Is new Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan admonishing All-Pro defensive end John Abraham for missing OTAs? If he is, Abraham doesn't seem to be too offended.
Nolan was the defensive coordinator for the Jets when Abraham was drafted in 2000, giving the returning DE a sense of the change coming to the Falcons' unit. Nolan has stated that the Atlanta defense won't undergo an overhaul, but he told the AJC that Abraham is behind his teammates in learning the new system after he missed voluntary OTAs.
"He’s missed some of the OTAs, and we are a little bit at an advance state as far as the language. … Right now, John is kind of going a little bit slower. He’s having to ask more questions because he wasn’t here for those classes. But, nonetheless, John is a good player."
Nolan went on to praise Abraham, and the man himself didn't seem offended by the claims, practically gushing about Nolan's system and management style:
"He drafted me," Abraham said. "That was one of my main reasons for coming back, also. I know what kind of coach he is. I know what kind of guy he is. They do a great job of bringing people around here who have great character and great character coaches. Me and Mike have been friends ever since he drafted me in my rookie year until now. I’m glad to be back with him and glad that we have the opportunity to do some great things together."
For more on the 2012 Atlanta Falcons' offseason, check out The Falcoholic and SB Nation's NFL page.