when we get the full “official” list, we’ll update):

Derek Akunne, North Texas, LB, 6-0, 242: Led North Texas and Conference USA with 108 tackles (65 solo/43 assists), led North Texas with 8.5 tackles for losses and ranked among conference leaders with three forced fumbles. He was team captain and we how the Falcons like team captains.

Chris Brown, Tarleton State, DT 6-3, 333: Impressed scouts with his pro day performance clocking a 5.52 40-yard dash, a 26-1/2-inch vertical and 8’2” in the broad jump, as well as a 5.06 20-yard short shuttle and an 8.16 second mark in the the three-cone drill.

Marquez Clark, Central Oklahoma, 5-11, 190: Earned All-America honors in 2013 after setting school records with 82 receptions and 1,348 receiving yards. He earned Southwest Junior College Football Conference Player of the Year honors and was a first-team All-America selection as a sophomore at Navarro Junior College before transferring to UCO. Clark is a native of Texarkana, Texas and attended Liberty-Eylau High School.

Cody Clay, Azusa Pacific University, OL, 6-6, 305: He’s from Fullerton, Calif. And played two seasons at Fullerton Community College where he was named to first-team all-conference as a sophomore. Clay helped clear the way for running back Terrell Watson, who led Division II in total rushing yards with 2,153.

Terell Floyd, Louisville, S, 5-10, 203: He played in 50 games over his career and made 143 tackles and eight interceptions. Last season he had 49 tackles and one interception. He played cornerback for his first three seasons before moving to safety last season.

Beau Gardner, Northern Arizona, TE, 6-4, 253: He went on a Mormon mission after high school. Started his career at Mesa Community College. He’s 26 years old. Gardner ran the 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds at the NAU Pro Day. His time would have been third among tight ends at the NFL combine. He had a 41 inch vertical jump, which would have been first place at the combine.

Warren Herring, Wisconsin, DT, 6-3, 294: Played in 44 games over his career with the Badgers and started in 28 games. He made 56 tackles and had 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for losses. Was Wisconsin’s Scout Team player of the year back in 2010. He suffered a knee injury early in the season against LSU, but came back to play in eight games.

Mike Lee, Fort Valley State, CB, 6-1, 185: He played at Eagles Landing High in McDonough before playing for the Wildcats. He had 41 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass breakups last season. He also caught two passes on offense.

Eric Lefeld, Cincinnati, OT, 6-6, 310: Converted from offensive line to

Cincinnati left tackle Eric Lefeld against Ohio State at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, September 27, 2014 in Columbus, Ohio. (Associated PRess)

defensive line as a freshmen in 2011. Was named all-Big East first team as a left tackle in 2012. Was on the Outland Trophy watch list in 2013. He has to get stronger after lifting 225 pounds just 12 times at his Pro Day.

Derrick Malone, Oregon, LB, 6-2, 220: He was the Ducks second leading tackler in 2014 with 85 stops. He finished his career with 246 tackles (116 solo), seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and eight passes defensed.

Joey Mbu, Houston, DT, 6-3, 310: He started all 13 games for the Cougars in 2014, serving as a team captain and earning first team All-AAC honors. He posted 92 tackles (38 solo) with 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, and eight passes defensed in 50 career games.

Jordan Ozerities, Central Florida, CB, 5-10, 186: He startedall 13 games last season and had 69 tackles, 11 pass breakups and three interceptions. He played strong in big games against Penn State and Missouri.

Damian Parms, Florida Atlantic, S, 6-2, 210: He’s a big-hitter and finished with 84 tackles, which was second on the team. He’s a classic in the box safety who struggles in coverage. He was the 15th rated strong safety in the draft according to nfldraftscout.com.

Joshua Stangby, Ottawa University, WR, 5-9, 180: He’s a tryout player. He finished last season with 56 catches for 1,046 yards and 14 touchdowns. Stangby averaged 18.7 yards per catch and 87.2 yards receiving per game. He finished the season ranked 17th in the NAIA in total receiving yards (1,046), 19th in total points scored (84), 20th in receiving yards per game (87.2), 28th in scoring per game (7), 32nd in total receptions (56), 36th in all-purpose yards (1,322), 41st in receptions per game (4.7), and 47th in all-purpose yards per game (110.2).

Robenson Therezie, Auburn, S, 5-9 5/8, 212: He made four tackles at the College Gridiron Showcase and returned punts. He interviewed with the Rams, Ravens, 49ers and Chiefs. He’s part safety-linebacker and he could probably contribute on special teams while learning how to play nickel back in the NFL. Therezie ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at Auburn’s Pro Day. That time would have placed him third among all defensive backs at the NFL Combine. His 19 reps on the bench press would have tied for seventh.

Valerian Ume-Ezeoke, New Mexico State, C, 6-3, 295: He was a four-year starter at center for the Aggies and served as a team captain during his senior season in 2014. He was a first team All-Sun Belt selection last season.

Terron Ward, Oregon State, RB, 5-7, 201: He finished his career with 1,843 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. He also added 87 receptions for 664 receiving yards in his career and was a key player on the Beavers special teams units.

Kevin White, Texas Christian, CB, 5-10, 174: He finished his career with 146 total tackles (118 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, six interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and 27 passes defensed. He was a second-team All-Big 12 selection by the conference’s coaches in 2014, notching career highs with 51 tackles (44 solo), four tackles for loss, and 11 passes defensed.

Shane Wynn, Indiana, WR, 5-7, 167: He finished his career tied for second in receptions (189), third in kick return yardage (1,854), tied for third in receiving touchdowns (20), fourth in all-purpose yardage (4,429), seventh in receiving yardage (2,198), and tied for eighth in total touchdowns (25) on the Hoosiers career lists. He served as a team captain alongside Falcons third-round Draft choice Tevin Coleman in 2014 and was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. Wynn is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and attended Glenville High School.

9A. Beasley to wear No. 44: The Falcons rookies have their jersey numbers. Vic Beasley, the team’s No. 1 draft pick, is wearing No. 44.

Jalen Collins, 32, Tevin Coleman 26, Justin Hardy 16, Grady Jarrett 97, Jake Rodgers 65 and Akeem King 28.

BTW, the Rams also received their jersey numbers. As it turns out, Rams general manager Les Snead had Todd Gurley rated as the No. 1 player in the draft.

Still obsessed with Gurley and Gregory...

[hjerry]

BTW, the Rams also received their jersey numbers. As it turns out, Rams general manager Les Snead had Todd Gurley rated as the No. 1 player in the draft.

**** you Dled

[Tuggle'2]

He thinks we'll keep both FBs?

His strange agenda with Gurley is funny to me. I just see him as any other bum hurt fan whining about it. The only real difference I guess is he is supposed to be impartial being that he is the Falcons beat writer.

[hjerry]

He thinks we'll keep both FBs?

His strange agenda with Gurley is funny to me. I just see him as any other bum hurt fan whining about it. The only real difference I guess is he is supposed to be impartial being that he is the Falcons beat writer.

I've said it before, but I really think that he hates this team, and especially its fans. It seems like his writing has been getting increasingly mean-spirited over the years, and almost everything that he writes now a days, seems to be some back handed attack on the team and/or its fans.

[JDaveG]

Well, he moved Beasley to DE (behind Hageman ), but now he has Shembo at WILL and Bartu at SAM?

SMH.

[MayorWest13]

Well, he moved Beasley to DE (behind Hageman ), but now he has Shembo at WILL and Bartu at SAM?

SMH.

Well technically he's fighting for that spot with kroy according to the chart

[xskyx]

i like the idea of changing the LEO name. LEO is Carroll's name for it. If it really means nothing, then a name change to make it our own would be sweet.

I nominate "rushy sacky sir"

[TheFatboi]

Well, he moved Beasley to DE (behind Hageman ), but now he has Shembo at WILL and Bartu at SAM?

SMH.

I actually think it makes more sense for shembo to go back to will and Bartu to go back to sam. Bartu was a good rusher from sam and shembo is a True will.

[Herr Doktor]

Instead of LEO, I like "Dog" or "Hound".

[Tuggle'2]

Wish I never had to hear the term again after this off season. I really do hope Quinn calls it something different.

[TheFatboi]

Call it falcon or falco. A falcon is a fast attacking predator. Seems fit.

[xskyx]

If Smith was still here, he'd call it a Timeout

[Tuggle'2]

If Smith was still here, he'd call it a Timeout

Naw, he'd call it "Notepad".

[AtlantaFanatic]

If Smith was still here, he'd call it a Timeout

But he would mention it at all the wrong times.

[xskyx]

But he would mention it at all the wrong times.

First and 10 with obvious run play coming

PUT THE TIMEOUT IN!

Also, how many timeouts do I have left? Pretty sure I should call one so the other team doesn't have to

[JDaveG]

I actually think it makes more sense for shembo to go back to will and Bartu to go back to sam. Bartu was a good rusher from sam and shembo is a True will.

Do you think Bartu can cover well enough to play that role? Predominately, I think Shembo fits better there due to his size. Bartu is a good rusher, but he's more of a blitzer than a true pass rusher. Shembo is used to rushing the passer from the OLB spot in a 3-4. That's why I assume he'll play SAM in our system.

[Culain_04]

Bedwetter is a special kind of stupid.

[FalconFanSince1970]

Still obsessed with Gurley and Gregory...

Me too. Gurley, Gregory and Diggy would have been one helluva haul.

I've said it before, but I really think that he hates this team, and especially its fans. It seems like his writing has been getting increasingly mean-spirited over the years, and almost everything that he writes now a days, seems to be some back handed attack on the team and/or its fans.

DLed is the most homeristic beat writer I can remember. Clowns like Pastabelly and Terrence Moore really used to be haters. You must have forgotten about them.

[hjerry]

Hey Mono, I got another one for you

Doesn't understand what a Leo is

Calls it something else

[Tony Diesel]

The only logical conclusion is Bedwetter loves trolling TAFT.

Normally when listing your depth chart, you list your base defense, and in our case its a 4/3.

Hageman will not be playing LEO. (BTW, I nominate the term "Monster" or "The Beast" in place of LEO/Elephant)

Also, he got a few of the backers switched around. SAM plays right up on the line in '4/3 under' and requires a bigger LB. Bartu is barely bigger than our SS...so he is better suited for WILL.

In Quinn's 4/3, LEO and SAM are cross-trained... and this is probably Shembo's most natural position.

[Atlfanstckndenver]

I've said it before, but I really think that he hates this team, and especially its fans. It seems like his writing has been getting increasingly mean-spirited over the years, and almost everything that he writes now a days, seems to be some back handed attack on the team and/or its fans.

This fan base has (with good reason) ripped D Led a new hole time and time again. If I where him I would probably become bitter too.

[GTFalcon25]

Leo is the Zodiac lion. Why not call the position the "lion"? It's simple, and it describes the responsibilities of the position very well.

[primetime]

I actually think it makes more sense for shembo to go back to will and Bartu to go back to sam. Bartu was a good rusher from sam and shembo is a True will.

Shembos definitively a more naturally Sam imho. Durant is the prototypical will. Fast and sure tackler but no known for rushing the passer. The Sam backer rushes a lot and is seen as a typical outside lb in a 3-4. Shembo fits the mold hete perfectly. In the event Wor goes down injured I see Reed moving to Melb and shembo starting at Sam. Spruill backs up at will if he makes the roster as he suits the position better than shembo. Tbh shembo, reed and bartu (if he makes the team) will probably be the teams jack of all trades asked to play all linebacker positions.

[GEORGIAfan]

Well, he moved Beasley to DE (behind Hageman ), but now he has Shembo at WILL and Bartu at SAM?

SMH.

Bartu at SAM is not that crazy. Lets not forget that Bartu covered for Nicholas a SLB his rookie season and has 80 tackles, 8 TFLs, and 4ish sacks.

[Dirtybird56]

I've said it before, but I really think that he hates this team, and especially its fans. It seems like his writing has been getting increasingly mean-spirited over the years, and almost everything that he writes now a days, seems to be some back handed attack on the team and/or its fans.

Cuz everybody ***** on him, it's not just us on TATF that realize how much of a imbecile this fool is