Falcons: Meet the 2012 Draft Class
ROUND 2: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsion
Center Todd McClure was re-signed during free agency. Also, Joe Hawley started three games at center last season. The right guard position was problematic as Garrett Reynolds opened the season as the starter after beating out Mike Johnson. When Reynolds struggled, Hawley took over at right guard.
He will have a chance to win the right guard spot and serve an apprenticeship under McClure before sliding over to center. Konz is considered quick and agile for his size. He could pull on sweeps and hit moving targets, which was considered a weakness of the line by former offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. The line’s lack of mobility was cited when Mularkey was pressed about why he didn’t call more screen passes last season.
Round 3: Lamar Holmes, T, Southern Miss
The Falcons hope that the bulky Holmes will help them improve their run game. He will get a shot at both left and right tackle. He played right and left tackle in junior college before playing exclusively left tackle at Southern Miss. He’s mean and athletic.
Coach Mike Smith said he plans to have an open competition all along the offensive line. Holmes will get a shot to play left tackle and beat out Sam Baker and Will Svitek. He wouldn’t rule out moving Tyson Clabo over to the left side in order to help stabilize the unit.
ROUND 5: BRADIE EWING, FB, Wisconsin
The Falcons, who struggled in short-yardage situations last season, brought in some competition for Pro Bowl fullback Ovie Mughelli, who is trying to bounce back from knee surgery. Ewing started his career as a walk-on for the Badgers. After his second year at the Big Ten school, he was awarded a scholarship. He is noted for his blocking. He registered 30 touchdown-resulting blocks.
ROUND 5: JONATHAN MASSAQUOI, DE, Troy
Massaquoi moved to the United States from Liberia when he was six months old. He committed to Troy coming out of high school, but started his career at Butler Community College in Kansas. He played there for a year before honoring his commitment to Troy. Massaquoi ran the 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds at the Scouting Combine, had a 33 1/2-inch vertical jump and lifted 225 pounds 20 times.
ROUND 6: CHARLES MITCHELL, SS, Mississippi State
He will provide depth behind William Moore and Thomas Decoud in the secondary. He played in 37 games for the Bulldogs over his career. He was a hard-hitter with 188 tackles and four career interceptions. He played as a true freshman after being named the state’s Gatorade player of the year. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds at Mississippi State’s Pro Day. He lifted 225 pounds 19 times and had a 37-inch vertical at the Scouting Combine. He was a team captain.
ROUND 7: TRAVIAN ROBERTSON, DT, South Carolina
The Falcons expect Robertson to add some girth to the middle of their defense as a run-stuffing tackle. He is strong at the point of the attack and has some range to track down ball carriers. He was considered a key player in the interior of the Gamecocks’ defense.
Falcons Bring Samuels Back to Their Nest
Gayle Saunders
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Falcons finally get the deal done and Asante Samuel goes from being an Eagle to a Falcon. The Eagles in return receive a late-round draft pick. Asante Samuel signed a 3 year deal for 18.5 Million dollars.
Its believed that the pick is a sixth round pick in the 2012 draft and now the Falcons only have 5 draft picks remaining in this years draft. From the looks of it Asante Samuel will take the left cornerback spot and Brent Grimes will slide to the slot, while Dunta Robinson will be on the right side.
The Skinny: The Falcons have a great looking secondary and with Samuels still a playmaker it solidifies their secondary. Im sure Mike Nolan will make use of a playmaking corner like Asante. Lets not forget that in four of the past five seasons he averaged 6.5 interceptions. Now the Falcons can focus on upgrading their pass rush.
Asante Samuel Interest Gets Grimes to Sign?
Gayle Saunders
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Falcons finally got their franchise player in Brent Grimes to sign his one-year $10.431 million contract.
Seeing that the Falcons have been sniffing up Asante Samuels tree as of late it could be a good reason he signed his deal. Perhaps the Falcons are bluffing by showing interest in Samuel, but either way they could probably could have had Sanuel for a lesser price tag.
The Skinny: Grimes is looking for long term money, and he’s hoping the Falcons can get a deal done by July. Either way the Falcons will have Grimes for the beginning of their offseason program. Right now he’ll play good until July 16, which is the due date for a long-term agreement to be reached. Now that Grimes and Robinson are inked the chances of Samuel to the Atlanta Falcons is slim. That would be way too much money at the position.
Asante Samuel trade to the Atlanta Falcons on hold!
Gayle Saunders
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The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that the problem thats arising with trading Asante Samuel to the Atlanta Falcons is his contract and not the compensation for the Eagles.
At the moment its being reported that both sides have agreed on a late round pick in this years draft. Even though Samuels is willing to take a pay cut there might be a problem getting him to lower his demands.
The Skinny: Even though Asante is willing to restucture, it doesnt mean he’s going to sell him self short, knowing the Eagles are trying to move him by Thursday makes the situation even tougher. As an Eagle fan i’m gonna miss this guy, but after a year of the rumors of trading him, its best that it get done sooner than later. Good luck Asante!
Pre Draft Visits: Atlanta Falcons
By Gayle Saunders
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League rules allow each team to bring in 30 players for predraft visits. No on-field work is allowed. The visits are simply an opportunity for the players to sit down with the coaches, as well as the personnel people, for any additional questions, football or otherwise.
Not every player accepts every invitation he receives, so teams don’t always get the first 30 players they requested. But coaches often will look at video with players to get a sense of their football awareness, or put them to work, marker in hand, on the dry-erase board to see how they dissect certain game situations.
One important fact to note from last years draft is, 21 of the NFL’s 32 1st round selections had confirmed pre-draft visits and/or workouts with the NFL teams they were selected by. So there is a good shot that he players below will get drafted if they’re on the board during the teams draft selection.
Below we’ll be updating the chart of pre-draft visits, if you have a player visit you’d like us to add to the chart leave a comment and I’ll add it. Thanks for your help in advance!
LAST UPDATED 4/18/12
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Atlanta Falcons
David Wilson -RB from Virginia Tech
Ryan Broyles – WR from Oklahoma
Ladarius Green -TE from Louisiana-Lafayette
Adrien Robinson -TE from Cincinnati
Kelechi Osemele OT from Iowa State
Mitchell Schwartz -OT from California
Donald Stephenson -OT from Oklahoma
Gino Gradkowski G/C from Delaware
Brandon Thompson -DT from Clemson
Josh Chapman – DT from Alabama
Andre Branch -DE from Clemson
Kourtnei Brown -DE from Clemson
Tim Fugger – DE from Vanderbilt
Melvin Ingram -DE from South Carolina
Mychal Kendricks -LB from California
Casey Hayward – CB from Vanderbilt
Tavon Wilson – Safety from Illinois
Trumaine Johnson – CB from Montana
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Atlanta Falcons on HBO’s Hard Knocks?
Atlanta Falcons Leading Candidate for HBO’s Hard Knocks
Right now there are lots of rumors going around on who will the next team that will be picked for the next season of HBO’s Hard Knocks.
Even though ESPN reported that the Jets have been the hot contender a couple of weeks back, sources are reporting that the Falcons are now a leading candidate for the series.
The Florida Times-Union reports that the Jaguars are interested in the series, but Fox Sports Adam Schein says the Broncos have turned down the chance to be on the series. HBO has also placed the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers on the networks wish list.
Atlanta Falcons
Team Needs and Draft: Atlanta must continue to help Ryan, and the biggest need is a quick inside receiver who can win against tight, man-to-man coverage when teams pack the middle of the field.The Falcons have plenty of work to do, and it’ll be even tougher without all those draft picks. But the first step is taking an honest look in the mirror and acknowledging the true state of the franchise.
2012 Draft Picks
2.23, 3.22, 5.22, 6.23, 7.22
Free Agent Signings
LB Lofa Tatupu
2011 Draft Picks
1st: Julio Jones (WR) Alabama
3rd: Akeem Dent (ILB) Georgia
5th: Jacquizz Rodgers (RB) Oregon St
6th: Matt Bosher (P) Miami
7th: Andrew Jackson (OG) Fresno St
7th: Cliff Matthews (DE) S Carolina
John Abraham is Headed for the Free Agent Market
It looks like after John Abraham’s player rep met with the Falcons,he now believes his client is headed for the free agent market.
The Falcons are most likely looking to the draft and free agency to replace the 34 year old pass rusher. In 2011 Pass rush was a problem for the Falcons in 2011, even with Abraham on the roster and free agent Ray Edwards in the mix. Atlanta’s defense tied for 22nd in sacks and ranked 20th against the pass.
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