New Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has a deep background in the 3-4 scheme.

But he’s also used a 4-3 scheme before and that is what he is going to stick with after joining his new team earlier this week.

“We are not trying to move this toward a 3-4,” Nolan said, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I will flat say that.”

Nolan watched film with coach Mike Smith before the hire was made. They worked together previously in Baltimore where the Ravens have obviously played a 3-4 scheme at a high level for a long time.

“I do believe that the vision for them and the target they’ve been hitting is one we want to stay consistent with it and go forward in that respect,” Nolan said of the defense he inherits. “If I felt like it could easily be tweaked to get to something else because I felt it could be better, I would obviously suggest it. But I think the track they’ve been on is a good one.”

The Falcons need to step it up on defense in a division with some talented quarterbacks in Drew Brees and Cam Newton.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune