Atlanta Falcons: 5 Players to Watch Versus the Jets

Thomas Dimitroff and Dan Quinn’s decision to acquire veteran OLB Brooks Reed in free agency was a smart under the radar move for the Atlanta Falcons at the time.  Reed was a key member of the strong front seven of the Houston Texans.  But a litany of injuries have kept Reed out of action and most practices this offseason, the most recent being a hip/groin issue.

Atlanta had the weakest LB corps in the NFL last season and addressed the lack of depth there by bringing Brooks Reed, Justin Durant, and O’Brien Schofield into the mix at Flowery Branch.  Schofield is extremely familiar with Dan Quinn’s system from their time in Seattle.  Durant had a great game against the Titans on Friday, intercepting an errant Marcus Mariota checkdown.  And we know the strengths and limitations of both Joplo Bartu and Paul Worrilow.

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But what can Brooks Reed do for the Atlanta Falcons?  Like Tevin Coleman and Desmond Trufant among others, Brooks Reed has not been ruled out of Friday night’s game against the New York Jets like Ra’Shede Hageman and William Moore have.

Many viewed Brooks Reed’s acquisition as the best free agent move by the Atlanta Falcons this offseason.  For me to agree with the pundits, I’m going to have to see Reed in a game scenario.  Hopefully he proves everybody right with a strong performance Friday night against a New York Jets team that will look to run the football.

Next: Can He Win a Starting Spot on the Offensive Line?