10 things to know about Falcons DC Ryan Nielsen

Falcons DC Ryan Nielsen played at USC in the late ’90s before beginning his coaching career in the early 2000s

The Atlanta Falcons went behind enemy lines to poach New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator/DL coach Ryan Nielsen for their defensive coordinator vacancy. Nielsen, 43, spent six years in New Orleans, primarily coaching the defensive line.

Other than working for a division rival and earning high praise from Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan, Falcons fans don’t know a ton about Nielsen.

Here are 10 things to know about Atlanta’s new defensive coordinator.