FalconsIn2012 Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 Oluokun turning sights and sounds into tackles Falcons rookie linebacker ramps up playing time with big results Coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel see a lot of Deion Jones in the sixth-round draft choice, and they’ve been waiting for this. They also see a lot of Yale in the former Bulldog, and coaches have been expecting the 6-foot-2, 229-pounder to do what he did as the Falcons survived the Buccaneers 34-29. Oluokun’s brain power is one reason why he was on the field so much more than before in the Falcons’ base defense and in nickel sets as well. The other reason he hasn’t played more is that he’s had a bum ankle, and nearly as soon as the swelling went down, he took off, and played 40 of 66 snaps – by far his most playing time this season. “He’s really been battling through an injury. He really put the work in from the ankle, so he is no longer having to deal with that. He’s healthy and ready to take on a bigger role,” Quinn said Saturday after the Falcons’ final practice before playing the Giants on Monday night. “We could have earlier, but he wasn’t able to yet. What we love about him is his smarts and his ability to cover. He’s explosive, he’s fast.” Mitigating circumstances also contributed, as fellow linebacker Duke Riley missed six of 12 tackle attempts a week earlier at Pittsburgh, So, against the Bucs, Riley just 42 percent of the snaps against the Bucs after playing 84 percent against the Steelers, 75 percent against the Bengals, 80 percent against the Saints and 87 percent against the Panthers. To be sure, Oluokun’s playing better in part because he’s hearing better. You read that right. He’s healthier and reading plays not only with his eyes but also with his ears. Asked why he’s better able to see plays unfold now than in the first game of the season, he suggested that he’s seen enough to better know what’s coming and he’s incorporating the sounds of the game to help react faster, too. “I kind of see the plays unfold, basically get a feel for how the line moves or what it sounds like so that when they go back to that play you’ll be able to see it quicker,” he said. What it sounds like? You mean like picking snap count, audible calls? Nah, it’s about the crack of pads upon snap. It sounds different run vs. pass, and his senses tingle one way or the other and tip him toward plays. “It’s how hard they come off the ball run (or drop to) pass (protect),” Oluokun said. “On stretch they go flatter down the line, or they come straight at you ... it’s recognition [and repetition]. “It’s like a golf swing. When you start swinging for the first time, you might be worried about your hand needs to be here, your arm needs to be there, your follow through. At week seven, you’re not thinking, you’re just reacting and doing.” Oluokun figures to play quite a bit again Monday night when the Falcons (2-4) take on the Giants (1-5), as New York tight ends Evan Engram and Rhett Ellison both look healthy enough to start and play. They’ve combined to catch 21 passes and score two touchdowns. Atlanta coaches value Oluokun’s ability to match up in coverage, and the fact that he soaks up information and puts it into play. “He’s very smart. When we say that, he never makes the same mistake twice,” Manuel said. “He prides himself on retaining information. And his ability to cover tight ends ... he does a really good job of that, another guy similar to what (De’Vondre Campbell) does.” Oluokun said was he more sore Monday after the Bucs game, and chances are that will continue because he figures to keep playing more so as to get even more sore. Coaches trust him more than before. “That’s what it is, ” Manuel said. “... If playing Foye more is how we win the game because he’s able to do certain things, that’s what we’re going to do.” Quinn echoed that. “If there is a guy that has a unique skill for a certain situation, we're going to try to utilize him, and I think that's probably the case there with Foye,” the coach said. “We put him in the base wheel package, and we're going to do more of it.” hashmark61, Jerz, Monolith2001 and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsIn2012 Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 Never heard of a defensive player using his ears to help diagnose plays. Interesting read TheFatboi, Jerz, ATLSlobberKnockers and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droopy1592 Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 Foye > Riley shock, PokerSteve, hashmark61 and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsIn2012 Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 Just now, droopy1592 said: Foye > Campbell>Riley FIFY PapaJoe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metatron360 Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 He can hear and see, I diagnose plays the same way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsIn2012 Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 Just now, metatron360 said: He can hear and see, I diagnose plays the same way Is that common to use the crack of pads to tell if it’s run or pass? ADAMSVILLE GYM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWFALCON Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 1 hour ago, Falconsin2012 said: Never heard of a defensive player using his ears to help diagnose plays. Interesting read This was brought up on NFL prime time or whatever show It is on ESPN with the former Olinemen. He mentioned being surprised that more defensive players don’t listen to the offensive linemen. He said when it’s a run you’ll hear grunts and more sounds of a struggle as they move up to get their blocks. red falcon, FalconsIn2012, Falcon from E and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsIn2012 Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 43 minutes ago, NWFALCON said: This was brought up on NFL prime time or whatever show It is on ESPN with the former Olinemen. He mentioned being surprised that more defensive players don’t listen to the offensive linemen. He said when it’s a run you’ll hear grunts and more sounds of a struggle as they move up to get their blocks. Great point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokerSteve Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 1 hour ago, NWFALCON said: This was brought up on NFL prime time or whatever show It is on ESPN with the former Olinemen. He mentioned being surprised that more defensive players don’t listen to the offensive linemen. He said when it’s a run you’ll hear grunts and more sounds of a struggle as they move up to get their blocks. Not only does this make sense, Oluokun figured out how to take advantage of it. Pretty dog gone sharp. FalconsIn2012, ATL Fan in the DMV, red falcon and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsIn2012 Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 6 minutes ago, PokerSteve said: Not only does this make sense, Oluokun figured out how to take advantage of it. Pretty dog gone sharp. Foye gonna jump this year in a big way ATLSlobberKnockers, gazoo, Cole World and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokerSteve Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 Just now, Falconsin2012 said: Foye gonna jump this year in a big way I believe it. Cole World, FalconsIn2012 and Flying Falcon 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caponine Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 I gotta awesome nickname for him, DareDevil. That's his new name falconidae, FalconsIn2012 and RunningThePiszOuttaTheBall 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasterBateser Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 5 minutes ago, caponine said: I gotta awesome nickname for him, DareDevil. That's his new name Kinda sucks because you don't know who you're talking about. Also it's a lot shorter to say/type Foye instead of Dare Devil. falconfreak1 and Cole World 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokerSteve Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 4 minutes ago, Yo_Lover said: Kinda sucks because you don't know who you're talking about. Also it's a lot shorter to say/type Foye instead of Dare Devil. You could call him Foye "The Bat" because he makes plays by echo-location. ATL Fan in the DMV, gazoo, Vandy and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsIn2012 Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 37 minutes ago, caponine said: I gotta awesome nickname for him, DareDevil. That's his new name Best nickname of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caponine Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 40 minutes ago, Yo_Lover said: Kinda sucks because you don't know who you're talking about. Also it's a lot shorter to say/type Foye instead of Dare Devil. U mean daredevil ?? Lol PokerSteve and ATLSlobberKnockers 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caponine Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 9 minutes ago, Falconsin2012 said: Best nickname of the year. Lol hope he uses it this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shock Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, droopy1592 said: Foye > Riley Omg it’s not even close already. Foye is an intimidating dude coming at you down hill, while Riley is busy staying blocked. Edited June 2, 2019 by shock Cole World, Flying Falcon, PokerSteve and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4dabirds Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 5 hours ago, droopy1592 said: Foye > Riley Old lady > Riley Flying Falcon, PokerSteve, RunningThePiszOuttaTheBall and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Falcon Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 2 hours ago, Yo_Lover said: Kinda sucks because you don't know who you're talking about. Also it's a lot shorter to say/type Foye instead of Dare Devil. Grinch!! Grinch!!! PokerSteve, MasterBateser and Cole World 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatboi Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 8 hours ago, Falconsin2012 said: Never heard of a defensive player using his ears to help diagnose plays. Interesting read I have. Some players watch linemen’s knuckles to get a tip of run it pass too. It’s different tricks of tre trade guys use. Most don’t say it tho. I’m surprised he offered his trick like that. FalconsIn2012, dardan, PokerSteve and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezekiel 25:17 Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 8 hours ago, droopy1592 said: Foye > Riley And that’s all I need to know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeonDeion Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 We drafted Spider-Man in the 6th round. Holy **** ATL Fan in the DMV and Tim Mazetti 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconfreak1 Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 12 hours ago, PokerSteve said: You could call him Foye "The Bat" because he makes plays by echo-location. How about Foye the destroya. PokerSteve, FalconsIn2012 and TheTrue7 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droopy1592 Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 9 hours ago, 4dabirds said: Old lady > Riley 6 hours ago, Ezekiel 25:17 said: And that’s all I need to know! Nah, I think @4dabirds told you all that you need to know. PokerSteve and Ezekiel 25:17 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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