If history tell us anything, the addition of Travis Jones should make impacts that ripple through every level of the Atlanta Falcons defense.
When Travis Jones parted ways with the Seattle Seahawks in January, there were several potential landing spots and a few highly touted suitors. One of those was the college football National Champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Having worked with Nick Saban in two other stints at LSU and with the Miami Dolphin,s there was serious interest in brining Jones back in the fold as his defensive line coach.
Luckily for Atlanta Falcons fans, it seems that Jones is intent on staying in the NFL coaching ranks. What’s more, he also had strong ties to head coach Dan Quinn, having coached with him during Seattle’s Super Bowl runs.
While Bryant Young will remain as the main defensive line coach in Atlanta, adding a talent like Jones should undoubtably pay quick dividends for the Falcons defense. Jones led an immensely talented group while coaching with the Seahawks.
That defensive front terrorized the league for a few years, allowing the “Legion of Boom” to lead the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns allowed during the 2013 season. I think the addition of Jones will ripple through each level of the defense. Obviously his presence and pedigree should lead to the defensive line taking a step forward.
Next: NFL 2018: Each team's biggest celebrity fan
Additionally though, it’s not far fetched to expect banner years from cornerback Desmond Trufant and safety Keanu Neal as a result of the play in the trenches. If that does in fact happen, not only will there be a third year of consistent improvement along the front four, but the Falcons could find themselves hosting a Super Bowl game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which has never happened in league history.