Coming off his first losing season, Falcons coach Mike Smith arrived at the NFL scouting combine Wednesday with his roster for 2014 in a state of flux.
Most of the offseason attention has been spent on retooling the front office and the coaching staff. However, the Falcons released three veterans — cornerback Asante Samuel, linebacker Stephen Nicholas and offensive guard Garrett Reynolds, and they signed offensive lineman Gabe Carimi, who was cut by Tampa Bay.
“When you put your roster together each and every year, you have to make decisions that will affect guys in one way and other guys in another,” Smith said. “Those guys were contributors to our team, but moving forward as we put our 2014 roster together, we felt like it was in the best interest for us to go in a different direction.”
Carimi, a first-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2011, has struggled mightily in the NFL. Still, Smith likes his flexibility and potential.
“He can play both guard and tackle,” Smith said. “He was a former first-round draft pick. We are hoping that he will play to that level this year.”
Smith said that he has concentrated on free agency. Teams may talk with player representatives beginning March 8, and free agency is set to begin March 11.
The news that the salary cap may increase 5 percent, to $130 million, could mean the Falcons will have more money to spend. After signing Carimi to a one-year, $850,000 contract, the Falcons have $114.2 million committed to their top 51 contracts, according to NFLPA documents.
The extra room may allow the Falcons to keep running back Steven Jackson and defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who signed as free agents last season.
“It was unfortunate that (Jackson) was injured in the second game of the season,” Smith said. “I don’t think we really got to see what Steven is capable of doing until the last three or four games. I think he scored all six of his touchdowns in those last four games.
“We have to improve our running game, and it starts with winning the line of scrimmage.”
Umenyiora led the Falcons in sacks with 7.5 last season, and Smith seemed to lean toward wanting Umenyiora to return.
“He did a great job in the leadership role as well,” Smith said. “He was a great mentor to some of our young defensive ends. I’m never going to say never. This is the time of the year that you are recalibrating your roster, but Osi did an outstanding job for us in 2013, and I’m looking forward to continue working with him.”
Beyond improving their pass protection, run blocking, run defense and ability to rush the passer, the Falcons must replace tight end Tony Gonzalez, and they’ve thrown up the white flag on that one.
“You can’t replace Tony Gonzalez,” Smith said. “He’s a first ballot Hall of Famer.”
However, Smith wants to see tight end Levine Toilolo, a rookie last season, develop now that Gonzalez has retired.
“He doesn’t have the speed, but he has the size and catching circumference at 6-foot-8 that will make it easier for our quarterback,” Smith said. “So, there will be some mismatches that will be in our favor in regards to covering the tight end, but Tony is going to be tough to replace.”
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