FLOWERY BRANCH — A wrinkle in the labor agreement could keep nine Falcons’ free agents on the sidelines until Aug. 4, when the NFL’s new business calendar is set to start.
The Falcons were allowed to start negotiations with their free agents Tuesday. They can’t sign them until 6 p.m. Friday.
Receiver-returner Eric Weems is an exclusive-rights free agent. Cornerback Brent Grimes is a restricted free agent. "He did not sign (his tender)," agent Ben Dogra wrote in a text to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He can't practice (before) the (Aug. 4th) unless he is signed or if (collective bargaining agreement) is ratified before then. RFA's can show up since the lockout is lifted."
Right tackle Tyson Clabo, right guard Harvey Dahl, left guard Justin Blalock, linebackers Stephen Nicholas and Mike Peterson, running backs Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling, kicker Matt Bryant and punter Michael Koenen, all unrestricted free agents, are affected by the rule.
There is a possibility that free agents could practice earlier — if re-signed — and if the NFL Players Association recertifies as a union and the new 10-year collective bargaining agreement is ratified sooner. Under that scenario, the start of the league’s business calendar could be moved up. The Falcons are set to sign their union cards in the recertification process Thursday.
Until the business is complete, the team’s free agents are not allowed to practice or take part in any strength training. Should they sign, they would be allowed to attend meetings and classroom sessions until the calendar begins.
“There are a lot of guys, free agents, who this process isn’t over for them,” said Coy Wire, one of the Falcons’ player representatives. “The process is going to be quite hectic for them for the next several days.”
Clabo is the other player representative, but after helping lead the union effort, he is not cleared to practice.
“We did see Tyson [briefly],” Wire said. “He’s hoping that he can come back to Atlanta.”
With Clabo, Dahl and Blalock sidelined by league rules, the Falcons may provide a sneak peak at a revamped offensive line Friday during their first practice.
Falcons coach Mike Smith was busy meeting with the players and coaches Tuesday. He will address the situation after practice Friday. General manager Thomas Dimitroff was busy working through signing all of the contracts for the undrafted rookie free agents.
The team has a list of 22 players, but will not release it until all of the signed contracts are returned, according to a team official.
Negotiations to retain the team’s free agents are in the preliminary stages, according to one agent who heard from the Falcons on Tuesday.
Snelling, in an interview on NFL Sirius Radio, was aware of his plight.
“We have to go through this little free-agency frenzy, but eventually we’re going to get back to normal where we are playing this game of football,” Snelling said. “A lot is going on in this short period.”
Snelling said he wanted to return, but could draw interest from St. Louis, Chicago or Tampa Bay. St. Louis general manager Billy Devaney was with the Falcons when they selected Snelling in the seventh round of the 2007 draft.
“I’m just going to enjoy this process,” Snelling said.
The Falcons’ six rookie draft picks could start practice on time if they are signed to contracts before Friday.
Quarterback Matt Ryan is looking forward to continuing his work with wide receiver Julio Jones, the teams’ top draft pick. During the lockout, Ryan took Jones under his wing and tried to force-feed him the playbook and teach him routes at the twice-a-week player-only practices in May and June.
“He’s excited about the opportunity,” Ryan said. “[He was] out there working hard every day. He’s dedicated. He’s a smart guy. He’s picked up things very well.”
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