Statistically, you’ll see that our corners were average to below average last year. There’s no way around that. But everyone keeps parroting that the Falcons need a cornerback, which in my opinion completely ignores the real “dire” need: A Goddamn pass rush.

Quarterback pressures are good. They can screw up a guy’s timing and force him to make a bad throw. But they’re no substitute for sacks, which demoralize a team, drive them back a few years and pump up a defense. For much of last year, we were plenty capable of getting some kind of pressure but couldn’t close on it, and that’s something we need to address. I’m a firm believer that a quality defense starts on the line, and Grimes could do what he does best (freelance a little) if he didn’t have to hang with his guy for 15-20 seconds.

And hell, maybe the pass rush will improve without us touching it this year. I just think it’s incredibly stupid to dump a guy who at the very least is an asset at the nickel.