FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The addition of Curtis Lofton in April's NFL Draft did more than provide a shot of athleticism and excitement to the team's linebacker corps.
It provided instant depth and a chance for position shuffling.
Lofton played middle and outside linebacker at the Oklahoma but worked primarily as a middle linebacker in his first mini camp with the Falcons. That experience allowed the Falcons to do some tinkering on defense, particularly when it comes to moving Pro Bowl linebacker Keith Brooking to weak side linebacker -- the position where he's enjoyed plenty of success.
Head Coach Mike Smith cautioned against over speculation about the move however, saying Brooking will get work inside and Lofton could get some snaps at the outside position opposite returning starter Michael Boley during Training Camp.
"I thought Keith did a nice job there at the (weak side) linebacker," Smith said. "In his career he's probably played there more than he did as a (middle) linebacker. What we want to do in this defense is create as much flexibility as we can."
Regardless of the lineup, the Falcons return a solid group of linebackers.
Brooking started every game at middle linebacker a season ago while Boley nearly made the Pro Bowl with a career-topping season (125 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions). Weak side backer Demorrio Williams left via free agency, but the team returns promising rookie Stephen Nicholas. There's also second-year pro Tony Taylor, who played some snaps ahead of Lofton at middle linebacker during the team's offseason work.
The second-year player out of Georgia admitted earlier this year he needed to slow down to move forward in the NFL. Now in his first full offseason the linebacker is making some progress on the team's depth chart.
"I had to slow down to make the game slow down for me," Taylor said during Falcons organized team activities. "I was in such a rush to play fast I didn't get it as much as I could have. Watching Brooking and Boley helped me slow down a little bit. Things are starting to make a lot more sense to me."
"I think he's a guy that's very sharp mentally," added linebackers coach Glenn Pires. "That's what's allowing him to continue to grow. He understands the game and is a very good instinct guy. (With) those instincts he keeps getting better and making good decisions."
Nicholas, Taylor and Travis Williams round out the corps of returning linebackers. Some practice squad members and new additions provide even more depth heading into camp.
The Falcons selected Robert James out of Arizona State in the fifth-round and added undrafted rookie Isaac Brown (Central Michigan) soon after the draft.
"He's sort of a smaller run-and-hit linebacker," General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said of James. "This guy is a (weak side) linebacker type. I can't stress the importance in the middle rounds to shore up your special teams. We think Robert James is going to be a nice addition as a run and hit player on defense and really contribute on special teams."
Brown finished second on the Chippewas defensive unit with 106 tackles last season.
In all the Falcons have seven linebackers with two or less years of experience. But they boast versatility, familiarity with defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder (position coach in 2007 and former linebacker) and a new system designed by -- and for -- linebackers.
"I think it's going to be a very friendly defense to our linebackers which wasn't the case last year," Brooking said. "Football is a very simple game and I think some coaches try to complicate it at times. (VanGorder) is going to line us up on defense and allow us to play fast."
MORE ON FALCONS LINEBACKERS:
- ONE-ON-ONE: Keith Brooking
- ONE-ON-ONE: Michael Boley
- VIDEO: Lofton Combine Interview | Highlights
- FEATURE: AF.com preview on Lofton, linebackers
- WIKIPEDIA: Curtis Lofton
- YOUTUBE: Curtis Lofton 2007 Highlights
- NFL.com: Curtis Lofton Profile
- FEATURE: Taylor recognizes opportunity at linebacker
- RELEASE: Team signs seven undrafted free agents
- NOTEBOOK: Birds wrap mini camp at Flowery Branch
- NOTEBOOK: Energy key at Falcons first mini camp practice
- RELEASE: Players enroll in renowned business programs
- FEATURE: Nicholas learning defense at fast pace
Atlanta Falcons 2008 Linebackers
| Name | Number | Position | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Brooking | 56 | LB | 11 |
| Isaac Brown | 43 | LB | R |
| Cameron Vaughn | 49 | LB | 1 |
| Curtis Lofton | 50 | LB | R |
| Michael Boley | 59 | LB | 4 |
| Tony Taylor | 53 | LB | 2 |
| Stephen Nicholas | 54 | LB | 2 |
| Robert James | 51 | LB | R |
| Travis Williams | 52 | LB | 2 |
