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The coordinator changeover is complete, and the Falcons now turn their gaze toward free agency, the NFL Combine, and the 2019 NFL Draft. As such, so will the bulk of our coverage as we begin to take a look at possible free agent adds, bury ourselves in mock drafts, and hope next season holds more for these Falcons than 2018. Here’s Falcoholinks to start your Friday.
On the Edge
Anybody need edge rushers? The Falcons certainly do, and it may be an area they address via free agency in the offseason. The team tied for 22nd in the league with 37 sacks in 2018, and with a glaring lack of consistency on both ends of the defensive line it should be a — if not the — focal point heading into 2019.
Dave Choate is out with a list of free agent pass rushers who may fit the bill for the Falcons, replete with strengths, weaknesses, probability and potential impact. Atlanta should have enough cap space to make at least one splash with this year’s free agent crop, and the names on his list headline possible additions.
Coaching Shuffle
While the main coordinator positions have been settled, Dan Quinn is not done making adjustments to his staff. During his media availability on Thursday, Quinn announced a bevy of coaching changes, including the announcement of Kyle Flood as the game management coach. That’s been rumored since the season concluded, and is certainly a welcome development.
Other changes include assistant wide receivers coach Dave Brock shifting over to assistant running backs coach, and Bernie Parmalee assuming a role as an assistant on special teams.
Prior to his presser, The Falcons also announced they had parted ways with both defensive assistant Charlie Jackson and front office researcher Todd Nielsen.
Grading the Koetter Hire
Former Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter was announced as the new Falcons offensive coordinator this week, and the Falcoholic staff weighed in with their grades of the hire. We’re all pretty much on the same page, noting that Koetter brings familiarity and a strong relationship with Matt Ryan, and the experience to lead Atlanta’s offense.
Twitter? Well, the reactions were mixed. Classic Twitter.
In related news, former OC Steve Sarkisian is not without suitors. Reports emerged Thursday afternoon that he was receiving interest from the Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions.
The Falcoholic Live: Episode 64
The Falcoholic Live is back for the first show of the offseason, and Kevin and Eric analyze the Dirk Koetter hire, explore potential free agent additions, and look forward to the 2019 NFL Draft in April. If you didn’t catch the live broadcast, we’ve got you covered. You can watch the entire show, here.