Is Robenson Therezie really competing with Ricardo Allen for a starting job?

There have been more than a few suggestions that Robenson Therezie may be in the running for the starting free safety gig, including suggestions from The Falcoholic. The question is, how seriously should we be taking that possibility?

It’s an interesting question for a couple of reasons. The first is that Ricardo Allen is a young starter who played pretty well last year, and has the physicality and aggressive nature Quinn likes in his safeties. The second is that Therezie is an intriguing player himself, having shown impressive instincts in his limited playing time and packing plenty of skill and athleticism, if not ideal size.

I think this is more than just lip service. Allen could’ve sealed up the job if he had been truly excellent in 2015, instead of “just” quite good, but the Falcons showed a willingness to get Therezie involved that was a little surprising for a rookie undrafted free agent. Quinn has been willing to get rookies like De’Vondre Campbell and Deion Jones in the starting mix at linebacker immediately, so there’s no reason to believe he won’t take a long look at Therezie (and perhaps interesting rookie UDFAs like Sharod Neasman and Brian Poole) at one of the safety spots. It’s obvious that Keanu Neal will start at the other.

Ultimately, I think Therezie will be in the running but won’t win the gig, with a 2017 starting spot potentially in the offing unless the Falcons prioritize safety in the next draft. Having two players who can genuinely compete for a starting job at free safety on this team is a positive, no matter how this battle ends up.