Derrick Brooks, AP Photo/Paul Sancya
There's great concern among the Falcons nation that their team is being too quiet in free agency.
Last year on the second day of free agency general manager Thomas Dimitroff signed four free agents, including impact starters running back Michael Turner and safety Erik Coleman.
Dimitroff looked to the draft to bolster his team's offense, drafting quarterback Matt Ryan and tackle Sam Baker with its top two picks.
Heading in to the offseason defense was clearly the side of the ball needing the most upgrades. Many believed the Falcons would be contestants in the Haynesworth sweepstakes, among other prized defensive free agents.
But a week before free agency was set to begin, Dimitroff said Atlanta would not be major players in the 2009 free agency market.
Not only have the Falcons been inactive in the market, they've let five of their defensive starters walk.
Some would say this was a bad a move, dangerous even.
But consider this: Those were starters on a defense ranked 24th in the league. Three of the five players lost (Jackson, Milloy, and Brooking) were aging and their ability to make an impact was diminishing. One of the five (Boley) lost his starting job to a player re-signed by the Falcons (Wire).
Cornerback Domonique Foxworth appeared to be the only player they were really interested in having return at a starting salary, but the Baltimore Ravens offered more than the Falcons were ultimately able to offer, reportedly less money, but the opportunity to return home.
Dimitroff clearly believes he can find a starter or two in the 2009 draft and that appears to this point to be the plan. There's also a good possibility that he believes a few of the players he selected in 2008 can step into starting roles this season, or at least compete for one, players like safety Thomas DeCoud and cornerback Chevis Jackson. Third-year linebacker Stephen Nicholas may also be ready to step into the starting lineup.
The plan was to get younger and they have definitely done that, but keep in mind free agency is far from over. There may be a starter or two out there still on the market. As time passes, the market price for these players will continue to go down and Dimitroff may be able to land a veteran starting-caliber player at a bargain price.
Kicker Jason Elam was signed almost three weeks after free agency started last season. Jackson wasn't signed until the end of July. The players will be there and after Dimitroff drafts his 2009 class he may be ready to fill out the roster with some experienced veterans.
If he decides not to wait, there are a number of free agents available, especially at linebacker, which could still make an impact in 2009 for the Atlanta Falcons.
Offensive lineman
Duke Preston, Guard/Center, 2008 team: Buffalo Bills: The 2005 fourth-round pick by the Bills started 11 games in 2008. He's versatile, smart, and athletic enough to play either center or guard. He would provide valuable depth to the interior of the offensive line and could start when needed. So far, the only real interest he's gotten was from the Oakland Raiders, who visited with him on March 3.
Khalif Barnes, Tackle, 2008 team: Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars second-round pick in 2005 out of Washington has hit the market after starting many of the games in which he's played in his four years with Jacksonville. He's a solid, starting-caliber tackle, and it's likely that he's looking for a starter's pay. Like Preston, much of the interest in Barnes in free agency has come from the Raiders, though it's also been reported the 49ers were interested in him. The talks with the Raiders have gone hot and cold in the last week, but it appears a deal may still happen, but there are other unnamed teams in the mix as well.
Defensive tackle
Tank Johnson, 2008 team: Dallas Cowboys: The five-year veteran will not be retained by the Cowboys. After suffering legal troubles earlier in his career, he was relatively quiet, both on and off the field, during his time in Dallas. At this point in his career he's probably better suited as a backup in a rotation. He's 6'3", 305 pounds, but lacks the size ideally suited for a nose tackle. He has good quickness and could help out with the Falcons' depth on offensive line. So far there are no reports of any interest in Johnson on the market.
Shaun Cody, 2008 team: Detroit Lions: Cody was already identified as a potential fit for Atlanta. He's visiting the New Orleans Saints on Monday, March 7 and is expected to be a backup wherever he signs.
Cornerback
Leigh Bodden, 2008 team: Detroit Lions: The 2003 undrafted free agent is still young (27) and should still have some game in him. He was a potential candidate for the Falcons to consider when free agency started and hasn't generated much interested. He visited with the New England Patriots on the first day of free agency, but no deal was ever completed. Since the Patriots have signed Sean Springs, New England is not likely to be his final destination.
Ricky Manning, Jr., 2008 team: St. Louis Cardinals: The six-year veteran is undersized and missed much of 2008 with an injury, but when he plays he can be an effective cornerback. He's an aggressive and quick corner who is not expected to draw starting offers in free agency. He could be brought in to provide experienced depth to the secondary at a bargain price. So far there have been no public reports of interest by any team in Manning.
Chris McAlister, 2008 team: Baltimore Ravens: The six-year veteran has missed much of the last two seasons with injuries. Specifically a knee surgery ended his 2008 season and it's unlikely teams will consider signing him until he's cleared for football activities, which is expected to take place in May. At 31, he may not be able to make an impact as a starter any more, but his experience and leadership could be valued by a young team like the Falcons. He's still quick and aggressive and could be valued as a nickel corner. In only six games in '08 he had three interceptions.
Dre Bly, 2008 team: Denver Broncos: After being released by the Broncos on February 17, it appears that the starting days of the seven-year veteran are over. He routinely was beaten in one-on-one situations in '08 and is probably more suited as a nickel corner at this stage of his career. He's still athletic and has good speed, but bigger, more powerful receivers will give him trouble. His best asset is his experience and leadership.
Safety
Gerald Sensabaugh, 2008 team: Jacksonville Jaguars: Sensabaugh was originally identified as a suitable target for the Falcons. So far the only public interest shown in Sensabaugh was by the Saints early in free agency, but he has yet to sign a contract. At 25, he's young enough to grow into a full-time starter's role.
Darren Sharper, 2008 team: Minnesota Vikings: The Falcons are rumored to have interest in Sharper, but the Saints are also believed to be heavily interested in the 33-year-old safety. He could provide leadership for the Falcons as they groom a starter and still has the ability to be a playmaker on the defense.
Linebacker
Mike Peterson, 2008 team: Jacksonville Jaguars: The Falcons have expressed interest in the 32-year-old linebacker, but so have the Bills and the Lions. Peterson visited Atlanta on Monday, March 9. [Since the publishing of this article, the Falcons have reportedly signed Peterson.]
Angelo Crowell, 2008 team: Buffalo Bills: Crowell was an option for Atlanta at the start of free agency and he's still on the market. Crowell is visiting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 9 and the Washington Redskins are also rumored to be interested in him. Assuming he's healthy he could start immediately for the Falcons and shore up a currently questionable linebacker position.
Derrick Brooks, 2008 team: Buccaneers: The 35-year-old linebacker is not short on experience and in the last 14 years he's been arguably Tampa Bay's best player on defense. His production has been on the decline the last two years, but his leadership and intelligence alone would be worth a reasonable price to the Falcons. After being released by Tampa Bay on February 25, some believe he will retire. So far he has received little-to-no interest by other teams.
Freddy Keiaho, 2008 team: Indianapolis Colts: The 26-year-old, two-year starter has been recently courted by the Bills, but no other team publicly. He's a productive tackler, but does not excel at one particular area of the game. He's a high-energy, quick player, though a little undersized. He could step in and start for many teams in the NFL and is considered to be solid at best.
Napoleon Harris, 2008 team: Minnesota Vikings: Harris, 30, still has a year or two of above-average production left in the tank. He's the prototypical linebacker, mixing size, strength, and athleticism. He is excellent in run defense and is solid in pass coverage. Many believed he would be re-signed by the Vikings, after being an important part of their 2008 defense, but there has been no word of such a deal. Harris has also drawn very little interest from other teams. He could bring experience to the Falcons and would be expected to compete for a starting job from day one.
Cato June, 2008 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: June was released by Tampa Bay after two unproductive seasons, following four good ones in Indianapolis. He's more suited for the weak side, but has played the strong side in Tampa Bay, which is a poor fit for him. He's athletic and performs well in coverage, though he's not physical enough to be a major player in the run defense. At 29, he can still return to his Indianapolis level of play, but he needs to find the right team. The Bills are the only team to have expressed interest in June to date.
Nate Webster, 2008 team: Denver Broncos: Webster has been a disappointment in his injury-filled three years with Denver. The 31-year-old linebacker is more suited as a reserve at this point in his career, because of injury concerns and his lack of ideal size, but in short bursts, he can be effective. He's athletic and has good range in pass coverage. He's an explosive tackler, though not always a sure one. He's aggressive and would make a solid backup and special teams player. So far he has generated no significant interest as a free agent.
Keyaron Fox, 2008 team: Pittsburgh Steelers: Fox is a player that was identified for consideration since the beginning of free agency. Fox would be an outstanding addition to the special teams unit right away and could compete for starting time. He's flashed potential in his career, but has failed to live up to it, after being drafted in the third round in 2004 by the Kansas City Chiefs. Fox is generating very little talk on the market.
Kevin Burnett, 2008 team: Dallas Cowboys: Burnett has drawn considerable interest in free agency, mainly from San Diego, Oakland, Green Bay and Houston. He's looked at as an impact special teams player and a passing down linebacker. He was a second-round pick in 2002 and has been a backup his entire career in Dallas. He is considered a very good passing down linebacker with good reaction and recognition. However, he's considered a liability as a run defender, failing to play with power and shed blockers. He is a good value as a special teams player and backup linebacker and it's likely Atlanta, if interested, is entering too late.
Comments