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.
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
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.
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.
