theProf Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Falcons assistant Raheem Morris still believes in Adrian ClaybornVaughn McClure, ESPN Staff WriterAtlanta Falcons assistant head coach Raheem Morris sounded like a proud father in speaking about defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn, and for good reason.Clayborn, in his first year with the Falcons, was the last first-round draft pick Morris selected during his three-year, head-coaching stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Back then in 2011, Morris used words such as "alpha male" and "Rambo" to describe Clayborn.Four years later, his feelings haven’t changed.Then-Bucs head coach Raheem Morris drafted Adrian Clayborn with the 20th pick of the 2011 draft. Cliff Welch/Icon SMI"When we came back here and we talked about free agents, we talked about bringing in tough, competitive guys and when you looked at the free-agent list, Adrian just jumped off the list, in my opinion,’’ Morris said."Personally, that was my No. 1 guy. When we drafted him in Tampa, that was one of the major things I loved about him: tough, competitive. He brings the nasty demeanor and the attitude, the go-get-it-type guy you want. He fits [Dan Quinn's] type of attitude. He fit Bryan Cox’s attitude.’’Clayborn is expected to help resuscitate a pass rush considered among the league's worst last season. The Falcons have recorded a league-low 83 sacks over the past three seasons. Last season, the Falcons pressured opposing quarterbacks on just 22 percent of their dropbacks which ranked last in the NFC, according to ESPN Stats & Information.This offseason, Clayborn has shown the ability to bring pressure off the edge and from the interior. In rush situations, the most potent group going into the 2015 season is likely to consist of Clayborn and Jonathan Babineaux on the interior with rookie Vic Beasley and newcomer O'Brien Schofield rushing off the edge.Clayborn, who suffered a season-ending torn biceps one game into last season and missed 13 games in 2012 due to a knee injury, aims to have a healthy, productive season. Morris is confident the guy who recorded 7.5 sacks as a rookie will resurface."I thought Adrian would be a good fit for the toughness Thomas Dimitroff and his staff wanted to bring to this team, and hopefully he does a great job for us," Morris said. "He’s been out here working his butt off. He’s been out here competing. And I think all the [free-agent guys] are fired up about the role we want those guys to play."Clayborn appreciates the support from Morris."It feels good that he’s here and he believes in me," Clayborn said. "I know Coach Quinn believes in him. So, it’s just a great feeling to know that you have coaches that stand behind you and how you can play."So has Morris changed since the time he drafted Clayborn?"He’s still the same Rah: still goofy, but serious when he needs to be," Clayborn said. "You can just tell he knows his stuff." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Need football ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 If he can stay healthy we may wish we had signed him to a long term contract. Unfortunately I'm not sure that's likely. Rooting for him though.I just hope this wasn't just a "He was My guy, so I want to give him another chance" type thing with Morris. That can lead to poor decisions down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Really excited about Clayborn. He could be Quinn's Michael Bennett. Stay healthy my friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GATXBOI Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Man this pass rush could be nastyVic hageman soliai clayborn...reedKroy jarrett babs jackson...Schofield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis York Morgan Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Both of Clayborn's injuries were fluky and to different body parts, and he's never had lingering injuries. It's guys like Hankerson and Schofield who I worry about, injury-wise. Durant a bit too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Well. Its a one year contract. He will either show and prove or find a new team after this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanadonis Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 (edited) WHAT A HIT BY CLAYBORN BTW he is making the Pro Bowl this year Edited June 27, 2015 by R_The_Great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted June 27, 2015 Author Share Posted June 27, 2015 Really excited about Clayborn. He could be Quinn's Michael Bennett. Stay healthy my friend. I think that Clayborn will really help the Falcons Defensive Line, both in run-stopping and pass-rushing, if he can just stay healthy. It appears that Atlanta might be planning on using Clayborn at different spots along the Defensive Line, both at DE and DT, similar to how Seattle used Bennett. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngbloodz Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 I know everyone wants us to copy the Seahawks defense. And for good reason. They are the best. But when I think of defense I want a fast,physical,intimidating,nasty,bully type of defense. When I think of that I think of the Baltimore Ravens. Not really right now but about 5-7 years ago. I want that type of defense in Atlanta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da_Truth Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Hopefully Clayborn can return to this level of play. Ought to be interesting this upcoming season with the mixture of guys we can now put on the DL. No more of this sacks are overrated talk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 When I think of Adrian Clayborn, I remember when he single-handedly (pardon the pun) destroyed Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl about 6yrs ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 I know everyone wants us to copy the Seahawks defense. And for good reason. They are the best. But when I think of defense I want a fast,physical,intimidating,nasty,bully type of defense. When I think of that I think of the Baltimore Ravens. Not really right now but about 5-7 years ago. I want that type of defense in AtlantaGoing back the past few years, the Ravens have actually used this defense in the past. It was a sub package, but the defense was there. Its an exciting time to be a Falcons fan for certain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironhead1956 Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Need football ... +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 They run a hybrid variant of the 4-3 Under now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironhead1956 Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 I believe if healthy, we have a **** good football player with Clayborn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomFan Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 I know everyone wants us to copy the Seahawks defense. And for good reason. They are the best. But when I think of defense I want a fast,physical,intimidating,nasty,bully type of defense. When I think of that I think of the Baltimore Ravens. Not really right now but about 5-7 years ago. I want that type of defense in AtlantaThat begs the question: you don't see those qualities out of the Seahawks defense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 That begs the question: you don't see those qualities out of the Seahawks defense?Okay, I don't think he was saying the Hawks don't have that. I think he was speaking in terms of a preference. I tend to agree, and before the stat wars start...NEITHER of us are into all that man. It turns into semantics and gets weird after a while. So that type of thinking is yesterday. Now these days we are moving into anew way of thinking. Not overthinking an idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vandy Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Clayborn is still just 26...if we get a healthy Clay ala 2013, this is gonna be a very interesting defensive team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Clayborn is still just 26...if we get a healthy Clay ala 2013, this is gonna be a very interesting defensive team. I have said this a few times and people aren't reading what this means. All we need out of him is 4 sacks. He gets that and he's worth a contract extension if healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomFan Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Okay, I don't think he was saying the Hawks don't have that. I think he was speaking in terms of a preference. I tend to agree, and before the stat wars start...NEITHER of us are into all that man. It turns into semantics and gets weird after a while. So that type of thinking is yesterday. Now these days we are moving into anew way of thinking. Not overthinking an idea.Dude, your entire response was overthinking an idea, lol. I simply asked HIM if he didn't see those qualities in the Seahawks defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Dude, your entire response was overthinking an idea, lol. I simply asked HIM if he didn't see those qualities in the Seahawks defense.Did you laugh any? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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