Vic Beasley: Dynamic Pass Rusher as a Rookie?

OLB Vic Beasley’s selection by the Atlanta Falcons helped an organization in dire need of a franchise pass rusher.  Since letting DE John Abraham walk after the 2012 Season, the Atlanta Falcons’ front seven has had a miserable time getting after the quarterback.

Even though Friday night was just a preseason game, I saw glimpses of pass rushing life in the Falcons’ front seven I hadn’t seen since Patrick Kerney played in Atlanta during the Jim Mora Era.  I looked at the front seven very intently Friday night to see who was the catalyst for the improving Atlanta Falcons’ pass rush.  That man was none other than Vic Beasley, the rookie out of Clemson.

-= Atlanta Falcons Showoff Early Against the Titans =-

Beasley was a 2x All-American outside linebacker for the Clemson Tigers of the Atlantic Coast Conference.  The Falcons waited patiently at number eight in the 2015 NFL Draft to select their franchise pass rusher.  Vic Beasley grew up an Atlanta Falcons fan in nearby Adairsville, GA and he definitely made his presence felt in his first trip to the Georgia Dome.

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Though he only appeared in 10 defensive snaps last night for HC Dan Quinn in the preseason opener, Vic affected Tennessee Titans QB Marcus Mariota’s rhythm on several occasions.  Beasley was the main focal point that the Titans’ solid offensive line had to keep in check.  Even with Tennessee’s undivided attention, Vic Beasley still made plays or helped set up defensive plays for his teammates to make.

I loved Vic’s raw ability to misdirect pass protectors with his lightning quick first step.  He drew a ton of attention while trying to attack from the right side, allowing Paul Soliai to pressure Mariota and Tyson Jackson to bring him down from the blind side on one play.

Where Vic Beasley shined the brightest last night was how he forced Mariota to make a bad decision with the football.  Beasley blew right by the offensive linemen and put his hands up to attempt to block the pass.  A panicking Marcus Mariota tried to complete a checkdown to a preoccupied Bishop Sankey, only to get picked off by LB Justin Durant.  Though Vic didn’t register on the stats sheet on that turnover, he was the one who ultimately caused it.

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Vic Beasley also command a double team on a pass rushing attempt that allowed DE Jonathan Babineaux to strip Mariota of the football.  LB Paul Worrilow picked up the loose ball and took it to the house.  It was an impressive Atlanta Falcons debut for Vic Beasley nonetheless.  His presence on the field as the Falcons’ supposed best pass rushing threat allowed his teammates to make plays.

For the Atlanta Falcons to have success at generating a pass rush, they are going to have to accomplish it as a team.  However a team does need a pass-disrupting catalyst to ignite the organized blitz.  I believe even after one showing that guy will end up being rookie OLB Vic Beasley for the Atlanta Falcons this fall.

Next: Sean Renfree: Pushing TJ Yates for Second String QB

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