FLOWERY BRANCH – Who's coming? Who's going? Who's staying?
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
NFL Free agency officially starts at 4 p.m. today.
After the leak about the team hiring a search firm the day of the season finale, we’re told that owner Arthur Blank was not too happy and ordered an information lock-down at 4400 Flowery Branch.
Fans are outraged on twitter about the dearth of free agency information after the team cleared out some cap space with a veteran roster purge.
Also, with the NoiseGate investigation completed and the team awaiting the penalty phase, they didn’t want to rule afoul of the league’s legal tampering rules.
So, don’t expect much from the team until 4:01 p.m. and then maybe they won’t have too much to announce.
So, far review purposes, let’s take a look at: Who’s coming? Who’s going? Who’s not coming? And finally, Who’s staying? Before we do that, let’s thank all of the wonderful player agents, who’ve been leaking this information nationwide so that fans gave have something to nibble on.
Who’s coming?
--Brooks Reed, OLB. It’s a three-team race to sign him.
--Brian Orakpo, OLB. One TV reporter in D.C. has the Falcons as the leaders. One internet reporter said the Falcons are not the leader and that Colts, Cardinals and Washington are the leaders. #TweetFight
--Derrick Morgan, DE. His camp has been quiet.
--Ron Parker, S/CB. He has about seven teams in the mix, but the Falcons may have the inside track. They re-signed Cliff Matthews and Pat DiMarco, who are represented by the same firm as Parker.
--Jason Worilds, OLB. His camp has been quiet.
--Lance Kendricks, TE. His camp has been quiet, too.
--Justin Forsett, RB. He’s represented by Doug Hendrickson, a friend of the program, who also has Desmond Trufant.
Who’s going?
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
--Sean Weatherspoon, OLB. He’s headed to Arizona on a one-year or a two-year deal, depending on which unsourced tweet you believe.
--Corey Peters, DT. He’s headed to the Arizona on a three-year, $10.5 million, his agent confirmed to the AJC. “He’s going to the desert.”
-- Harry Douglas, WR. He signed a three-year contract with the Titans.
--Jonathan Massaquoi, DE. He was claimed off waivers by the the Titans.
Who’s not coming?
--Greg Hardy, DE. Falcons are staying out of the domestic violence business.
--Arthur Moats, LB. He re-signed with the Steelers, a three-year, $7.5 million deal.
--Niles Paul. TE. He re-signed with Washington, a three-year, $6 million deal.
--David Harris, LB. He re-signed with the New York Jets, a three-year, $21.5 million deal
Who’s staying?
--Matt Bryant, PK. He signed a three-year, $8.5 million deal
--T.J. Yates, QB. He re-signing for a one-year, $1.5 million deal.
--Charles Godfrey, S. He signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal
--Cliff Mathews, DE. He signed a two-year, $1.505 million deal
--Patrick DiMarco, FB. He signed a one-year, $1.495 million deal.
--Eric Weems,WR. He signed a two-year, $3 million deal.
Free Agency Limbo
--Javier Arenas, DB.
--Kroy Biermann, OLB/DE.
--Gabe Carimi, G/T. He is not re-signing with the team.
--Mike Johnson, G.
--Dwight Lowery, S.
--CB Robert McClain. He had four teams call during the legal tampering period.
--Jacquizz Rodgers, RB.
--Antone Smith, RB. He had the New York Giants call during the legal tampering period.
--Bear Pascoe, TE. Is not returning to the team.
--Jonathan Scott, OT
--Osi Umenyiora, DE. He wants to continue playing.
--Josh Wilson, CB.
Please come back as we'll update things here as the day unfolds.
FALCONS POTENTIAL UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
K Matt Bryant - signed a three-year contract extension.
G-T Gabe Carimi -- will not be re-signed.
S Charles Godfrey -- has re-signed with the team.
DE Cliff Matthews re-signed a two-year contract on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
CB Robert McClain -- has drawn interests from four teams including the Dolphins and Saints.
TE Bear Pascoe is not returning to the team.
DT Corey Peters is headed for free agency. Team has a lot of cash tied up in Tyson Jackson and Paul Soliai. Also, snaps would free up for development of Rashede Hageman.
RB Antone Smith
LB Sean Weatherspoon Team is working hard on this deal, but Arizona may be waiting in the wings to make a big push for him.
FALCONS STORIES
Falcons to focus on adding another cornerstone
Quinn-Dimitroff partnership off to a strong start
Q&A with Falcons head coach Dan Quinn at the combine
Falcons coach Dan Quinn fired up to watch pass-rushers
Q&A with Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff on moving forward
Falcons to keep character filter on draft picks
Falcons close to re-signing kicker Matt Bryant
Falcons LT Jake Matthews recovering from offseason surgery
Falcons plan to extend WR Julio Jones contract
Falcons could target Denver TE Julius Thomas in free agency
Falcons' roster gutting could have big names (i.e. Steven Jackson)
Cutting the Falcons roster -- Should they stay or should they go?
COMBINE STORIES
Todd Gurley speaks about autograph-signing caper
Bucs appear set to cast future with Jameis Winston
Todd Gurley intriguing prospect to NFL teams
Chris Conley puts on a dazzling show at the combine
Waller, Smelter out to prove NFL standing at the combine
VIDEO DEPARTMENT
Watch: D. Led -- Falcons news at the combine
Watch: NFL Network's Mike Mayock at the combine
Watch: Todd Gurley has interviews set up with 24 NFL teams
Watch: Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff at the combine
Watch: Falcons coach Dan Quinn at the combine
Watch: Rams GM Les Snead on the pass-rush talent at the combine
FALCONS COMBINE MEETINGS
Oregon DE Arik Armstead talked scheme with the Falcons
Falcons met with Alabama quarterback Blake Sims
Falcons to meet with Florida DE Dante Fowler Jr.
Falcons met with Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson
Falcons met with Alabama safety Landon Collins
PHOTO GALLERIES
Photographs from the 2015 NFL scouting combine
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