Falcons make a splash
Day One of free agency passed and what a manic one. Three new signings by the Falcons, two re-signings and two releases of starters from last year. All this on just one team. They were not alone though - major headline signings, major headline releases and even a QB trade.
My quick hit thoughts first :
- Maybe it's the higher than expected salary cap, but there was a definite flurry of activity, far greater than last year, as free agency opened
- Maybe it's the Seahawks blueprint, but the skill positions are no longer the focus in free agency : I counted only 2 RB's changing teams (Toby Gerhart to Jacksonville and Donald Brown to San Diego) and one TE (John Carlson to Arizona) and not a single WR or QB (excluding the surprise trade of the day - a draft pick from SF for Blaine Gabbert, yes you read that right!)
Onto the Falcons early doors activities and a possible sea change in defensive personnel and scheme. It may be a pass oriented league but the Falcons have looked to address their 31st rank against the run initially, with two wide bodies in Tyson Jackson and Paul Soliai. They're going to give the Falcons the opportunity to add 3-4 into the mix far more effectively. However solid these signings are, the Falcons have yet to address the pass rush woes which stick out as the main weakness of a defense which faces Drew Brees twice a year.
The Falcons also addressed the current roster, with the re-signing of the under-rated DT Jonathan Babineaux and tying up part-time starting Center Joe Hawley for two further years. The Front Office did not sit still, the release of Tony Gonzalez avoiding a $3m roster bonus and the release of FS Thomas Decoud one year from Pro Bowl selection after a poor 2013. It was not a day to miss at Flowery Branch.
So onto a little bit about the new boys
Paul Soliai DT/NT
The signing of Paul Soliai combined with Jackson (below) potentially forms a formidable run defense partnership. At 6-4 and 340 plus pounds, Soliai is a huge, run-stuffing defensive tackle who can man the Nose in the 3-4 also. The signing re-unites him with Mike Nolan and is a clear signal that the Falcons Front Office wants to toughen up the defensive line. He's a definite upgrade in the middle of the front four and allows Nolan the ability to mix up the fronts with greater flexibility. At $33m ($14m guaranteed) over 5 years for a 30-yr old it's a sizeable deal but the D-Line improves immediately.
Tyson Jackson DE
Five years on from #3 selection overall in the draft, Jackson is a mountain of a defensive end at 6-4 and close to 300 pounds. People will point to him not having lived up to his billing as a high draft pick, but what he has become is a first rate run-plugger for the Chiefs. Jackson is best suited as a 3-4 end which again suggests more hybrid fronts from Mike Nolan. At 27 years of age, he's still relatively young in free agency terms. However, the $25m over 5 years seems quite a lot of cash to splash on a DE who won't be the solution to a poor pass rush (his best sack tally in a season amounts to only 4 and he only holds 9 career sacks to date).
Jon Asamoah G
The Front Office returned to the Chiefs to sign Asamoah, who is a young veteran lineman with starting experience who should be an upgrade on the previous incumbents at right guard. It's a need area and he graded out positively in the run game and his strength is in pass blocking. This should be a good fit for the organisation. The one question mark is the midseason benching in favour of Geoff Schwartz midway through 2013, and surprisingly both these guards were allowed to leave by the Chiefs during free agency.
Where next?
The pass-rush still needs addressing
The O-Line is crying out for a right tackle
Further depth needed at Tight End and Linebacker
Revis?
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