Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker (23) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons strong safety Kemal Ishmael (36) in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
With the team thin at the linebacker position, the Atlanta Falcons started backup strong safety Kemal Ishmael at weakside linebacker against the Broncos on Sunday.
He led the team with 10 tackles and had a pass break-up.
“It was kind of familiar,” Ishmael said. “Last year, we had some packages when I played it. This week I had a whole bunch of it. I was prepared. The coaches got me ready. I just went out there and played.”
With De’Vondre Campbell (ankle), Sean Weatherspon (Achilles, out for season), Paul Worrilow (groin) and Deion Jones (ankle) all out because of injuries, the Falcons were thin at linebacker.
Ishmael started for Weatherspoon/Campbell while LaRoy Reynolds started at middle linebacker.
Ishmael impressed the coaches with his play at strong safety when Keanu Neal missed the first two games with a knee injury.
“He’s one of our very best tacklers,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “We love to play zone and we can put him in different spots.”
So, with Ishmael starting, the Falcon had five defensive backs on the field in their base defense.
“Yeah, it’s rare that you get to see us out on the field at the same time,” Ishmael said. “So, being a base package and having us all on the field at the same time was amazing. It felt good. It looked good. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
Quinn had a hunch that Ishmael would be just fine playing linebacker.
“We put him down in the box and he plays a lot of that as a strong safety, but we just moved him in a little closer,” Quinn said. “The versatility of (Ishmael), LaRoy Reynolds and (Philip) Wheeler, we were really pleased with that group and the toughness they showed.”
Atlanta defensive end/linebacker Vic Beasley turned in his best game as a NFL player against the Broncos.
Beasley finished with 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two quarterback hits to lead the Falcons’ much-maligned pass rush.
“It felt great,” Beasley said. “I was due for it. I was just continuously working hard at practice. I put my team first. Today, I reaped what I sowed.”
The Broncos used an assortment of tackles against Beasley as the Falcons registered six sacks overall. Late in the game, they were sending a running back or tight end over to chip block Beasley.
It was the type of game that the Falcons were hoping to get when they selected Beasley with the eighth overall pick in the 2015 draft.
However, Beasley finished with just four sacks as a rookie and entered the game with one sack. After his showing against Denver, he’s surpassed last season’s total and the Falcons are hoping there or more dominating days to come.
“It’s a great feeling, Beasley said.
Defensive end Dwight Freeney and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett had a sack each. Defensive end Adrian Clayborn shared a sack with Beasley.
Freeney was elated to see Beasley get some sack action.
“That’s what you want to do, you want to kind of sync it up together,” Freeney said. “It’s like a machine and you have to have all of the parts and the engine working together. Inside, outside and coverage. When you have that, you can have success like we are having.”
The Falcons finished with 19 sacks last season, last in the league.
“It’s coming together, but we don’t want to say anything too soon,” Freeney said. “It’s just this week and we played a great this game this week. Hopefully, we can build momentum from this.”
