The Falcoholic's List Of Free Agent Targets

by Dave Choate on Jul 23, 2011 1:00 PM EDT in Falcons News

With free agency (maybe, possibly) approaching as the lockout (maybe, possibly) winds down, I thought it might be a good time to put together a collection of every suggested free agent I've unearthed thus far in 2011.

It's a motley list of players, many of them backups, but one I thought it would be worth exhuming for the purposes of discussion. I thought it would be doubly interesting to see how many of them are still realistic possibilities, especially those who I predicted might be targets many, many moons ago.

After the jump, find the entire list. Be sure to lavish praise on me for the ones you think I'll get right, and ridicule me relentlessly for everything else.

RB John Kuhn: Unlikely, because he wants to return to the Pack.

OT Jared Gaither: A slim chance, if the Falcons let Tyson Clabo walk and aren't satisfied with their options.

Rookie Running Backs: Definitely possibility.

S Chinedum Ndukwe: I'd love to have the guy, but I'm not sure he'd be content to play backup.

DE Ray Edwards: Still very likely. The Falcons are known to have some kind of interest in him.

RB Tiki Barber (Not Really)

WR Mike Sims-Walker: Basically cross off all wide receivers at this point.

DE Charles Johnson: A long shot, sure, but an awesome one.

RB Cadillac Williams: Great third-down back with value in the passing game. Maybe a 25 percent chance.

S O.J. Atogwe: No way. Love the guy, but no way.

WR Malcom Floyd: Again, cross off all wide receivers.

CB Eric Wright: I'm still openly rooting for this one. Wright would fit in nicely in Atlanta, bad 2010 aside.

WR James Jones: No.

DE Richard Seymour: Another long shot, mostly because of his age. He's still an effective player.

S Haruki Nakamura: The Ravens have indicated a desire to keep him. If he does go free, he's a good backup option at safety.

LB Rocky McIntosh: Slim chance with Akeem Dent on board, but he's plenty capable.

RB Jerome Harrison: Jacquizz Rodgers would essentially make him redundant.

WR Lance Moore: And...no.

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Comments

Of all of these options

I would say that Ray Edwards and Eric Wright are the most attractive because they fit the scheme.

by FalconsFan721 on Jul 23, 2011 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

I like your idea.

Very solid choices.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 23, 2011 3:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Assuming CJ gets out of Carolina,

I’d say he’s a shoe-in. Was more productive and has more upside than Edwards. That is of course assuming the Panthers don’t resign him. Keeping my fingers crossed

by DenverFalcon on Jul 23, 2011 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

I lol'ed when I saw

Tiki Barber: (Not Really).

But yeah, I think we might sign a couple of undrafted rooks and one of the ends between CJ and Ray Edwards

by FlyYouFalcons on Jul 23, 2011 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

Ummm.... Osi much?

Let’s get that guy.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 23, 2011 3:13 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Only if

Johnson and Edwards take other offers.

Johnson is still a wild-card. Besides the obvious need for Carolina to resign him, it really depends on what he wants. Does he want to stay part of a young team with a new head coach and flashy rookie QB, does he want a lot of money (which Carolina is very capable of giving him), or does he want to win a Superbowl.

Numbers 1 and 2 he stays in Carolina, number 3 we have a dam good chance at signing him.

Edwards is probably going to be our DE next year if the Falcons want him. We took in a disgruntled and angry Robinson and turned him into a happy man. We can do the same for Edwards.

Osi would be the fallout plan (I don’t think the Falcons would want to sign another 30+ DE if they don’t have to), if we don’t get either of those guys. Signing a big-time corner didn’t improve the defense ENOUGH, and I think with resigning Grimes to what will be a nice chunk of salary cap money, will make it pointless to sign another free agent CB. The team will roll with either Owens or Franks as the nickle corner.

Also if Nicholas leaves in FA we will definitely need to sign another LB.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jul 23, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Idk if you want a SB

I want the guy who lead his team to one. Osi is a stud with 2-3 good years left.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 23, 2011 6:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That's the issue

I don’t think they are looking for a stop gap, they want a guy they can sign to a long term deal who is just entering his prime. Not someone who is near the end of his prime.

Johnson and Edwards are easily a 5 year deal, and still going dtrong at the end, where Osi would be 3 at most. And would likely end up in a rotation just to keep him fresh like Abe is now. We would be having the same discussion again in 3 years. Regardless of who they sign this year, a DE (feel like I’m saying this every year) would have to be a top priority next year. If they sign another over 30, then that jumps up to a DE again in 2013. I fully believe it takes time for guys to get up to the speed and strength level of the NFL. Even more so the past two years, our number 1 picks have been injured. Not every first rounder is a Suh or Clay Matthews. I would rather have a rookie take his time sharing reps getting up to speed then throw them in the fire and have them get hurt. And where we have been picking the last few years, it’s not easy to pick a sure thing super star.

Given the team is still very young, considering most of our stars came from 2008 and later, but in 2-3 more years, we will be looking for a successor to both Roddy and Dunta. It would be harder if we have to look for another successor at DE. Not to mention we will have to find a feature back either next year or the year after depending on how much we beat the hell out of Turner.

I’m not saying Osi is a bad idea, but I believe the other two options are better. If we can’t get either of those, then go with Osi. The Giants know how to build D lineman.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jul 23, 2011 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Rec'd

Anyone wanting to opine about free agency should be required to read that post.

Smokey says: Only you can BVG forest fires.

by VaderX5 on Jul 24, 2011 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Im back

Seems like forever since i commented on your post dude. Also seems like a bunch of new people on here. Hows it been dave? As for these free agents I would love edwards or anything Defense

by LORD91 on Jul 23, 2011 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

I hate everything and everyone

…until the lockout is officially 100,000,000,000,000% over

by FLA_Falcon on Jul 23, 2011 5:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Me too.

Australian Atlanta Falcons Fan EST 2003

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by Grayson on Jul 23, 2011 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey Grayson

You’re from Australia right? When does the AFL season start and how do you go about getting a tryout? I recently discovered the sport and fell in love with it

by FLA_Falcon on Jul 23, 2011 11:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I'd love to see ATL sign Atogwe

at S but he’d be an expensive backup but in head to head competition DeCoud might be backup.

McIntosh would be a good pickup if Peterson is let go.

I’m still holding out for a few UDFAs – Herzlick at LB, Daniels at S and Clay or Locke at RB.

by mwalex on Jul 23, 2011 5:22 PM EDT reply actions

I loved Locke just as much, if not more, than everyone else here

But with Quizz, I don’t think it will be an option. At this point, we are relying on Turner, Rodgers, and… either Snelling or someone else. If that someone else ends up being an UDFA, I vote for Darren Evans. He can contribute immediately on special teams, is fast for his size, and he has little wear-and-tear on his body. I hate saying this, but if people are looking to find the next Arian Foster, Evans is a great candidate.
I love the idea of Herzlich on the team. We definitely need another safety, in a backup role only though. I could see an athletic safety being brought in.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Jul 23, 2011 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Looked at Evans draft analysis

and it’s not bad. Tore an ACL a few years ago but came back and led VT in rushing. I’m not so concerned about that since he’d be a UDFA. Big kid. If we’re going for a big back I’d have to throw in John Clay from Wisconis. I’d be happy with either Evans, Clay or Locke in camp.

Herlich would be great in camp but I bet that kid is going to get a lot of phone calls as soon as FA starts up.

If an athletic safety in a back up role is what we need then ATL needs to take a long hard look at DeAndre McDaniel from Clemson.

by mwalex on Jul 23, 2011 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

YES!

I completely forgot about McDaniel, but after the draft, I thought he was one of a few guys we needed to sign immediately after the draft. If we can bring in Herzlich, McDaniel, Evans, and a QB (who knows, maybe being undrafted will greatly motivate one guy), I will be quite satisfied.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Jul 24, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

First and Foremost

need to figure out who we will lose to FA.We need to pressure to keep 2 of the 3 OL.Blalock is on the blind side a keeper.Clabo is high on alot of list.Maybe too expensive for us .Due to age and depth behind him. Leaves Dahl who wants to come back.I read that they all participated in Ryans offseason 7 on 7 workouts.
Norwood says he is 100% . Do we believe him ? and do you think he will be asking for alot of money.I would only entertain this idea.If the contract was incentive laden.The circumstances of this crazy off season.Having one less person you have to teach the playbook to is important.But to add JaQuizz Rodgers and/or John Clay would bolster our backfield depth.
Eric Weems is in sooo much trouble.With the change in the return game and them not really using him in the reciever depth chart.Could save money here with a rookie like Ricardo Lockette.The 2nd fastest guy in this years combine.That is if we are sure Harry Douglass is going to perform this year.
Brent Grimes definitely wants to stay a Falcon.He has said so and was almost 100% participation in the Ryan workouts.As long as our contract is in the ballpark .He will sign and stay.The amount of money spent here .Will let us know about the Falcons plans in the secondary.Whether Chris Owens days are few or if Dominique Franks is coming on strong.And if free agency is necessary at this position.
Stephen Nicholas will stay ,also .But he just wants a good contract.But I would love if we could bring in Mark Herzlick in to camp.He would be a coup to push Bear Woods,Spencer Adkins and Robert James.
Jamal Andersen is good as gone.Too much invested not enough in return.Charles Johnson is on the bubble.We lost on the Peppers move.Just don’t think we will allow this offseason to go buy without he or Ray Edwards.The big question is Cliff Mathews an DE or OLB in our defense ?Oh, Petersen will be back for continuity and sideline leadership.
Alittle long winded but because of my passion.Thomas Dimitroff ,Mike Smith and Rich Mckay all have a small process in picking players.They need some tie to the team.Whether geographically.Or by teamate or familliarity with our system.The other is intelligence and leadership qualities.Lastly has to be able as rookies fill multiple positions .This will be a great season.

by flyinhigh on Jul 24, 2011 1:01 PM EDT reply actions

I kinda like the thought of the Seymour thing maybe, as a plan D?

He went to UGA, and he is VERY good and has a couple years left. I ONLY like this move if we cannot get CJ or RE OR Osi! We shoulda went after Peppers last offseason like I said!! I think Quizz will be a lot like Jamal Charles of KC!! He could be our starter next year?
Man, this week is goona be awesome! By next Sunday 8-1, we could have signed a lot of good players!! It’s gonna be crazy!!!

Due to the lockout, I think this season will resemble last year a lot. I think the teams that were good last year will be good again this year. there will be a suprise team or 2, but I think this year kinda follows last years script, except of course the team that wins the SB will be different, since our Falcons will finally take that last final step and bring home the Lombardi trophy to the dirty dirty!!

by ATLsince1972 on Jul 24, 2011 8:29 PM EDT reply actions