Grady Jarrett, Ta’Quon Graham are the biggest winners of Ryan Nielsen hiring

[TheRisen999]

The Falcons will look a little different on the defensive side of the ball this year. In the wake of Dean Pees’ retirement, Atlanta brought in Ryan Nielsen to coordinate the defense. Philosophical differences will impact the look of the defense, but the Falcons possess the second most cap space in the NFL; the personnel will also look different.
 

The first-time defensive coordinator spent every season working with the Saints’ defensive line since 2017. Over that period, New Orleans recorded 281 sacks, the second most in the NFL, finishing in the top 10 in five of the last six seasons. So, it’s not hard to see who will benefit the most from Nielsen’s presence — the defensive line, specifically Grady Jarrett and Ta’Quon Graham.

“What he’s going to do is actually bring a pass rush,” Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan said on ESPN Radio’s ‘Canty & Carlin,’ via ESPN. “Now he’s going to bring in some pass-rushers, and if not, he knows how to cultivate them. One of the best teachers of the defensive line that I’ve ever been a part of.”

New Orleans has long touted impressive talent in the trenches, including the All-Pro Cam Jordan, but he’s not the only one. The Saints regularly feature a healthy rotation of defenders, interior and on the edge. The Falcons have had Grady Jarrett, and that’s it until 2022. Ta’Quon Graham broke out last season and is easily the best running mate Jarrett has had in years.

Graham’s injury really hampered Jarrett’s impact. The Texas product may not have the sack totals or quarterback hits of some others, but his presence kept opposing offensive lines from double and triple-teaming Jarrett. In the first 11 games before Graham’s injury, Jarrett posted 5.5 of his six total sacks and 10 of his 12 tackles for a loss. That’s a considerable difference.

The Falcons have recorded an embarrassing number of sacks over the last few years. No amount of creative scheming is going to overcome the lack of talent. Recently, Atlanta hasn’t developed a defensive lineman at an elite level other than Jarrett. Hopefully, Nielsen is here to change that. Manufacturing a pass rush will take more than just improvements to the defensive line, though.

Those who believe the pass rush can be fixed by just bolstering the trenches haven’t been watching close enough. The Falcons’ defense needs talent at all three levels. If the coverage isn’t good, no matter how fast the pass rush gets home, an NFL quarterback can get it out quicker. If the Falcons can’t stop the run, offenses will consistently have manageable third downs. It’s a collective effort.
 

 

Edited February 17 by TheRisen999

[EddieK]

The below is music to my ears

“What he’s going to do is actually bring a pass rush,” Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan said on ESPN Radio’s ‘Canty & Carlin,’ via ESPN. “Now he’s going to bring in some pass-rushers, and if not, he knows how to cultivate them. One of the best teachers of the defensive line that I’ve ever been a part of.”

[Kaptain Krazy]

Ta'Quon Graham is going to have to play really well to meet the expectations that many on TATF must have for him, given how he's talked about on here. 

[OrthoPTSD]

1 minute ago, Kaptain Krazy said:

Ta'Quon Graham is going to have to play really well to meet the expectations that many on TATF must have for him, given how he's talked about on here. 

All of one TFL.

But I was bummed him going down, has upside and for this DL thats needed in spades (with players not on this team).

Cant see how we can count on him being a major contributor next year with out knowing if is an ACL by its self (not good) or more of a round the world with added MCL LCL PCL (yikes).

 

 

[Killing Floor]

8 minutes ago, Kaptain Krazy said:

Ta'Quon Graham is going to have to play really well to meet the expectations that many on TATF must have for him, given how he's talked about on here. 

When I said there are 8 spots on defense we could see immediate improvement just by draft and FA, he’s one of them. I’ll give benefit of the doubt for a tough year but he need to get up next season. 

[kiwifalcon]

A HoF coach in Pees a stop gap good god that’s a questionable hire.

[ShoNuff]

1 hour ago, EddieK said:

The below is music to my ears

“What he’s going to do is actually bring a pass rush,” Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan said on ESPN Radio’s ‘Canty & Carlin,’ via ESPN. “Now he’s going to bring in some pass-rushers, and if not, he knows how to cultivate them. One of the best teachers of the defensive line that I’ve ever been a part of.”

Music to my ears as well !

[gazoo]

4 hours ago, Kaptain Krazy said:

Ta'Quon Graham is going to have to play really well to meet the expectations that many on TATF must have for him, given how he's talked about on here. 

If TQ is out of the lineup, Grady is going to have to really step it up to meet the expectations that many on TAFT have for him as well. 
 

Interesting how much better Grady was playing with TQ in there. You’d almost think Brian Baldinger was correct when he broke down film of TQ and concluded he was an absolute beast in those clips.

[1989Fan]

1 hour ago, EddieK said:

The below is music to my ears

“What he’s going to do is actually bring a pass rush,” Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan said on ESPN Radio’s ‘Canty & Carlin,’ via ESPN. “Now he’s going to bring in some pass-rushers, and if not, he knows how to cultivate them. One of the best teachers of the defensive line that I’ve ever been a part of.”

Cmon Cam, we all know you want to come over and keep working with ya boi!

[ATLSlobberKnockers]

3 hours ago, EddieK said:

The below is music to my ears

“What he’s going to do is actually bring a pass rush,” Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan said on ESPN Radio’s ‘Canty & Carlin,’ via ESPN. “Now he’s going to bring in some pass-rushers, and if not, he knows how to cultivate them. One of the best teachers of the defensive line that I’ve ever been a part of.”

I just smiled at something Cam Jordan said. What a crazy world.

[ATLSlobberKnockers]

1 hour ago, gazoo said:

If TQ is out of the lineup, Grady is going to have to really step it up to meet the expectations that many on TAFT have for him as well. 
 

Interesting how much better Grady was playing with TQ in there. You’d almost think Brian Baldinger was correct when he broke down film of TQ and concluded he was an absolute beast.

TQ is our second best Dlineman overall. We need him healthy and practicing

[ATLSlobberKnockers]

3 hours ago, Kaptain Krazy said:

Ta'Quon Graham is going to have to play really well to meet the expectations that many on TATF must have for him, given how he's talked about on here. 

I think ANYONE would take just playing well. He doesn't have to be All Pro he just needs to not be a JAG. IMO hes already that. His progression is normal. He's on track to being a legitimate starter in the league which we really havent had in years other than Grady. Poe? Babs? Whoelse has been a running mate next to Grady?

[gazoo]

44 minutes ago, ATLSlobberKnockers said:

I think ANYONE would take just playing well. He doesn't have to be All Pro he just needs to not be a JAG. IMO hes already that. His progression is normal. He's on track to being a legitimate starter in the league which we really havent had in years other than Grady. Poe? Babs? Whoelse has been a running mate next to Grady?

Great breakdown. TQ is already a good, starting caliber DT, he has a chance to be very good this year. These raw late round DTs can take a few years to peak. I’m excited about Nielson getting his hands on TQ this training camp.

[ATLSlobberKnockers]

12 minutes ago, gazoo said:

Great breakdown. TQ is already a good, starting caliber DT, he has a chance to be very good this year. These raw late round DTs can take a few years to peak. I’m excited about Nielson getting his hands on TQ this training camp.

And it seems like your more likely to hit on a late round DT than any other position. There are DTs every year that fly under the radar. What better examples than our own Grady and TQ? TE is another position to draft late. Kittle and Andrews are great examples. Theres a handful of other young TEs that are going to be really good taken day 3. 

[Kaptain Krazy]

2 hours ago, gazoo said:

If TQ is out of the lineup, Grady is going to have to really step it up to meet the expectations that many on TAFT have for him as well. 
 

Interesting how much better Grady was playing with TQ in there. You’d almost think Brian Baldinger was correct when he broke down film of TQ and concluded he was an absolute beast in those clips.

The difference being that Grady has actually produced in the NFL already. 

"absolute beast"? Seriously? 

[ATLSlobberKnockers]

Just now, Kaptain Krazy said:

The difference being that Grady has actually produced in the NFL already. 

"absolute beast"? Seriously? 

Baldy said something to that extent on the videos he broke down one week. Not my words

[Kaptain Krazy]

1 minute ago, ATLSlobberKnockers said:

Baldy said something to that extent on the videos he broke down one week. Not my words

But can we at least acknowledge that Grady Jarrett has actually produced in the NFL, while Graham has yet to do that? The person I was responding to tried their usual cute move of "I know you are but what am I," and foolishly implied Jarret and Graham are basically on the same level. That's what I was responding to. 

[Kaptain Krazy]

58 minutes ago, ATLSlobberKnockers said:

I think ANYONE would take just playing well. He doesn't have to be All Pro he just needs to not be a JAG. IMO hes already that. His progression is normal. He's on track to being a legitimate starter in the league which we really havent had in years other than Grady. Poe? Babs? Whoelse has been a running mate next to Grady?

He's played 11 games? Maybe he's on track to becoming a legit starter. As a fan who wants to see winning football, I hope he becomes the player that some on here are declaring he already is. 

[Falcons_Frenzy]

The biggest winner is us. We might see a defense 

[ATLSlobberKnockers]

1 minute ago, Kaptain Krazy said:

He's played 11 games? Maybe he's on track to becoming a legit starter. As a fan who wants to see winning football, I hope he becomes the player that some on here are declaring he already is. 

Alot of saw something in those games we hadn;t seen in a long time. Someone playing competent football next to Grady. Someone not getting washed out every other play. I dont count on anything before it happens but those games were ecouraging for those of us dying to see improvement.

Your not wrong about how you feel though. Either opinion makes about as much sense.

[Kaptain Krazy]

9 minutes ago, ATLSlobberKnockers said:

Baldy said something to that extent on the videos he broke down one week. Not my words

Maybe I'm misreading this.

https://www.nfl.com/players/ta-quon-graham/stats/

14 games started. 23 tackles, 26 assists. And the unfortunate 1 "opponent fumble recovery" (which I don't give him too much grief about, DTs aren't used to handling the ball).

A solid rotational piece as of today. If he improves, perhaps a solid starter. 

 

[Kaptain Krazy]

2 minutes ago, ATLSlobberKnockers said:

Alot of saw something in those games we hadn;t seen in a long time. Someone playing competent football next to Grady. Someone not getting washed out every other play. I dont count on anything before it happens but those games were ecouraging for those of us dying to see improvement.

Your not wrong about how you feel though. Either opinion makes about as much sense.

Your point about him being the second best IDL is correct. Falcons need 2-4 more good DL to achieve the team goals, imo. Happy to have TG on the team.

[tbhawksfan]

6 hours ago, Falcons_Frenzy said:

The biggest winner is us. We might see a defense 

winner and might don't go together. big difference between might be a winner and being a winner

[TheRisen999]

14 hours ago, Kaptain Krazy said:

Ta'Quon Graham is going to have to play really well to meet the expectations that many on TATF must have for him, given how he's talked about on here. 

I think he just has to get healthy and be as good as he was before the injury. There’s no doubt between free agency and the draft help is on the way for Graham and Grady. The level of that help is the question. Hiring Nielsen who’s specialized in creating a pass rush was the first step now we need more talent on that line and Corners Safeties and linebackers who aren’t a liability.

Edited February 17 by TheRisen999

[Banana Bandit]

Graham is not a 4-3 end, or DT, IMO. He was okay as a 3-4 end.

He'll be a message board hero who could've been with this scheme change.