tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490Mon, 12 May 2008 23:29:12 +0000http://www.falcfans.com/wire/noreply@blogger.com (Aaron)Blogger392125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-7687696075865845876Mon, 12 May 2008 23:27:00 +00002008-05-12T19:29:13.779-04:00rosterfree agencyThe Falcons had eight additional players working out with the team over the weekend that were not signed to contracts. Among them were Hawaii wideout C.J. Hawthorne and Auburn safety Eric Brock, which previous reports falsely indicated had signed with the team. All of these players are vying for chances to be officially signed by the team and brought to training camp in July. Also among them arehttp://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/05/falcons-work-out-eight-at-minicamp.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-6337838048460829282Mon, 12 May 2008 22:41:00 +00002008-05-12T18:47:28.963-04:00HorntradeSteve Wyche of the AJC reports that Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn desires the team to trade him. According to Wyche, Horn wants to be moved due to his desire for increased playing time. "I want to win a Super Bowl and I want to win a Super Bowl here in Atlanta, but I don't think I can help this team win a Super Bowl sitting on the bench, waiting for third down... They're going with the younger http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/05/horn-wants-trade.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-1406629522510195429Thu, 08 May 2008 04:20:00 +00002008-05-08T00:32:34.045-04:00front officeThe Falcons announced the hiring of Lionel Vital as the team's new assistant director of player personnel. Vital was among candidates the Falcons interviewed following the draft to beef up their front office. Last week the Falcons hired former Indianapolis Colts scout David Caldwell as the team's new director of college scouting. Vital has previous working experience with Dimitroff, having spenthttp://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/05/falcons-hire-vital.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-6058478648019492263Thu, 08 May 2008 03:09:00 +00002008-05-07T23:19:29.755-04:00ESPN's John Clayton reports that the Falcons have the second highest rookie salary cap pool in the league with approximately $7.92 milion. The Falcons will need to find a way to sign all eleven of their draft picks by fitting into that pool. Last season, the Falcons had the same number of picks but had the league's highest rookie cap.http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/05/falcons-have-2nd-highest-rookie-cap.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-2571924843812583366Mon, 05 May 2008 04:30:00 +00002008-05-05T00:31:19.793-04:00legalBoleyThe AJC reports that Falcons linebacker Michael Boley was arrested on Saturday on battery charges and has been released on $1,200 bond. Falcons officials indicated they are aware of Boley's arrest, but have no comment. Boley last month signed a one-year restricted free agent tender worth over $2 million, and the team has been trying to give him a long-term extension.http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/05/boley-arrested-on-battery-charges.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-2127654363782790629Fri, 02 May 2008 13:20:00 +00002008-05-02T09:21:08.494-04:00draftfree agencyThe Honolulu Advertister reports that the Falcons have signed wide receiver C.J. Hawthorne, formerly of the University of Hawaii. Hawthorne finished fourth on the team last season with 61 catches for 859 yards and 6 touchdowns. The 5'11" 167 wideout played cornerback as a junior. He had 16 tackles and 1 interception, starting 5 of 14 games that year. He was a transfer from Southwest Gulf Coast http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/05/falcons-sign-hawaii-wr.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-2576280855774738008Thu, 01 May 2008 16:28:00 +00002008-05-01T12:29:29.880-04:00front officeThe Falcons announced the hiring of David Caldwell as the team's new director of college scouting. Caldwell recently served as western regional scout for the Indianapolis Colts since 2006. The previous eight seasons he was an area scout with the Colts. He also spent two years as a scouting assistant with the Carolina Panthers (1996-97). Caldwell is a graduate of John Carroll University, where hehttp://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/05/falcons-hire-caldwell-as-college.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-1167876401076340611Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:21:00 +00002008-04-30T11:34:25.596-04:00draftfree agencyAccording to the Anniston Star, the Falcons haven't finished adding undrafted free agents. The Star reports that Auburn safety Eric Brock has been signed by the team. The 6' 208-pounder was a three-year starter at Auburn at strong safety. He finished his career with 149 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 13 pass breakups. TheFalcons have really attempted to beef up their secondary the past few days. http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcons-add-another-undrafted-safety.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-8925477928691553089Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:05:00 +00002008-04-30T11:10:27.757-04:00front officeMike Klis of the Denver Post reports that the Denver Broncos have hired Brian Xanders as an assistant GM. Xanders has been a long-time front office employee and assistant coach with the Falcons, joining the team 14 years ago. According to Klis, the Falcons attempted to entice Xanders to stay, but he opted to leave for Denver where he is expected to have an expansion of his duties that he http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/xanders-gets-job-in-denver.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-5447545848864335746Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:55:00 +00002008-04-30T00:56:31.820-04:00free agencyJust like a year ago, this is where you can stay up to date as we monitor which free agents go in and out of Atlanta. Coming Apr. 29 - S Nick Turnbull, Bengals Apr. 29 - WR Chandler Williams, Dolphins Mar. 21 - K Jason Elam, Broncos (4 yrs.) Mar. 14 - TE Jason Rader, Patriots Mar. 10 - C Alex Stepanovich, Bengals (2 yrs.) Mar. 7 - DT Rashad Moore, Patriots (1 yr.) Mar. 7 - DE Simon Fraser, http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/02/2008-free-agent-tracker.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-6787089838560814970Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:34:00 +00002008-04-29T13:33:26.965-04:00front officeThe Denver Post reports that Falcons director of football administration Brian Xanders is a candidate for an upper-level personnel position in the Denver Broncos front office. Earlier this off-season, the Broncos fired GM Ted Sundquist. Xanders is a candidate to fill some of the duties in Sundquist's absence. Xanders is expected to form a sort of "triumvirate" in the Broncos front office along http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/xanders-candidate-in-denver.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-6893522573154102779Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:33:00 +00002008-04-28T20:33:45.237-04:00front officeMike Reiss of the Boston Globe reports that the Falcons are looking to beef up their personnel department by adding someone into an upper-level position. Reiss reports that Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff is set to interview two current members of the Baltimore Ravens personnel department: Vincent Newsome and Lionel Vital. Vital worked with Dimitroff in New England. Newsome currently is the Raven http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcons-to-interview-front-office.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-4235412030897121590Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:07:00 +00002008-04-28T20:09:35.671-04:00draftfree agencyThis is a compilation of several entries... The Falcons announced the signing of seven undrafted free agents today, including the five players previously mentioned as being added along with two more. Those two additional free agents were offensive tackle Mike Butterworth (Slippery Rock) and safety D.J. Wolfe (Oklahoma). The Falcons showed interest in Butterworth before by attending Slippery http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcons-sign-seven-undrafted-free.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-8235147155521047310Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:55:00 +00002008-04-27T18:00:10.032-04:00draftZingerWith the Falcons final pick in the draft, the Falcons attempted to improve depth at tight end by taking LSU's Keith Zinger, who performed as a blocker mostly for the Tigers. He'll help alleviate the loss of Alge Crumpler and Dwayne Blakley in free agency this past year.http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcons-round-up-draft-with-zinger.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-3784710358072896876Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:03:00 +00002008-04-27T17:09:23.048-04:00draftFontenotThe Falcons were able to continue to try and shore up their secondary by selecting cornerback Wilrey Fontenot out of a Arizona with the first of two seventh round picks. Fontenot is undersized cornerback, but productive with 40 tackles, 1 interception, and 7 pass breakups this past season. The Falcons already selected LSU's Chevis Jackson earlier on Sunday, and together they will likely be asked http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcons-find-fontenot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-4209276880951770095Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:24:00 +00002008-04-27T15:27:32.828-04:00draftThomas BrownThe Falcons shore up some running back depth with Thomas Brown with their sixth round selection. Brown, out of the University of Georgia, has battled injuries in his career, but was a productive player for the Bulldogs. He finished his career with 2,646 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. He'll get a chance to compete with Jason Snelling for a reserve running back position this summer.http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcon-choose-thomas-brown.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-4819817733377684495Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:37:00 +00002008-04-27T14:40:00.416-04:00draftBiermannThe Falcons attempted to upgrade their pass rush by drafting Montana defensive end Kroy Biermann with their second fifth round pick. Biermann, an undersized pass rusher is listed at 6'3" 246 pounds, but tallied 27 sacks, 32.5 tackles for loss, and 148 tackles the past two seasons at Montana. Due to his smaller stature, the Falcons might be thinking about moving him to linebacker. He won the Buck http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcons-snatch-biermann.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-1816725268269403269Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:51:00 +00002008-04-27T14:37:15.863-04:00draftJamesThe Falcons drafted Arizona State linebacker Robert James with their fifth round choice. James should add some depth at outside linebacker. He's a little undersized, listed at 219 pounds, but was productive for the Sun Devils last year, recording 106 tackles and 4 interceptions. He began his career as a defensive back, and might project there as well in the NFL due to his small stature.http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcons-take-james.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-3329712408782940556Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:45:00 +00002008-04-27T11:51:46.662-04:00draftDeCoudThe Falcons finished their slate of three third round picks by taking California free safety Thomas DeCoud. DeCoud was considered one of the better safety prospects in this draft, and will provide needed depth at safety. He only had 1 interception during his career at Cal which came last year, but he also tallied 116 tackles as a senior. The Falcons have modified their safety position this http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcons-get-decoud.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-2745792006811006454Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:03:00 +00002008-04-27T11:12:57.529-04:00draftDouglasWith their second third round pick, acquired from the Washington Redskins, the Falcons took Louisville wide receiver Harry Douglas. Douglas was the primary receiver for Brian Brohm at Louisville, catching 141 passes for 2,424 yards and 13 touchdowns the past two seasons. The addition of Douglas could potentially push veterans Joe Horn or Brian Finneran off the roster.http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcons-draft-douglas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-1923244285163484277Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:20:00 +00002008-04-27T10:28:18.817-04:00draftChevis JacksonWith their first pick in the third round, the Falcons took LSU cornerback Chevis Jackson. Jackson is expected to help fill some of the void left by DeAngelo Hall. He had 5 interceptions last season for LSU, an integral part of their championship team. The Falcons have two more picks in the third round. One acquired from the Washington Redskins, and the third being a compensatory pick awarded by http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcons-nab-jackson.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-3317736596231309332Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:07:00 +00002008-04-26T19:07:00.373-04:00draftLoftonWith their second round pick, the No. 37 overall pick, the Falcons selected linebacker Currtis Lofton out of Oklahoma. Lofton played middle linebacker for the Sooners, and could potentially play the same for the Falcons. The team is looking to groom a replacement and heir apparent to Keith Brooking in the middle. But Lofton may also work early on at weakside linebacker, where Stephen Nicholas is http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcons-draft-lofton.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-6028074995089905625Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:54:00 +00002008-04-26T17:55:14.920-04:00draftBakerThe Falcons traded up from the top of the second round with the Washington Redskins, to take USC offensive tackle Sam Baker with the 21st overall pick.  Baker is expected to play left tackle for the Falcons, which is vacant currently due to the release of Wayne Gandy. Baker protected quarterbacks such as John David Booty and Matt Leinart during his Trojan carerer, and now will be tasked with http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcons-trade-up-for-baker.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-6750031994583418410Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:23:00 +00002008-04-26T15:38:59.221-04:00draftRyanWith the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan. Ryan was the favored selection in a number of mock drafts around the internet for the past few months. The Falcons have a need for quarterback due to the incarceration of Michael Vick and the lack of a bonafide long-term solution on the roster. Despite having meager representationhttp://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/falcons-take-ryan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652359978624841490.post-3494342084887708209Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:56:00 +00002008-04-16T13:56:52.131-04:00CombinedraftSenior BowlUsing various sources including but not limited to NFL.com, Scout.com, New Era Scouting, Football.com, KFFL.com, NFL Draft Countdown, and various local newspapers covering schools and individual prospects, we have compiled a list of prospects that the Falcons have worked out, interviewed, or reportedly shown mild interest in. Private Workouts Each NFL team is limited by the number of official http://www.falcfans.com/wire/2008/04/tracking-falcons-draft-interest.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)