Big Holes on the Atlanta Falcons Defense—For Other Teams to Run Through!

Prior to the 2009 NFL draft the off season was not kind to the Atlanta Falcons defense. The Falcons lost five time pro bowler Keith Brooking who was the savvy veteran that anchored the Falcons defense for multiple years as well as Michael Boley who was one of the best pass covering linebackers in the league for several years.

Both of these players were were everyday starters and leaders up the middle of the defense. Also Dominique Foxworth who started ten games for the Falcons in 2008 was traded in the off season.

The Falcons had issues last year on defense with all of these guys in place and looked to rebuild using free agency and the 2009 draft. The Falcons went all defense in the draft picking seven out of eight players on the defensive side of the ball.

They also picked up Mike Peterson who is a veteran linebacker who has played for the Colts and Jaguars and helped anchor their linebacker's corps. Peterson will need to be strong and lead this young defense for the Falcons to be successful.

Edmond Miles was also added in the offseason, he has little experience but is believed to have great potential.

The picks in the draft that stood out the most were the first round pick Peria Jerry from Mississippi who is a dominant big man that knows how to fill a hole in the middle and clog up the running game. In the second round the Falcons reached a bit for Missouri safety William Moore who underperformed the past two seasons but has worlds of potential.

His size and strength combined with speed and ball hawking ability make his raw ability a beautiful thing for NFL coaches to develop. These two along with the linebackers will look to sure up the middle of the Falcons defense.

Last but not least Lawrence Sidbury Jr. who looks to be speedy of the end and help the defensive line. Sidbury Jr. who competed in the 100 meter dash in track for the Richmond Spiders had four sacks in his final game at Richmond leading them to the schools first Championship in school history.

Having said all that and being very excited about the draft and free agent pickups the defense still has a lot to prove. The rookies need to step up their games and fill the gaps left by the veterans that left in the off season. I am nervous about how many rookies will be plugged in and hope that they can fill in without losing too much.

The defense was an issue last year and it looks to be a bit of an Achilles heal this year once again. Hopefully Mike Smith can keep the offense going and the defense can pick it up as the season goes on and they gain experience.