Q&A: Thomas DeCoud hopes to follow-up big season
Free safety Thomas DeCoud posing with a fan after mini-camp practice last Saturday. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/AJC)
FLOWERY BRANCH – Free safety Thomas DeCoud had a breakthrough season in 2009.
He landed the starting free safety spot and was named to USA Today’s All-Joe team. He finished fourth on the team in tackles with 113 (73 aolo, 40 assists), he was second on the team with three picks and he had two sacks, according to the coache’s stats after film review.
We caught up with DeCoud right after he took the picture with the lovely lady above.
Below is the Q&A:
Q: What’s been your offseason focus?
A: Just trying to make myself better athletically. I’m trying to keep getting better and not plateau as an athlete. I’m learning everybody’s position on the defense. Being able to get a d-lineman lined up or a corner if I need to. I just want to be that field general. That’s what I want to get better at.
Q: Was it an honor to be named to USA Today’s All-Joe team?
A: It was good to be recognized. I felt like I played well last season. It’s always good to be recognized and have your name called out and put on a team, somewhat of an all-star team.
Q: What’s your ceiling?
A: I just want to be a field general. I want to learn our system in and out. . . like I did last year. I just need to build on the things I did well last year and make the things I didn’t do as well better.
Q: How has the unit adjusted to the new secondary coach, Tim Lewis?
A: Really well. He’s a teacher. Me, personally, I learn on the board and in practice. He’s a guy who likes to teach on the board and in practice. He’s making things simpler and a lot easier for guys to comprehend and get a hold of.
Q: The unit finished 28th against the pass. What are some of things that you all can do to improve
Safety Thomas DeCoud laid a big hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees on Monday Night Football on Nov. 2. The hit led to a Falcons touchdown.
against the pass?
A: Just knowing our scheme. Once we know our scheme, we can match things . . . stop wasting time trying to figure out what’s going on. We can match routes a lot faster and get our hands on more balls.
Q: Is being competitive with the Super Bowl champs the team’s number one goal?
A: We go against the Saints every year. They are a good team. They are pretty much the litmus test for the NFC South. If we play well against them, we feel like we can play well against any team in this league.
Q: What are some of the offseason things you’ve done away from football that have been pleasurable or something you’ve been looking forward to do?
A: I haven’t been away too much this offseason. I went back to California and worked out the whole month of February. I took a couple of weeks off then got right back on the grind. You can’t get too lax in the offseason.
Q: It doesn’t sound like there’s too much fun in there?
A: I kick it, but mostly I’m a home body. I’ll go out every once in a while. But I stay at home and play the video games. I’m more a home body type dude.
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78 comments Add your comment
RGO67
May 13th, 2010
3:46 pm
DeCoud had a lot of BIG HITS last year!!! With him being more comfortable in the system I am expecting more BIG HITS again this year. Do anybody remember the hit he made on Clinton Portis in the DOME?
now that's funny
May 13th, 2010
4:16 pm
If Brent Grimes starts 16 games he will have 10 picks.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 13th, 2010
4:25 pm
Falcons release TE Leroy Banks (rookie free agent signee from U. of Brett Favre – S. Miss.)
NOLA
May 13th, 2010
4:27 pm
Yep. We are the litmus test for your whole crappy team and city. Unfortunately for the ‘cons they can’t seem to pass this litmus test.
Make sure your crappy team and sissy QB show up for your two beat downs this year. We don’t want to hear any more excuses about toe injuries, high ankle sprains, and bye weeks. Quit crying and man up for once ‘con fans.
Who dat, Who dat, Who dat say gonna beat ‘em Saints? Not the cons. ‘Cons just want to pass litmus tests and have three straight winning seasons
yermommaridesavacuumcleaner
May 13th, 2010
4:51 pm
Yeah boy
yomamarideavacuum
May 13th, 2010
4:53 pm
bettuh
truth
May 13th, 2010
4:58 pm
NOLA……are you as gay as your last blog?
SECFAN
May 13th, 2010
5:38 pm
Looks like the Falcons picked up some help for him!
Falcon Fan
May 13th, 2010
6:03 pm
NOLA- You need HELP!
florida falcon
May 13th, 2010
6:28 pm
Hey “Nola” don’t come crying to Atlanta the next time a hurricane spanks your filthy city! Us here in the panhandle don’t sit on top of roofs waiting for the government to bail us out! We get prepared.
JJ
May 13th, 2010
6:29 pm
NOLA, you’ve been eating to much of that gulf seafood, it’s tainted buddy- sue BP for money. NO will be lucky to win 8 games this yr, book it biotch!!!
Mikefalcon63
May 13th, 2010
6:34 pm
Hope the next player is on someone like Ovie and his role in the offense.
On a lighter note…. How about an article on Babineaux and his love for beating dogs to death while smoking pot. Any word on how the league plans to deal with our most productive Defensive Tackle?
hiramsaint
May 13th, 2010
7:10 pm
jj ,wish i knew you man ’cause i’d take that bet all day long. the falcons on the other hand should win 8 and be able to post back to back to back WINNING seasons . oh what a glorious day it will be in the atl.
JJ
May 13th, 2010
7:39 pm
hiramsaint, put down the vicodain, I know it’s a team drug…tried it not that big a deal. With respect for winning it all, how many games did you “almost lose”or got just a little lucjy? The ball bounced your way alot last yr and your def turned up bid. I tip my hat, you won it all and deserve all the acoloades, if the drugs arent setting in.
WAKE UP DRUGGIES!!!
The falcons are real, sustainable and knock you in the face. THIS IS OUR DIVISION!!!
JJ
May 13th, 2010
7:52 pm
…get used to it saints, your going down in flames/oil this yr!!!
ATLANTA Fan For LIFE!!!!
May 13th, 2010
9:58 pm
Great article! Thomas DeCoud will only get better and better. The GRITZ BLITZ has returned!!!! GO FALCONS !!!! The Lombardi Trophy is coming to the A T L !!!!
How High Can CB Franks Climb? | Atlanta Falcons: Bird Cage
May 13th, 2010
10:05 pm
[...] AJC Falcons Staff Writer D.Orlando Ledbetter Q&A with Thomas DeCoud [...]
ToccoaBird
May 13th, 2010
10:07 pm
Dled we do we change Decouds name to DeCleat?
ToccoaBird
May 13th, 2010
10:09 pm
“WHEN” do we change his name. stupid typos
Falcon chic
May 13th, 2010
11:10 pm
D-Led — couldn’t have said it better myself. “Falcons in post MV7 days are not doing headaches” tho’ I might have respectfully suggested “in TD days” — because there was that one misspent Coach Pig Suey 13 games — where we might have otherwise landed native Georgian Whisenhunt instead of THAT which has been consigned to ESPN’s #1 “Coach who shoulda stayed in College.” Not wishing to replace Dmitty-Smitty (TY Mark Bradley,) just wishing I could have replaced those 2007 Sundays with something vaguely positive.
And Toccoa Bird, I’m confident in saying that we ain’t hiring no DeCleat Haynesworth. Thomas DeCoud is smart, savvy, (HOT) and ready to claim his own mantel or moniker that has nothing to do with being an abusive jerk.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
May 14th, 2010
12:14 am
Nola – New Orleans is just one big oil slick by now. Why don’t you go for a swim?
NFL News and Notes – May 14, 2010 | The Other 31
May 14th, 2010
8:41 am
[...] Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud plans on having another big year, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta [...]
Prof
May 14th, 2010
8:43 am
Some things never change. Maybe one day Ledbetter will take some personal pride in his writing.
1) “73 aolo” – should be 73 solo
2) “the coache’s stats” – should be coaches’ stats
3) “looking forward to do?” – should be forward to doing
4) “It doesn’t sound like there’s too much fun in there?” – not a question (lose the question mark).
BigTimeTECHFan
May 14th, 2010
9:41 am
PLAYOFFS! don’t talk to me about PLAYOFFS!
BurningRedBleedingBlack
May 14th, 2010
9:48 am
I’ve always liked the play and attitude of Thomas DeCoud. He’s a Solid indivdual, and athelete. look forward to his play and leadership next year. Just think boys, Robinson, Coleman, DeCoud, Grimes, Owens, Yes that secondary will be nasty!!!!! Go Falcons
truth
May 14th, 2010
9:58 am
Prof=NOLA…….must be the same person. If not we have two idiots on the board.
macarolina
May 14th, 2010
12:59 pm
Really proud that DeCoud is also a Cal Bear (California Berkeley to those needing some West Coast ed.)— star there, star here in ATL!
NOLA
May 15th, 2010
1:42 pm
You ‘con fans can’t handle the truth. Here it is:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-is-no-2-525763.html?cxntlid=sldr_hm