With a little over a month to go between now and the draft, the Falcons are working hard to identify pass rushers that can help them in the short-term and long-term, as Robert Klemko of The MMQB writes. New head coach Dan Quinn knows what he’ll be looking for.
“Initial speed,” Quinn says. “You have to be able to beat someone off the ball who is going to be stronger than you. Then you have to be able to use the length—length is important—and have the relentlessness to finish. Then with the mental makeup, with both cornerbacks and rushers, you have to be a relentless fighter. There’s a 330-pound bear in front of you, and you just have to figure out a way to beat him. You have to be fast enough to run with the running backs and tight ends and strong enough to fight a bear. You have to be a unique dude.”
Here’s more from the NFC..
- Speaking of the Falcons‘ draft, one scout theorized to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) that Atlanta could target Randy Gregory at No. 8. Earlier today we learned that the Nebraska pass rusher failed his combine drug test, but Rapoport says that the Falcons are now open to taking “edgier” players.
- You can add the 49ers to the list of teams that Texas A&M Commerce wide receiver Ricky Collins will be visiting, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net tweets.
- Even with Greg Hardy in the fold, pass rusher remains a big need for the Cowboys, Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News writes. Much has been made of the Cowboys’ needs at the cornerback position, but he puts the pass rush on even footing.