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| ATL - Matt Ryan extension talks expected to pick up - |
The Atlanta Falcons and QB Matt Ryan both would like to extend the quarterback's contract, but an agreement has not yet been reached. However, casual talks are ongoing, with the expectation that things will heat up after the July 4 holiday, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
Footballguys view: Ryan could make a run at Aaron Rodgers as the highest paid player in the game. This bar will be set higher and higher in the future as some of the best young quarterbacks play to their end of their rookie deals.
| ATL - Two participating in practice - |
Atlanta Falcons LB Sean Weatherspoon (knee) and Stephen Nicholas (hernia) both participated in minicamp practice Thursday, June 18.
| ATL - Tim Toone misses practice - |
Atlanta Falcons WR Tim Toone (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Tuesday, June 18.
| ATL - Colin Cloherty signs - |
The Atlanta Falcons signed free-agent TE Colin Cloherty (Jaguars) to a two-year deal.
| ATL - Robert Alford signs - |
The Atlanta Falcons signed second-round pick CB Robert Alford to a four-year, $3.4 million deal.
Footballguys view: Alford is a competitive player with good balance and agility to stay with receivers downfield. He's not afraid of helping out in run support and can play close to the line of scrimmage. Alford missed the 2010 season with a shoulder injury and durability is a concern given his aggressive style of play.
| ATL - No deal with Richard Seymour imminent - |
Free-agent DT Richard Seymour (Raiders) said he has not been able to reach a contract agreement with the Atlanta Falcons. Seymour is still open to signing with the Falcons.
Footballguys view: No hurry with this situation. Seymour's price might be too high for the Falcons at this time. We'll see if the two sides can come to an agreement before the start of training camp.
| ATL - Robert Alford signed - |
The Atlanta Falcons have signed second-round draft choice CB Robert Alford. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Footballguys view: Alford is a competitive player with good balance and agility to stay with receivers downfield. He's not afraid of helping out in run support and can play close to the line of scrimmage. Alford missed the 2010 season with a shoulder injury and durability is a concern given his aggressive style of play.
| ATL - Tony Gonzalez allowed to skip minicamp - |
Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith said TE Tony Gonzalez has been excused from participating in the team's mandatory minicamp next week.
Footballguys view: No concern here. The future Hall of Fame TE is a seasoned veteran and doesn't need every single rep in camp.
| ATL - Steven Jackson scoffs at age-30 backlash - |
Atlanta Falcons RB Steven Jackson questioned the notion that a running back is officially toast at age 30. 'This is not the '70s or '80s, when it was just hard-nosed football. The game has changed. As long as I can evolve with it, I'll be just fine.' He's trying to fight off effects of age by going on a gluten-free diet.
| ATL - Sean Weatherspoon, Stephen Nicholas close to return - |
Atlanta Falcons LBs Sean Weatherspoon (knee) and Stephen Nicholas (hernia) are both expected to be ready for the team's mandatory minicamp that takes place next week. 'I'm fairly confident that when we start our mandatory minicamp that both of those guys will be out there,' Smith said. 'They have done probably more workload over on the side with the trainers than what they would put in during a particular practice. We think they're real close. We want to make sure that they get another couple of days with the trainers before we bring them out.'
| ATL - Robert Alford could have chance for starting job - |
Atlanta Falcons CB Robert Alford could receive a chance to compete for one of the starting cornerback jobs during training camp. Alford have received a lot of reps with the first-team offense during organized team activities because CBs Desmond Trufant and Asante Samuel has missed some workouts.
| ATL - Robert Alford could compete for nickel back job - |
Atlanta Falcons CB Robert Alford is expected to compete for playing time during training camp and could receive the chance to compete for the nickel back job.
| ATL - Close to deal with Robert Alford - |
The Atlanta Falcons are close to a contract agreement with second-round draft choice CB Robert Alford.
Footballguys view: Alford is a competitive player with good balance and agility to stay with receivers downfield. He's not afraid of helping out in run support and can play close to the line of scrimmage. Alford missed the 2010 season with a shoulder injury and durability is a concern given his aggressive style of play.
| ATL - Steven Jackson having fun as new guy - |
Atlanta Falcons RB Steven Jackson is enjoying the experience of learning new teammates, coaches and a playbook, and he is still growing accustomed to his new surroundings. 'It's been a great time. As of right now, you can only imagine learning a new playbook,' Jackson said Wednesday, June 5. 'I'm trying to dump what I've learned over the years and learn the way that they do things around here, but it's a lot of fun, a lot of excitement and quite a bit of competition, so that's only going to make everyone better.'
Footballguys view: The Falcons are hoping that adding Jackson will help put them over the top in 2013. Jackson will be their featured back this season and still has what it takes to be a RB1 in fantasy leagues. His current ADP is RB12 and he's coming off the board at 2.02 in most 12 team leagues.
| ATL - Roddy White in attendance - |
Atlanta Falcons WR Roddy White was not at organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 29, but he was back Wednesday, June 5, working with his teammates at the voluntary practice session. 'It's great to have Roddy here,' head coach Mike Smith said. 'I think we all know what Roddy means to this football team. He's a play maker. He's the mentor for a lot of these young guys so it's good to have Roddy here.'
Footballguys view: White is set to make another big impact for the Falcons and his fantasy owners here. His current ADP is WR11 and he's coming off the board near the end of round three in non-PPR leagues.
| ATL - Battle developing at center - |
Atlanta Falcons C Peter Konz and OG Joe Hawley are expected to battle during the offseason, training camp and preseason for the starting center position.
| ATL - Could look to add veteran backup QB - |
The Atlanta Falcons could look to add a veteran backup quarterback during the preseason because the only players they have behind QB Matt Ryan are QBs Dominique Davis, Sean Renfree and Seth Doege.
Footballguys view: Davis is an athletic QB but needs to work on his accuracy. Renfree (Duke) is an extremely intelligent player but he's a rookie who needs to prove his durability. Doege (Texas Tech) is a rookie as well but has a weak arm and is likely just a camp arm.
| ATL - Not close to signing Richard Seymour - |
The Atlanta Falcons are in no rush to sign free-agent DT Richard Seymour (Raiders), and the two sides have 'nothing at this point.' Last week it was reported that the Falcons were the team most interested in Seymour. He is considering retirement, though, so he won't come back cheaply.
Footballguys view: We'll see if Seymour's price tag will come down the longer the team waits. The Falcons have about $6MM in cap space right now and signing Seymour at this time would eat up a big chunk of that.
| ATL - Coaches impressed with Osi Umenyiora - |
The Atlanta Falcons coaching staff has been impressed with DE Osi Umenyiora during organized team activities. 'His leadership ability has shown up quite a bit with our young players, which has been outstanding and great,' defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said. 'He's an early bird kind of guy so he's in here working with some of our younger guys and even a couple of older guys have gravitated toward that and they're all working together.'
| ATL - Osi Umenyiora fitting in - |
Atlanta Falcons DL Osi Umenyiora is fitting in well with his new team, and his teammates have had nice things to say about his personality. 'He has an outgoing personality. You can talk to him about just about anything,' DT Jonathan Babineaux said. 'As each day goes by, I think he's getting more and more comfortable.' Umenyiora has been lining up on both sides of the line for the Falcons during organized team activities (OTAs).
| ATL - Terry Robiskie promoted - |
The Atlanta Falcons promoted wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie to assistant head coach.
| ATL - Sign Patrick DiMarco - |
The Atlanta Falcons signed FB Patrick DiMarco (Chiefs) Thursday, May 30. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
| ATL - Mike Smith talks up Steven Jackson's receiving - |
Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith called RB Steven Jackson a 'big strong running back that catches the ball extremely well. ... He's a guy who had close to 100 catches in a season, so he's a guy that we can use in the passing game.'
Footballguys view: Jackson coming on board with the Falcons is a strong move. Fantasy owners consider Jackson as a borderline top 10 fantasy RB in 2013. His current ADP is RB11 and he's coming off the board early in the second-round of 12 team drafts.
| ATL - Could be waiting for June to sign Richard Seymour - |
Updating previous reports, the Atlanta Falcons could be waiting until June 1 to sign free-agent DL Richard Seymour (Raiders). They have just $1.8 million in cap space, but that will rise to $6.3 once OL Tyson Clabo's salary comes off the books June 1.
Footballguys view: The Falcons will have more cap space once June 1st cuts go through. Seymour has stated that he's considered retirement, but we feel the Falcons will make a move here. He'll help their revamped front four on the defensive line and give them more veteran leadership on the defensive side.
| ATL - Owner would like Matt Ryan extension done soon - |
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said he would like the team to sign QB Matt Ryan to a contract extension as soon as possible.
Footballguys view: As of right now there is no timetable in place. There is likely a structure in place for the contract as both Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco's deals should be close to what Ryan is going to get.
| ATL - No serious talks with Richard Seymour - |
Updating a previous report, the Atlanta Falcons expressed interest in free-agent DT Richard Seymour (Raiders) in the past, but the two sides have not had serious contract talks.
Footballguys view: The Falcons are doing their due diligence here. Things may heat up between the two sides as we get closer to training camp.
| ATL - Talking with Richard Seymour - |
The Atlanta Falcons are in contract talks with free-agent DT Richard Seymour (Raiders).
| ATL - Sean Renfree will be limited during workouts - |
Atlanta Falcons QB Sean Renfree (shoulder) will be limited during organized team activities next week because of a shoulder injury.
| ATL - Stansly Maponga expected to be ready for camp - |
Atlanta Falcons DE Stansly Maponga (foot) is recovering from offseason foot surgery but should be ready to participate once training camp begins.
| ATL - Two linebackers will not take part in workouts - |
Atlanta Falcons LB Stephen Nicholas (hernia) and LB Sean Weatherspoon (knee) will not be able to participate in organized team activities next week because they are recovering from offseason surgeries. Both are expected to take part in OTAs in June and will be ready for the team's minicamp.
| ATL - Malliciah Goodman contract details - |
The Atlanta Falcons signed DL Malliciah Goodman to a $2.557 million deal that includes a $397,088 bonus.
| ATL - Two draft picks signed - |
The Atlanta Falcons have signed fourth-round draft choice DE Malliciah Goodman and fifth-round draft choice DE Stansly Maponga. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
| ATL - Kemal Ishmael contract details - |
Updating a previous report, the Atlanta Falcons signed FS Kemal Ishmael to a $2.205 million contract that includes a $45,896 bonus Thursday, May 16.
| ATL - Mike Johnson to compete for two spots - |
Atlanta Falcons manager Mike Smith said OT Mike P. Johnson will compete with OT Garrett Reynolds for the starting right guard job and with OT Lamar Holmes for the starting right tackle job during training camp.
| ATL - Two to compete for center job - |
Atlanta Falcons manager Mike Smith said C Peter Konz and C Joe Hawley will compete for the starting center job during offseason workouts and training camp.
| ATL - GM optimistic about deal with Matt Ryan - |
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said the team is confident that they will be able to sign QB Matt Ryan to a contract extension but there is no timetable to get one done.
Footballguys view: With QBs like Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers, and Joe Flacco getting big deals this offseason it provides the structure for a new Ryan deal to get done. He's their franchise QB and we don't see any problems getting in the way of him getting the long-term contract he desires.
| ATL - Sign Zeke Motta - |
The Atlanta Falcons signed S Zeke Motta to a four-year contract Friday, May 17. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
| ATL - Kemal Ishmael agrees to terms - |
The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with seventh-round draft choice FS Kemal Ishmael. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
| ATL - Kroy Biermann could be used as OLB - |
The Atlanta Falcons could consider using DE Kroy Biermann as more of an outside linebacker especially when the team lines up in a 3-4 defensive alignment.
| ATL - Four may compete for LDE job - |
Atlanta Falcons DEs Cliff Matthews, Jonathan Massaquoi, Malliciah Goodman and Stansly Maponga could all be candidates to start at left defensive end this season.
| ATL - Osi Umenyiora could receive significant playing time - |
Atlanta Falcons DE Osi Umenyiora could receive around 85 percent of the snaps at right defensive end this season, which is more than he has played over the last few seasons.
| ATL - Two players waived - |
The Atlanta Falcons have waived CB Momo Thomas and PK Casey Barth.
| ATL - Lamar Holmes believed to be favorite for RT job - |
Atlanta Falcons OT Lamar Holmes is believed to be the leading candidate for the starting right tackle job this season.
| ATL - Phillip Manley reports overweight - |
Atlanta Falcons OG Phillip Manley is believed to have reported for the start of offseason workouts at 380 pounds.
| ATL - Peter Konz will start in 2013 - |
Atlanta Falcons C Peter Konz will be the starting center this season. Konz played guard last season.
| ATL - Kemal Ishmael to compete for backup job - |
Atlanta Falcons S Kemal Ishmael, the team's seventh-round draft pick, will compete with Ss Charles Mitchell and Shann Schillinger for snaps behind Ss Thomas DeCoud and William Moore this year. Ishmael had three interceptions, four pass breakups and one sack at Central Florida.
| ATL - Desmond Trufant to miss workouts - |
Atlanta Falcons CB Desmond Trufant will not take part in upcoming team workouts until his class graduates from college.
| ATL - Wanted John Abraham back - |
The Atlanta Falcons made a push to re-sign DE John Abraham, but Abraham informed the team that he would not return.
| ATL - Richard Seymour could be option after June 1 - |
The Atlanta Falcons could consider pursuing free-agent DT Richard Seymour (Raiders) after June 1 because they will have an extra $4.5 million in salary cap to work with since OT Tyson Clabo was designated a June 1 cut.
Footballguys view: We could see several veteran additions (and subtractions) after June 1st. Seymour would help the Falcons interior pass rush and overall strength on the defensive line.
| ATL - Brian Banks working at MLB - |
Atlanta Falcons LB Brian Banks has been working at middle linebacker during the team's rookie minicamp this weekend.
