The Falcons, intent on rebuilding the league’s worst defense this offseason, may be without two of their major acquisitions when they open their organized team activities – non-contact practices — on Tuesday.
Outside linebacker Vic Beasley, the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft, has yet to sign with the team. Outside linebacker Brooks Reed, who received the largest free agent contract from the team, has a minor groin strain that could slow him down.
Beasley and the Falcons have hit an impasse. The team was hopeful that he’d be signed shortly after the rookie minicamp earlier in May. All six of the other draft picks have signed their contracts.
“There is no reason why they shouldn’t be done,” said Joel Corry, CBS Sports’ NFL business analyst. “There is nothing to negotiate, particularly at the high end.”
Beasley’s situation is complicated by the season-ending knee injury that Jacksonville’s first-round pick Dante Fowler suffered during the Jaguars rookie minicamp.
“I don’t know why it wouldn’t be done,” said Corry, a former agent and Emory graduate. “The litmus test is going to be if Jacksonville tries to use Fowler’s injury to their advantage. Then, I don’t think you’ll ever see another first-round pick come into minicamp unsigned if that happens.”
In addition to Beasley and Reed, here are five things to watch at
the outset of OTAs:
1. Running back rotation: The Falcons have revamped the running back position after releasing Steven Jackson and not re-signing Jacquizz Rodgers. They drafted Devonta Freeman in the fourth round in 2014 and picked up Tevin Coleman in the third round of the 2015 draft.
The will battle for the No. 1 spot.
Antone Smith, who’s coming back from a broken leg, hopes to be in the mix by the start of training camp in late July.
“The recovery is going pretty good,” Smith said. “I’m up and running. I’m almost full force, but not quite where I need to be. In time, that will take care of itself.”
2. Southward to cornerback: Dezmen Southward, 6-2, 210, was drafted as a free safety and wore number 41 last season. He was switched to cornerback by Quinn and changed his number to 22.
When Quinn approached Southward about moving to cornerback, he had a certain mindset.
“I’ve tried to do everything that he’s asked me to do at full speed and learn as quickly as I can,” Southward said.
3. Left guard competition: Over the offseason, the Falcons didn't make a major move to replace left guard Justin Blalock, who was released after starting 125 games from 2007 to 2014.
The Falcons did sign Mike Person, a former seventh-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, who has played in 17 games, but has no NFL starts. When the team lined up during minicamp, Person was at left guard.
But with Joe Hawley (knee), Sam Baker (knee) and Peter Konz (knee) all coming back from surgeries, new offensive line coach Chris Morgan will eventually have some options.
“We’re figuring it out as we go,” said Jon Asamoah, who started 15 games at right guard last season. “It’s kind of with (coach Dan) Quinn and all of the new guys, everything is about competition. Everything is up for grabs and whoever wins whatever spot, wins it.”
4. Baker ready for position change. Quinn told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Jake Matthews is the team's left tackle.
Sam Baker started 61 of 70 games at left tackle from 2008 to 2013. He went on injured reserve after four games in 2013 and then suffered a season-ending injury in the exhibition season in 2014.
Left guard or right tackle are spots where Baker could prevail in the free-for-all competition that Quinn has promised.
Baker played some guard in 2011, but that experiment didn’t last long after he gave up a safety against Carolina while battling an elbow injury that required surgery. Baker’s career has been hindered by injuries which include three back surgeries, two elbow surgeries and two knee surgeries.
5. Free safety battle: With Southward moved over to cornerback, Quinn said that veteran Charles Godfrey, third-year man Kemal Ishmael and second-year man Ricardo Allen will all battle for the spot.
Ishmael, a former seventh-round pick, made a major leap from his rookie season to his second season. He’s hoping to take more strides in 2015.
“Just have a chance and ability to get out there and compete with everybody else,” Ishmael said about going after the starting spot. “Most guys don’t get an opportunity like this. I just want to make the most of it like I did last year.”
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