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**atljbo** · 02-10-2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan reportedly plans to remove MLB Curtis Lofton from nickel packages if the Falcons re-sign the free agent.

It sounds like Nolan wasn't pleased with what Lofton put on tape as a cover linebacker in 2011. Len Pasquarelli of the Sports XChange does confirm that re-signing Lofton is a "priority" for the Falcons, whose run defense collapsed down the stretch. Pasquarelli suggests WLB Sean Weatherspoon playing the middle on nickel downs. Pro Football Focus agrees that Lofton was a liability more often than not in coverage. Weatherspoon has more range.

Paulitik · 02-10-2012, 06:41 PM

That doesn't bode well for resigning him, unless he gives us a discount. Hmmm.

mdrake34 · 02-10-2012, 07:45 PM

Enter Channing Crowder?

FullMetalFalcon23 · 02-10-2012, 07:52 PM

Dunno what to say to that. I mean I can't see us walking Lofton. if we do then we keep Grimes, but then you need a new team leader and General.

This is interesting as these days teams are in their nickle packages a lot, this could go one of so many ways if this is based on truth, that being Said, I dont see how you break up one of the League's best LB duos. I think we will bring him back, he is a guy who is for the team more than himself and if he understands that the team want him out of heavy pass coverage sets he would accept this. I think the likelihood is that in such packages we may try to send him on the blitz rather than drop in pass protect. He is one of the best players on the team and one of the most consistent tacklers in the league , yes there will be no sacred cows, but Lofton has earned his right to be and remain a Falcon with a quiet workman like professionalism.

Paprika Neck · 02-10-2012, 08:03 PM

(02-10-2012 07:52 PM)FullMetalFalcon23 Wrote: Dunno what to say to that. I mean I can't see us walking Lofton. if we do then we keep Grimes, but then you need a new team leader and General.

This is interesting as these days teams are in their nickle packages a lot, this could go one of so many ways if this is based on truth, that being Said, I dont see how you break up one of the League's best LB duos. I think we will bring him back, he is a guy who is for the team more than himself and if he understands that the team want him out of heavy pass coverage sets he would accept this. I think the likelihood is that in such packages we may try to send him on the blitz rather than drop in pass protect. He is one of the best players on the team and one of the most consistent tacklers in the league , yes there will be no sacred cows, but Lofton has earned his right to be and remain a Falcon with a quiet workman like professionalism.

you can't be the leader of the team sitting on the sidelines doesn't work like that

Jesus · 02-10-2012, 08:13 PM

Lofton can stop the run but LBs who can't cover are a liability in this league. look at the super bowl. Boley was covering Welker most of the game. The CBs were on the TEs. I like Lofton but for this team to go against GB and NO we need more speed in D.

**atljbo** · (This post was last modified: 02-10-2012 08:15 PM by atljbo.)

(02-10-2012 07:52 PM)FullMetalFalcon23 Wrote: Dunno what to say to that. I mean I can't see us walking Lofton. if we do then we keep Grimes, but then you need a new team leader and General.

This is interesting as these days teams are in their nickle packages a lot, this could go one of so many ways if this is based on truth, that being Said, I dont see how you break up one of the League's best LB duos. I think we will bring him back, he is a guy who is for the team more than himself and if he understands that the team want him out of heavy pass coverage sets he would accept this. I think the likelihood is that in such packages we may try to send him on the blitz rather than drop in pass protect. He is one of the best players on the team and one of the most consistent tacklers in the league , yes there will be no sacred cows, but Lofton has earned his right to be and remain a Falcon with a quiet workman like professionalism.

Lofton was mad and felt disrespected that he didnt make the probowl... Lofton being a 2 down guy... He definitely wont make it... He is a team player but dude is not going to be happy being taken off the field... Its going to be interesting to see whats going to happen... I think the market will determine what happens

mdrake34 · 02-10-2012, 08:15 PM

(02-10-2012 08:03 PM)Paprika Neck Wrote: you can't be the leader of the team sitting on the sidelines doesn't work like that

This. Spoon will be the leader of the D one way or the other eventually. A big knock on Lofton has always been he's too quiet to be a leader on D. Spoon is waiting in the wings.

The Falcon Jedi · 02-11-2012, 03:27 AM

Pastabelly said the same thing Ive posted many times. Lofton is a 2 Down LB. Lofton is also the Best LB on 1st and 2nd Down in the NFL. But Lofton blows on 3rd Down, and that is what has killed the Falcons Defense for many years. He cant cover anybody on passing downs. If he was a 3 Down LB he would be a perennial Pro Bowler, but he isnt.

FullMetalFalcon23 · 02-11-2012, 04:55 AM

Well if all this is the case we would hopefully be looking at comp picks next year for losing him.

Apart from the franchise tag is there anyway we can get picks out of him this season.

I know spoon is capable of leading the D from the Will spot in terms of intellectual ability to call adjustments but I can't see how that works from the point of view of that information being passed around.

Traditionally your middle LB has this role because he is in front of the QB and in the middle of the D. If Sean takes over leadership of play calling audibles on the field. Would it not be difficult for him to do this if he is split out covering a tight end or someone.

Thing is you can't look at this from its most vanilla alignment because of the type of guy Nolan is.

If we go nickel it sounds as though Lofton or whoever the MLB is, would come out to allow the extra DB. Leaving Spoon and Nicholas to play the pass coverage responsibilities. In this package however we could still Rush 4. Or alternatively we might go to a 3 4 or 3 3 personnel set that has the 4th player as a wild card amongst the group allowing them to attack the LOS accordingly or come down in the undercoverage. I'm thinking that the 3 LBs in this instance could be Spoon Nich and in the likelihood Lofton does not return a 3rd cover capable linebacker. And DB wise you could see DeCoud or his replacement in one spot. Sanders in the other whoever are outside corners are, and then depending on what the O are doing who their personnel are Moore down in the slot or in a Rover type position where he can go after the ball. Or we go Moore and other safety at the top, edge DBs and then drop Robinson into the slot where again he can attack the line and QBs.

I'd be sad to see Lofton go, but there are many ways you can compensate for losing someone who is mainly a run stopper. Spoon can play between middle and Weakside so we aren't at a complete loss should we lose Lofton.

It appears Nolan's thinking is you don't need a run first guy when teams are in nickel because if the opponents are in a 3 receiver set they are more likely passing than running and at least with our team our OLBs are athletic enough to handle the Dual responsibility. And it also seems as though the scheme and his confidence in his coaching is going to have are line controlling the LOS more on passing downs than we have in the past. This is going to be interesting to see with or without Lofton.

Should we lose him which FAs bring more balance to the table than him. I am not interested in Crowder as I don't see him as a3 down LB. if we gave to get a replacement for a guy who is elite against the run and below average against the pass you want to at least replace him with someone who is solid against the two. Or is Akeem Dent someone we would look to.