FLOWERY BRANCH -- Falcons defensive end John Abraham, who made the Pro Bowl and was selected to the All-Pro first team, is the team's most feared playmaker on defense.
Abraham, who will make $8 million in base salary next season, is paid accordingly. He's set to receive the second-highest base salary on the team behind quarterback Matt Ryan ($11.25 million).
With Abraham in the last year of his contract and turning 33 in May, the Falcons don't appear to have his heir apparent on the roster. Yet they have some well-priced veterans whom they may part ways with and use those funds in free agency.
Cornerback Dunta Robinson ($5.5 million) is the second-highest-paid player on defense, followed by defensive end Jamaal Anderson ($3.558 million), defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux ($3.5 million) and safety Erik Coleman ($3 million).
Anderson and Coleman don't project as starters, but have starter base salaries. If the team needs those funds in free agency, it could trade or release those players.
The team spent much of last season overhauling the secondary where there is clearly still work to be done.
This offseason, because of production and Abraham's age, the attention will shift to the defensive line.
While Abraham returned to form with 13 sacks after just 5.5 in 2009, the rest of the defensive ends, Kroy Biermann (3), Anderson (2), Chauncey Davis (1) and Lawrence Sidbury (0), combined for six sacks. Head coach Mike Smith has stated that the Falcons would like 10 sacks coming from the end spot opposite of Abraham.
The inability to get sacks was exposed late in the regular season by the New Orleans Saints and in the divisional playoff game by the Green Bay Packers.
Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder tried to create pressure with blitzing schemes, but New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees escaped eight times. In the playoffs, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers escaped four times, once on a critical third down in the third quarter.
If the Falcons' defensive line could mount pressure and get sacks from their 4-3 base defense or from their 3-3-5 nickel package, then they could drop more players into coverage and force quarterbacks to have laser-like accuracy.
The team has some key decisions to make concerning its linebacker unit.
Weakside linebacker Mike Peterson, strongside linebacker Stephen Nicholas and reserve Coy Wire could become free agents. The team drafted Sean Weatherspoon in the first round in 2010 and he showed promise before ankle and knee injuries hampered his rookie campaign.
"Mike is a guy that we really enjoy having around here on a number of levels," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said of Peterson.
In the secondary, Robinson, who was signed to a six-year, $57 million contract, was paid to be a playmaker. He fought through a severe technique change, hamstring injury and concussion to have a solid season.
With teams electing to stay away from Robinson, Brent Grimes was heavily targeted. He made the most of his opportunities and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl.
In 2010, Grimes was targeted a league-high 119 times by opponents, according to Stats, Inc. Grimes knocked down 23 passes and had five interceptions, which was tied for the team lead with safety William Moore.
Grimes' contract status is murky because of the labor situation. His contract is up and, under the old system that runs out in March, he would become an exclusive rights free agent.
A problem spot for the Falcons was at nickel back. Brian Williams, who suffered a late-season knee injury, was unable to remain healthy over the past two seasons.
Christopher Owens opened the season as the starter at nickel, but couldn't hold the position. With Williams out, Owens struggled mightily in the playoff game against Green Bay.
One option might be for the Falcons to play some "heavy" nickel and give Coleman, who accepted his demotion at strong safety, a shot at nickel back. Also, Dominique Franks is an option after a year of learning the defense.
Starting safeties Thomas DeCoud and Moore showed promise and should continue to blossom. Rookie Shann Schillinger made a big contribution on special teams before he fractured his ankle and was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 28.
The key for the defense over the offseason is to find more playmakers either on the roster, in the draft or in free agency.
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Falcons' offseason
We take a look at the areas the Falcons will need to improve upon in order to advance further in the NFL playoffs next season.
Yesterday: Offense
Today: Defense
Saturday: Special teams/coaching
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