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Atlanta Falcons’ Edge Options: Closer Look at Vic Beasley

By Chris Headrick

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Oct 5, 2013; Syracuse, NY, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Vic Beasley (3) is blocked by Syracuse Orange offensive tackle Sean Hickey (60) during the third quarter at the Carrier Dome. Clemson defeated Syracuse 49-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Beasley’s Edge As a Rusher

With any edge rusher, you are looking for a player who can explode off the line to beat a defender. You’re looking for someone with strength in their legs, ankles, shoulders, and hands, but you are also looking for flexibility and burst/turn speed coupled together with that strength.

Vic Beasley has all those skills in spades. The scuttlebutt from scouts is that Beasley can dip and dive with the best of them, change directions on a dime, can spin without losing his balance, is able to maneuver well and drop back into space when he has to, and has quick hands.

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    • Having watched him numerous times at Clemson, it’s not merely scuttlebutt!

    With the Atlanta Falcons’ tendency to run toward more of a 3-4 defense this past season, most people think that like Beasley (as I do), would be best in a 3-4 defense. He has often been boxed in with that description, but as one NFC East scout aptly pointed out, it’s a mistake to label Beasley.

    This same scout (unknown) points out that Beasley could do just as well as a strong side linebacker (SAM).

    Since this unknown scout didn’t bother to explain, allow me. Certainly with Vic’s speed, he could do well in a 4-3 situation as well. He has the speed and skills to play well in cover 2 or cover 3 situations where he has to drop back on short zone or pass coverage.

    He also points out that Beasley could probably play just as well as a weak side linebacker (WILL). Weak side linebackers normally play in more standard defensive schemes along with two other linebackers, where the WILL is tasked primarily with stopping the run.

    Beasley has the chops, depending on what he’s facing defensively, to be quite versatile.

    I personally believe that Beasley is best geared to that 3-4 style, and would be most effective and valuable as an edge rushing, OLB. Let’s hope that Atlanta sees it that way as well.

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