Countdown to Camp: A look at the linebackers
060612 FLOWERY BRANCH : Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon fires up teammates during warmups for team practice at Flowery Branch on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
Birdland – With the opening of the Falcons‘ training camp just more than a week away, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will take a look at some key positions every day through July 26th. Today we examine the linebackers.
Here’s a look at the linebackers:
THE REALLY BIG QUESTION: Can Lofa Tatupu return to Pro Bowl form and win the middle linebacker spot?
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Lofa Tatupu, a three-time Pro Bowler, and Akeen Dent, a second-year player from Atlanta and Georgia, will battle to replace Lofton.
Tatupu, 29, didn’t play in 2011 after spending six seasons with Seattle. He contemplated retirement, but elected to give it another try with the Falcons.
It would be a major boost to the unit if Tatupu can return to the form of his early days in Seattle, when he made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons.
Dent wants to take a low key approach to the competition.
“At the end of the day, it’s going to be what’s best for the Atlanta Falcons and not for Akeem Dent or not for Lofa Tatupu,” Dent said. “It’s going to be what’s best for the team. We’ll have two guys that are going to be able to go out and play football at any point in the season.”
060612 FLOWERY BRANCH : Falcons linebacker Lofa Tatupu stretches for team practice at Flowery Branch on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
Weakside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who’s set to enter his third season, is expected to continue to improve and could attract Pro Bowl attention.
Strongside linebacker Stephen Nicholas has been out for the offseason with a foot injury. He battled a knee injury and toe early during last season. Spencer Adkins started for him in the wild-card playoff game against the Giants.
Robert James, a fifth-round pick in 2008, is a speedy linebacker who might help in pass coverage and provide some depth.
FIVE GOALS FOR THE LINEBACKERS IN 2012
- Stop the run.
- Play much better in pass coverage.
- Make more impact plays.
- Get sacks when called on to blitz.
- Support the special teams.
Here’s a look at the linebackers:
Sean Weatherspoon: He is coming off a breakthrough season in which he had 127 tackles, four sacks, eight passes defensed and one fumble recovery. The Falcons will take it if half of those eight passes defensed were turned into interceptions. He’ll be featured in the new scheme and appears headed for stardom.
Lofa Tatupu: He started all 16 games in 2010 after playing only five games in 2009 with pectoral and hamstring injuries. He has insisted that he was healthy enough to play in 2011.
Stephen Nicholas: He will be trying to rebound from a string of injuries. He’s one of the teams most efficient tacklers.
Akeem Dent: He was a star on special teams last season and will get his chance to start.
Spencer Adkins: He got his first career start in the playoffs.
Robert James: He received a close look during minicamp.
Rico Council: He was named the Ohio Valley Conference preseason co-defensive player of the year. In 2011, he had a team-high 87 tackles (49 solo) with 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception, 11 passes defensed, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Max Gruder: An undrafted rookie, who led Pittsburgh in tackles with 116 in 2011. He also had 8.5 tackles for losses.
Jerrell Harris: He played some strongside and weakside linebacker for the Crimson Tide. He never lived up to his recruiting hype and was suspended for six games as a sophomore for allegedly receiving a laptop from a businessman, a secondary NCAA violation.
Matt Hansen: Recently announced on twitter that he underwent knee surgery after minicamp.
Pat Schiller: He amassed 239 tackles in his four-year career at Northern Illinois. He had 19 tackles for loss, three sacks and eight passes defensed.
Date, Practice Times (public availability)
Thursday, July 26 Walkthrough 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. (closed to the public)
Practice 3:30 – 5:50 p.m. (open to the public)
Friday, July 27 Walkthrough 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. (closed to the public)
Practice 3:30 – 5:50 p.m. (open to the public)
Saturday, July 28 Walkthrough 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. (closed to the public)
Practice 3:30 – 6:05p.m. (open to the public)
Sunday, July 29 Practice 3:30 – 6:05 p.m. (open to the public)
Monday, July 30 Walkthrough 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. (closed to the public)
Practice 3:30 – 6:05 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, July 31 Walkthrough 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. (closed to the public)
Practice 3:30 – 6:05 p.m. (open to the public)
Wednesday, August 1 Players’ Day Off
Thursday, August 2 Walkthrough 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. (closed to the public)
Practice 3:30 – 6:05 p.m. (open to the public)
Friday, August 3 Practice 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. (closed to the public)
KIA Motors “Friday Night Lights” at Peachtree Ridge High School
6:45 – 9:10 p.m. (open to the public)
Saturday, August 4 Players’ Day Off
Sunday, August 5 Walkthrough 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. (closed to the public)
Practice 3:30 – 5:50 p.m. (open to the public)
Monday, August 6 Walkthrough 11:10 – 11:55 a.m. (closed to the public)
Combined Practice w/ Tennessee Titans
Coahulla Creek High School – Dalton, GA — 4:30 – 7:15 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, August 7 Walkthrough 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. (closed to the public)
Practice 3:30 – 6:05 p.m. (open to the public)
Wednesday, August 8 Pregame Walkthrough – No Media Availability
Thursday, August 9 Falcons vs. Baltimore Ravens, Georgia Dome, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, August 10 Players’ Day Off
Saturday, August 11 Walkthrough 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. (closed to the public)
Practice 3:30 – 6:05 p.m. (open to the public)
Sunday, August 12 Walkthrough 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. (closed to the public)
Practice 3:30 – 6:05 p.m. (open to the public)
Monday, August 13 Practice 3:30 – 6:05 p.m. (closed to the public)
Tuesday, August 14 Walkthrough 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. (closed to the public)
Practice 3:30 – 5:50 p.m. (closed to the public)
Wednesday, August 15 Pregame Walkthrough – No Media Availability
Thursday, August 16 Falcons vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Georgia Dome, 8 p.m. – FOX (National Broadcast)
Friday, August 17 Players’ Day Off
Saturday, August 18 Walkthrough 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. (closed to the public)
Practice 3:30 – 6:05 p.m. (closed to the public)
Sunday, August 19 Walkthrough 10:15 – 11:45 a.m. (closed to the public)
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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69 comments Add your comment
Chub Rock
July 17th, 2012
2:08 pm
Yea, I still think Peterson can play a backup role although he must understand the MAN is now @PlayerRater2012 oops I mean Spoon.
True Falcon Fan
July 17th, 2012
2:19 pm
Firstly, I am NOT big on UGA LB’s!
Would really like to see Nicholas make a serious statement comeback this upcoming season “we shall see” on that component. Probably not likely though with the insurgents of Dent & James.In my opinion the players we’ll see starting this season begins with: Spoon, Tatupu & either James or Dent — my guess is probably the position is James for taking if he steps-up power tackling play. He has the speed, just needs playing time under his belt. However it’s all about the DL pressure first. That dictates the balance of power play by the LB’rs. The DL this season, i think will rise-up to the challenge you’ll ALL see! That said, “IF” i’m right the LB’rs will be pro bowlers foresure!
Go Falcons!!!
DR. FALCON
July 17th, 2012
3:29 pm
TATUPU, WITHERSPOON, AND DENT! THE FALCONS WILL HAVE THE NUMBER ONE LB, CORP. IN THE NFC SOUTH!
Rick
July 17th, 2012
3:40 pm
I think we will need a healthy Nicholas this year. Spoon will be spoon, a beast! I am rather intrigued by Tatapu and I believe he has something to prove which can be dangerous for all the teams in the NFL. I think we will be a surprise not only at Dline but also at the LB position. Way to regulate DLED!
falconsrus
July 17th, 2012
4:23 pm
Good job D O’L The grits is back I like it
Esquire
July 17th, 2012
4:45 pm
THE REALLY BIG QUESTION: Can Lofa Tatupu return to Pro Bowl form and win the middle linebacker spot?
___________________________________________
That question will be answered in Game 1.
John
July 17th, 2012
8:23 pm
Ever since We added DC/Mike Nolan I have been saying that Falcons will be a 10-12 win playoff team. The defense has enough talent to go along with the superb genius of Mike Nolan to be a Super Bowl caliber team. What do you think DOL?
John
July 17th, 2012
8:25 pm
From One Astro to Another Astro….. Go Get em Akeem……. Show them what the BIG “D” is made of.
Big Ray
July 17th, 2012
8:49 pm
Saints fans can rant and rave all they want.
Lofton was let go because our superior DC knows him for what he is, and didn’t want to overpay for what he brought. I liked Lofton, but he was repeatedly burned along with others on 3rd downs. Easily.
So the Saints can have our leavings. They need it, what with Vilma out of the game (literally).
Sproles? Not worried about him. You’re gonna need him though. It might be your only option while our new attack comes through that Carl Nicks-less line (sorry, but Ben Grubbs is a decent bandaid, but doesn’t have the talent or chemistry with Jahri Evans that Nicks had…ask us what it feels like to lose your best Guard and what it means to your pass protection…don’t worry, 100 million dollar man is about to find out).
You better hope lil’ Breesy can find Sproles early and often, and that he doesn’t get tagged hard by one of the 4 or 5 DBs that are gonna be on the field lookin’ for his ass while we cover your WR corps far more easily than before.
Asante Samuel is gonna eat you alive while you avoid throwing at Grimes, and your guys trying to come up the middle are gonna get jammed by DRobinson, who will finally be playing where he belongs.
Sorry Saints fans, but your run is over. Done. Finished. And I doubt Brees finishes the season. I smell and injury coming.
JSS
July 17th, 2012
11:23 pm
“no more targeting the sub par Nickelback the entire game”
Did they suddenly cut DeCoud or Moore? Teams are salivating at the thought of running anything towards those safeties!
Footloose
July 18th, 2012
8:38 am
Every time the Atlanta Falcons take the football field in any stadium all fans including Saints should bow down and worship and salute the new dynasty in the NFC. Seenthisb4 and hiramsaint start practicing your kudo gras now so you will be extra good at it.
BIGBEN42
July 18th, 2012
10:59 am
This year the strength of the team will be the LB’s.Nicholas will come back with a vengeance.This team will make a long run in the playoff’s.The window is closing, time to get it done.
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