March 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Running back Jason Snelling was instrumental in helping the Falcons down the stretch last season. His 147-yard effort in the season finale against Tampa Bay was key to the franchise posting consecutive winning seasons for the first time in team history. Snelling, who has epilepsy, is sent to lead the National Walk for Epilepsy for the second year in a row on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, March 27th. Snelling wants to inspire youth with his condition. In college, Snelling often suffered from migraine headaches and dizzy spells. He was diagnosed with epilepsy. The National Walk for Epilepsy, hosted by the Epilepsy Foundation is a family-oriented, noncompetitive, ..."
March 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Former Falcons head coach Jim Mora once said his dream job would be coaching his alma mater, the University of Washington Huskies. He's getting closer -- geographically speaking. Mora, fired after one 5-11 season with the Seahawks, has been linked to an informal gig with Bellevue High School in suburban Seattle. The Seattle Times reports Mora's role has yet-to-be determined. Late Tuesday, the Seattle Times reported Mora saying he will not be an active coach, but may suggest plays for the Wolverines. "Jim will be involved," Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff said. "I don't know in what capacity yet. It's great. He's an outstanding guy in whatever capacity we get him, even if it's only for ..."
March 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The Falcons continue to tinker with their secondary. They released cornerback Tye Hill and signed safety Matt Giordano on Tuesday. Hill was acquired on Sept. 1 from the St. Louis Rams for a seventh round pick. Hill, a former first round pick with the Rams, played in eight games in 2009. He had seven tackles and one interception, which returned for a touchdown. Giordano, a five-year veteran, has played with the Indianapolis Colts and the Green Bay Packers. He has played in 60 games, with just six starts."
March 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
One player of interest for the Atlanta Falcons is Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who is set to workout for representatives from the team on Wednesday in Columbia, Missouri. The Falcons have dipped into the Big 12 with each of their second round picks in each of the last two drafts. In 2008, they selected Oklahoma linebacker Curtis Lofton and last season they selected Missouri safety William Moore. Weatherspoon meet with the Falcons at the NFL scouting combine. He' s the No. 2 rated linebacker in the draft by Pro Football Weekly's 2010 Draft Guide. Texas linebacker Sergio Kindle is rated ahead of Weatherspoon."
March 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Falcons head coach Mike Smith attended Georgia Tech's Pro Day on Monday. On Tuesday, Smith will make the short drive over to Athens for Georgia's pro day. Chicago head coach Lovie Smith and Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt were also in attendance at Tech on Monday. The Falcons have taken a player from Georgia or Georgia Tech in each of the last four drafts. Last season, Georgia Tech defensive tackle Vance Walker was selected in the seventh round (210 overall). In 2008, Georgia running back Thomas Brown was selected in the sixth round (172nd)."
March 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Before the Falcons trade of cornerback Chris Houston was officially consummated over the weekend, the two side revised the compensation. The Falcons are now set to received a sixth round pick in 2010 and a conditional seventh round pick in 2011."
March 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Former Falcons head coach Jim Mora Jr. once said his dream job would be coaching his alma mater, the University of Washington Huskies. He's getting closer -- geographically speaking. Mora, fired after one 5-11 season with the Seahawks, has landed a new gig with Bellevue High School in suburban Seattle. The Seattle Times reports Mora's role has yet-to-be determined. "Jim will be involved," Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff said. "I don't know in what capacity yet. It's great. He's an outstanding guy in whatever capacity we get him, even if it's only for spring ball or summer. It's great to have him around. He's a great resource for us.""
March 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Dawson Devitt
"
Many Falcons fans believe that its time for the Birds and their top brass to draft a franchise, bookend offensive tackle. One of the biggest and best surprises of the 2008 season was an amazing effort by the seemingly makeshift offensive line. Thomas Dimitroff traded up to draft Sam Baker in the first round in 2008. Justin Blalock was one of the main holdovers from the Bobby Pric-trino era. Todd McClure is one of the most underrated centers in the NFL, and the right side of the line consisted of two players redeemed from practice squads in Harvey Dahl and Tyson Clabo. Baker has been pretty solid, but has been injured and has missed a lot of games in his two years in Atlanta. Blalock has ..."
March 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The Falcons have taken a calculated approach to free agency in the three offseasons under general manager Thomas Dimitroff. After their dismal 2007 season, the Falcons were big spenders in free agency. They leaped in front of the pack and signed running back Michael Turner to a $34.5 million contract. There were a host of other signings that offseason. Last year, the Falcons were not active in free agency. They chose to upgrade through a trade with Kansas City, which landed them tight end Tony Gonzalez for a second-round draft pick this year. This year, at 12:01 a.m. March 5, the Falcons were on the phone with agent Jason Chayut, discussing the parameters of the six-year, $57 million ..."
March 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Here's the breakdown on Dunta Robinson six-year contract, which included a $7 million signing bonus: He's sent to receive base salaries of $5 million in 2010, $5.5 million in 2011, $6 million in 2012, $7 million in 2013, $9 million in 2014 and $9.5 million in 2015."
March 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The Falcons just spent $57 million in order to bring Georgia native Dunta Robinson back home. Should they open up Arthur Blank's hefty wallet to bring home another one of the state's top football products? Former New Orleans Saints defensive end Charles Grant, the Colquitt native who played at the University of Georgia, went on Sirius NFL Radio on Wednesday and stated that he wanted to play for the Falcons, Carolina or Tennessee. Grant has started 106 of 118 games over his career with the Saints. He was released on March 5. Grant, 6-foot-3 and 282 pounds, doesn't appear to be a fit for the Falcons. Grant is eighth on the Saints' career sack list with 47, but a torn triceps kept him out of ..."
March 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Cornerback Brent Grimes, a former undrafted rookie free agent, was signed to an exclusive rights free agent contract on Tuesday. In an unrelated move, the Falcons released wide receiver James Swinton, who was on the practice squad."
March 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Dunta Robinson
"
Every big-ticket free agent says he's happy to have signed with his new team, for good reason: He has just punched a very big ticket. But Dunta Robinson wasn't just happy Monday - he was ecstatic. The Falcons' new cornerback was introduced to the media and did something previously believed impossible: He out-gushed Arthur Blank. "This red and black - I can't believe I'm standing in front of it," Robinson said, gesturing to the Falcons-themed backdrop. Actually, Robinson wanted to play for two teams that wear red and black, but one turned him down. He longed to be a Bulldog, but the hometown school, which was nearing the end of Jim Donnan's regime, didn't want him. (Robinson wound up at ..."
March 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
"
The Falcons are holding Dunta Robinson's introductory press briefing today at 5 p.m. at the palatial Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation offices, and I'll be wandering over for the festivities. But first I want to think out loud. (Always dangerous, I'll grant you.) With Robinson signed and Brian Williams re-signed, the Falcons have their starting cornerbacks. Pretty much everyone had them ticketed to draft a cornerback in Round 1, but that thinking would seem to have been rendered inoperative. At issue now: Have the Falcons shored up their secondary - and thereby their defense - to the extent that they're free to draft an offensive player in Round 1 should someone of worth be available at ..."
March 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The completion of the deal revolves around the compensation that the Falcons would receive and some boilerplate trade language. The Falcons could receive an undisclosed draft pick and perhaps switch positions with the Lions in another round of the draft. The trade rumors had the Falcons talking to each other on twitter Sunday night. Pro Bowl wide receiver Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez were trading tweets. White wrote, "@TonyGonzalez88 we have not lost anyone yet that (you) know. We added Dunta Robinson and we may trade Chris Houston so we improving the D." Houston, 25, finished last season on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury. Houston was a second-round pick ..."
March 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Given the expected signing by the Falcons of free agent cornerback Dunta Robinson, it probably changes the focus of the team's draft, at least in the first round. There's no real reason to take a cornerback, not with so many issues to address. (UPDATE: Robinson has signed a six-year deal with the Falcons, per Mr. Ledbetter. Details will be forthcoming but here's a link to his current blog. Nice job by the Falcons.) The chances of the team drafting a running back in the first round - C.J. Spiller, for example - also likely are dead after Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling were given contract tenders. (Technically, they could still be traded, but that doesn't seem likely.) So, having ..."
March 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Former Houston Texans' cornerback Dunta Robinson, a native of Athens, agreed to terms on a six-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, according to his agent Jason Chayut. The terms of the deal were not undisclosed. The Falcons are expected to make an official announcement on Saturday. By signing Robinson, the Falcons are hoping to improve their pass defense which ranked 28th in the league last season, giving up 241.9 yards per game. The Falcons also re-signed cornerback Brian Williams to a one-year contract on Thursday. At the NFL scouting combine last Thursday, Falcons head coach Mike Smith said that the pass defense would be improved. "We did not play the pass as well as ..."
March 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Welcome to Mock Draft 2.0! This is the first one since getting back from the NFL scouting combine. There was plenty of information to digest from Falcons head coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff who addressed the national meeting. The Falcons won the coin toss and officially will19th in the draft. With the ongoing Dunta Robinson talks, it's safe to conclude that they will not take a cornerback with the first round pick. The Falcons like their defensive ends and have concluded that a healthy Peria Jeria would have helped the pass rush immensely. Therefore, they are not compelled to reach for a defensive end after taking a tackle and an end in last year's draft. Also, this ..."
March 6
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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As a reward for the persistence (and deep pockets), Atlanta has landed the top cornerback in the 2010 free agent class. The six-year veteran has agreed to a six-year deal with the Falcons, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The total value of the deal is not yet known. The 5'10", 184-pound Robinson will now be charged with the task of helping the Falcons turn around a pass defense that ranked 28th in the NFL in 2009 (241.9 yds/gm)."
March 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Cornerback Dunta Robinson is set to meet with the Falcons this morning and is expected to sign with the team. Robinson turned down$23 million guaranteed last year when the Houston Texans franchised him. Last season, he made $9.57 million. Last season, he covered the opponent's best receiver. Robinson is a native of Athens and played at Clarke Central High before going onto star at the University of South Carolina. He was the 10th player selected in the 2004 draft by the Texans. Robinson was an immediate starter at right cornerback, making all 16 starts as rookie. Robinson, who turns 27 in April, is a former first round pick (10th overall in 2004). Houston gave him the franchise tag last ..."
March 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
There's nothing free about free agency. When the clock hit midnight, the Falcons were not innocent bystanders this season. The Falcons have stated that they plan to be fiscally responsible during free agency, but were in negotiations with free agent cornerback Dunta Robinson, who played at Clarke Central in Athens and South Carolina, shortly after free agency begin. He was generally considered the top unrestricted player at his position. Talks went into the early morning and are set to pick up later on Friday. Robinson, who turns 27 in April, is a former first round pick (10th overall in 2004)."
March 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
KVB says: "Is that Thomas Dimitroff on Line 1?" I've been telling you what players I'd rather the Falcons not pursue: Julius Peppers, Dunta Robinson, even C.J. Spiller. Today, for variety's sake, I offer one they should target, and he's a big man with a big name: Kyle Vanden Bosch. He's a defensive end. He has been a top-flight pass rusher, though not lately. He had only three sacks for Tennessee in 2009. (Still, that's better than Jamaal Anderson has managed in his career.) He's an effort guy, a leadership guy. I'm not saying he's a long-term fix - he's 31 - but he'll become a free agent tomorrow and he just made the Pro Bowl for the third time. Understand: I wouldn't break the budget to ..."
March 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The Falcons have started to make moves with their restricted free agents. The team has made tender offers to right tackle Tyson Clabo, right guard Harvey Dahl, running back Jerious Norwood, punter Michael Koenen and offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka, according to their representatives. Clabo, Norwood and Dahl all have four accrued NFL seasons and received first round tenders. With the first round tender their salary for 2010 will be $2.521 million or 110 percent of their 2009 salary, whichever is greater."
March 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff acknowledged that a major part of the team's defensive woes last season were attributed to a player who vanished after September: first-round pick Peria Jerry. Jerry started two games at defensive tackle before suffering a season-ending knee injury against Carolina. After Jerry was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 21, the Falcons defense still finished tied for 10th against the run (106.9 yards per game) with Tennessee and Houston. But it struggled against the pass (28th in the league at 241.9 yards per game). Critical to that deficiency was the lack of a pass rush, which recorded just 28 sacks, 26th in the league. And that was where Jerry ..."
March 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
"
C.J. Spiller ran a 4.37 40 at the NFL combine this week, and that's really fast. That's not so fast, however, as to convince me he'd be the right fit for the Falcons. I'd gone back and forth on this one, and last week I asked for your help. Fifty-five percent of more than 2,000 respondents in a quickie poll suggested the Falcons should pass on the fleet Clemson back "only if they're nuts." (The Falcons, it should be stipulated, have done nutty things in past drafts, but they've been remarkably sane under the Dimitroff-Smith administration.) Many of you made impassioned and cogent cases on Spiller's behalf, and it was hard for me not to be swayed by them. Hard. But not impossible. Having ..."
February 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, the second rated outside linebacker in the draft by Pro Football Weekly, is doing his due diligence on the Falcons. "I've seen Mr. (Thomas) Dimitroff out here a couple of times and he's a great guy," Weatherspoon said. As the Falcons have tried to rebuild their defensive, Dimitroff has used both of his second picks on players from the Big 12 conference. In 2008, he selected Oklahoma linebacker Curtis Lofton. Last season, Missouri safety William Moore was the pick. Weatherspoon, wants to be drafted higher, but wouldn't mind coming to the Falcons at the 19th pick."
February 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Falcons coach Mike Smith said that quarterback Matt Ryan is fully recovered from his "turf toe" injury and is back running at full speed. Ryan missed most of one game and two full games with the injury. He rarely practiced over the final six games, but started the final three. "We think that Matt will be ready to go on March 22 when we open up our offseason conditioning program," Smith said Friday at the NFL scouting combine. "Matt had a significant toe injury there at the end of the season." Initially, the Falcons thought Ryan would be out six weeks. He was injured on the first series of the Tampa Bay game Nov. 29. Chris Redman started against Philadelphia and New Orleans. Ryan came back ..."
February 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
In his latest mock draft, Don Banks of SI.com still has the Falcons taking the same cornerback with the 19th pick in Round 1 - Kyle Wilson of Boise State. But that's not the intriguing part. The intriguing part is the player Banks has slotted to go 20th overall. C.J. Spiller, running back, Clemson. In every draft, for every team, there's a name that assumes outsize importance. ("Wouldn't it be great if our team got that guy?") For Falcons fans, Spiller is that name this time. He played up the road. He played against Georgia Tech every season. He made spectacular plays. His drafting would excite a constituency in a way no offensive tackle ever could. That said … The Falcons have a great ..."
February 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The Atlanta Falcons wide receiving corps is in somewhat of a transitional phase as it looks to the 2010 Off-Season. Once a great source of strength, the wide receivers have been depleted by injuries, age, and failure to find young players that could take advantage of opportunities. Roddy White is the obvious playmaker of the position, making two consecutive Pro Bowls and going over 1,000 yards receiving and almost 25 touchdowns in 3 years. White continues to beat coverages and double-teams to make plays on the field. Even without a legitimate threat on the other side or the slot (at least last year), White maintains the ability to stretch the field, make big catches, and get in the ..."
February 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The Falcons' braintrust has been holed up in the Flowery Branch facilities, poring over video, sipping energy drinks and re-arranging names on their 2010 draft board. Now it's time to put faces to those names when the NFL scouting combine opens Wednesday and runs through March 2 in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. "Myself, [coach] Mike Smith and our entire scouting staff are ramped up about evaluating these players up in Indy," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "We will spend [a great deal] of time digging into their backgrounds and interviewing these players." More than 300 players, including 25 with ties to Georgia, have been invited to what is tantamount to the NFL's job ..."
February 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The San Diego Chargers released running back LaDainian Tomlinson Monday, after nine seasons. The Falcons plucked away his backup, Michael Turner, two seasons ago in free agency. Turner is currently backed up by Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling. Both are set to become restricted free agents. Norwood will be one if a labor agreement isn't reach by March 1. Snelling, who played strong last season, finshed with a 147-yard rushing effort against Tampa Bay. He'll be a restricted free agent no matter what."
February 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Let's get at it. This is our first Mock draft for this season. Mock Draft 1.0! We willit each Friday leading up to the April 22, 23 and 24 draft. For starters, we have the Falcons winning the coin flip with Houston and selecting 19th overall. Commissioner Roger Goodell will step to the podium and announce, "With the 19th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Atlanta FalconsMichigan defensive end Brandon Graham." Under this scenario, based mostly on post-season college games, conference calls with draft analysts Mel Kiper (ESPN) and Mike Mayock (NFL Network) and some reporter chatter, the Falcons will have a tough decision. Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson, Oklahoma State cornerback Perrish Cox ..."
February 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Bill Musgrave, the Falcons' new assistant head coach, doesn't expect his role to change much after receiving a new title this week. He will remain in his role as the quarterbacks coach, continuing to work on the development of Matt Ryan, John Parker Wilson and D.J. Shockley. Chris Redman, last season's backup, could become an unrestricted free agent on March 5."
February 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Bill Musgrave, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback coach, was promoted to assistant head coach on Tuesday, the team announced. Musgrave will remain in his role as the quarterback coach. Musgrave, 42, has worked with some of the league's top quarterbacks, including Indianapolis' Peyton Manning. This offseason he was coveted by several teams, but elected to stay with the Falcons. He is currently in charge of developing Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who won the league's rookie of the year award in 2008. Musgrave has been with the Falcons since 2006. "Bill has been an integral part of this coaching staff and this is a well deserved promotion," said Falcons head coach Mike Smith in a statement ..."
February 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
While the Atlanta Falcons defense received much of the criticism in 2009, the offense shouldn't have escaped the malignment either. A beacon of bright hope in 2008, the Falcons offense included the 2nd leading rushing offense, Pro Bowler running back Michael Turner, Pro Bowl wide receiver Roddy White, and Offensive Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan. Adding arguably the best tight end to ever play the game assumed that the offense would be among the most thrilling to watch in 2009. A huge number of injuries throughout the season coupled with a sophomore QB decrease led to the Falcons dropping to the middle of the pack in the NFL in terms of offense. The offensive players weren't the only ones to ..."
February 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Last week, Falcons head coach Mike Smith gave the assistant coaches Friday off. They'd be grinding pretty hard and the extra day would give them a chance for a four-day weekend . But the Falcons new secondary coach Tim Lewis, with his wife and kids still back in Seattle, went to work on his "off day." "I'm trying to get a chance to learn what we are doing," Lewis said. "Jump right into it. It's not like they are going to stop their offseason projects and teach Tim all of the defenses. No, it's not going to work that way." One thing is certain, there will be some changes in the secondary under Lewis. "We didn't get it done, but hopefully we tweak some things, change some things, add some ..."
February 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The NFL free-agency period is approaching, and the Falcons fired their first shot last week when they signed wide receiver Brian Finneran to a one-year contract extension. The team must make decisions on eight other players who are set to become unrestricted free agents March 5 and on nine potential restricted free agents and one exclusive rights free agent. Backup quarterback Chris Redman, who played well in relief of Matt Ryan in three games last season, and starting cornerback Brian Williams, could become free agents. Finneran, a nine-year veteran, figures to provide veteran depth to the wide receiving corps if he can hold off any possible free agent and rookie challenges. Finneran, ..."
February 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran, who was set to become a free agent on March 5, signed a one-year contract extension on Thursday, the team announced. Finneran could have waited and had other teams bargain for his services, but the nine-year veteran wanted to return to the Falcons. Finneran, 34, was waived by Seattle and Philadelphia before being signed by the Falcons to the practice squad on Dec. 13, 1999. He hopes to finish his career with the team. "Now, I know I'm going to be a Falcon next year and I can start preparing that way," said Finneran, a fundraiser for Haiti that he was attending. "Being up there up at the facility and working with the team, the coaches and everything ..."
February 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
A contrite Michael Vick told an Atlanta radio station Wednesday he wishes he had shown more dedication to his craft while quarterbacking the Falcons. It was one of many regrets Vick expressed in the interview with 790 AM The Zone. "There was a lot more I could have done off the field and in the film room that could have elevated my game to a different level," Vick said. "I was complacent at the time, somewhat lazy, and I settled for mediocrity. I thought what I was doing was enough." In contrast, Vick, who will turn 30 in June, said he's training hard for what may be his last opportunity to start in the NFL. "I'm stronger, I feel fast and I'm back to my old-school workouts," he said. "I ..."
February 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The 1966 throwbacks uniforms are here to stay. For at least four more seasons, the Falcons will strut in those classics for at least one game. Falcons president Rich McKay told the team's website the story about how the plan involved a five-year commitment to the old jerseys, helmets and pants. Last season, they asked the players if they liked how the uniforms looked. The players approved of the look and asked to wear them for two games. The Falcons went 2-0 in the throwback uniforms."
February 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
After the Pro Football Writers of America meeting (yours truly is second vice president), I caught up with Falcons coach Mike Smith and owner Arthur Blank while they were working radio row. (Missed Thomas Dimitroff, who made his rounds on Thursday). Smith talked with the local shows. He talked with Doc Walker and John Thompson from the D.C. station."