The Atlanta Falcons' Defense Reloaded for 2009

Training camp is around the corner and the Atlanta Falcons have a new look defense entering the season. With the departures of Dominique Foxworth, Keith Brooking, Michael Boley, Grady Jackson, and Lawyer Milloy; the front office had to reload aggressively.

The first step in upgrading occurred on Mar. 9, when GM Thomas Dimitroff signed veteran Mike Peterson to come in and help install Coach Mike Smiths defensive philosophy.

"Smitty and I came into Jacksonville together,'' Peterson said. "I'm familiar with him, the defense they use and I know exactly what's expected of me. He's a down-to-earth kind of guy.

"That's how I try to conduct myself. He's a straight shooter. I consider myself the same way. It's been a love-love relationship and he's been a guy I've clicked with since the day I met him.''

So the next question was, 'Where do they put him?' Coming into training camp Curtis Lofton, the Falcons second-year man in the middle, was the only linebacker the team could say for sure was a starter. Mike Peterson played MLB in Jacksonville with Coach Smith.

"Listen, to me, I'm a born outside linebacker,'' Peterson said. "That's what I played in college and in Indianapolis. Del Rio asked me to move to the middle in Jacksonville and I tackled that head on.

"But outside linebacker is like a first girlfriend or a first love to me. I'm happy to be back at Will. They're set at Mike with Curtis. My job is to play alongside him and help him along to the next level.''

Question answered. One problem down, several more to go.

The most pressing need going into the draft was the defensive tackle position. In 2008, it was also considered the biggest need. However, on a day that will go down in Falcons history they selected Matt Ryan from Boston College over Glen Dorsey from LSU.

The defensive tackle need was never addressed in the remainder of that draft and concerns descended from the fan base. The Falcons later re-signed veteran tackle Grady Jackson, but the questions still loomed.

This year, Dimitroff and Smith went into the draft ready to repeat the success they had last year. A Falcons offense that ranked 29th in scoring just one year prior turned into the sixth ranked offense in the NFL. To jump 23 spots in one year with a rookie head coach is remarkable. It was done via the draft.

"Draft for need," Dimitroff said. "System specific scouting."

This draft the Falcons reversed their priorities. Grady Jackson is gone so the first point of emphasis became that historically poor defensive tackle position. Enter Peria Jerry.

Jerry was touted as the second best Defensive Tackle in the draft behind BJ Raji who went No. 9 to the Green Bay Packers. The expectations were he wouldn't make it to the Falcons No. 24 selection.

As luck would have it, he slipped to the Falcons and they didn't look back. The following selections were all aimed towards rebuilding the 29th ranked defense in 2007 and 24th in 2008.

To fill the void at safety, the Falcons drafted William Moore from Mizzou in the second round. In 2008 he was rated as high as the No. 10 pick overall but injuries led to a sub-par showing in the 2008 season. He's an in your face style hitter with 4.4 speed. A dangerous combination if Coach Smith and Van Gorder can get him back to his 2007 form.

"It's not a fluke what you saw in 2007; it's just you deal with injuries sometimes and you have to bounce back from it," Moore said. "The 2008 film is very important, because they know what I can do well on the field.

Now comes the question of what to do with the loss of Dominique Foxworth. After coming from Denver one season prior, he showed what how a cornerback is supposed to play in the NFL. Chris Houston should win his battle to stay in the lineup.

That said, he must learn to turn his head more to disrupt plays. He is rarely out of position but his focus never translates when the ball is in the air.

In the third round, the Falcons chose defensive back Christopher Owens from San Jose St. Once again, the Falcons add value with a player that was known for playing larger sized receivers well. That will come in handy in a division filled with large receivers. He will compete with Von Hutchins and Chevis Jackson for that second corner spot.

The Falcons also selected cornerback William Middleton from Furman in the fifth round to continue to add speed to the secondary.

Perhaps the most intriguing selection was defensive end Lawrence Sidbury from Richmond. As a Spider, he was the No. 1 defensive player in Division II Football. He helped lead his team to the Championship in 2008 and at the combine posted the fastest 40 time (4.64) of all 47 attending linebackers.

"I think I'm going to a great situation," said Sidbury, a 6'2", 266-pounder projected as a second-round pick by some analysts. "Things happen for a reason, and I think things are going to work out for me. I'm happy to be going to Atlanta, and I can't wait to get started."

I second that Lawrence. You're going to a place where your mentor is John Abraham. Prior to the draft, Sidbury was asked who he emulated the most.

"I think I would compare myself to someone like Osi Umenyiora or John Abraham. They use their hands well as well as using their athleticism and their speed to get to the quarterback. If I could compare my game to anybody, I would probably compare it to those two.

Congratulations! You are in one of the best positions you could possibly be in. Make the best of it.

The additions of Jerry, Moore, Owens and Sidbury shows the managements commitment to addressing the defensive problems. The new look Falcons in 2009 is a young, talented group.

So with all the additions there are still questions that remain. Can Stephen Nicholas be a starter? Can Thomas DeCoud, the third round pick from California, beat out rookie William Moore for the spot opposite Erik Coleman?

Is Trey Lewis healthy enough to beat out rookie Peria Jerry for the spot next to Jonathan Babineaux? Is Jamaal Anderson a bust or is he ready to shine? These questions will be answered in 2009.