No one knew what to expect when former New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan signed free agent Atlanta Falcons nickel cornerback Brian Poole to replace Buster Skrine, on a one-year $3.5 million deal.
The 27-year-old undrafted out of Florida played in all 16 games of his first three pro season in Atlanta red and black and proved versatile enough to get reps at safety and linebacker.
After Gang Green’s implosion at cornerback (see Trumaine Johnson, Darryl Roberts), Poole got thrust into starter duties for 10 of 14 games (missing two with a late-season concussion).