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Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons coach Dan Quinn was looking forward to Jake Long's second workout, but let it be known that he doesn't want to comment about players coming into to workout throughout the season.
But Jake Long is not just another player. He was the former No. 1 pick, who’s been to Pro Bowls.
He’s not a special-teamer or a backup safety and since Quinn had already talked about his eagerness to see his second workout, the fans are understandably on edge about whether the team is going to sign him.
Just wanted to put this out there since every fifth tweet is a question about Long.
We’re working on getting an update on how the workout went, but we don’t expect him to be signed before Game One. We’re told by our agent friends that would guarantee Long’s contract for the season because he’s a veteran.
If they Falcons wait until after Game One, they can sign him to a play-as-go or an incentive laden deal type of deal.
So, we’re not expecting him to be signed before Monday. We’ll stay on the story, but there are other pressing matters to focus on, like who’s covering Jordan Matthews and how do you slow down the Eagles tempo.
But, here’s what Quinn had to say about Long on Thursday:
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
“That is getting a lot of talk about guys who are coming in. I think it’s pretty common throughout the years, not only with our club, but with other clubs, for workouts,” Quinn said Thursday. “We’ll take another look today (to see how his recovery) is going. I don’t want that to be misunderstood during the year, when we bring guys in for workouts. That will be pretty common place with us and with teams around the league. We are looking forward to that today.”
Long, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft, had second workout for the Falcons on Thursday.
The Falcons wanted to see the progress that he’s made since they worked him a little over a month ago.
Two picks after Long was selected back in 2008, the Falcons picked quarterback Matt Ryan.
The Falcons currently have left Jake Matthews and right tackle Ryan Schraeder at right tackle. Tackles Tyler Polumbus and Bryce Harris are on the roster. Pierce Burton is on the practice squad. Also, Lamar Holmes in on reserved/physically unable to perform list.
Long is a four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro selection. Long, who is recovering from his second ACL tear, was cut by the Rams in March in a salary cap move that saved them $8 million.
Long was once considered one of the best tackles in the NFL, but the injuries have slowed down his career. He has finished each of the past four seasons on injured reserve, but could serve as insurance for Matthews and Schraeder.
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