FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – It started last year, the conversion that might end up changing the trajectory of Isaiah Oliver ’s career. A player is unlikely to admit it, but the best thing that could have happened to Oliver was Darqueze Dennard getting healthy last season.
It left his former coaches with an idea. Move Oliver from playing corner on the outside into the slot. So it began, a transformation fitting Oliver’s multifaceted skill set. When Raheem Morris left and was replaced by Dean Pees, the new defensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons suggested Oliver stay where he was.