Secondary Grows Stronger

When Brian Williams was lost for the season with a knee injury in the Falcons Week 6 victory over the Bears Oct. 18, the floodgates of criticism opened on the team’s secondary. Now without one of its starting cornerbacks, Falcons coaches needed to mix and match to find the right combination. In the process, Brent Grimes, Christopher Owens and Tye Hill worked their way into the rotation. By the end of the season, Grimes — a two-year veteran — and the rookie Owens were starting (and succeeding) at cornerback. Grimes led the team with seven interceptions in 2009 and Owens had a key pick to secure the team’s Week 17 win in Tampa. Atlanta’s defense ranked 28th in passing yards allowed per game. Williams, a veteran of the game and the Mike Smith school of defense, could only watch as the team went through its growing pains. “I talked to the young guys all the time (and said) we’re only as good everybody in the room,” Williams said Tuesday, l...