With the start of the NFL’s legal tampering period, here are five things to know about the Falcons on Monday:
1. Farewell Cribb: The team's longtime photographer, the great Jimmy Cribb is retiring after 39 years.
2. Falcons on sideline for free agency. The Falcons, who have major contract issues with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and wide receiver Julio Jones, don't have enough salary cap space to participate deeply in free agency. As far back as the Super Bowl, general manager Thomas Dimitroff told the fan base that the team would not "boldly" spend in free agency. (Note to fans and Falcons' vast ban of Twitter GMs: Spend more time on getting ready for the draft. They have nine picks.)
3. Brown trade sets Jones' value: The Antonio Brown trade set Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones' market value at $18 million to $20 million per year.
4. Falcons depth chart headed into free agency: We are working on it and the running back position has Devonta Freeman, Ito Smith, Brian Hill for now.
5. Beasley vs. Fowler. Many fans are upset with Vic Beasley's counting $12.8 million against the cap. Note that the Rams just agreed to a one-year $14 million contract with Dante Fowler, who was drafted third overall, five picks ahead of Beasley in the 2015 draft.
The 📸 Legend retires...
— FalconsPlayerAffairs (@Falcons_PA) March 11, 2019
Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to the #Falcons organization for 39 years, Jimmy Cribb! pic.twitter.com/JriaPkZwo8
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