The Falcons are revamping pretty much every position on their football team. Whether via the draft, free agency, or developing their youth, Atlanta looks to get younger and, hopefully, better. One position group that desperately needs improvement is the entirety of the Falcons’ defense. In the last four seasons, the Falcons have ranked in the bottom ten of the league in terms of total points allowed. The Falcons went defense-heavy in the draft and free agency, hoping to revamp the defense for this upcoming year. Now, as the offseason training continues, two new Falcons have left a positive impression on Falcons’ linebacker coach Frank Bush.
Frank Bush: “[Rashaan Evans] never misses anything.”
Every young team needs veterans. Young players need coaching from those who have been in the game, but the best veterans are those who learn and teach; Rashaan Evans does that. When asked about Rashaan Evans’ work ethic off the field, Frank Bush stated:
“…he sits down and takes notes. He never misses anything and he really pays attention. He asks all the right questions. He prides himself on making it fresh and learning something new every time.”
The Falcons are very high on Evans and believe he can lead their defense. Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees is among those in the organization who see Evans as a crucial piece for the linebacking core. Many may recall that Dean Pees was baffled that Tennessee let Evans go in free agency, and he was grateful the Falcons picked him up:
“I don’t know why Tennessee let [Evans] go and quite frankly I don’t care, but I’m glad they did.”
Dean Pees oversaw Tennessee’s defense in 2019 while Rashaan was on the roster. The veteran presence and coaching connection could pay dividends for the Falcons’ defense this year.
Another Falcon has impressed linebacker coach Frank Bush; the Falcons’ picked him up via the NFL Draft.
Atlanta Falcons’ Troy Anderson is “extremely” intelligent.
Although the nickname is reserved for Kyle Pitts, many call Montana State product Troy Anderson a “unicorn.”
It’s not an exaggeration; the kid can do anything. A bulky linebacker with the speed of a cornerback sounds like a dream for any NFL defense. Frank Bush agrees; although he admits Anderson has a lot of polishing to do, he expects great things from the Falcons’ rookie:
“The key right now is to help him get to the athlete he is. He’s in learning mode right now. He’s trying to figure this thing out. We like him as a linebacker and that’s what he was as he finished up at Montana State… he’s doing the right things. I can only say good things about him. He’s humble. He’s there to learn every day and never takes anything for granted. He’s starting to show his skill set the more he learns.”
There are only good things to say about Falcons’ Troy Anderson. It’s not an exaggeration to say he has the most potential out of any defensive player in the 2022 NFL Draft; he has all the skills necessary to be a DPOY candidate in the future. It’s polishing those skills that Frank Bush has to do to unlock that hidden potential inside of Anderson. The Falcons’ coaching has already impressed some new acquisitions on offense.
The Atlanta Falcons’ defense needs a revamp, but they have solid, young pieces to help get them there. Frank Bush has his work cut out for him, but if the Falcons continue adding great pieces on defense, it shouldn’t be too long before this Falcons’ defense starts torturing opposing quarterbacks.