atljbo Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/173477/falcons-rashede-hageman-now-under-control-ready-to-produce Falcons' Ra'Shede Hageman now under control, ready to produceFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Ra'Shede Hageman doesn't care what his critics think.He knows people questioned his work ethic last year during his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons. He knows doubters wondered about his focus after a post from his Instagram account -- an account he said was hacked -- referenced a desire to find marijuana."Did it bother me? I've dealt with that my whole life," Hageman said of perception. "Everybody has their own opinion. At the end of the day, I build off that. Let's keep it real: Everybody has stereotypes. But if you get to know me, it's like, 'Wow, I never knew that about Ra'Shede.' I'm obviously a cool guy, on and off the field. But I can't control what people think. At the end of the day, I can only control myself and how I approach things."Hageman also knows the Falcons' appearance on HBO's "Hard Knocks" did little to enhance his image leading into last season. The footage from the documentary series portrayed the defensive tackle as an out-of-shape, out-of-control, agitated player. There were several clips of him being chastised by fiery defensive line coach Bryan Cox.Did Hageman think it was fair?"Not at all," Hageman said, referring primarily to the conditioning aspect. "Tyson Jackson [Jackson] and I already volunteered to run to get in shape. Then the cameras came down and I was a little fatigued after running already. It bothered me a little bit. But again, I can't control what people think of me. I can just control my actions and go out there and play.“That's all in the past now. I feel like it's time to make a new first impression.”Hageman is off to a good start. He is more chiseled this season and reported to camp at 311 pounds -- seven pounds lighter than his listed weight a season ago. His tremendous strength was evident upon his arrival and continues to be an asset. But now, his foot quickness is more noticeable in an attacking, 4-3-under scheme.“One of the things for him I've been most impressed about this spring and into training camp is how hard he's willing to go,” Falcons coach an Quinn said of Hageman. “At that position, it's hard. Every down, there's not a break at defensive tackle, nose tackle, guards. He's been battling for it. I've been impressed so far.”Hageman talked about what Quinn has emphasized.“Get off the ball and stay low,” he said. “Clearly, I'm 6-6, so my pad level has been a problem. But DQ, I feel like we kind of feed off each other. And it's always a good vibe. He always gives me the utmost respect in critiquing my game, and I agree with him. Me penetrating and getting back in that backfield, that's all he wants me to do. And that's what I want to do.”One thing Hageman hasn't done so far through five training camp practices is express anger toward himself, like he did often last season. Such frustration usually took him off his game and contributed to him playing out of control. He finished last season with 17 tackles, four tackles for losses, one sack and one quarterback hit in 210 defensive snaps.“Of course I was out of control,” Hageman said. “I was going back to my college ways. I was popping my head up and watching the quarterback before I disengaged with the offensive lineman. My pad level was bad. If you want to really be good, you have to change things. Now, it all just clicked.“Everyone strives to be better, especially myself. I obviously have to make changes to my game in order to improve my craft.”As things stand now, Hageman has a starting role in the base defense as the 3-technique: the defensive tackle who aligns to the open (or weak) side of the formation on the outside shoulder of the guard. Although the Falcons have more bodies to rotate along the line, don't be surprised if Hageman stays in the game longer to create havoc against the run and pass."That's my goal," Hageman said. "Right now, it's more about run-stopping. My job is real simple. But whenever coach puts me in there, I'm going to go ahead and bust my butt. If they have to carry me off the field, so be it. As long as I put everything on the field, that's what it's all about." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I saw this coming with Hageman back before we even drafted him. He's so explosive that his best spot is the 3T but people would see his size and try and make him hold up blocks or make him play the 5T. I'm glad we aren't misusing his talent. 6'6 3Ts aren't common, but Hageman's blend of size and explosive isn't neither. He's going to be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sun Tzu 7 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 The thing I like most about Hageman on Hard Knocks last year was how it showed how invested Coach Cox was with Hageman.When Coach was home and his wife asked him how Hageman was doing I felt very good about Hageman's future. I can't wait to see what this young man can do in season 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfsutton Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 The thing I like most about Hageman on Hard Knocks last year was how it showed invested Coach Cox was with Hageman.When Coach was home and his wife asked him how Hageman was doing I felt very good about Hageman's future.I can't wait to see what this young man can do in season 2.I agree. When the team fired Smith I was most upset about losing Bryan Cox. I just liked what I saw of his attitude. I was quite happy when it came out that Quinn was going to keep Cox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 I said at end of last season, the offseason was going to make or break Hageman. If he went out partying and going to strip clubs blowing the fat paycheck and came into camp out of shape, he would fail. I also said if Hageman grew up over the offseason and came into OTAs in good shape, he would be a monster. Thanks goodness the latter is what transpired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BleedBlack&Red Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Great read thanks for posting. Outside of Ric Allen, Hageman is the player I am ready to see hit the field Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayOzOne Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Great read thanks for posting. Outside of Ric Allen, Hageman is the player I am ready to see hit the fieldThe reason that I'm geeked about this season is because there are easily a dozen players that I'm anxious to see. First, I think about Beasley before Hageman comes to mind. Then I want to see him and Durant will pop up. And Reed. And Clayborn. And Coleman. And Jarrett. And Tamme. Add to them Julio, Ryan, Roddy, and you can see my excitement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atljbo Posted August 6, 2015 Author Share Posted August 6, 2015 Jay Adams @FalconsJAdams 4h4 hours ago My top 5 camp standouts so far: 1. Clayborn 2. Beasley 3. Freeman 4. Hageman 5. Hardy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Don™ Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Me penetrating and getting back in that backfield, that's all he wants me to do. And that's what I want to do.”DQ is keeping it simple and using 'Shede to his strengths. Football is not as complicated as the previous coaching staff made it out to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hashbrown3 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Shede, you are the only one that can stop you. If you stay dedicated to perfecting your craft by staying low, using proper technique etc.. You can be one of the very best DT's in the nfl. A pro bowler waiting to happen. He will have some help too. Our line is going to drastically improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FulC0 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Hageman = Peria Jerry 2.0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moist Words Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Hageman = Peria Jerry 2.0I'd agree with you there if you weren't extremely wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlfanstckndenver Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Lol^^^ New wave of fodder arriving? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlfanstckndenver Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 I'd agree with you there if you weren't extremely wrong.yea he was close tho wasn't he? At least he's giving it his all. God bless his heart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FulC0 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 I'd agree with you there if you weren't extremely wrong.He is until he isn't.Last year, he was lazy and unproductive, just like Peria Jerry.People talking him up on these boards doesnt make him a better, more motivated, more productive player on the field. If that were the case, he would be the 2nd coming of Lawrence Taylor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moist Words Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 He is until he isn't.Last year, he was lazy and unproductive, just like Peria Jerry.People talking him up on these boards doesnt make him a better, more motivated, more productive player on the field. If that were the case, he would be the 2nd coming of Lawrence Taylor.He isn't until he is.By all accounts he has put in all the work necessary to improve this off season and I see Quinn letting Shede do what Shede does best. I personally have HIGH expectations of him this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdman71 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Hageman gives this defensive line the potential to become one of the best. His domination against the saints was memorable. He threw jahvi evans around like a ragged doll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlfanstckndenver Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Hageman will absolutely be a stud in this defense. Hageman is built perfectly for the roll he will be playing, and will be one of the more disruptive inside presences in the league this year. I guarantee it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madman88 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 We shall see.. hopefully he can be the next rod coleman.. or better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-TowN.- Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 He is until he isn't.Last year, he was lazy and unproductive, just like Peria Jerry.People talking him up on these boards doesnt make him a better, more motivated, more productive player on the field. If that were the case, he would be the 2nd coming of Lawrence Taylor.It's a new year and he showed some flash last year. He has put in a lot of work this offseason and he's working with Quinn. That will pay off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega Flare Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Sounds like a completely different player from the guy dogging it in training camp last year, or who said on draft night that the hard part was over. Looks like he'll turn out to be more than a large child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwifalcon Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Hageman = Peria Jerry 2.0Wow Bro after everything I've seen and heard it seems to me with the simplified scheme and obvious added maturity of Hageman I'd think you've got this quiet wrong here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEIST Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Most exciting prospect on the team imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirdBrain53 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Key word there is " Maturity" some players take longer, if he listen's to Quinn and continues to work his azz off this kid can be real special.......we shall see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnrealfalcoN Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Jay Adams @FalconsJAdams 4h4 hours ago My top 5 camp standouts so far: 1. Clayborn 2. Beasley 3. Freeman 4. Hageman 5. Hardy3 defensive lineman who are essentially additions to last year's D-line. That's not even including schofield and other D lineman who're not going to be dropping back into coverage this season. If the Dline and LBs stay healthy we are a top 15 defense guaranteed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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