Nielsen lays out goal for Falcons D: Just get stops
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Published: Feb. 7, 2023 at 10:47 AM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — At the start of his first week at the Atlanta Falcons practice facility, new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen said he’s not willing to commit to a 4-3 or 3-4 as the base alignment of his multiple schemes.
“Let’s just stop people,” Nielsen said Monday.
Nielsen, the former co-defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints, was hired by Atlanta on Jan. 27 after Dean Pees retired.
The Falcons ranked 27th in total defense and 31st with 21 sacks this season.
Atlanta’s defense gave up no more than 25 points in the final nine games of a 7-10 season.
Nielsen said he wants to build on Pees’ work, not start over.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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