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The offseason is a sad, empty place, where nothing much happens between the Super Bowl and the NFL combine. The team’s brain trust may do a few short radio interviews, but we otherwise don’t hear from the team. The combine is when that finally changes. Dan Quinn spoke to the media, and here’s the best stuff he said.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn said Dontari Poe and Adrian Clayborn are players that could help the defense for sure but didn’t say they’d return
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) February 28, 2018
We have both players penciled in as lost to teams with more cap space.
Dan Quinn said DLs have to have quickness and his scouts have told him its a good group this year. He seems pretty excited about targeting tha position
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 28, 2018
We know Quinn likes them fast, and we expect the team to add at least one end and one tackle in the draft to replace Dontari Poe and Adrian Clayborn. The Falcons could afford to spend half this draft adding defensive linemen.
What about the other side of the ball?
#Falcons coach Dan Quinn said the team is closely evaluating the guard position internally, draft and free agency.
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) February 28, 2018
It’s no secret the Falcons will need to add a guard this offseason, to either start for Wes Schweitzer or to eventually replace Andy Levtire. The Falcons have been widely linked to multiple guards this offseason.
Quinn is much more open to the tracking software. He’s interested in knowing the speed of a player in the first Q to the fourth Q
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 28, 2018
Some coaches, like Jon Gruden, sounded resistant to new analytics. Quinn, luckily, comes down on the other end.
Dan Quinn Damontae Kazee will work some nickel as well as his spot as the backup free safety going into next season
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) February 28, 2018
This is a good spot for Kazee, who would otherwise need an unprecedented offseason to start at either spot.
#Falcons coach Dan Quinn likes wide receivers Marvin Hall and Reggie can develop into deep threats with their speed. Depth at the position is good.
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) February 28, 2018
Pretty clear the team has moved on from Taylor Gabriel, but I still think they could use a better WR3. You are one Julio Jones injury away from starting Mohamed Sanu and Justin Hardy.
Based on Quinn's comments on Austin Hooper, I would be surprised if the #Falcons sign a big-name or high-priced TE in free agency or take one early in the draft. The staff's enthusiasm for his future doesn't appear to have waned, and he had a solid second season.
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) February 28, 2018
Sure but can we still add someone better than Levine Toilolo?
#Falcons coach Dan Quinn said OC Steve Sarkisian was also helping to coach the QBs last season. Bush Hamdan was a rookie NFL coach last year. pic.twitter.com/mdgC2yg2cA
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) February 28, 2018
Maybe the Falcons should have kept their quarterback coach? Just spitballing, here.
“He comes through in all occasions for us,” Dan Quinn on Julio Jones when asked by a reporter about the “local” media criticizing Jones.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) February 28, 2018
It doesn’t matter if you are one of the greatest players of the generation, people will still complain and suggest you need to be traded. Lets move on from that dumb thought.
Dan Quinn says his team probably spent 70 percent of the time in nickel
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 28, 2018
If the team adds a corner, you will know why.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn said LT Jake Matthews played the best this past season that he has in the last three years with him.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) February 28, 2018
Safe to say the Falcons aren’t looking at replacing Jake Matthews. After getting a look at the tackles in this draft, I don’t blame them.
Dan Quinn said DT Jack Crawford will be cleared to go and ready to compete this offseason off season ending biceps injury
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) February 28, 2018
We didn’t expect any complications, but it is easy to forget that Crawford looked very solid at defensive tackle. He could be a nice bump for the middle of the defense.
“I hope like hell he’s not in our division,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn on QB draft prospect Lamar Jackson.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) February 28, 2018
/ominous music plays
The New Orleans Saints are definitely on the lookout for their quarterback of the near future, and Lamar Jackson could make a lot of sense. Lets hope this doesn’t develop into something to worry about.