Falcons' Jimmy Lake Ready to Go 'Head-to-Head' With Zac Robinson

The Atlanta Falcons' new coordinators expect to have plenty of clashes during the offseason.

Jimmy Lake and Zac Robinson have grown quite familiar with each other over their time with the Los Angeles Rams, but their relationship is about to take off in a big way.

The two are now the new defensive and offensive coordinators of the Atlanta Falcons, respectively, meaning they'll be working together closely throughout the offseason and beyond.

As Lake and Robinson prepare to have their units go against each other every day, the former anticipates them having some great battles in practice.

Oct 16, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Jimmy Lake watches pregame warmups against the UCLA Bruins at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium / Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

"I saw Zac navigate through those rough waters in a very easygoing way about himself that was a calming influence for the whole room, but then when it was just him and I also just talking ball, you’re going to get a guy that knows offensive ball, knows how to move the ball down the field, run, pass and cause a lot of problems for defenses," Lake told reporters at his introductory presser on Wednesday. So, I’m looking forward to us going head-to-head coming up here in OTAs.”

Robinson was with the Rams longer, working with the team since 2019 and eventually working his way up to becoming quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator in 2022. In contrast, Lake spent just one season in L.A. after coaching at the college ranks for nearly a decade beforehand.

Even though they haven't been together too long, Lake and Robinson are in full agreement on their vision for the Falcons: a fast, physical team that puts players first.

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"We're going to play fast because we're going to get fast players," Lake said. "But they're going to play free because they know when we call that defense they can diagnose it, they can read and react."