The media circus that takes place every year at the NFL Scouting Combine can be absolutely draining for coaches, unless they're like Dan Quinn. Less than one month after becoming the 16th head coach in Falcons history, Quinn stepped in front of the cameras inside Lucas Oil Stadium to address the media, hours after engaging with the Falcons fan base on Twitter.
As expected, the energetic Quinn was asked about his new team's defense, including the type of cornerbacks he thinks best fit his system.
"At corner, it's a special spot," Quinn said. "We love guys who have length and when they do, we know how to feature them in that way, where they can play on the line of scrimmage."
In 2014, Quinn enjoyed the opportunity of continued work with Seattle cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell, each bringing the size and physicality he loves to see.
Their style of play proved effective, evidenced by a combined 20 pass breakups and six interceptions in 29 total games in the regular season. Now in Atlanta, with third-year cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, Quinn is excited about what each player brings to his team's defense.
"They absolutely fit into the system," Quinn said. "The first part of the makeup is competitiveness, and that's where both Robert and Dez totally have it, where they can step and kick and get their hands on guys, stay on top with that mindset and that attitude to keep playing down after down. Both those two guys, they certainly fit into the profile."
For those scoring at home, Trufant and Alford combined for six interceptions and 27 pass breakups in 26 total games in 2014 (a wrist injury forced Alford to miss six games).
