In Dan Quinn’s first season as defensive coordinator with the Seahawks, former first-round defensive end Bruce Irvin was moved to linebacker. In Quinn’s second season as head coach of the Falcons, former first-round defensive end Vic Beasley has moved to linebacker.
The shift for the eighth overall pick in the 2015 draft has happened quietly. The team hopes the impact will be loud.
It happened last month, when Quinn, defensive coordinator Richard Smith, and linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich approached Beasley with the idea of a change.
“Coach Ulbrich reached out to me,” Beasley said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He left the option up to me. I felt like I could benefit from that position. I could see myself out there.”
The process included showing Beasley film of strong side linebackers, with an explanation of how the shift would fit with Beasley’s skills. Beasley took some time to consider the move before deciding to embrace it.
“I think I’ll do great,” said Beasley, who will continue to rush from the edge in nickel situations.. “I have great versatility and athletic ability that God’s blessed me with. I also played it a little bit in college, so that adds and should help.”
He’s also trying to help himself by studying film of Broncos linebacker Von Miller.
“I don’t try to be exactly like him because I am my own person, but we do share a lot of similarities,” Beasley said. “I will try to mirror some of my stuff after him.”
Here’s one big difference between Beasley and Miller. The Falcons use a base 4-3; the Broncos employ a 3-4 defense.
The Falcons have multiple other strong side linebackers, including Brooks Reed and Courtney Upshaw. O’Brien Schofield played the position last year, but he hasn’t been re-signed.
In 2015, Beasley started all 16 games at defensive end, picking up four sacks. If he plays like Miller, he’ll get plenty more in 2016.