The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Upright defensive ends not a switch to 3-4, Quinn says
Strategy is because Falcons will face several mobile QBs this season.
FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons coach Dan Quinn said the defense is not switching to a 3-4 alignment.
There has been a lot of conjecture in cyberspace — from the self-anointed Twitter coordinators — that the team is switching to a 3-4 because Quinn has been experimenting with standing up the defensive ends.
When asked if he was switching to the 3-4 on Thursday, Quinn told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “No.”
What Quinn is doing is getting the defense ready for eight games where they play mobile quarterbacks who use run/pass-option packages or zone-read run plays.
The Falcons play the Eagles (Carson Wentz) on Sept. 15, the Titans (Marcus Mariota) on Sept. 22, the Texans (Deshaun Watson) on Oct. 6, the Cardinals (Kyler Murray) on Oct. 13, the Seahawks (Russell Wilson) on Oct. 27, the Panthers twice (Cam Newton) on Nov. 17 and Dec. 8, and Jacksonville (Nick Foles) on Dec. 22.
“What’s happening so much more from the (late ’90s and early 2000s) is that the tight ends move so much,” Quinn said. “Then with the element of some of the teams that are going to do zone-read with the mobile quarterbacks, it’s easier to play them (standing) up than from down.”
Quinn, who will call the defense this season, plans to continue to look at the tweak of the 4-3 alignment over the exhibition season.
“I want them to see some things with all of this movement as opposed to being down and the crack (-back) blocks with people trying to get the ball on the edge,” Quinn said. “We are going to try it, and I’m not sure where I’m all the way at with it until I go through some (exhibition) season games.”
■ Uptick in up-tempo offense: Under offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, the Falcons offense will attack from the line of scrimmage more and have the option to run more up-tempo.
“In a good bit of our offense, we’re able to (play at the line of scrimmage),” Quinn said Thursday. “In Dirk’s system, we are going to be at the line (instead of huddling) quite a bit.”
The Falcons will have to option to speed things up.
“It’s not always no-huddle fast, but having the ability to be at the line and then go and attack when you want to,” Quinn said. “There is some mental pressure that goes with that. It’s takes extra time and learning for the offensive guys because they not only have to know the play, but a code word that matches with it. It’s takes extra time, but it’s time well spent. It’s worth the sacrifice to spend the extra time.”