Poe ready for tenure in Atlanta after being impressed by defensive unit
The Atlanta Falcons’ top addition during the free agency period came from Dontari Poe, who will enter a defensive front that is young and full of talent.
After five seasons in Kansas City, Poe made the move to join the defending NFC champion Falcons.
The Chiefs opted to not give Poe a franchise tag, which would have kept him with the franchise for at least one more season. He said that he understood that the move was a part of business within the league, and it gave him the opportunity to travel nationwide to visit numerous teams.
After trips to Atlanta, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Miami and Oakland, Poe believed he fit best with the Falcons after visits with head coach Dan Quinn, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and assistant general manager Scott Pioli, who drafted the Memphis product while with Kansas City.
Poe signed a one-year, $8 million contract.
“Just the way they play football. It’s about being high energy, aggressive and doing what you do best,” Poe said. “As a D-lineman, that’s the best situation I can be in. (Coach Quinn said) he’s going to let me play ball, and he saw the success I’ve had and thought I can be a dominant player.
“I think it’ll be pretty good, because when I went up there, I saw a family-like atmosphere. Everyone there was cool and laid back. So I think I’ll fit in like a plug, and it should be fun.”
The addition of Poe will force Atlanta to reshuffle its defensive front. Poe is a nose tackle by trade but won’t necessarily unseat Grady Jarrett, who has been slated as the starter as he enters his third season.
Quinn told Poe he could potentially play in the 3-technique at times, and the Falcons’ newest addition is ready to fit where needed.
“It’s very attractive (to play at positions),” Poe said. “He’s going to let us play, so anywhere I can come in and help the team, I’m willing to do it.”
Atlanta’s defense improved during the team’s run to Super Bowl LI. Along with the duo of Clemson products in Jarrett and Vic Beasley, Atlanta also features second-year safety Keanu Neal and Desmond Trufant in its defensive backfield. Poe is being added to the Falcons’ pool of talent, and he is “real excited” about those around him.
The defensive line is a fairly inexperienced unit as both players and coaches are gaining exposure in the professional ranks. The Falcons rebooted their defensive coaches after the Super Bowl loss, adding coaches Bryant Young and Jess Simpson, who will enter their first NFL season. On the field, Poe will join Derrick Shelby and Courtney Upshaw as the elder statesmen.
Last season, Atlanta added 36-year-old Dwight Freeney to fill that leadership role. With Freeney being a free agent, the Falcons could turn to Poe for that role due to experience, but he could offer more production than Freeney, who is 10 years older than Poe.
“It is a young defense, so I’m coming in to do whatever I need,” Poe said. “If that’s something I need to do, then it’ll be addressed. I feel like my experience itself is big and that we can go out there and make plays. It’ll be about spreading the wealth, and we can go do what we need to do.”
Listed at 346 pounds, Poe is the largest defensive lineman in the NFL. He said he was told by Atlanta’s staff that the target weight is between 335 and 340 pounds. As his tenure begins, he’s willing to reach any weight desired by the coaches.
Poe collected 27 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks in 2016 with Kansas City. It was his lowest output of his five-year career, but at only 26, he’s confident in his potential with Atlanta.
“The best is definitely in front of me,” Poe said. “With this defense they’re running out there, the best years are definitely coming up.”
This story was originally published March 17, 2017 at 6:22 PM with the headline "Poe ready for tenure in Atlanta after being impressed by defensive unit."