lostnmexico Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 (edited) On Wednesday, I talked wistfully about the possibility of the team drafting a defensive tackle in the middle rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft, instead of one of the players they wound up with. That was chiefly because the Falcons’ run defense has continued to be a huge issue, and with Ra’Shede Hageman cut and Courtney Upshaw on the shelf, the Falcons have had very few quality options behind Grady Jarrett and Dontari Poe. Joe Vellano has shown himself to be what you would expect a player like Joe Vellano to be: Solid enough, but overmatched against some of the stronger offensive linemen out there, and not the kind of run stopper Atlanta badly needs. Getting Vellano and Tupou back on the bench (or practice squad) in favor of a proven player was an obvious move. They fixed that yesterday when they signed Ahtyba Rubin, the former Seahawk and Bronco. Rubin was a terrific run stopper in 2016 for the Seahawks, starting 16 games at defensive tackle, and generally is just a quality, burly player who is difficult to move. The Falcons have had a ton of trouble with tackling on the second level this year as Duke Riley acclimates to the NFL and others simply whiff, which makes it even more important that the defensive line is capable of helping to stop the run. Rubin, despite his scant production and the fact that he has been cut twice this year, can certainly aid in that regard. That’s why the signing makes a ton of sense: The Falcons were lacking a third defensive tackle who could stop the run, period. Upshaw should return and can continue to be a valuable rotational piece, but Rubin has size and a history of production on his side, and his presence should allow Upshaw to play more on passing downs and perhaps even get a look at end, if he’s needed there. Rubin can also take over from Poe on some obvious running downs, if the team wants to go in that direction, and give the team’s shiny free agent acquisition more rest than he’s gotten to this point. For Rubin, it’s an opportunity to bolster his value again after he was unceremoniously dumped by two good defenses for no obvious reason, as the Falcons should have no trouble finding him 10-20 snaps per game throughout the rest of the 2017 season. It was an obvious win-win signing that helps the Falcons get better against the run, however incrementally, and Rubin could prove to be a key piece of the puzzle as Atlanta tries to right the ship. Edited October 21, 2017 by lostnmexico Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osiruz Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Just stop getting cute and resign Hageman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconsrus Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 (edited) Yes we should, is he contrite ?is he in #thebrotherhood ? is he better than Velano? But I like the Rubin sign and courtney is back Edited October 21, 2017 by falconsrus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovie_Lover Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 21 minutes ago, osiruz said: Just stop getting cute and resign Hageman. No Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyicefalcon Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 26 minutes ago, osiruz said: Just stop getting cute and resign Hageman. I agree....we need Hageman & Freeney back!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stizz Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Whatever takes snaps away from Joe Vellano. Watching him on tape is atrocious. Dude gets blown off the ball and sometimes even into teammates. Was really like playing with less players when he was active. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hibachi Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Don't Hageman get 6 games suspension when he gets sign by a team? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1ATLFALCONSFAN Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Hageman being resigned lol. Is this a joke? It's amazing how so many on the board were down on him. Then once he's gone want him back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFalcoholic Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Makes you wonder why he wasn't signed weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dydydynomite Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 (edited) 26 minutes ago, TheFalcoholic said: Makes you wonder why he wasn't signed weeks ago. He wasnt signed weeks ago because he was cut this past week Edited October 22, 2017 by dydydynomite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 12 hours ago, osiruz said: Just stop getting cute and resign Hageman. Bigtime we can actually use both of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Good signing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Hasn't missed many games. Has been pretty consistent. Adds another wrinkle to the defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovie_Lover Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 12 hours ago, mattyicefalcon said: I agree....we need Hageman & Freeney back!! No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WornOutFalconFan Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Anyone know why he was cut? Did he play for the Browns? If so he will go great here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 30 minutes ago, WornOutFalconFan said: Anyone know why he was cut? Did he play for the Browns? If so he will go great here Drafted by them and played 6 yrs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeonDeion Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 (edited) Seahawks fans comments on the article stating Rubin’s release from their team. I like it a lot Edited October 22, 2017 by NeonDeion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red falcon Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 We seriously need an anchor, or depth at it because we are struggling. We are designed to stop the run we arent doing it. This will help a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WornOutFalconFan Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 1 hour ago, red falcon said: We seriously need an anchor, or depth at it because we are struggling. We are designed to stop the run we arent doing it. This will help a lot. I thought our defense was more of a pass stopping D. I mean we have speed everywhere and pass rushers so we can shut down the passing game. That's why we did so well last year because we always played with a lead. I could be wrong though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigSmackDaddy Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 22 hours ago, Hibachi said: Don't Hageman get 6 games suspension when he gets sign by a team? He's serving it now, able to serve without being on a team. Pretty sure he'll be available to play next week so don't be surprised if a team picks him up. Like I said in another thread, depending on what the details of his personal issue was I'd like to have him back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 13 hours ago, #1ATLFALCONSFAN said: Hageman being resigned lol. Is this a joke? It's amazing how so many on the board were down on him. Then once he's gone want him back Not sure he's the answer to the run defense. We were ranked 15th, 16th and 26th in yards allowed per carry with him in tow. Wasn't much better in the pass game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeytonMannings Forehead Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 55 minutes ago, WornOutFalconFan said: I thought our defense was more of a pass stopping D. I mean we have speed everywhere and pass rushers so we can shut down the passing game. That's why we did so well last year because we always played with a lead. I could be wrong though. Philosophically, the base defense is supposed to be all about stopping the run which is why you see all the 8 man fronts on 1st and 2nd down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hibachi Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 1 hour ago, CraigSmackDaddy said: He's serving it now, able to serve without being on a team. Pretty sure he'll be available to play next week so don't be surprised if a team picks him up. Like I said in another thread, depending on what the details of his personal issue was I'd like to have him back. Yeah me too, but the only problem is I don't think Blank wants that kind of stamp on his organization. Will see, we could sure use him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red falcon Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 10 hours ago, WornOutFalconFan said: I thought our defense was more of a pass stopping D. I mean we have speed everywhere and pass rushers so we can shut down the passing game. That's why we did so well last year because we always played with a lead. I could be wrong though. Was saying this due to the safety being in the box with cover 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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