The cornerback has been the Falcons’ lockdown option. When the defense needs to shut down a receiver, Terrell steps in. Take Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints for example. The Saints receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling went off for 109 yards in the first half, and none in the second after Terrell was switched on him.
“A.J. is playing some big-time football. I’ll say that right now. He is the true lockdown corner in the National Football League,” Lake said. “It is very nice to have a player of his magnitude that can do exactly what you say. If we need to go put him on somebody, we know that receiver is going to have a tough time getting production for that game. He takes that challenge to heart. He studies, he works at it. He just had incredible practice just now, and it’s fun to watch a true professional work with that much talent.”
Terrell is no stranger to matching up with Jefferson. The two lined up against each other in the 2020 College Football National Championship and faced each other months later in their NFL rookie year. Terrell recorded the first interception of his career by picking off a pass intended for Jefferson. Still, Jefferson finished the game with 166 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Atlanta.
Since their last matchup four years ago, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has seen significant growth from Terrell. Morris was the Falcons’ defensive coordinator at the time and was a part of the coaching staff that drafted Terrell No. 16 overall in 2020.
“He came in a really mature player. He had a routine already. He came in and jumped right into that deal with Grady (Jarrett) in his morning lift,” Morris said. “He was always a quiet guy that just went to work every single day, but I think his maturity level within the room and that respect he had around him was the biggest difference coming back to see A.J.”
Part of that maturity has allowed Terrell to play with freedom. It’s also what’s allowed Terrell to record two interceptions, the most since his 2021 Pro Bowl season when he racked up three.
“I think you’ve seen a guy that’s playing with more confidence, not afraid to make a play,” Falcons assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray said. “That’s a big difference. When you are afraid to make a play, you’re very cautious. You don’t take any chances. You don’t do those things.”
Now, Terrell’s maturity and freedom will face the ultimate challenge against a familiar…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at News…