The Sports Xchange

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons are hoping that a mixture of returning players and several newcomers will improve the league’s worst defense.

First-year head coach Dan Quinn will attempt to blend returnees like safety William Moore, cornerback Desmond Trufant, nose tackle Paul Soliai and defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman with additions such as defensive end Adrian Clayborn, linebackers Brooks Reed, Justin Durant, O’Brien Schofield, Vic Beasley and cornerback Phillips Adams to help forge a turnaround.

Last season was tough on Moore.

He was in and out of the lineup with a shoulder injury while the Falcons’ defense descended to the bottom of the league.

He is expecting to be cleared for action when the Falcons report for training camp on Thursday. The first practice is set for Friday.

“We can go from the bottom of the league to hopefully top 10,” Moore said. “I hope.”

Moore, who went to the Pro Bowl as an alternate after the 2012 season, was an attentive observer for most of the offseason as he recovered from shoulder surgery. But he knows that he’ll get a chance to play closer to the line of scrimmage in the new 4-3 defensive scheme.

I love being in the box,” Moore said. “We are trying to get our run percentage better. I feel like I can play better in the box. We have to get some guys getting off the ball to open things up. That’s No. 1.”

The Falcons ranked last in the NFL in yards allowed (398.3 per game) and in passing yards allowed (279.9). The run defense, which gave up 118.4 yards per game (21st), also needs to be spruced up.

The pass rush was nonexistent, mustering only 22 sacks, which tied for 31st in the league.

Moore believes that Quinn, who oversaw that Seattle defense, has a great defensive mind.

“He puts a lot of emphasis on tackling,” Moore said. “That’s been one of our biggest things here the past few years. We’ve worked on that.”

Moore likes the new players.

“We haven’t had the pads on yet, so it’s hard to make assumptions,” Moore said. “But from what I see on the field and from watching film, those guys are firing off the ball.

“Not to say we weren’t firing off the ball the last few years, but we got smaller and faster guys. When you talk about Clayborn, Schofield, those guys are that whole new breed. That’s going to be huge for the back end.”

While retooling the roster over the offseason, the Falcons made more than 70 personnel moves.

Some of the minor signees could also help in certain roles.

Schofield worked out as the strong-side linebacker and rush defensive end over the offseason. He figures to back up Reed and get some pass-rush duty behind Beasley.

Clayborn is trying to revive a once-promising career, hoping to earn some snaps at defensive end and tackle.

Adams, who has bounced around the league since leaving South Carolina State in 2010, spent a lot of time at nickel back with the Falcons’ first-team defense.

Schofield, who has 13.5 sacks while playing mostly in reserve roles over five seasons, believes he can help the Falcons’ anemic pass rush.

“I definitely believe that I can rush the passer very well,” Schofield said. “I’m improving my skills every day.”

With so much turnover, the newcomers must also try to blend into the locker-room atmosphere with the remaining players.

“I’m just trying to build that relationship because it’s definitely about chemistry,” Schofield said. “We have to all be on one page.”

CAMP CALENDAR

July 30: Team reports

July 31: First practice

Aug. 19: Camp ends

–Team strength: Passing attack.

The passing of Matt Ryan to wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White is the team’s strength. Jones is coming off a strong 1,500-yard season, and White, a former Pro-Bowl pick, was productive with 80 catches. If the Falcons can improve the rushing attack and balance out the offense more, the passing attack could possibly help forge a turnaround.

–Breakout player: Running back Devonta Freeman.

Freeman took the majority of the snaps with the first unit in the offseason and is determined to win the starting job. He showed flashes of brilliance while catching the ball out of the backfield last season. He should be a good fit in the outside-zone rushing scheme. He caught 30 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown while rushing 65 times for 248 yards and a touchdown. His ability to accelerate through holes should help him hold off a challenge from rookie Tevin Coleman.

–Work in progress: Tight end.

While Jacob Tamme took early control of the tight-end competition in OTA, Tony Moeaki and Levine Toilolo put up an early fight, but with no pads.

“The guys are totally going for it,” Quinn said last month. “They all have these unique qualities down in the red zone, who can be featured on third down. I think all of them have a little uniqueness.”

Toilolo appears headed for a blocking role if he can hold off Mickey Shuler.

“I would say Jacob and Tony more, in the third down and the route-running and finding ways to match them on a linebacker to see if they can run the options and do the stuff on third downs required to get open,” Quinn said.