S Thomas DeCoud To Take A Starting Role In 2009?

by Dave Choate on Jul 23, 2009 12:00 PM EDT in Falcons News

At safety, the team decided not to re-sign veteran Lawyer Milloy and will likely go with second-year S Thomas DeCoud, who barely played last season.

I know it's early yet and a lot could change and there's gumption involved, goshdarnit, but this is the first serious suggestion I've heard that DeCoud could seize a starting role over William "C4" Moore at strong safety. The coaching staff has been careful to praise both players so far, a good move considering we're not even into August, but lo and behold, someone has an answer to our battle-related questions. You may recall that our own scientific poll revealed that Moore was a heavy favorite in this battle.

The article is from Scout.com's Adam Caplan, who also has this to say about our defense as a whole:

The bottom line is this defense has way too many questions to answer again. It's probably going to be a while before the defense becomes a strength and not a weakness.

This raises the rather intriguing question of whether Caplan knows Moore and DeCoud well and has an inside track, or if he's simply opining based on what he's seen of DeCoud. His points about the defense not having a ton of depth are valid at linebacker and arguably along the defensive line, but I do believe we're well-stocked in the secondary. If his article is any indication, it will be all uphill for the Falcons are they try to prove that last year's mostly grim defensive numbers (especially dealing with pressure up front) will not be repeated.

Your thoughts?

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I think DeCoud could take it if C4 doesn't show every bit of his high pick

in training camp. I like DeCoud and applauded his efforts last year. I think he has a position with this team for a long while. Whether or not that’s on special teams or in the secondary, we’ll just have to see. So far, what I’ve seen of Moore (at mini-camp), I think he’s the front runner.

You have opinions. Share them.

by Adam Schultz on Jul 23, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

Moore = front runner. Yay vagueness!

You have opinions. Share them.

by Adam Schultz on Jul 23, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I quite personally don't care who starts

our coaching staff seems to have a knack for evaluating talent and I’m confident they are going to have our best available talent on the field, or at the least in one helluva solid rotation.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jul 23, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

Moore will start

Moore is more of that SS type and DeCoud can play just about anywhere so I think he will be more valuable as a backup to both safety spots and maybe eventuall replace coleman at FS.

And Dave I respectfully disagree with you about our DL. I think it has the most depth of any spot of our defense. I bring no facts or stats with me to back this up just my own gut feeling

by FLA_Falcon on Jul 23, 2009 2:23 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

At some point

in the future I expect both of them to be on the field at the same time. Decoud is more of a FS and Moore is a SS but they are both known as head hunters. I’m more worried about the linebacker corp than the DBs. Does anyone else think that our OLB are too light and may get pushed around?

by Fear Me on Jul 23, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

Nicholas maybe

But Peterson was a MLB in Jax so I think he will be ok. Even if he does get pushed around a little I think he will make up for it with his familiarity with the system and his leadership.

by FLA_Falcon on Jul 23, 2009 2:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I think he's puffing smoke ...

No need to pay much attn to this prediction. I doubt there’s even an answer (see: open competition) at this point.

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Jul 23, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Moore Signs!!!!!!!

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/falcons-sign-99092.html

Someone throw up a fan post for me. Lazy…

" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln

by tapate50 on Jul 23, 2009 4:46 PM EDT reply actions

sweet

by FLA_Falcon on Jul 23, 2009 6:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I actually

I picked Decoud in or pole. I like this kid….

"If I disagree with you, it's because you are wrong..."

by Tybeaux on Jul 23, 2009 7:17 PM EDT reply actions

Agree with you

Hi Tybeaux, it’s nice to be able to agree with you, I like Decoud, but I guess we will have to wait until training camp starts, we never know what the coaches are thinking. Have a nice weekend. (Debilah)

by Debilah on Jul 24, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Future Tandem

It’s going to be FS Decoud / SS Moore before the season’s done. Callin’ it now.

by BigManChili on Jul 23, 2009 9:26 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Think you might just be right

Though Coleman’s going to have to do pretty poorly to lose that job…

by Dave Choate on Jul 23, 2009 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Before the season's done??

I thought Coleman was one of the most dependable/solid defenders last year, even though he didn’t really make too many “big” plays… I would still be fairly shocked if he’s not the starter all year.

by orang3b on Jul 24, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Future tandem is right, but thats too soon...

im callin it… in two years

" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln

by tapate50 on Jul 24, 2009 9:55 AM EDT reply actions

Question....

Are we going to have anyone commenting on the going-ons at training camp? I’d welcome a first hand account as to how well certain players are performing, especially rookies.

Thanks

by Jon Cushman on Jul 24, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

I'll be at All Access Weekend for a scrimmage and game simulation.

I plan to report in full how the team’s doing.

You have opinions. Share them.

by Adam Schultz on Jul 26, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

defense

I was hoping the falcons would do more in free agency to address the front four. really we have Babs, Bierman, Davis and Abraham, there is no good depth here. Anderson is a wildcard at best and will be playing some DT this year, because he won’t keep Davis off of the field. Championships are won up front on both sides of the ball, defensively you have to provide pressure on the qb and be able to stuff the run. we’re probably a year away from a serious run at being World Champions because of the D-Line’s lack of depth.

by rodsi on Jul 29, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions