National Football League

Defensive investment paying off;New personnel, team maturity and rotation bringing more stops.

Published Oct. 17, 2010 10:14 p.m. ET

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FLOWERY BRANCH --- Over the offseason, the Falcons spent lavishly on defensive players.

They signed cornerback Dunta Robinson in free agency for $57.5 million. They drafted linebacker Sean Weatherspoon ($17.5 million) and defensive tackle Corey Peters ($3.29 million) with their first two picks. Combined, their contracts total $78.29 million.

Through five games, the team is receiving a nice return on investment.

The new players, the development of third-year defensive end Kroy Biermann and second-year safety William Moore and John Abraham's re-emergence has the defense playing at a much higher level.

"Collectively, it's been a good thing right now, but we are looking for consistency," defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder said. "We still have a lot of room to get a lot better."

Last season, the defense finished ranked 21st in the NFL (348.9 yards per game), finishing 10th (106.8 yards) against the run and 28th (242.1 yards) against the pass.

So far in 2010, they have improved across the board in all key statistical areas. They are 10th in the league (310 yards per game), eighth (86.6 yards) against the run and 19th (223.4 yards) against the pass.

"We've got a lot of young players that are a year older," VanGorder said. "They are approaching the game in a more mature way. They have been more productive."

Other than two shocking runs of 50 and 80 yards, the defense has been solid and at times spectacular. Over the past two games they have not allowed their opponent a play of 20 yards or more.

In 2009, the defense and the leaky secondary were routinely shredded for big plays. The opponents had 54 pass plays and seven rushes of 20 yards or more in 2009.

This season, there have been seven explosive pass plays and two big runs.

Most of the players point to the improved play of the defensive line and the eight-player rotation that the Falcons use. They attempt to wear down offensive linemen and then hope their linemen are fresher at the end of games.

So it was no surprise to them that Biermann's incredible interception happened late in the game against Cleveland or that Abraham's fourth-quarter pressure of Jake Delhomme caused a fourth-quarter interception by linebacker Stephen Nicholas to secure the victory.

"Honestly, I didn't know how well it was going to go," defensive lineman Jamaal Anderson said. "I thought our guys might not have had all of the juices flowing when they got in there because of the rotation, but it seems to be working to our benefit by keeping the guys fresh for the fourth quarter when we are making plays. It's all about making plays in the fourth quarter."

Abraham had two sacks against Cleveland and has four on the season.

"Abe performed lights out last week," Anderson said. "I really believe it's because we kept him fresh."

The secondary is providing much better coverage with the addition of Robinson and with Moore, a second-round pick in 2009, taking over at strong safety for Erik Coleman. The Falcons lead the league in interceptions with 10, from nine different players.

"They've done a fantastic job of buying into what we've been trying to give them," first-year secondary coach Tim Lewis said. "The biggest key really is that while we've not been in perfect position all of the time, they are trying to reach perfection."

Next for Falcons

Who: at Eagles

When: 1 p.m. today

TV; radio: Fox; 92.9

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