Dan Quinn talks about his hands-on approach with Vic Beasley

There is maybe not a single more polarizing figure on the Falcons’ roster than Vic Beasley. The former eighth overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft has ridden a roller coaster of a career, and 2019 may be his final chance to prove that he belongs in Atlanta long term.

After suffering through two straight underwhelming seasons, as well a string of bad optics, a vast contingent of the fanbase has turned on Beasley. However, head coach Dan Quinn is still among those who believe in the Clemson alum.

Beasley has had proven success in the NFL, and Quinn — who has reprised his role as the team’s defensive coordinator in addition to his head coaching duties — had taken a hands-on approach with the former NFL sack king.

“I think he (Beasley), and Takk, and AC (Adrian Clayborn) specifically, I spend a lot of time with. We’ve worked hard in the individual skill set piece to carry it over into the team sessions,” Quinn said.

“We’ve studied a lot. We’ve been pushing good to get our conditioning right. So much of pass rushing is about the finish, and so when we get chances to demonstrate that, you don’t get to do it to the QB but you better find moments to do it. He’s definitely had some places in this camp that he’s been difficult to block off the edge,” the head coach concluded.

Beasley has definitely passed the eye test over the course of this Training Camp — he has indeed had moments where he’s wreaked havoc off the edge.

The pressure is on Beasley to transition this promising work in Training Camp into regular season production — there’s maybe no player on Atlanta’s roster who will be under a more focused microscope.

Beasley will make $12.8 million this season as a result of a fifth-year option which the Falcons opted not to rescind despite an underperformance in 2018. Quinn has tethered himself to Beasley in a way, hoping that this more hands-on approach will help recreate that 2016 season where Vic led the league in sacks with 15.5, and was a First-Team All-Pro selection.

Hopefully the added attention pays off, and we see a reinvigorated Vic Beasley in 2019.