My take from this week's RTD Q&A (which will hopefully be ready shortly)
WHAT ARE THE FALCONS TO DO WITHOUT SEAN WEATHERSPOON? WHO PLAYS ALONGSIDE PAUL WORRILOW? IS THERE AN IMMEDIATE PICKUP HERE?
[ via @JeneBramel ]
Hopefully, the old saying that things happen in threes means that Sean Weatherspoon, who is likely done for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon this week, is the last of the every-down linebackers to see his season end before training camp begins.
It's already been a season of change for the Falcons, who made moves in free agency and the draft suggesting that they'd line up in a 3-4 front on base defensive downs this season, then confirmed that suspicion by showing that look often in OTAs. Weatherspoon was expected to play every down at strong inside linebacker, with Paul Worrilow the heavy favorite to play every down at weak inside backer.
There are two possible options to replace Weatherspoon, with one being much more likely than the other.
First, the unlikely option. There's already speculation that rookie Prince Shembo will get a serious look at stepping into the lineup immediately. Unfortunately, he wasn't an inside linebacker at Notre Dame and his best attribute is probably his pass rushing ability. I think it's unlikely that he transitions smoothly, if at all, and I doubt we'll see him take many snaps inside until midseason, at the earliest.
The other option is a known commodity and, barring a surprise veteran signing, the much likelier option. And that's Joplo Bartu. But, with the change to the 3-4 base front, this isn't as simple as sliding Bartu into Weatherspoon's slot as the Falcons did last year. Bartu weighs 230 pounds and while he wasn't terrible at shedding blocks and holding the point of attack at LOLB last year, it's not an ideal role. His best fit would be at weak inside backer, with Worrilow moving into a strong inside role. That's not a bad band-aid, but it's likely not what Mike Nolan had in mind.
Another consideration would be to scrap the 3-4 base and go back to last year's ROLB - LOLB setup. The defensive line / outside linebacker depth chart would support that decision, but additions Paul Soliai, Tyson Jackson and Ra'Shede Hageman are best suited to the 3-4 and the Falcons are hoping for a splash from Jonathan Massaquoi (more on that in a later question) at outside linebacker. And Mike Smith seemed committed to staying the course when addressing the media on Weatherspoon's injury.
So the add here is clearly Bartu, but I wouldn't expect LB2 upside despite the potential to hold down an every-down WILB gig.