Rich Rosa, the agent for Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham, said Wednesday that he believes his client will become a free agent this offseason, based on contract talks with the team. Abraham, 33, has spent the past six seasons with Atlanta, where he has recorded 58.5 of his 112 career sacks. He spent six seasons with the New York Jets before signing with the Falcons as a free agent in 2006. Abraham is one of three key Falcons defenders scheduled to hit free agency. In addition to Abraham, the team also must... [Read More]
The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed former seventh-round offensive guard Andrew Jackson, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation. He was picked 210th overall out of Fresno State last year. Jackson, 26, was an All-Western Athletic Conference selection. The 6-foot-6, 300-pounder was also a first-team Academic All-American.
D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Falcons are in the “early stages” of talks regarding a possible long-term contract extension for CB Brent Grimes but admits that the team is “reluctant” to use their franchise tag on him. The move would cost the team $10.6 million for the upcoming season and the team is already close to the cap with 17 soon-to-be free agents to address in the coming months. Grimes is said to be looking for a similar contract to the one that Atlanta gave Dunta Robinson... [Read More]
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell signed a five-year contract extension that could bring his annual salary to around $20 million by its conclusion, according to a report by the Sports Business Daily. And that's not sitting well with Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White. After news of Goodell's raise broke Monday, White tweeted: “How in the hell can u pay a man this much money that cant run tackle or catch.” … “Roger Goodell is getting over never seen anything like it 20 million for looking over the league with tremendous... [Read More]
The Atlanta Falcons today announced that they have promoted Dave Caldwell to Director of Player Personnel and DeJuan Polk to Director of Pro Scouting. “We are pleased to announce the promotions of Dave and DeJuan,” said general manager Thomas Dimitroff. “Both Dave and DeJuan have been vital to our personnel department and have been tremendous assets to our organization. They have been essential in helping construct our team over the last four seasons. Dave has provided great leadership to our college scouting... [Read More]
While Jacksonville was able to raid the Falcons’ coaching ranks for their head coach and quarterbacks coach, the Falcons drew the line when they tried to land wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie. Former offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey was hired as Jacksonville’s head coach and ex-quarterbacks coach Bob Bratkowski was hired as their offensive coordinator. Both were under contract, but the moves to Jacksonville were promotions and couldn’t be blocked. Robiskie’s move was lateral to the same position and could be... [Read More]
Len Pasquarelli of the Sports Xchange reports that ranking high on the to-do list for new Atlanta defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is getting middle linebacker Curtis Lofton out of the team's "sub" third-down coverage schemes. Lofton is a superb, two-down 4-3 middle linebacker, and retaining the pending unrestricted free agent is a priority for the Falcons, but the four-year veteran is a liability in third-down situations. Don't be surprised if ascending star Sean Witherspoon, who is very good against the... [Read More]
The Falcons have been in touch with former Miami linebacker Channing Crowder, who plans to make a comeback after sitting out last season according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Crowder, the former North Springs High and Florida standout who prematurely retired at age 28, is ready to make a comeback. The Atlanta Falcons, who hired Crowder’s last defensive coordinator in Mike Nolan, have been in touch and will most certainly check out Crowder. “I’d love to play in Atlanta,” Crowder said.... [Read More]
The 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced Saturday night, and it was nearly as notable for who wasn't elected than who was. DB Jack Butler, C Dermontti Dawson, DE Chris Doleman, DT Cortez Kennedy, RB Curtis Martin and T Willie Roaf were all selected for enshrinement this summer in Canton, Ohio. Among those who will have to wait at least another year are Head Coach Bill Parcells, RB Jerome Bettis, WR Cris Carter, WR Andre Reed and DE/OLB Charles Haley.
The Atlanta Falcons' desired open-air stadium might wind up with a retractable roof if ongoing negotiations get bogged down according to Tim Tucker and Leon Stafford of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. While both the Falcons and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority say the focus remains on trying to reach a deal that would put the team in an outdoor stadium and preserve the nearby Georgia Dome for indoor events, neither side shuts the door on the option of an indoor/outdoor, retractable-roof facility. That... [Read More]
Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez announced on an ESPN/Facebook chat that 2012 would be the final season in the future Hall of Famer's career. Gonzalez, who has made similar declarations in previous off-seasons, was asked how much longer he intends to play, and this was his answer via Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "One year. I said that last year though, and the year before. But I really do believe this is it. First of all, this is the first time my wife came to me and said, ‘You’re only... [Read More]
The St. Louis Rams interviewed Atlanta Falcons Director of Player Personnel Les Snead for their general manager vacancy on Wednesday, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Snead has been in the Falcons organization for the last 13 seasons, spending the last three as the team's Director of Player Personnel, where he oversees the college and pro scouting departments. Prior to joining the Falcons, Snead spent three seasons in the Jacksonville Jaguars' scouting department. Snead was reportedly a candidate for... [Read More]
The Atlanta Falcons announced the hiring of Joe Danna as defensive backs coach and the promotion of Glenn Thomas from offensive assistant to quarterbacks coach. "I really like the make-up and chemistry that our new coaching staff brings to the table," Falcons head coach Mike Smith said. "I am certain that these men will all work together to objectively bring about a fresh set of offensive and defensive concepts and schemes that will make us a more competitive and consistent football team as we prepare... [Read More]
The offensive line will once again command the attention of the Falcons' decision makers this offseason. Re-signing OG Justin Blalock and ORT Tyson Clabo last offseason didn't prevent some serious issues from befalling the unit as inconsistency in pass protection and struggles to get a push at the line of scrimmage in short-yardage situations were a couple of the team's more maddening problems. This year, the only starting O-lineman due to hit the open market is longtime C Todd McClure, who wants to continue his... [Read More]
Shane Dronett, a former Falcons defensive tackle remembered for his hard-nosed playing style and his gentleness away from football, ended his life by gunshot Jan. 21, 2009, in his Duluth home. He was 38. An autopsy performed by Boston University neuropathologist Ann McKee, who is at the forefront of research of football-related brain injuries, said that Dronett’s brain tissue was “very supportive of the diagnosis of [chronic traumatic encephalopathy].” The CTE conclusion made sense of the often violent and erratic... [Read More]
