Amidst Flash-Filled Camp, Falcons DL Timmy Horne 'Ready to Take Next Step'
The Atlanta Falcons' defensive line has long been a punch line, but after an offseason featuring several key acquisitions, is poised for a big step forward this year - with veteran Calais Campbell proclaiming the unit has "scary" potential.
And while the attention given towards Campbell, defensive tackle David Onyemata, outside linebacker Bud Dupree and others is certainly deserved, not to be lost is the returning talent that exists on the defensive front - especially among first- and second-year players.
Take, for example, Timmy Horne, who appears to be the favorite to win Atlanta's starting nose tackle job this fall. After signing with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Horne fought his way onto the active roster as a rookie following an impressive preseason and appeared in all 17 games with five starts.
Throughout his rookie campaign, Horne compiled 27 tackles and a quarterback hit while becoming an oft-praised player in coach Arthur Smith's press conferences for his toughness and week-to-week progress.
But entering this summer, Horne found himself back in a similar position as last year - fighting for his job. Many viewed Eddie Goldman, who started 73 games across six seasons for the Chicago Bears, as the favorite to start at nose tackle ... but for the second consecutive offseason, he retired before the start of the preseason.
That prompted Horne back to the top of the depth chart, where he still stands entering Thursday night's preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers ... but not without competition from veteran defensive tackle Albert Huggins.
The Falcons are high on Huggins, with Smith noting that he and Horne "flashed up front" in the first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, during which the former had half a sack and the latter added a tackle for loss.
Horne, who stands 6-4, 323 pounds, has largely returned to his rookie season form, flying under the radar while bringing value in a niche role to Atlanta's defensive front ... and even with the heightened talent inside the room, Smith noted he's liked what Horne has put on tape thus far.
“Just a guy in there trying to make the team and contribute," Smith said. "Timmy played some for us last year. There’s a good competition. We feel like we have a lot of depth on the d-line, and somebody’s going to emerge that’s going to be in that rotation that’s going to help us. Certainly, he’s had a good camp so far.”
Better yet, Horne has opened the eyes of those around him - including fellow second-year defender Arnold Ebiketie, who's seeking to take his own game to the next level and feels that Horne is well on his way to following the same path.
"Timmy's doing really great things," Ebiketie told SI's Falcon Report. "Timmy's ready to take that next step as well in terms of stopping the run and pass rushing. I think he's having a great camp."
And so, Horne's profile continues to rise - he's been productive and impactful during camp, and Smith has seen flashes from both last year's regular season and the first two rounds of preseason this year.
The question now becomes whether Horne has done enough to secure his spot on this revamped, ever-competitive Falcons defense ... and while decision day will come soon enough, the combination of what he's done and where he's headed could certainly put him on the right side of the bubble.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @ByDanielFlick
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