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For those curious, a Curtis Lofton storm is known as a hurticane.
Incredibly embattled beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter wrote about Curtis Lofton's increasingly large role in calling plays during training camp. Lofton has always fashioned himself as a cerebral sort, the kind of guy who can debate the merits of Albert Camus and then knock your head clear off your shoulders.
A quote from our own Mike Smith, after the jump, will help to illuminate what The Police has been up to.
"I don’t think there’s any doubt that it shows his maturity," Falcons coach Mike Smith said Tuesday. "We had a little talk in the staff meeting [after the lockout] to see what he was calling back there at Buford High. We tried to kind of get an idea of where his head was."
Smith, a former defensive coordinator, doesn’t have any problem mixing in some of Lofton’s ideas.
"It’s all about collaboration," Smith said. "We talk about being a communicative organization. We also want to be collaborative. Everybody is working for the same goal."
So Lofton is actually suggesting plays, barking them out...and the coaching staff is listening to him. I'm relatively certain that most coaches in the NFL today would either laugh or cuss if a player tried to do something so audacious.
It's a testament to Lofton, who despite not being the world's most complete linebacker has fashioned himself into a perennial near-Pro Bowler and one of the league's best at stopping the run. Having a player who can read offenses and call out changes while on the field is huge, and Lofton has gotten better at it every year.
It's fair to say I'm expecting a huge season from 5-0. Are you?
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