Falcons land Mike Nolan as DC

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

The Atlanta Falcons have hired Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator, the team just announced.

This is a very strong hire by Atlanta coach Mike Smith. Nolan's a former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. He spent the last two seasons as Miami's defensive coordinator. He also previously worked as defensive coordinator for the Redskins, Jets, Ravens, Giants and Broncos.

"Mike Nolan is an established coordinator in this league," Smith said. "He brings more than 25 years of NFL experience to our team and has been a coordinator at this level for 14 years. Mike has a history of developing physically intimidating defensive units, and we are fortunate to have him join our staff."

I think it's fair to say Nolan is an upgrade over former defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, who left to become defensive coordinator at Auburn. Through most of Smith's tenure, VanGorder's defenses weren't great, although the Falcons improved somewhat on that side of the ball in 2011.

Nolan has some good talent to work with in linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, cornerback Dunta Robinson and defensive tackles Corey Peters and Jonathan Babineaux. The Falcons also have to make decisions on if they want to re-sign defensive end John Abraham, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and cornerback Brent Grimes.

This also is a victory in the NFC South for the Falcons. New Orleans reported had some interest in Nolan and at least one of the candidates who has interviewed for the Tampa Bay job had indicated he thought he could make Nolan part of the package.

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Nice hire for the Falcons.​

 

[kam.]

Not sold on the hire.

Hes a good coach, but he doesn't fit their scheme at all. This was like when the Jags hired Gregg Williams.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I agree with Kam, he's a 3-4 guy and they don't have guys that fit that.

It's not like some other teams who have recently switched to the 3-4, they have nothing to build off of really.

Also, it doesn't fit Smiths defensive approach at all so I'm guessing Nolan will get full reins?

 

[kam.]

I agree with Kam, he's a 3-4 guy and they don't have guys that fit that.

It's not like some other teams who have recently switched to the 3-4, they have nothing to build off of really.

Also, it doesn't fit Smiths defensive approach at all so I'm guessing Nolan will get full reins?

If Nolan doesn't get full reins, then its gonna be a horrible move.

You know what they say about too many cooks spoiling the soup.

Falcons don't have anybody to fit the 3-4 scheme and I'm kinda more than baffled by the Falcons coordinator hirings the past few days. Shit is horrible.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

Don't Expect Mike Nolan, New Falcons Coordinator, To Install A 3-4 Defense For 2012​

New Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has succeeded at many places around the NFL. Like MANY many. He's had six different stints as a DC plus a head coaching gig, with all but his Redskins spell in the late-'90s regarded as successful. Pending this offseason's roster moves, it's hard to foresee a 2012 in which Atlanta's defense isn't expected to exceed its No. 18 ranking from 2011.

The Falcons will reportedly remain a 4-3 team for now (Mike Smith was previously adement about keeping the current system in place), but what if Nolan and Smith agree Atlanta should switch to a primarily 3-4 set on running downs at some point in the future?

Nolan ran a first-year 3-4 with success in Denver in 2009, but the 2010 Dolphins defense could be a better look at what's coming Atlanta's way. Miami developed a modified 3-4/4-3 hybrid for that year, shifting to a more traditional 3-4 for 2011. Then again, his 49ers, who'd began the 3-4 move in 2005, shifted back to more of a 4-3 by 2008.

New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said about his scheme that he'll adapt his attack to the current personnel. If Nolan follows the same model, he'll likely incorporate 3-4 principles into the current arrangement instead of revamping the entire front seven right away.

The Falcons don't have any players who fit the classic nose tackle model, the system's most critical piece. Even 307-pound Vance Walker is at least 35 pounds too slim and a couple inches too short. A slimmer Corey Peters and a stronger Ray Edwards could perhaps work as 3-4 ends, who need to be taller and heavier than 4-3 edge rushers. A player like Kroy Biermann or maybe Lawrence Sidbury could convert back to that Jack linebacker/end role (which Biermann played in college), while Sean Weatherspoon and Curtis Lofton could fit into any scheme. Among current players, Stephen Nicholas may project as a Sam linebacker for now, which means he'd need to both cover tight ends and stand as the point man against strong side runs.

John Abraham could be on his way out anyway due to free agency. He has experience in a 3-4, and has spent the last few years doing much more roaming than the average 4-3 end thanks to Brian VanGorder's fire zone-heavy system. But if all this transition were to happen anyway, a shift could mean the end of the Abe era.

By my count, the Falcons would need to bring on at least three players (a nose tackle, a true 3-4 end and a true 3-4 Jack backer) to run a 3-4 effectively. That's not going to be easy to do in one offseason with only five draft picks and no first-rounder, plus an offensive line hole that needs to be filled, not to mention perhaps two new starters in the secondary. I'd be surprised if the Falcons did anything in 2012 more than tie 3-4 elements into the current set while planning for a future conversion.

The idea of becoming the only 3-4 team in the NFC South, though? Very exciting, if that ends up being what the plan is.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

Mike Nolan will be good for Atlanta, there's no doubt in my mind.

 

[kam.]

Nolan in a 4-3? Yikes!

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I wonder what kind of extra money they had to put on Nolan to get him to stick with a 4-3?