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  Atlanta Falcons logo Track This Team
Atlanta Falcons
Location: Flowery Branch, Ga. | Stadium: Georgia Dome (71,250) | Owner/CEO: Arthur Blank | President/GM: Rich McKay
Head Coach: Mike Smith | League Championships: 0
Team HomeScheduleStatsRosterDepth ChartTransactions Team Report PhotosHistoryMessage Board
 
 
Falcons report: Strategy and personnel
 

The Sports Xchange
 
 
Strategy and personnel · Inside slant · Notes, quotes
 

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In this world of trend setting and trend stealing, the Falcons are set to pick off the Giants' usage of three defensive ends in pass-rushing situations.

Jamaal Anderson, last season's first-round pick, could be used at end on first and second downs, but on third down he could be "reduced" inside, much like Justin Tuck was for New York. John Abraham would still rush off the right side.

Outside linebacker Michael Boley, draft pick Kroy Biermann or a yet-to-be discovered speed rusher would be employed off the left edge. Besides trying to get up-field push, coaches feel that Anderson's height (6-6) and length could disrupt interior passing lanes.

As for Anderson, he also will align on the outside edge of the offensive tackle or tight end in base defense sets. He was routinely stationed head-up on players last season and was easier to block, especially on passing downs, where a hot receiver or a slot player could chip him and allow the pass blocker to lock him up.

MEDICAL WATCH
WR Brian Finneran, who tore his right ACL twice the past two seasons and has not played, took part in three of the five minicamp practices. They were his first football-related activities since training camp of '06. Finneran had to miss two practices as a precaution.

QB D.J. Shockley, also recovering from a torn ACL, took part in all individual drills in his first football-related activity since getting hurt in a preseason game against Buffalo. His medical limitations have him fourth on the QB depth chart, but if he gets healthy through OTAs and has a strong preseason, he could push Joey Harrington for a roster spot.

Second-year NT Trey Lewis (torn ACL) did not participate in any mini-camp drills and likely won't be ready for the start of training camp.

FRANCHISE PLAYER
None.

TRANSITION PLAYER
None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--PK Morten Andersen is a reliable geriatric kicker that still has some leg left but the signing of Jason Elam takes him out of the picture.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--FS Erik Coleman: UFA Jets; $10M/4 yrs, $2.5M guaranteed.

--K Jason Elam: UFA Broncos; $9M/4 yrs, $3.3M SB.

--DE Simon Fraser: Not tendered as RFA by Browns; terms unknown.

--TE Ben Hartsock: UFA Titans; $9M/4 yrs, $2.5M guaranteed.

--CB Von Hutchins: UFA Texans; $9M/4 yrs, $2.5M.

--FB Corey McIntyre: RFA; $927,000/1 yr.

--DT Rashad Moore: Not tendered as RFA by Patriots; terms unknown.

--DT Kindal Moorehead: UFA Panthers; terms unknown.

--C Alex Stepanovich: UFA Bengals; terms unknown.

--RB Michael Turner: UFA Chargers; $34.5M/6 yrs, $15M guaranteed.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--DT Tim Anderson: UFA; terms unknown.

--LB Michael Boley: RFA; $2.017M/1 yr.

--OL Tyson Clabo: ERFA; terms unknown.

--DE Chauncey Davis: RFA; $927,000/1 yr.

--QB Joey Harrington: FA, had been released by Falcons; $1M/1 yr, $300,000 SB.

--P Michael Koenen: RFA' $1.47M/1 yr.

--QB Chris Redman: UFA; $4M/2 yrs, $2.75M SB.

--NT Montavious Stanley: ERFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

--TE Courtney Anderson: UFA Bills; terms unknown.

--TE Dwayne Blakley: UFA Titans; 1 yr, terms unknown.

--DT Rod Coleman (released).

--S Chris Crocker: UFA Dolphins; 1.15M/1 yr, $300,000 SB.

--TE Alge Crumpler (released).

--RB Warrick Dunn (released).

--WR Jamin Elliott (released).

--OT Wayne Gandy (released).

--CB DeAngelo Hall (traded Raiders).

--QB Byron Leftwich (released).

--S Omare Lowe: UFA Seahawks; $605,000/1 yr.

--CB Lewis Sanders (released).

--LB Marcus Wilkins (released).

--OLB Demorrio Williams: UFA Chiefs; $16M/5 yrs, $5.5M guaranteed.

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.

 
 

Atlanta Falcons Message Board
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 10, 2006

July 24, 2008 10:13 am

What are your expections for the Falcons this season?

 

Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 16, 2006

July 24, 2008 12:58 am
Lenny Walls was just cut by the Ravens. He used to play for the Rams as well. The guy is 6'4 198 thats decent size for a corner. He is going into his 6th or 7th year that would give us some nice experience and depth in camp. If we evolve some of the cover 2 then he would be a perfe ...(more)
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 25, 2007

July 21, 2008 3:03 pm
 

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