Curtis Lofton. MLB, Atl (1 Viewer)

[Rovers]

Lofton was high on my list as a rookie MLB performer, but did not start against the Colts. He did record 2 T's, an assist and a sack. What is his outlook for beating out Taylor as the starting MLB this year?

I also see where Rudnicki has him ranked at 111, 70 spots lower than his ADP. I've looked for decent reports on his progress, but didn't find much. Even the Falcons team site offers little insight.

Is he really an enigma? I mean, ranked 70 spots lower than his ADP? Any info appreciated!

 

[Rozelle]

Have it recorded, was able to see the first quarter and some of the 2nd, hope to be able to take a better look at it later on today/tonite. I didn't notice Taylor standing out.

 

[Jene Bramel]

In the same boat as you Rovers. Still waiting to see him with my own eyes and working under the assumption that he wasn't likely to be an every-down backer, with Brooking wearing the communicator and Taylor still splitting reps. There's pretty much no way Lofton isn't the starter on opening weekend, or very shortly after at the absolute worst.

I think his current ranking (at least for me, where I've got him in a tier around LB50) somewhat reflects his inability to seize the job immediately, but more significantly the unlikelihood that he starts in nickel packages. If you believe he's a starter, but not an every-down player until late in the season, you better have a very good LB4 to get through the inconsistent weeks. If you believe he's an every-down player immediately, then he's becoming a clear value right now as a LB2-3 you can get at LB4-5 prices.

 

[Rovers]

I was figuring him for some depth, starting, but not in nickel packages. Keeping my eye on the NFL NW channel for a replay of the game. One would think given the game M Turner had, they would bump that replay game up a notch...

Roz and Jene... if you do get to see it before me, sure would appreciate any comments!

 

[Rozelle]

Buzzed thru all the Atlanta defensive series.

Taylor played entire 1st half, made a couple of nice plays, seems to struggle shedding blocks.

In Atlanta’s 3rd defensive series, Brooking was out, (I imagine he was done for the night), Falcons went to a nickel with Taylor and Boley. The 3rd play or so of the series, Boley was shaken up, didn’t appear to be anything serious, he was replaced by Coy Wire.

Lofton (MLB), Nicholas (WLB) and Wire (SLB), started the 2nd half.

In Atlanta’s 2nd defensive series, they opened in nickel (Lofton/Nicholas), stayed with it the whole series, actually the rest of the game.

Lofton’s sack came in the 4th quarter on an all out blitz. 3-4 Falcons got to Lorenzen about the same time.

4th, 5th and 6th defensive series, Atlanta in nickel, with Lofton and Wire.

It was difficult to get a good feel for Lofton. Up until the final series, Indy only had six running plays, to maybe 18 pass. They had 5-6 on final series, and Lofton looked alright, he appears, at least in this game, much better shedding than Taylor.

Maybe we’ll get to see him with the ones next week.

 

[obxlegends]

Buzzed thru all the Atlanta defensive series.

Taylor played entire 1st half, made a couple of nice plays, seems to struggle shedding blocks.

In Atlanta’s 3rd defensive series, Brooking was out, (I imagine he was done for the night), Falcons went to a nickel with Taylor and Boley. The 3rd play or so of the series, Boley was shaken up, didn’t appear to be anything serious, he was replaced by Coy Wire.

Lofton (MLB), Nicholas (WLB) and Wire (SLB), started the 2nd half.

In Atlanta’s 2nd defensive series, they opened in nickel (Lofton/Nicholas), stayed with it the whole series, actually the rest of the game.

Lofton’s sack came in the 4th quarter on an all out blitz. 3-4 Falcons got to Lorenzen about the same time.

4th, 5th and 6th defensive series, Atlanta in nickel, with Lofton and Wire.

It was difficult to get a good feel for Lofton. Up until the final series, Indy only had six running plays, to maybe 18 pass. They had 5-6 on final series, and Lofton looked alright, he appears, at least in this game, much better shedding than Taylor.

Maybe we’ll get to see him with the ones next week.

Next week the Falcons take on the Titans. Seems like we'll learn more then.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Here's the first indication that the Falcons may not see Lofton as an every-down player this season. Nothing official from the coaches, but worth noting anyway.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Linebacker Curtis Lofton, a second-round pick from Oklahoma, could open with the first defensive unit in Friday’s preseason game against Tennessee at the Georgia Dome. Second-year Georgia product Tony Taylor started the first two preseason games against Jacksonville and Indianapolis.

Coach Mike Smith would not confirm whether Lofton will start, but said he wanted to see how he would respond playing with the first team.

Lofton has worked almost exclusively with the second-team base defense. The big hitter is considered to be a run-stuffing linebacker who comes off the field when a nickel package (five defensive backs, two linebackers) is used in passing situations.

 

[Rovers]

Rozelle, Jene... Thanks!

 

[KellysHeroes]

Falcons won't have teams in many passing downs... I'm not downgrading much. Still a great Dynasty pick, LB1a in rookie drafts... Rivers is LB1b.

 

[T Bell]

Falcons won't have teams in many passing downs... I'm not downgrading much. Still a great Dynasty pick, LB1a in rookie drafts... Rivers is LB1b.

Agreed. I drafted him as a steal onto a dynasty team that is already stacked at LB, but I just can't put him onto my taxi squad. He won't start the season on fire IMHO, but he'll end it strong. For comparison's sake, I'd project his season this year to go like Hawk's rookie year in 2006, in that the first 3-4 games will not be all that impressive, but that he should start finding a way into your lineup after that point.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

He is a good dynasty LB, but I doubt a 2 down rookie LB will have any value this year.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

My WAG is that he sees the field more and more as the season goes on.

 

[PewterFan]

He is a good dynasty LB, but I doubt a 2 down rookie LB will have any value this year.

That's true. I just hope the fact that the defense will be on the field a lot this year will inflate his numbers. Like Tatum Bell said above, maybe he'll start slow and pick it up by midseason.

 

[T Bell]

He is a good dynasty LB, but I doubt a 2 down rookie LB will have any value this year.

How about a 2-down rookie MLB on a team with a questionable D-line in front of him, on a team that figures to be trailing in a LOT of games and therefore seeing more than its share of running plays? This is also the kind of team that I could see giving him 3rd down experience to see what he can do as the season goes on, don't you?

 

[Jene Bramel]

How about a 2-down rookie MLB on a team with a questionable D-line in front of him, on a team that figures to be trailing in a LOT of games and therefore seeing more than its share of running plays?

How about a veteran MLB on a team with a questionable D-line in front of him, on a team that trailed in a lot of games and saw more than its share of running plays?

But, yeah, you're right, that's the profile of a guy who may have some value even if he doesn't see every-down opportunity. However, everything has to break right for him to grab LB3 value in the games where he sits in the nickel.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Weren't they saying that Jon Beason would be a 2 down player at best at about this time last season?

I know circumstances are a bit different since an injury to the guy ahead of him gave Beason his chance, but still...

 

[obxlegends]

With Brooking's age you would think that Atlanta would want to groom Lofton into that 3 down role (at some point) unless he's showed he has absolutely no ability to handle such responsibility.

 

[Rovers]

Watching the replay of the TN-Atl game now... Lofton looks good, and yes, he started at MLB... on one play he worked his way through traffic to the outside and made a nice tackle... looks like he is playing the 2 down role, but his stat line tells me that might not affect his numbers a whole lot... still watching...

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Getting good reviews for his performance.