Original Article
By GEORGE HENRY Associated Press
Published: 8/4/2010 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 8/4/2010 5:57 AM
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton takes it personally when the Atlanta Falcons make mental mistakes.
Those 110 defensive penalties last season, fourth-most in the NFL?
Lofton is still disgusted. As he sees it, the miscues were unacceptable.
"Yes, they were," Lofton said. "As the middle linebacker and the leader, you get everybody in place and you get everybody lined up. We want to be an elite defense."
Lofton, who is entering his third season, has been the undisputed heart of the Atlanta defense since Keith Brooking signed as a free agent with Dallas in March 2009.
A second-round draft pick from Oklahoma in '08, Lofton ranked sixth in the NFL last season with 105 solo tackles and 113 combined stops.
"I mean it's all right, but that's not what I want," Lofton said.
Foremost is limiting unforced mistakes. Atlanta will soon host league officials for a couple of days in training camp, but coach Mike Smith doesn't want to wait.
Smith is putting renewed emphasis on eliminating penalties in each session on the field and in the film room. To make that happen, he needs Lofton and other leading veterans to be vigilant.
As a head coach and a former defensive coordinator, Smith focuses on personnel, play-calling, shifts and alignments. Worrying about penalties makes his job harder.
"Some of the young guys still believe they're in college and they can contact receivers down the
field, but in the NFL you have an opportunity to get one shot in the first 5 yards," Smith said.
With Brooking gone, Lofton takes charge of the huddle and stays on the field for most third-down plays. He's also responsible for making sure the front seven is correctly positioned before the snap.
Several problems, however, made his job difficult last year. Knee injuries ended the season early for tackle Peria Jerry and starting cornerback Brian Williams.
The signing of cornerback Dunta Robinson gave the Falcons a proven perimeter presence who should take pressure off young cornerbacks Brent Grimes, Christopher Owens, Chevis Jackson and rookie Dominique Franks out of Oklahoma, a fifth-round pick.
Three days into camp, the defense appears relatively healthy.
"We've got the pieces here, but it's my job and everyone else's job to make sure we work as a unit and accomplish our goals as one," Lofton said.
Original Print Headline: Atlanta defense on Lofton's shoulders
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/article.aspx?subjectid=223&articleid=20100804_223_B6_Former817584
Those 110 defensive penalties last season, fourth-most in the NFL?
