How much control does Atlanta Falcons D-Coordinator Richard Smith have?

How big of a role does Atlanta Falcons’ defensive coordinator Richard Smith play into team decisions?

When the Atlanta Falcons hired Dan Quinn to be their head coach at the start of last season, everyone and their mother knew that he was going to be in charge of the defense.

But of course he had to hire someone to have the official title of defensive coordinator. And that man was Richard Smith formerly the Denver Broncos’ linebackers coach.

Sure, Smith is the official coordinator, but how much control does he really have over what the defense does?

Is he calling the plays on Sunday afternoons? I highly doubt it, but does he control which substitutions are made and how many reps each player…