In a normal year, the Falcons would have a chance to address their personnel shortcomings through free agency and then fill in the blanks during the NFL draft.
However, the uneasy labor situation is making it more difficult for the team to plan how they will address their personnel situation this offseason.
The current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire March 3 and could put a halt to free agency. The draft is set to be held April 28-30.
"Obviously the CBA situation is on everyone's mind," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "Our staff here has always been and will continue to [operate] business as usual. That's the only way that we can approach things. There are some very intelligent people working on both sides of the ball to try to get [the labor situation] taken care of."
Under Dimitroff, in 2008 the Falcons made a big splash in free agency when they signed running back Michael Turner to a six-year, $34.5 million contract. They added linebacker Mike Peterson in 2009 for modest two-year deal.
Last season they were big spenders again, adding cornerback Dunta Robinson with a six-year, $57 million deal.
But before they go shopping, the Falcons must handle their own players. The team has 14 free agents and will approach free agency, whenever it happens, with an internal plan and external plan.
They've already signed reserve linebacker Coy Wire, but agents who represent some of the other players believe the team is waiting until the labor situation is settled to orchestrate their major deals.
"We are approaching free agency like it will be there, and that's how we are rating the potential free agents," Dimitroff said. "We'll be ready when the time comes to make those decisions."
Dimitroff said the Falcons "at this point" don't plan to use their franchise tag, but haven't made their final decision. They have until Wednesday to do so.
By putting the “franchise” tag on a player, the Falcons would have the right to match any offer the player receives in free agency or receive two first-round picks as compensation. The player is guaranteed a one-year contract worth at the average of the top five players at his position or a 20 percent increase over his 2010 salary, whichever is greater.
Included in the group of free agents are three starting offensive linemen: left guard Justin Blalock, right guard Harvey Dahl and right tackle Tyson Clabo, who made the Pro Bowl last season.
The team's other free agents are kicker Matt Bryant, wide receiver Brian Finneran, cornerback Brent Grimes, punter Michael Koenen, defensive tackle Trey Lewis, linebacker Stephen Nicholas, running back Jerious Norwood, linebacker Mike Peterson, tackle Will Svitek, wide receiver Eric Weems and cornerback Brian Williams.
"We have always been very cognizant of the fact that we will be faced with some tough and challenging decisions," Dimitroff said.
The Falcons are concerned that a team or several teams will swoop in and offer one of their linemen substantially more than what they have budgeted for the position.
The team planned for this scenario over the past two drafts by selecting tackle Garrett Reynolds, guard Mike Johnson and center Joe Hawley, who can also play guard. They've also been developing Jose Valdez, a promising guard, on the practice squad.
"We knew all along that we were going to face some tough decisions along our offensive line, and we have planned for the possibility of losing people along our offensive line to free agency," Dimitroff said.
"We are very mindful of that. Hopefully, we can get them re-signed, but in the event that doesn't happen exactly the way that we may project, we may have to get ready to move forward."
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