Here's my go of the Mock offseason...

This is only my second or third fan post done so please bear with me. I'm going to run through what I think may be the best scenario for this team to take the leap into Championship Contender instead of perennial pretender (trust me, a tear just came out). First off I think we've taken the first big step. Out with MM and BVG, whom I'll have to admit I never thought were worth the paper they're check was written on (a little harsh, but oh well) and replacing them with coordinators who could really help this squad. In this I am going to follow the Blueprint that I heard from Colin Cowherd (which is the only thing I have ever agreed with him on and I'll explain what he said in just a moment). I apologize if this gets lengthy, but I think i have some good ideas, and if you're anything like me you can read ANYTHING written about the Falcons. Anyway, Colin explained that the way to win in this league was 4 easy steps:

1) Get a QB who can understand and run a complex offense. Which I believe we have in Matt Ryan.

2)Protect your QB.

3)Get your QB the playmakers he needs to be successful.

4) Get after the other team's QB.

Bit of a central theme, but actually very accurate in today's game. If I could add anything it would be a potent run game (which we also have) and 3 top tier corners (almost impossible unless somehow you get Namdi, Asante, and DRC on the same team, but again follows the QB theme).

Anyway, "follow the jump" as our beloved Falcoholic writers say and I'll take you to my dream of the Falcons perfect offseason.

Also most of my information is found from rotoworld regarding salaries so in case I forget to reference them, let me do it now so I don't make it seem like I know everything.

All of this is based on the 30.6 ish million I read we have on ESPN.com for the always relevent Pat Yasinkas.

Key Roster Cut:

Sam Baker -Enough said. Every penny saved would be absolutely worth it! To my knowledge would be about 3.7 mil. against the cap. Protecting the QB is the second most important thing to do, and he CANNOT get that done. Not at tackle, not at guard, hell I wouldn't hire this guy for security at my nephew's 5th birthday.

Peria Jerry- Let by-gones be by-gones... The only thing decent about this guy when he came to the league was his ability (in college) to pressure a QB. That has fallen flat on us Falcons collective faces. Saves us about 1 mil. Luckily he just missed out on his incentives... (understatement of the year).

$35.4 Million

Retentions:

Curtis Lofton- Obviously we need to keep our on the field defensive general. Without this guy, teams run on us like a nose in cold season. I think about 6-7mil seems fair for maybe 4-5 years, but Rotoworld has reported he'll look at the 9mil a year deal David Harris got last year from the Jets. Lets hit the middle and call it 8.

Harry Douglas- Rotoworld reported the Falcons will try to use James Jones contract as a reference which was about 3mil a year for 3/4 years. Which I think is worth it. If you don't, feel free to replace this part with a free agent signing of your choice. Getting your QB quality targets is the 3rd most important thing.

It is so hard to let Grimes and Abraham walk, but they might command more than we're comfortable giving guys of their age. If we could get Grimes for around $4 million (a huge hometown discount) then I say go for it. But if not, especially for purposes of this mock offseason (haha) then its just too expensive.

James Sanders/Thomas DeCoud- Both good players (with obvious weaknesses) and would probably not break any kind of bank, I say sign one and say g'bye to the other. I think Sanders might be the cheaper but we'll say 4mil a year for either will suffice.

20.4 Million Left

Free Agent Signings:

Super Mario (best case scenario, but im an optomistic kind of guy) - 8-12 million a year... For those who think "8M is WAY too low" I say: Jared Allen had 22 sacks last year and happily makes 12mil a year. Even Super Mario doesn't get to the QB the way that guy does. This could be signing that makes all the difference for our defense which I think is on the cusp of becoming great. Call it a 9 mil a year signing.

Ben Grubbs/Jeremy Zuttah/Marcus McNeill- PROTECT YOUR QB!!! I don't think there is anyway we sign both Mario Williams and Carl Nicks, the pricetags are just too much! These 2 I believe could be signed for significantly less money. I'll say around 4 mil a year. Many of you may call me crazy but I don't see LT a huge position of need. I think Svitek can pull his own on that line, if you could get someone like McNeil for say 5-6 million a year. Then I say replace Grubbs or Zuttah, and let Mike Johnson and Andrew Jackson fight for the other Guard which I think they could do a good job.

7.4 Million to sign other Falcon free agents/ draft picks. 5.4 if you sign McNeill instead of a guard.

Now the fun part, I'll try to make this short and sweet. THE DRAFT:

2nd Round- Coby Fleener TE,Stanford; its a stretch to see him fall this far but if he does, I say its a no brainer. Definite Jason Witten mold. Too bad he went to Stanford and couldn't possibly compete with Gronk's meat-headed-ness...

3rd Round- Brandon Boykin CB, Georgia/Brian Quick WR, Appalachian State; Boykin would be an absolute steal here. Which is why I listed quick as well in case he's gone. CB and KR/PR could let us get rid of Weems, pains me to say but he took a big step back. Quick's college body of work is a thing of beauty. Sr year: 71 Catches 1,096 yards and 11 TD's total: 202 for 3,418 16.9 avg and 31 TDs. And with a 6'5'' 220 frame and decent speed he could be a real asset.

4th Round- Akeim Hicks DT, Regina; CURSE YOU <- To whoever it was that introduced me to this guy... I do not go a day without wasting my time watching this man tear up competition. He is a stud. AND had there not been a controversy over his recruitment to LSU I would venture to say he probably would have been a 1st or 2nd round pick out of college.

5th Round- Vick Ballard RB, Mississippi State; I had to put this guy in here... I will be a State Grad at the end of this semester, and have had the pleasure of watching him play forever. And just to note I'm not being a hometown annoying fan. About the only thing lacking for Ballard is top end speed. He's patient behind the line, quick, and can find tiny open holes in the D-line and exploit them. Add in his ability to protect the passer (above average) and his really good hand out of the backfield, you've got yourself a great future RB.

6th Round- Brad Smelley FB, Alabama.. This guy played FB, ST and TE and was good at all of them. Good be a future replacement for Ovie as well as a serviceable TE prospect and solid special teamer.

7th Round- Tank Carder OLB/ILB, TCU/ Adrian Robinson OLB/DE... When in doubt, bolster the Backing core. Both of these guys are versatile, and athletic. And how cool is the name Tank!

Anyway thats my 2 cents... or gazillion dollars based on how long it was. Please forgive me. Anyway, if you stayed this long at least tell me how you feel about it.