A Chane in Atlanta - The Road Back.

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When Michael Vick was arrested in 2007, the Falcons were thrown into disarray, losing their "Franchise" quarterback of 6 years.

After last years fiasco with the Bobby Petrino and the Coaching staff as a whole, the Falcons look for stability on the sidelines and at the Quarterback position, the job in Atlanta is possibly the least attractive coaching job for a new coach. Candidates include Long time Eagles Special Teams coordinator John Harbaugh, Former Jags Defensive coordinator Mike Smith, and long time college coach Joesph Weber.

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Falcons Announce New Head Coach Other Changes
By: John Johnson, Atlanta Weekly

News out of Atlanta this week, as the Falcons announcing the hiring of Joesph Weber. The news may shock many, the Falcons hiring another College Coach, but there is no doubt about Weber's track record. A commanding force in the Locker room (Commander Personality), he demands 110% every single play from every single player.

More of a defensive minded coach, Weber brings a Balanced West Coast offense (West Coast), and a defensive system which uses a lot of 5 DB sets (Weber Man Blitz, Base 4-2-5, has 4-4, 3-3-5, attacking 3-4).

His teams are great performers (4 Perf), and he is an Ambitious coach. His QBs are always ready come gameday, and he loves press coverage.

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QB: Field General
RB-OL: Balanced
DT: Run Stopper
DE: Speed Rusher
LB: Run Stopper/BLitzer
DB: Coverage
K/P: Balanced

No Franchise Tags

Goals:
Acquire a QB above 85
Acquire a ROLB above 85 - Completed
Acquire a TE above 85

LOLB Michael Boley (85) was given a level 2 Tender.
RE Chauncey (74) was given a Level 1 Tender.

Going into FA, I have 63.63 Million to spend. Wow.

I won the bidding for Samuel (92) and signed him for Million over 5 years, 8 million bonus.

I won the bidding for Kawika Mitchell (86), signed for million over 4 years, 2.5 million bonus.

Won the bidding for Dilfer, 2.8 mil, 500K bonus. Horrible in Negotiations.

Traded for Dumervil (88). Gave up the 100th overall, as well as a 3rd rounder next year. That was all in Free agency.

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Atlanta Draft Preview
By: Rovert Nosral

While the Falcons were a major player in Free Agency, the still have major holes to fill. The general idea is, new regimes means new QBs. While the Falcons did sign former Superbowl winner Dilfer, it remains to be seen what role he will play. The Falcons have also expressed intrest in acquiring a Blue Chip Left Tackle, a Defensive tackle, and another receiver, as well as adding much needed depth to most positions.

The Falcons are project by many to go after Top QB Matt Ryan, while others believe they will go after one of the elite defensive lineman in Long, Dorsey or Harvey.

Up Next: The Draft

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Round One Results
Team Pick Player Trade
Dolphins 1 QB M. Ryan
Rams 2 RE C. Long
Falcons 3 LT J. Long
Raiders 4 DT G. Dorsey
Eagles 5 ROLB K. Rivers From Chiefs
Ravens 6 HB D. McFadden From Jets
Patriots 7 CB L. McKelvin
Jets 8 LG B. Albert From Ravens
Bengals 9 DT S. Ellis
Saints 10 LE D. Harvey
Bills 11 LOLB J. Mayo
Broncos 12 LT R. Clady
Panthers 13 QB J. Flacco
Bears 14 ROLB V. Gholston
Lions 15 CB DRC
Cardinals 16 LT C. Williams
Patriots 17 HB R. Mendenhall From Vikings - From Chiefs
Texans 18 DT K. Balmer
Cheifs 19 RT J. Otah From Eagles
Bucs 20 CB M. Jenkins
Ravens 21 CB. A. Cason From Redskins
Cowboys 22 LT S. Baker
Steelers 23 RE P. Merling
Titans 24 LE L. Jackson
Seahawks 25 TE D. Keller
Jaguars 26 CB A. Talib
Chargers 27 RT G. Cherilus
Cowboys 28 HB F. Jones
49ers 29 CB T. Porter From Colts
Bucs 30 HB C. Johnson From Packers
Rams 31 SS K. Phillips From Giants
Patrios 32 Void - Caught Cheating


That Concludes the first round. Coach Weber's thoughts.
"A bit disappointed that we couldn't get Ryan, but we feel Long could anchor this Line for a long time. We will be looking at QB on the second day of the draft, and perhaps a DT."

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Other Draft Picks
Round Player Position on Default Big Board
Pick 37 - RE Calais Campbell (49)
Pick 48 - HB Ray Rice (60)
Pick 68 - HB Jamaal Charles (68)
Pick 69 - DT Dre Moore (82)
Pick 94 - DT Red Bryant (96)
Pick 131 - DT Athya Rubin (IDK)
Pick 166 - QB Alex Brink (180)
Pick 172 - P Durant Brooks (158)
Pick 197 - K Alexis Serna (175)
Pick 217 - HB Xavier Omon (160)

UDFA
RG A. Crummy
CB J. Zenon
QB A. Woodson
ROLB G. Hayes
WR D. Bryant

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Falcons Draft Grade
By: Joey Porter

Overall, I think the Falcons had a good draft. They obtained a Blue Chip Left tackler, but couldn't obtain a Franchise QB. They may have overdrafted at times, but filled needs and added depth.
Overall Draft Grade: B

Pick #3:
LT Jake Long. When Matt Ryan was taken, feeling among Falcons fans were mixed. Some loved him, others hated him, but the fact is, the Falcons drafted who they should've drafted in this spot. Long projects as an Elite Run-Blocker, and a very good Pass protector.
Pick Grade: A

Pick #37:
RE Calais Campbell. Campbell fell in the draft because of Character concerns, and his 4.9 at the combine certainly help his case. While it remains to be seen what position he will play, I feel as though the Falcons over drafted here.
Pick Grade: C-

Pick #48:
HB Ray Rice. Rice was a very big part of the Scarlet Knights last season, but doesn't have first round tools. He is short, but a bowling ball like player. He might have been over drafted at this point, but the Falcons were handcuffed here. Overall, a solid pick.
Pick Grade: B

Pick #68:
HB Jamaal Charles. This pick just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Sure, Charles is a homerun threat and a solid Kick Returner, the Falcons just drafted Rice and have Norwood on the roster.
Pick Grade: D

Pick #69:
DT Dre Moore. Moore is a solid talent and fits what Weber wants in a DT. He may have been over drafted, but the Falcons probably just have him higher on their board.
Pick Grade: B

Pick #94:
DT Red Bryant. Another pick that makes sense. Bryant fits the system and was taken in the right range.
Pick Grade: A-

Pick #131:
Dt Athya Rubin. Another DT? I understand that the Falcons want big run stuffing DTs, but they already have Bryant and Moore. This pick doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Pick Grade: F

Pick #166:
QB Alex Brink. A developmental QB behind Dilfer. I can't fault them for that.
Pick Grade: A

Pick # 172:
P Durant Brooks.
Meh. I think it's too early for a punter but the Falcons have nothing there. It makes sense.
Pick Grade: B

Pick #197
K Alexis Serna.
He has a big Leg, but is a bit shaky in terms of accuracy. The Falcons have nothing here, makes sense.
Pick Grade: B

Pick #217
HB Xavier Omon.
Another HB? I can't give a seventh rounder a bad grade, but I would have gone after someone with a better shot to make the roster.
Pick Grade: D-

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Camp Invites:
WR Bobby Knight - 6'2", 207 lbs from Miami - Probably won't make the cut
QB Cornelius McCray - 6'4", 211 lbs from Winston Salem - Light, but he might make the cut
CB Ernie Lucas - 5'11", 182 lbs - Likely won't make it
MLB Jamal Price - 6'2", 256 lbs - Big, will see how good he is
LT Trey Nixon - 6'3", 311 lbs - IDK, will see
TE Rashanti Hutchinson - 6'1", 243lbs - undersized, if he's athletic I'll keep him
FB Shawn Ferguson - 6'3", 254 lbs - Pretty big, don't know if he'll make it
TE Wesley Dawson - 6'3", 262 - Bigger than Hutchinson, doubt he'll make it

Rookie Contracts:
HB Charles: 1.9 mil over 3 years
HB Omon: 830K over 3 years
LT Long: 53.4 million, 10 million bonus over 5 years
DT Moore: 2 mil over 3 years
DT Bryant: 1.6 mil over 3 years
DT Rubin: 780K over 3 years
K Serna: 400k over 2 years
DE Campbell: 2.5 mil over 4 years, 500K bonus
HB Rice: 3.9 mil over 4 years, 500K bonus
QB Brink: 670K over 3 years
P Brooks: Same as Brink