Atlanta Falcons 2014 OTA Open Thread

The Falcons begin organized team activities for the 2014 season today, mixing rookies and veterans as they seek to begin the process of winnowing the roster down to 53 players.

Today marks the beginning of that process for the entire team. It goes without saying that there's going to be dozens of cuts between now and the start of the season, and chances are we'll once again see several veterans on the receiving end of the chop. That's a frightening thought in some ways, given what we saw last season, but this is an excellent time to start preparing for that outcome.

The Falcons undoubtedly put themselves in a rough position by parting ways with veterans like John Abraham, Tyson Clabo and others going into 2013, but I maintain that much of their downfall was tied up in injuries, a failure to address chronic needs, poor play and poor luck. Abraham and Clabo weren't going to get the Falcons to a winning record, or anywhere close to it, and the Falcons aren't likely to let fear rule their cuts in 2014.

Obviously, very few players are going to find themselves cut as a result of what happens in OTAs. What we hear from team sources in the weeks ahead will give us our first, limited insight into what is ahead, however.

Use this as your all-purpose discussion thread, if you would .