Falcons Make Personnel Moves to Shore Up Soft Spots

So hidden inside the win over Rhode Island were some subtle personnel moves that tell a little bit about where our team is and how the coaching staff truly feels about it.

The most interesting move was at d-end.  About midway through the second half, it was noticed in our section that Kendall Montgomery was playing D-End.  Of course, he is normally a TE.  (Refresher:  he's a R-SO from Miami.  He was a late commit who has really good skills but is our #3 TE, mostly plays in heavy packages and gets, according to Coach, 15 to 20 snaps a game).

Coach said that we have been having trouble pressuring the passer and he told his staff to "think outside the box."  We have to pause and see what wasn't said, which is that we have brought in a number of d-ends and talked a lot about our depth there, and still we don't have a pass rush from the edge and we are starting to borrow offensive players.  (Coach pointed in his presser to injuries on the d-line, but those have mostly been on the inside.)

Anyway, Montgomery is going to play both ways.  The plan is to give him some easy reads on 3rd down packages and let him just go to the QB.  He is a physical specimen (6'5" 265 according to the website) and he's agile.  Coach said he did a good job in practice.  Seems like a logical choice and it might have a shot at working out.

So.  I applaud the innovation and the desire to do what it takes.  I am concerned that it needed to be done.

The second issue also relates to the defensive line, this time on the interior.  This position really has been hit by injuries.  Hunter Maynard and Jarius Campbell were both lost for the year, and Darius Gilbert is suspended, so we're down 3 guys at a position where it is difficult to get guys ready due to the strength requirements.

That led to two decisions.  The first was to take the redshirt off Mike Minns.  Minns was also a late-signing Florida guy who is a True FR who weighs 317.  Coach said we needed him up there, he played Saturday and Coach expects him to play as time goes on as well.

Second, Jonathan Fry has been moved from O-line to D-line.

Jonathan Fry is a R-SO who played twice last year--against Morgan State and WVU (both blow out games).  Coach told him he was on the travel team if he switched to defense and he did.  He played Saturday.  Coach said even for the practices it is helpful to have a guy.

The other position that had a development was WR.  Coach has been bemoaning our lack of playmaking at WR--just not winning 1-1 battles, which leaves teams free to blitz the QB--and that issue has been made worse by injuries.  Heath Jackson and Ryan Burbrink didn't play today (and Coach says he does not know when they will be back) and Stan Joplin has apparently been battling a sore toe that took him out today.  (Coach says he could have played if needed).

So, we took the redshirt off Jermal Hosley, from Highlad Park, MI.  He caught a slip screen early and exploded forward for about 30 yards.  Despite the assembled crowd being informed the pass was completed to third-string K Matt Oczypok, we were all suitably impressed.

Coach said after the game that he makes tons of plays on the scout team against the #1 defense, and playmaking is something we need.  It will be interesting to see if he gets more chances in the upcoming weeks.

The ultimate point is that the staff is taking steps to address holes that have been exposed by either injury or not "performing at a high level."  More to come, but this game Saturday against the Zips presents a serious challenge to the Falcons and while today the team's goals are all in front of it, that gets a lot harder if there is a loss Saturday.