Atlanta Falcons safety William Moore headlines the safety position group, coached by Tim Lewis and Joe Danna. Each of the team's seven safeties embraced an offseason of tireless work, absolutely committed to playing this season in a way that makes 2013 a distant memory.
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RETURNING PLAYERS
William Moore:
Moore is the undisputed leader of the defense, embracing that role in 2014. Last season, he started all 16 games, totaling 86 tackles, two sacks, seven PBUs, three INTs, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The team is confident that he'll produce numbers this year that reflect those of his Pro Bowl season in 2012.* *
Sean Baker:
Baker was on the practice squad last season and could factor in for a depth spot in 2014. In four years at Ball State, Baker set a school record with 18 INTs, while adding 320 tackles (166 solo), 39 passes defensed, 19 tackles for loss and two sacks.
Kemal Ishmael:
Ishmael is one of two safeties drafted by the Falcons in 2013. During his rookie season, he played in four games and totaled one tackle and also earned time on special teams. In 53-career games at Central Florida, he recorded 368 tackles (213 solo) with 9.5 tackles for loss, six INTs, six forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and one sack.
Zeke Motta:
Motta's rookie season in 2013 included flashes of brilliance and a disappointing neck injury, suffered against the Green Bay Packers in Week 14. He played in 10 games last season, recording 16 tackles and one pass defensed. The tough-nosed safety, who started 29 of 51-career games at Notre Dame, will do everything he can to return to the field as soon as possible.
VETERAN ADDITIONS
Dwight Lowery:
Lowery enters his seventh season in the league, his first with the Falcons. He's played in 68-career games, including 41 starts, while totaling 217 tackles (154 solo) with 10 INTs, three sacks and 45 passes defensed. In 2013, he started three games and posted six tackles (four solo), with one fumble recovery, before being placed on injured reserve and later released. Lowery looks to be the starter in 2014, next to William Moore.
ROOKIES
Kimario McFadden:
McFadden joins the Falcons, following his senior season at South Carolina State, where he recorded 57 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one INT. He was a second-team All-MEAC selection in his lone season for the Bulldogs.
Dezmen Southward:
Southward was drafted by the Falcons in the third round (68th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft, following a four-year career at Wisconsin.* *In 2013, he started all 13 games and finished fifth on the team with 40 total tackles, including 3.5 TFLs.
