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Reported:
January 27th
Discuss
the Falcons Team Needs in the Falcons Forum
| Offense |
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OT |
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The left tackle position has been a concerning spot for the Falcons
since veteran Bob Whitfield manned the position. Kevin Shaffer took
over the position for Whitfield in 2004 but the Falcons are not sure
if he is the long-term solution at the position. Shaffer, along with
Barry Stokes, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason and could
draw some interest from other teams if Falcons do not wrap him up
before March. There should be a quality tackle available when the
Falcons pick in the first or second round since it is a position of
strength this season. If Mike Vick is to grow in the West Coast offense
he is going to need to feel more comfortable in the pocket. Don't
be shocked if the Falcons spend their first round pick on an offensive
tackle if a guy like Jon Scott out of Texas falls to them, but it's
more likely that they will select one in rounds 2-4. |
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RB |
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know that the Falcons boast a formidable backfield of Warrick Dunn
and T.J. Duckett, but Dunn is starting to get up there in age (31)
as running backs go and may not have many more productive seasons
left in his legs. Dunn isn't the biggest back in the league, measuring
in at 5'9", 180 lbs. and you have to start asking yourself how
much longer he can hold up. T.J. Duckett just isn't an every-down
back and is injury prone. It would be wise for the Falcons to take
a look at a younger, project-type back in this draft and groom his
to take the reigns of the backfield in the next year or two. |
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| Defense |
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S |
Keion Carpenter
is a very good strong safety, but he is an unrestricted free agent
this offeseason and plans to test out the free agent waters. The Falcons
would be smart to pick Michael Huff out of Texas if he is available
when they are on the clock, but he may not slip that far down the
board. Ronnie Heard was brought in last season from the Forty-Niners
to help out the Falcons defense but his play was marginal and he doesn't
have the range you would like to see out of your FS. He is also a
free agent that the team may not be able to keep around. The Falcons
could be best suited to shop around on the free agent market to fill
this need and could look at a guy like Will Demps. |
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DE |
The Falcons had
a heckova time stopping the run in 2005 and a good deal of the blame
lands on the shoulders of their aging defensive ends. While Patrick
Kearny has plenty of productive years left in his tank, Brady Smith
is starting to break down a bit, missing 11 games in 2005 due to various
injuries. The Falcons could really benefit by bringing in a young
defensive end through the draft. Both Mathias Kiwanuka and Tamba Hali
could be available when the Falcons are on the clock. Either one would
be a good choice and go a long way in solving the Falcons problems
against the run. |
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DT |
The
Falcons really need to address the depth along their defensive front.
Chad Lavalaius has shown some talent, despite being a 5th round pick
and Rod Coleman is a very strong players against the run and pass,
but beyond them, the depth is questionable. They would be best suited
to find a young body in the middle round of the draft or pick up a
reliable veteran in the free agent market this offseason. |
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Falcons 2006 Free Agents
| Player |
Pos |
Status |
| Antwan Lake |
DE |
UFA |
| Todd Peterson |
K |
UFA |
| Artie Ulmer |
LB |
UFA |
| Erik Flowers |
LB |
UFA |
| Barry Stokes |
OT |
UFA |
| Kevin Shaffer |
OT |
UFA |
| Ty Detmer |
QB |
UFA |
| Antuan Edwards |
S |
UFA |
| Keion Carpenter |
S |
UFA |
| Kevin McCadam |
S |
UFA |
| Omare Lowe |
S |
UFA |
| Ronnie Heard |
S |
UFA |
| Dez White |
WR |
UFA |
| Jerome Pathon |
WR |
UFA |
Falcons
2005 Season Ending Depth Chart
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OFFENSE
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WR_X
84 Roddy White 86 Brian Finneran 89 Dez White 11 Kerry Johnson
LT 76 Kevin Shaffer 70 Frank Omiyale
LG 61 Matt Lehr 69 Ben Claxton
C 62 Todd McClure 66 Austin King
RG 65 Kynan Forney 69 Ben Claxton
RT 74 Todd Weiner 79 Barry Stokes
TE 83 Alge Crumpler 80 Eric Beverly 85 Dwayne Blakley
WR_Z 12 Michael Jenkins 82 Jerome Pathon 87 Cedric Bonner
QB 7 Michael Vick 8 Matt Schaub 14 Ty Detmer
FB 33 Justin Griffith 44 Fred McCrary
RB 28 Warrick Dunn 45 T.J. Duckett 34 DeAndra Cobb
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DEFENSE
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LDE
97 Patrick Kerney 70 Erik Flowers 93 Constantin Ritzmann
NT 94 Chad Lavalais 96 Antwan Lake 71 Darrell Shropshire
UT 75 Rod Coleman 95 Jonathan Babineaux
RDE 91 Brady Smith 92 Chauncey Davis 73 Josh Savage
BLB 51 Demorrio Williams 59 Michael Boley
MLB 50 Edgerton Hartwell 52 Jordan Beck 54 Artie Ulmer
WLB 56 Keith Brooking 98 Ike Reese
LCB 21 DeAngelo Hall 23 Kevin Mathis 20 Allen Rossum 30 Brandon Williams
RCB 36 Jason Webster 27 Chris Cash 22 Leigh Torrence 37 Ahmad Treaudo
SS 29 Keion Carpenter 42 Antuan Edwards 26 Omare Lowe 39 Cam Newton
FS 38 Ronnie Heard 24 Bryan Scott 25 Kevin McCadam
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SPECIALISTS
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PK
2 Todd Peterson 9 Michael Koenen
P 9 Michael Koenen
KO 9 Michael Koenen 2 Todd Peterson
H 8 Matt Schaub 9 Michael Koenen
PR 20 Allen Rossum 21 DeAngelo Hall 12 Michael Jenkins
KOR 20 Allen Rossum 34 DeAndra Cobb 84 Roddy White
PC 48 Derek Rackley 83 Alge Crumpler
KC 48 Derek Rackley 83 Alge Crumpler
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