5 things to know about the Falcons today

091712 ATLANTA: Atlanta Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon pounds his chest in celebration after stopping Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning on third down forcing a punt on the way to a 27-21 victory during second half action in their Monday Night Football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Monday, Sept. 17, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM 091712 ATLANTA: Atlanta Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon pounds his chest in celebration after stopping Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning on third down forcing a punt on the way to a 27-21 victory during second half action in their Monday Night Football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Monday, Sept. 17, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

March 11, 2016

FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcon have been in a free agency frenzy since the league's new business year opened at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

Here are five things to know as they move into Day 3 of free agency:

1. THE RETURN OF SPOON?: Former Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon has returned after going to Arizona for a year. He did get to play in his second NFC championship game. If he can stay healthy and return to form he'd be a nice addition. He's set to sign an one-year contract with the team today.

2. SANU TO REPLACE RODDY WHITE: Former Cincinnati wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, who's never had more that 60 catches in a season, was essentially signed to replace Roddy White, the franchise's all-time leading receiver. He received a five-year, $32.5 million deal. Columnist Jeff Schultz was under-whelmed.

3. BEASLEY IS HEALED: Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley was at Clemson's Pro Day. He said his torn labrum is healed and he's lifting weights on the regular. He also liked the team's free agency moves along the defensive line in retaining Adrian Clayborn and picking up the stout Derrick Shelby.

4. MACK ATTACK: Falcons center Alex Mack knows left guard Adam Levitre, but will have to meet the rest of the guys. He's also checked in with quarterback Matt Ryan already.

5. MINOR MOVES: The Falcons re-signed backup tackle Bryce Harris. Also, backup center Gino Gradkowski signed with Carolina. Linebacker O'Brien Schofield is disgruntled with the Falcons' offer and may be headed back to Seattle. Rams cast offs Chris Long and James Laurinaitis have been in for visits, but their signings don't appear imminent.

060612 FLOWERY BRANCH : Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon fires up teammates during warmups for team practice at Flowery Branch on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon . CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

2016 NFL COMBINE COVERAGE

Alabama defensive tackles (A'Shawn and Jarran) are NFL-ready

Falcons defensive line coach Bryan Cox gets into shoving match at NFL combine

Floyd, Jenkins are stellar NFL prospects

Firm helps NFL prospects prepare for newfound wealth -- 7 financial pitfalls they'll face

Ex-Georgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins has met with the Falcons

Clemson's Shaq Lawson interviewed with the Falcons

Nkemdiche has uphill battle to improve NFL draft status

Nkemdiche would love to play for the Falcons

14 questions with Georgia Tech standout Adam Gotsis

Falcons checking out interior linemen at the combine

18 questions with Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff

Quinn still evaluating the roster -- Nothing new on Roddy White

7 players the Falcons are watching at the combine

13 questions with Falcons coach Dan Quinn

5 questions with Duke punter Will Monday (Flowery Branch High)

26 State prospects hope to make impact at NFL combine

ATLANTA FALCONS OFFSEASON STORIES

Synthetic turf chosen for Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Falcons cheerleader training session on Saturday

Falcons' Smith leaving to run Ohio State's alumni association

5 positions for the Falcons to shore up

Dimitroff, Quinn have activated the '100-day' plan

Stay or go: Pick Falcons' defense

Stay or go: Pick Falcons' offense

Falcons owner Arthur Blank vows to fight cancer, move on Super Bowl bid

Here's what Blank is facing medically

Falcons released safety William Moore, linebacker Justin Durant

Falcons' Matt Ryan picks Panthers win Super Bowl 50

Arthur Blank on Dimitroff, PSLs and Super Bowl bid

Falcons leaning toward keeping Roddy White

About the Author

D. Orlando Ledbetter

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Alerts

5 things to know about the Falcons today

More Stories

US and Canada go to overtime tied 1-1 in the gold medal game at the Olympics

Boys basketball rankings: 4 No. 1 teams in the hunt for first championships

Eileen Gu finds gold on the halfpipe to make it 6 medals in 6 Olympic events over her career

Kennesaw State rallies in second half for win

Georgia State holds off rival to end six-game losing streak

Events planned for Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center

A bill could affect Georgia’s craft beer industry, plus more Atlanta dining news

Jurors get first look inside Apalachee shooting suspect’s life at home

Staffing crisis may require cap on Fulton’s jail population, report says