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Safety - Just a disaster
this year for the Falcons, with
clueless Chris Crocker paired
with rapidly-aging Lawyer Milloy.
Lawyer Milloy will be 34 this
year. It would be great if the
Falcons could bring in a young
stud safety and have him learn
under Milloy for a year. This is
a must-address situation for
Atlanta, through both free
agency and the draft.
Wide Receiver -
Regardless of how much you blame
Mike Vick for this offense's
struggles, the receivers have
been very poor. Roddy White led
the team in receiving yards with
only 506 yards. Atlanta used
first round picks on Michael
Jenkins and Roddy White, but
don't be surprised if they use
another high pick on this
position in 2007.
Offensive Line -
Atlanta's pass protection has
struggled this year, and finding
a quality right tackle should be
high on the priority list. Wayne
Gandy will be 36 this year.
That's ancient in the trenches.
Defensive End - The
Falcons would be wise to upgrade
Abraham's backup spot as that
person figures to get plenty of
playing time when Abraham takes
his usual spot in the injury
report
Running Back -
Warrick
Dunn will be thirty-two years
old, roughly the same age as
Methuselah when you are talking
about running backs. After Dunn,
the Falcons have 2006
third-round pick Jerious Norwood
to hand the ball to. The
emphasis of need depends on
Norwood, and whether the
organization feels that he can
be a true number one and carry
the load.
Atlanta Falcons Free Agency
Notes:
The end of the Jim Mora era is
also end of the Alex Gibbs era
as mastermind of the blocking
philosophy which will make many
defensive linemen throughout the
league happy and healthier, so
bigger offensive linemen will be
needed for a more conventional
scheme. Veteran tackles Todd
Weiner and Wayne Gandy have
played in such schemes, but the
line needs better pass-blockers.
Even with return of a healthy
Brian Finneran, the Falcons need
help at receiver, especially if
Lelie is not re-signed. The team
finished the season with only
four receivers; more depth will
be needed as new coach Bobby
Petrino adds balance to the
league's worst passing attack.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:
FBs Justin Griffith and Fred
McCrary; CB Chris Cash; PK
Morten Andersen; DE Patrick
Kerney; WR Ashley Lelie.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:
TE Dwayne Blakley; QB Matt
Schaub; LB Demorrio Williams; C
Austin King
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