FALCONS POTENTIAL FREE AGENT LIST
The new coach must decide which players to keep while reshaping the team’s roster.
Javier Arenas, cornerback
Kroy Biermann, linebacker
Matt Bryant, place-kicker
**Drew Davis, wide receiver
*Patrick DiMarco, fullback
Charles Godfrey, safety
Mike Johnson, offensive lineman
Dwight Lowery, free safety
Cliff Matthews, defensive end
Robert McClain, cornerback
Bear Pascoe, tight end
Cory Peters, defensive end
Jacquizz Rodgers, running back
Jonathan Scott, offensive tackle
Antone Smith, running back
*Nate Stupar, linebacker
Osi Umenyiora, defensive end
Sean Weatherspoon, linebacker
Eric Weems, wide reciever
Josh Wilson, defensive back
T.J. Yates, quarterback
** Restricted free agent
* Exclusive rights free agent
Players signed to futures contracts: Reid Fragel, tackle; Mickey Shuler, tight end; Brandan Bishop, defensive back; Ricky Heimuli, nose tackle; Jordan Mabin, cornerback; Freddie Martino, wide receiver; Kyle Miller, tight end; Bernard Reedy, wide receiver; Adam Replogle, offensive guard; Jacques Smith, linebacker and Ronnie Wingo, running back.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank doesn’t believe that his team needs a major rebuilding project and will expect the new coach to compete for the Super Bowl immediately.
The franchise is searching for a coach to replace Mike Smith, the winningest coach in franchise history, who was fired Dec. 29.
Former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan interviewed Tuesday. The team is set to interview Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles on Thursday.
The Falcons, with the aid of corporate search firm Korn Ferry, had interviewed Denver offensive coordinator Adam Gase, New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Falcons special-teams coach Keith Armstrong.
Former Bills coach Doug Marrone and Detroit defensive coordinator Teryl Austin are also set to be interviewed.
Here’s a look at seven major issues on the new coach’s to-do list:
1. Improve the worst defense in the NFL. The Falcons failed at acquiring good defensive players after they signed quarterback Matt Ryan to $103.75 million contract in 2013. They let all of the linebackers, including Curtis Lofton, leave. They also didn't or couldn't pay cornerback Brent Grimes. In the cheaper replacements, the Falcons got what they paid for.
The Falcons ranked last in the league in yards allowed at 398.3 and in passing yards allowed with 279.9 per game. The rushing defense, which gave up 118.4 yards per game (21st), also needs to be spruced up.
The interior of the defense is perhaps in the best shape, but the perimeter players in the front seven, the outside linebackers and defensive ends, need to be upgraded.
The pass rush was nonexistent as they could only muster 22 sacks, which was tied for 31st in the league.
2. Reshape the roster. The new coach will have until March, when the league's new calendar year starts, to determine which prospective free agents to retain.
The only “must-sign” players in the group are linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, defensive end Corey Peters, kicker Matt Bryant and running backs Antone Smith or Jacquizz Rodgers.
3. Find a 1,000-yard running back: Running back Steven Jackson reportedly told a local disc jockey that he was resting his injured quad so that he would be ready for the playoff game when he sat out the regular-season finale.
He’s under contract for next season, but could be released.
Jackson, whose fine career is winding down, had a solid year. He rushed 190 times for 707 yards (3.7 per carry) and scored six touchdowns. He caught 20 passes for 148 yards.
When the Falcons averaged 11.2 wins per season from 2008-12 under Mike Smith, they had a legitimate rushing attack and short-yardage package.
4. Get Matt Ryan a pass-catching tight end. The Falcons went from future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez to Levine Toilolo at tight end.
Toilolo improved as a blocker, but was a liability in the passing game. He dropped six passes out of 49 times targeted and finished with 31 catches for 238 yards and two touchdowns.
Ryan would benefit from a functional pass-catching tight end next season.
5. Land pass-rushers in free agency. Everyone in the NFL is closely watching the Justin Houston situation in Kansas City, but the former Georgia standout likely will receive the team's franchise tag before being allowed to become an unrestricted free agent.
Other interesting possible free agents include Brian Orakpo (40 career sacks), former Georgia Tech star Derrick Morgan (23 sacks) and Jason Pierre-Paul (42 sacks).
If the Falcons don’t re-sign Biermann ($4.083 million) and Osi Umenyiora ($4.750 million), they’ll have plenty money to upgrade the position.
6. Land pass-rushers in the draft. The Falcons hold the No. 8 pick in the draft and will need to add some help on defense.
The top pass rushers in the draft are Nebraska’s Randy Gregory, Missouri’s Shane Ray and Clemson’s Vic Beasley.
“Beasley from Clemson, if you put him on his feet he’s a consistent player,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. “He has power. (He’s) a strong kid and has speed off the edge.”
The Falcons may have to trade up to get Gregory or Ray.
“They are probably going to go top five the way it looks right now,” Kiper said. “They are more 4-3 defensive ends. Gregory could play on his feet at outside linebacker.”
7. Fix the offensive line. If the Falcons are going to rebound, they must improve the run blocking and pass protection.
Ryan was sacked 31 times last season, which was down from 44 in 2013.
The former staff had no confidence in the line in short-yardage situations and often threw passes on third down-and-2. A dropped screen pass on third-and-2 against Detroit helped the Lions pull out the 22-21 victory in London.
