Looking For A Defensive Duo

It’s no secret that Atlanta has been trying to create one of the league’s top passing rushing duos. In 2006, the Falcons traded a first round pick to the New York Jets to acquire defensive end John Abraham to pair with Patrick Kerney in efforts to create a relentless pass rush off the ends. That didn't happen. . . Both players battled injuries that season, Abraham collected only 4 sacks in eight games and Kerney added 4.5 more playing in nine games himself.

Unfortunately things got worse for Atlanta before they got better. After the 2006 season, Kerney opted out of the last two seasons of his contract put up 14.5 sacks the following season with the Settle Seahawks. Meanwhile back in Atlanta, The Falcons selected Jamaal Anderson with the eighth overall pick of the 2007 draft in hopes he could apply some pressure to the quarterback from the other side of the defensive line.

Anderson, a 6'6" 280 pound defensive end was coming of a monster year for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was projected to be a sure firehit at the next level. . . Boy was they wrong. He managed just 4.5 sacks in his four year career in Atlanta. With Anderson flaming out, he opened room for players like Kroy Biermann and Lawrence Sidbury. While both were serviceable in rotational roles and a few starts, neither were able to provide the necessary pass rush to prohibit the opposition from doubling Abraham.

In 2011 the Falcons brought in Ray Edwards, a very productive free agent from Minnesota. In his last two seasons with the Vikings, Edwards registered 16.5 sacks playing along with Jared Allen and the Williams Wall, Kevin and Pat Williams (no relation). Edwards appeared to struggle in his first season with Atlanta, tallying just 3.5 sacks in 16 games, leaving fans wondering, "Did we really just blow it on another defensive end?" Little did we know, he was coming off a knee surgery only a month before reporting to camp.

Now entering year two with the Falcons, can Ray Edwards be that guy to free up John "The Predator" Abraham in a system more conducive to his skill set?

“I came from a defense in Minnesota where it didn't matter, we just rushed the front four and

let the back end do their job,” he said. “That’s what I think this defense is more geared to.” -- Ray Edwards (from atlantafalcons.com)

I sure hope that's right. I'm sure we all are hoping that the self-proclaimed missing link can make good on expectations. With Abraham getting up in age, Atlanta can’t afford to be wrong again.

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