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Well, the Falcons did take a step to shore up a shallow corps of offensive tackles, but they didn't do so by signing Jake Long.
The Falcons have signed offensive lineman DeMarcus Love, bringing the roster to 90 players: http://t.co/uC4ZBZIK8O pic.twitter.com/G72NPbeFnM
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) July 29, 2015
DeMarcus Love signed a two year deal with the Falcons, I'm told.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) July 29, 2015
6-foot-4-inch Demarcus Love, who worked out for the Browns yesterday, weighs 334 now with the goal of getting down to 322 for the season.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) July 29, 2015
The 27-year-old Love has bounced around the NFL since he was drafted in the 6th round back in 2011, and has no starts to his name. Listed at 6'4" and 315 pounds, he's always been a decent athlete, but was suspended four games back in 2013 for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy and has never been able to translate practice field performance into a starting gig.
Love enters Atlanta as an obvious reserve, and he'll be fighting hard just to make the final roster. At the very least, there may be a little upside here, and he gives the team more options at the position during training camp and preseason. With the update that he's signed a two-year deal, it seems like the coaching staff feels he'll have a chance to stick around if he can impress, which would potentially push Lamar Holmes off the roster.
The Falcons passed on Jake Long (at least for now), as did the New York Giants, but certainly he still could be in play for them down the line if Love doesn't stick around and they feel he's healthy. We'll have to see, but there was quite obviously a price, injury or fit concern here that caused Atlanta to swoop in on Love instead.
Your thoughts on the signing?