Falcons Wary Of Injury History With Louis Delmas, Per D. Orlando Ledbetter

With the Falcons a seeming lock to cut ties with Thomas DeCoud, the speculation over possible signings has been mounting. When the Detroit Lions released Louis Delmas, it seemed inevitable that the Falcons would at least kick the tires there.

Per the AJC's D. Orlando Ledbetter, the Falcons haven't necessarily found their next starting safety in Delmas:

The team is not happy with former Detroit safety Louis Delmas’ injury history.

Here’s the deal on the Thomas DeCoud dilemma | Atlanta #Falcons blog http://t.co/MpJYm250Sc via @sharethis

— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@AJCFalcons) February 26, 2014

I assume the source here is someone in a decision-making capacity for the team, and if so, this makes sense. Delmas is a genuinely talented free safety who produces when he's healthy, but he's played a full season just once in his five year career. In 2012 and 2011, he played a combined 19 games, and if the Falcons are reviewing his medicals and not liking what they find, it doesn't make a lot of sense to take the plunge with Delmas.

If you're wondering what, specifically, might be scaring the Falcons, this is a good read. Delmas has a degenerative knee injury that's probably not ever going to get better, so the question is how long he can play and play at a high level with it.

DOL mentions several options in the story, which you should read. Jairus Byrd and T.J. Ward are the two best free agents available, Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Clemons could make sense on short-term, prove-it deals and there's always the draft. What is clear is that the Falcons need to find a replacement who is actually an upgrade, or they're just spinning their tires at the position.

Your thoughts?