Football At Last...Whew!
By Don Stone - Football Atlanta
Quite
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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