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Football At Last...Whew!

By Don Stone - Football Atlanta

     Qu
ite an offseason! One that looked like it might still be going on. But, at last, we're finally going to get to see some football again.
We get to talk about things happening on the field instead of lawyers and negotiations. And it all gets under way this Friday night at the Georgia Dome as the Falcons host the Miami Dolphins.
   No one could show up at Flowery Branch or sign any players until just a few days ago. Then a frenzied flurry of free agents started getting signed...over 400 of them.
   
Thomas Dimitroff got busy fast, signing all of their draft picks right off the bat, including first round pick WR Julio Jones. Julio Jones will provide a spark that the Falcons offense needed last year and give defenses fits trying to stop him and Roddy White together. The result should be a much improved vertical passing attack.
   Some players had to be let go as
Michael Jenkins and Jamaal Anderson were cut. Defensive End and former number one pick Jamaal Anderson was released, mainly because of his lack of production. That opened up 7 million dollars in cap room for the Falcons. The result was money to acquire one of the top free agents on the market, Defensive End Ray Edwards.
   The former Viking, had 16.5 sacks over the past two seasons. He will compliment
John Abraham and give the Falcons to have a much better pash rush.
   Other key players were resigned including LBs
Mike Peterson and Stephen Nicholas, OLs Justin Blalock and Tyson Clabo, cornerback Brent Grimes and RB Jason Snelling.
    Also gone are
Harvey Dahl and Jerious Norwood to the Rams.
    Other than that, not much change.
    Not much time to prepare for a football game, even if it is pre-season.
    There is another team playing Friday night in the Dome. The Dolphins have made their share of changes as well.
   Incumbent
Chad Henne and Denver's Kyle Orton will compete for quarterback.
   Miami upgraded at linebacker -
Kevin Burnett replaces jettisoned Channing Crowder - is the most important change. DE Jared Odrick returns. The first-round pick lost his rookie season to injury last year. Pass-rush specialist Jason Taylor is back for a third season with the Dolphins.
   A big question mark will be the health of star tackle
Jake Long. A risky move is having a rookie at center in first-round pick Mike Pouncey.
   Adding excitement will be new running backs
Reggie Bush and rookie Daniel Thomas. Bush comes from New Orleans as a prized free agent.
   All fun to watch. Any football will be fun to watch. Can't wait for the crowd and atmosphere at the Dome. If its anything like last year, should be quite a ride.

 

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