When training camp opened the Falcons wanted to improve on all levels of the defense.
The defensive line had to be stouter up the middle and the pass rush has to be rejuvenated.
The linebacker corps played the run well enough, but got scorched at times in pass coverage.
The secondary was the main reason why the defense finished ranked 28th against the pass and underwent major renovations.
The return of Peria Jerry, the re-emergence of Trey Lewis and the drafting of Corey Peters has added more beef at the defensive tackle position. Defensive end Kroy Biermann appears to be on the verge of being a double-digit sack man. He's been a force in the preseason.
The team used the 19th pick in the first round of the draft to select linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. He's finding his way, but is strong in pass coverage.
Cornerback Dunta Robinson, the team's major offseason acquisition, was slowed in training camp by a hamstring injury. If he's not 100 percent, the Falcons' chances of improving against the pass diminish greatly. Robinson is expected to play on the right side and take away that side of the field. The expectations for Robinson are extremely high after the team signed him for $57.5 million over six seasons. If Robinson is not up to speed, the Falcons will have to sit back in zone coverage to protect their young corners.
The Falcons finished 26th in the league in sacks with 28 in 2009. They are counting on defensive end John Abraham to turn in a big season after his sacks dipped from 16.5 to 5.5. Abraham should benefit from a stronger interior defense. If Abraham can't make it back, promising young defensive ends Biermann and Lawrence Sidbury may get their big chances.
With a soft middle, leaky linebacker pass coverage and a secondary that had a penchant for giving up the big play, the defense had trouble getting off the field on third downs. They led the league third down conversion rate (45 percent, 97 of 214).
The coaches spent part of the offseason attempting to devise new schemes to help the defense get off the field on third down.
"We have to experiment because what we did last year wasn't acceptable," Smith said. "We have to look at different things."
During the preseason, they've flashed a 3-3-5, where the nickel back comes up in a linebacker-like role and sometimes blitzes off the edge. They've run several blitz combinations out of the package with mixed results.
"We tried to come up with a plan that is going to help us be more efficient on third down," Smith said.
COACHING: Mike Smith, 3rd year, 3rd with Falcons (20-13).
REMEMBERING: 2009 record: 9-7 (2nd in NFC South); did not qualify for the playoffs.
PREDICTING: 2010 regular-season record: 12-4 (1st in NFC South); lose in NFC title game.
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