Prince

Shembo

This stems from animal cruelty charges filed against Shembo in May 2015 after he kicked and ultimately killed a small dog. He’s been out of the league.

Shembo has reportedly been charged with felony animal cruelty after kicking and ultimately killing the dog. A 2014 fourth-round draft pick out of Notre Dame, Shembo is competing for playing time at outside linebacker in new coach Dan Quinn’s defense. The arrest won’t help his chances of earning the coaching staff’s trust, and could potentially lead to league discipline.

The Falcons are cutting ties with Shembo following his arrest for felony animal cruelty. A 2014 fourth-round pick, Shembo played 347 snaps as a rookie and was a candidate for an expanded role under new coach Dan Quinn. Shembo’s off-field incident will be subject to league discipline.

Shembo was a standout college pass rusher in Notre Dame’s 3-4 scheme, but lacks edge-bending ability and would be best suited for a rotational role in the pros. The Falcons are quietly switching to more of a 3-4 this year, and lack established outside pass rushers. Shembo has lots of opportunity in Atlanta.

Shembo was an at-times dynamic outside rusher at Notre Dame, but is a bit straight-linish in his movements, and lacks an ability to “bend the edge.” He could give Atlanta some pass-rush juice from the interior, which is arguably more important than outside rush. Shembo will compete for sub-package snaps with Joplo Bartu behind starters Sean Weatherspoon and Paul Worrilow.

“He’s picked up the system very well,” said coach Mike Smith. “He doesn’t have any experience, but we will get him a lot, I can assure you that in the preseason.” Sean Weatherspoon’s season-ending injury opened up an opportunity for Shembo to earn playing time. He will compete with Joplo Bartu to play alongside MLB Paul Worrilow in 3-4 packages.

It’s been confirmed that the Falcons’ base defense is the 3-4. Shembo was an edge pass rusher in Notre Dame’s 3-4 but is more of a straight-line player who might be best suited to rush the passer from the inside. There should be more opportunities to earn snaps at inside ‘backer in Atlanta rather than outside.

The Falcons are expected to transition to more of a hybrid 3-4/4-3 defense. Beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter has Shembo penciled in at outside linebacker in both the 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. It says a lot about the Falcons’ lack of pass rush that the No. 139 overall pick might have to be an every-down player for them.

Shembo (6-foot-1 1/8, 253) made 34 starts for the Irish, finishing his career with 24.5 TFLs, 19.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He ran 4.71 at the Combine with a 38 1/2-inch vertical and 10-foot-2 broad jump. Shembo has some natural pass-rush tools, but disappeared for long stretches in college and is a straight-line player without edge-bending ability. He’ll likely max out as a nickel and dime rusher.

Shembo was waived after being arrested for felony animal cruelty charges in May. The charges were dropped after Shembo pleaded to a misdemeanor and a fine, prompting some speculation the Falcons could bring him back into the fold. Falcons coach Dan Quinn dismissed that speculation Monday, saying the team was “happy right now” with their current linebackers. Shembo could still earn a shot with another team.