When Falcons coach Dan Quinn was with Seattle, the Seahawks picked up a couple of defensive ends at the free-agency bargain-basement sale in 2013.
The moves to pick up Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril help turn Seattle into a defensive powerhouse. Determined not to overpay for quality players, the Falcons continued to revamp their roster with three new deals Thursday.
No official from the team was available to comment about the moves.
It’s apparent, that the Falcons are attempting to re-create Seattle’s success as they signed two unheralded defensive ends with the hopes that their better days are ahead of them — Adrian Clayborn from Tampa Bay and O’Brien Schofield from Seattle.
Both of their careers have been slowed by major injuries, as they’ve combine to amass 26.5 sacks over 102 games.
In addition to Clayborn and Schofield, the Falcons added journeyman cornerback Phillips Adams, a former S.C. State standout who’s been with four teams.
“Excited for my new and fresh start with the Atlanta Falcons! Can’t wait to get started,” Clayborn wrote on Twitter. “#Riseup.”
After addressing their linebacker, offensive line and wide receiver positions at the outset of free agency, the team turned its attention to the defensive line and secondary.
While the rest of the NFL was following running back DeMarco Murray’s leap from Dallas to Philadelphia, the Falcons hope they were upgrading the 32nd-ranked unit in the league.
Clayborn, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound first-round pick (20th overall) of the Buccaneers in 2011, played a season for Falcons secondary coach Raheem Morris, when was head coach in Tampa Bay. He agreed to one-year deal reportedly worth as much as $4.5 million.
Clayborn, 26, has battled a condition called Erb’s Palsy, a disability that caused nerve damage to his right shoulder. He missed most of the 2012 season after suffering a torn ACL.
Schofield, 6-3, 242 pounds, was picked by Arizona in the fourth round (130th overall) of the 2010 draft out of Wisconsin.
Schofield, 27, played with Arizona and Seattle, where he was coached by Quinn. He’s played in 66 games and made 11 starts. He’s amassed 13.5 sacks.
Schofield has had knee problems dating to his days at Wisconsin, which hurt his draft status and led to the New York Giants voiding a contract last season.
Apparently, the Falcons’ medical staff is set to clear him for action.
Under Quinn, Schofield played 341 snaps and had two sacks last season. During Seattle’s Super Bowl title run in 2013, he played 141 snaps and had one sack.
The Falcons will bank on Clayborn and Schofield to help revive their anemic pass-rush.
The Falcons’ defense was among the worst in the NFL in 2013 and 2014, and the lack of a consistent pass rush was a primary culprit. The Falcons ranked 31st of 32 teams in sacks per opponent pass attempt in 2014 and 25th in 2013.
Quinn is putting a “big emphasis” on the Falcons generating a pass rush, according to linebacker Brooks Reed, who signed Tuesday.
Adams, 26, spent the past three seasons with the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders. He’s played in 68 games and has eight starts. Adams likely will compete for a third cornerback role.
Adams, 5-11, 195 pounds, was drafted by San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round (224th overall) in 2010. He has also played with New England and Seattle.
The Falcons hosted former Georgia Tech and Tennessee standout Derrick Morgan, but he did not accept their offer and went to visit Tampa Bay.
Before reaching deals the three deals, the Falcons had 58 players under contract, with a $2,845,290 previous year carryover, cap number $117,096,533, and cap room of $29,152,282, according to NFLPA documents.
Reed signed a five-year deal worth $22 million. Linebacker Justin Durant signed a three-year deal, possibly worth $10.8 million through incentives. Offensive lineman Mike Person signed a three-year deal worth $4.1 million through incentives. Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson was signed to a one-year, $1 million contract.
About the Author
