FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Everything about the Atlanta Falcons' plan to improve the pass rush in 2025 is collaborative.
It starts in one meeting room. Defensive line coach Nate Ollie, outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith and defensive assistant coach John Timu have joined forces to teach those whose main mission will be getting after the quarterback.
It then carries onto the field, where the same players will rush the passer as soon as the ball is snapped. No reading and reacting. Simply, go all at once.
The Falcons are implementing what Ollie calls an "attack-style front."
"It's like we're trying to be like Mike Tyson and throw haymakers," Ollie said. "We're getting off the ball, attacking and throwing haymakers. No jabs. It's all haymakers."
The hope is that this will change the Falcons' recent results in the backfield.
Atlanta ranked 31st in sacks last season with 31 overall, and that struggle is on brand as of late. Since 2019, the Falcons have totaled 169 sacks, which is 30 fewer than any other team.
That's why the Falcons hired Ollie and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich this year. Ollie spent the last three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts (2022-23) and Houston Texans (2024) – both finished top 10 in sacks each year. Ulbrich was with the New York Jets during that same timespan, and they were top 11 each year.
"You can't thrive in this league from a defensive perspective without a good pass rush," Ulbrich said. "Affecting the quarterback is my top priority."
The Falcons have proved that this offseason with their additions to the team. Through the draft, they selected Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round. Through free agency, the Falcons signed veterans Leonard Floyd and Morgan Fox.
They also retained Arnold Ebiketie, Zach Harrison, Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus, who all showed moments of promise in 2024.
Basically, Atlanta now has a long list of players its coaching staff believes can rush the passer.
"You can never have enough rushers," Ollie said. "Really, I stamp that. I stand on that."
Especially in this attack-style front where pass rushers are go-go-go every down. They're being trained in Atlanta to essentially have blinders on. Their sole mission is to get to the quarterback as quickly and aggressively as possible. Once the ball is snapped, burst across the line of scrimmage through their assigned gap. Bully their way through anyone who gets in the way, trying to block. Keep eyes on the target the whole time he maintains possession. And, perhaps most importantly, finish the job.
It sounds simple, but that's the point. Ollie wants to take the thinking out of the play. Physical trumps mental; fast and free.
Join the Atlanta Falcons on the practice fields as they tackle an offseason workout at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga.
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Leonard Floyd #56 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner #89 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Carlos Washington Jr. #26 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington #82 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner #89 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus #54 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Khalid Kareem #92 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #17 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford Jr. #28 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons long snapper Liam McCullough #49 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jesse Matthews #86 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Elijah Dotson #41 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Teagan Quitoriano #85 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Joey Fisher #66 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Jovaughn Gwyn #52 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker JD Bertrand #40 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Leonard Floyd #56 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)/
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Lamar Jackson #38 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Morgan Fox #99 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker JD Bertrand #40 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Carlos Washington Jr. #26 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Keith Taylor #39 during a workout during the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
And, to clarify, when the coaching staff talks about waves of players being involved in the pass rush, it's not in regard to them rushing the passer in sync like a wave, all trying to land on the quarterback at the same time. It's more so about the quantity of players involved in the process overall, like wave after wave. That's to prevent exhaustion, much like in other sports.
"Basketball, hockey, whatever you want to call it," Smith said. "Obviously, you want to have that rotation to where there's no drop off from your group. You're bringing in fresh guys, bringing in talented guys."
The Falcons are confident they brought in (or kept) talented guys because the players who are rostered fall into at least one Ulbrich's two buckets required for a pass rusher. The player either has speed, length and explosion. Or, he can bend, balance and reduce surface.
Both of those trait groupings will help a pass rusher flourish in Atlanta's new attack-style front.
"Since I've been in the league, I have not had to fabricate rushes," Ollie said. "Not saying right, wrong or indifferent. Just used to rushing with four and winning with four. I think we got the guys in the building that can do that."
