Soaring High | An Atlanta Falcons Chise

[Justo]

2009 Season Review



A 9-7 record isn’t all that bad, but for the Atlanta Falcons coming off an 11-5 2008 it is somewhat of a step back. It seems the main problem for this club was its inability to bounce back from a loss. All the teams losses in 2009 came in bunches. Of course they did not follow up their loss to the New England Patriots with a loss, but they did head into the bye week on that down note. Those stats suggest this is a team that just barely missed the playoffs, and that seems to hold up. What this team needs is a tweak to the defense, and they should be just fine.

The Falcons scored 363 points in 2009, or 22.7/game and that was good enough for the13th best offense in the NFL. QB Matt Ryan completed 58% of his passes, and threw for 2,916 yards, 22 touch downs. The bad side of that was he also threw 14 picks, not terrible but still a little high. On the ground they gained 1,876 yards with Michael Turner leading the way with 871 yards.

The defense wasn’t terrible but they did give up 325 points or 20.3 points/game. Their point differential was +38 so they out scored their opponents on average by 2.4 points/game. Their take away differential was +3, so if Ryan can throw a few less INT’s and the defense can actively attack the ball that number can come way up. Since they recorded 28 sacks and gave up over 4,000 passing yards the work that needs to be done is clearly of the defensive side of the ball.

It seems the plan should be to add a pass rushing Defensive end, and then some help in the defensive secondary. With the 19th pick in the upcoming NFL draft they should be in a prime position to address at least one of those needs. Once they add a few playmakers to their defense we should see them back in the playoffs.

Franchise Settings
Game: Madden 11
Sliders: Custom
Rosters: TBD

[Justo]

2010 Schedule

[Justo]

Chris Houston Traded To The Lions



Atlanta, GA -- The Atlanta Falcons today traded cornerback Chris Houston to the Detroit Lions. In exchange, the Falcons will receive Detroit’s sixth round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft as well as swap choices with the Lions in the fifth round. Atlanta now enters the draft with six selections, pending compensatory picks awarded based on free agency.

Houston, a Falcons 2007 draft pick, competed in 44 career games in three seasons with the team.

[Justo]

Four Falcons Players Sign Tender Offers



Atlanta, GA -- Seven members of the Atlanta Falcons signed their tender offer from the team today, including: Tyson Clabo, Harvey Dahl, Quinn Ojinnaka, and Jason Snelling.

Clabo and Dahl, both starters on the offensive line, blocked for a Falcons passing attack that posted 3,571 total yards and averaged 223.2 yards per game last season. The offensive line also totaled an average of one sack allowed per every 21.1 passing plays, the second-fewest allowed for a single season in franchise history.

Ojinnaka saw action in nine games last year, starting in five. He also competed heavily on special teams for the Falcons.

Snelling was a solid contributor to the Falcons offense last season. In 14 games (three starts), he posted 142 carries for 613 yards and four touchdowns. Snelling also compiled 30 receptions for 259 yards and one TD. In the season finale at Tampa Bay, he recorded a career-high 147 yards in an Atlanta victory.

[Justo]

Falcons Select Weatherspoon With No. 19 Pick



Atlanta, GA -- The Atlanta Falcons today selected outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon with their first round (19th overall) pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Weatherspoon, 6-1, 239 pounds, was a standout linebacker at the University of Missouri where he started each of his final 41 games and recorded 413 career tackles (240 solo), 12.5 sacks, 43.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 17 passes defensed.

“Sean Weatherspoon was a guy that we had targeted all along,” said Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff. “We were very excited to have the opportunity to take an outside linebacker that is going to ramp up our speed, our enthusiasm and our athleticism. In our minds, he is a guy that is going to be a four-down player for us.”

The Jasper, Texas native is just the third player in school history to lead the team in tackles three times in a career as his 413 stops rank third in school history and 10th on the Big 12 Conference all-time list. Last season, Weatherspoon was voted a second-team All-America selection by the Associated Press, The Sporting News and Walter Camp while earning third-team honors from The NFL Draft Report. As a team captain last year, his 111 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one interception landed him as a Butkus Award finalist, Lombardi Award semifinalist and Lott Trophy quarterfinalist.

“We have a very urgent and passionate football player that can play both the Sam and Will linebacker in our scheme,” said Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith. “Sean was very productive at the University of Missouri and I think he is a guy that is able to matchup and play tight ends as well as play in the box.”

For three consecutive years (2007-09), Weatherspoon was named a first-team All-Big 12 selection as he averaged 132 tackles per season. In his junior campaign (2008), he set collegiate-highs in tackles (155), tackles for loss (18.5), interceptions (three) and sacks (five).

As a prep star at Jasper High School, Weatherspoon was named the Texas District 22-3A Player of the Year as a senior while adding second-team all-state honors. He also added all-state honors in track as a high jumper and was an all-district performer as a guard in basketball.

Weatherspoon becomes the first linebacker selected by the Falcons in the first round of the NFL Draft since Keith Brooking was picked as the 12th overall selection in 1998 out of Georgia Tech. He is also the fourth player in Falcons history selected from the University of Missouri and the second in as many years (William Moore, second round in 2009).

[Justo]

Falcons Select Seven Players In 2010 NFL Draft



Atlanta, GA -- The Atlanta Falcons selected seven players in the 2010 NFL Draft, including three players from the Big 12 Conference. Atlanta also traded their fifth round (149th overall) and sixth round (189th overall) selections to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for the 135th overall pick (fifth round).

Atlanta selected linebacker Sean Weatherspoon with its first round (19th overall) selection on day one. Weatherspoon was a standout linebacker at the University of Missouri where he started each of his final 41 games and recorded 413 career tackles (240 solo), 12.5 sacks, 43.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 17 passes defensed. In 2009, he was also named a second-team All-America selection and Butkus Award finalist.

With two third round picks on day two, the Falcons selected defensive tackle Corey Peters (83rd overall) out of Kentucky and offensive lineman Mike Johnson (98th overall) out of Alabama. In 2009, Peters posted career highs in tackles (49), tackles for loss (11) and sacks (tied with four). He was a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection from 2007-09. Johnson was the unquestioned leader of the offensive line for Alabama’s 2009 National Championship team. Last season, he set the school record for games played with 54 while blocking for Heisman Trophy winner, Mark Ingram. Johnson was also named a first-team All-America selection and first-team All-SEC pick in both 2008 and ’09.

On the third day of the draft, the Falcons made four selections including, center Joe Hawley (fourth round), cornerback Dominique Franks (fifth round), wide receiver Kerry Meier (fifth round) and safety Shann Schillinger (sixth round).

Hawley, 6-3, 310 pounds, is a versatile offensive lineman from UNLV who competed in 47 career games (33 starts). Last season, he started all 12 games at right guard and did not allow a sack. Hawley was also voted an honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference selection.

The Falcons made a trade with the St. Louis Rams to move ahead 14 slots in the fifth round and select cornerback Franks out of Oklahoma. Franks is a two-time All-Big 12 Conference selection (2008-09) as the Tulsa, Oklahoma native collected 95 career tackles (62 solo), six interceptions, 15 passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Two of his interceptions were returned for touchdowns as well as one fumble recovery. Franks also returned 29 career punts in his collegiate career for 346 yards and an average of 11.9 yards per return.

With their second pick in the fifth round (165th overall), the Falcons selected Meier, a wide receiver from Kanas. Meier caught 226 career passes for 2,309 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 417 yards and six touchdowns on 118 carries. He also amassed 2,029 yards in total offense and 2,726 all-purpose yards. Kerry holds the school career record with 226 receptions, which also ranks eighth in Big-12 Conference history. In 2007, Meier became the first Kansas player to record a rushing, passing and receiving touchdown in the same season since Garfield Taylor in 1981.

With their lone selection in the sixth round and final pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Atlanta chose Shann Schillinger, a safety out of Montana. In 57 career games, he totaled 255 tackles, 10 interceptions and 19 passes defensed. In 2008, Schillinger was Montana’s leading tackler with 108 stops as he was named a second-team All-Big Sky Conference selection.

[Justo]

Norwood, Koenen Re-signed, Rader Retires



Atlanta, GA -- The Atlanta Falcons today re-signed restricted free agents running back Jerious Norwood and punter/kicker Michael Koenen. Tight end Jason Rader also announced his retirement.

Norwood, a 2006 third round draft pick by the Falcons, has totaled 373 rushes for 1,987 yards and seven touchdowns in his four seasons with the team. He has also contributed with 903 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns and ranks third in franchise history with 2,987 kickoff return yards.

In 2007, Norwood became the third player in NFL history to have his first three career touchdown runs each go over 60-plus yards. His 78-yard touchdown run against Arizona in Week 4 of the 2006 season is the second longest in club annals behind Warrick Dunn’s 90-yard touchdown rush the following week.

Koenen has spent six seasons in a Falcons uniform, serving as the team’s punter and kickoff specialist. He has totaled 366 punts for a 42.3 average and 362 kickoffs with 83 touchbacks.

Last season, Koenen ranked tied for second in the NFL with 28 touchbacks. He also tied a club record with five kickoff touchbacks in a game on two occasions, both against the Carolina Panthers.

Rader competed in two NFL seasons and saw action in six games with one start in 2008 with the Falcons.

[Justo]

Falcons Sign Third Round Pick Corey Peters



Atlanta, GA -- The Atlanta Falcons today signed third round draft pick (83rd overall) DT Corey Peters. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Peters, 6-3, 305 pounds, was Atlanta’s first of two selections in the third round. A starter on Kentucky’s defensive line in his last three seasons, Peters recorded 146 career tackles (83 solo), 27 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 11 passes defensed, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and one interception. In 2009, he competed in 11 games for the Wildcats and logged 49 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, five passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

During his time at Kentucky, Peters was a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree in 2007 and ’08. He was also named Kentucky’s Most Improved Defensive Player by the team’s coaches in 2007.

Peters is the first of seven 2010 draft choices to sign a contract with the team. The Falcons signed the first of their draft choices from last year's draft on June 5, when they inked DT Vance Walker and CB William Middleton.

[Justo]

Falcons Sign Sixth Round Pick Schillinger



Atlanta, GA -- If you're scoring at home, the Falcons are already batting nearly .300.

We haven't yet reached the summer solstice, and the club has signed 2 of its 7 2010 NFL Draft choices.

Today the club agreed to terms with sixth-round safety Shann Schillinger of Montana. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In a separate move, the Falcons also waived quarterback Eric Ward, who they had signed on May 10.

Schillinger, 6-0, 200 pounds, participated in 57 career games at the University of Montana. During his four-year career with the Grizzlies he tallied 255 tackles, 19 passes defensed and 10 interceptions. In 2009, Schillinger competed in 15 games and collared 90 tackles, four interceptions and six passes defensed while assisting in Montana reaching the NCAA Division I National Championship game.

During the 2008 season, he started all 16 games and was Montana’s second leading tackler with a career-high 108 stops. He added 10 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four interceptions, while garnering a second-team All-Big Sky selection. Schillinger was also the recipient of the school’s Tony Barbour Award for the player who best exemplifies Grizzly football his junior season.

In a recent Atlantafalcons.com expose, Schillinger spoke of his small-town values and work ethic, as well as the experience of living in a big city for the first time.

Ward, 6-2, 213 pounds, was originally signed on May 10 as a college free agent from the University of Richmond. Ward inked his deal shortly after attending the Falcons' four-day May Mini Camp as a tryout player. The Atlanta native attended Southwest Dekalb High School and as a senior earned first-team all-conference and honorable mention all-region honors.

[Justo]

Falcons Sign Hawley & Franks, Waive Four



Atlanta, GA -- Four down, three to go.

The Atlanta Falcons today signed fourth round (117th overall) pick center Joe Hawley and fifth round (135th overall) pick cornerback Dominique Franks. Their signings bring the total to four the number of 2010 draft choices under contract with the team. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

The Falcons also waived cornerback Dominique Daniels, long snapper Justin Drescher, kicker Garrett Lindholm and defensive tackle Trey Bryant.

Hawley, 6-3, 302 pounds, competed in 47 career games with 33 starts at UNLV as a center and right guard. During his senior season, he started all 12 contests and was not credited with giving up a sack all season. Hawley also earned the Rebel Spirit Award, which is given to the senior who showed the most toughness, positive attitude and strong commitment to his teammates. In 2008, he displayed his versatility by starting seven games at center and five games at right guard.

Franks, 6-0, 197 pounds, started 28 of 40 career games at cornerback for the University of Oklahoma and tallied 95 tackles, six interceptions, 15 passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He also recorded 29 career kickoff returns for 346 yards during his time with the Sooners. In 2009, Franks started 13 games for the nations 20th ranked pass defense (179.7 yards per game) and posted a career-high 47 tackles, while adding five passes defensed, two interceptions, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He received All-Big 12 Conference first-team honors by the league’s coaches and earned second-team honors from the Associated Press, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Kansas City Star and Waco Tribune Herald.

Daniels (6-2, 190 pounds, Nicholls State), Drescher (6-1, 230 pounds, Colorado) and Lindholm (5-9, 190 pounds, Tarleton State) were originally signed as college free agents on April 26. Bryant, 6-2, 315 pounds, was signed on April 29 after spending his collegiate career at Baylor University.

The Falcons have now signed four of their seven 2010 NFL Draft selections, which include: defensive tackle Corey Peters (third round), Hawley (fourth round), Franks (fifth round), and safety Shann Schillinger (sixth round).

Still unsigned are linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (first round), offensive guard Mike Johnson (third round) and wide receiver Kerry Meier (fifth round).

[Justo]

Falcons Sign Third Round Pick Johnson



Atlanta, GA -- The Atlanta Falcons today signed third round pick (98th overall) guard Mike Johnson. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Johnson, 6-6, 304 pounds, started 41 consecutive games along the University Alabama offensive line and set the school career-record by appearing in 54 contests. He was a member of the Crimson Tide’s 2009 National Championship team while blocking for Heisman Trophy winner running back Mark Ingram.

In his senior season, he started in all 14 games and was a first-team All-America selection by the American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp and the Associated Press. Johnson was also a unanimous All-SEC first-team choice as a senior. Following his junior campaign, he was named a first-team All-America selection by Pro Football Weekly, and was an All-SEC first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report after starting 14 games for the Crimson Tide.

The Falcons have now signed five of their seven 2010 NFL Draft selections, which include: defensive tackle Corey Peters (third round), Johnson (third round), center Joe Hawley (fourth round), cornerback Dominique Franks (fifth round), and safety Shann Schillinger (sixth round).

Only first-round linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and fifth-round wide receiver Kerry Meier remain unsigned.

[Justo]

Falcons Waive QB D.J. Shockley



Atlanta, GA -- The Atlanta Falcons waived backup quarterback and former UGA star D.J. Shockley, the club announced Friday afternoon.

The move puts the Falcons at the 80-man training camp roster limit, assuming their final two unsigned draft choices - LB Sean Weatherspoon and WR Kerry Meier - agree to terms with the club.

Shockley was originally drafted by the Falcons in the seventh round (223rd pick overall) in 2006 out of the University of Georgia. He was released by the Falcons following 2009 training camp, but was signed to the practice squad on September 6, 2009. Shockley had also been released by Atlanta on October 21, 2009, but was re-signed to the practice squad on December 1, 2009.

In his four seasons with the team, Shockley did not see any action in regular season games. He was designated the team's emergency quarterback for all 16 games in the 2006 and 2008 seasons, plus a playoff game in Arizona at the end of the 2008 season.

Shockley missed the entire 2007 season with a knee injury suffered in a preseason game at Buffalo, and he spent the entire 2009 campaign on the team's practice squad.

[Macken]

noooooooo dj has to stay

[beamerball811]

I'm following Justo. This should be fun

[Rudi]

Following just to see the Bengals get all up in dat ass Week 7