Since general manager Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith arrived in 2008, they have made a point to add veteran players and have counted on them to perform later in their careers.
It’s not a new roster-building strategy.
The idea of having seasoned-veterans can be traced directly to George Allen and his old “Over the Hill Gang” teams of the 1970s. He helped turned Washington into contenders by adding veterans, most of whom had played for him previously with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Falcons have not been as extreme, but clearly stole a page from Allen’s book.
Some of the key veterans have included linebacker Mike Peterson, defensive back Kelvin Hayden, safety Chris Hope, linebacker Tony Gilbert, running back Aaron Stecker, wide receiver Marty Booker, running back Verron Haynes, cornerback Brian Williams and tight end Tony Gonzalez.
Some played minor roles or helped the Falcons get through some injuries. Others, such as Gonzalez and Peterson, were key starters.
So, no one really questioned the moves last season when the Falcons added running back Steven Jackson, who played his previous nine seasons with St. Louis, and defensive Osi Umenyiora, who played his previous 10 seasons with the New York Giants, in free agency.
The thought was that both veterans would help with a Super Bowl push as the Falcons were coming off reaching the NFC Championship game, where they were 10 yards short of reaching the Super Bowl.
Jackson and Umenyiora were signed to replace the roles of former running back Michael Turner and defensive end John Abraham.
Things haven’t exactly worked as planned. The Falcons were 4-12 last season and are 2-5 start in the current season.
Jackson had a hamstring injury that slowed him last season and ended his string of eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He’s the team’s leading rusher with 285 yards on 77 carries, but fans are calling for backup Antone Smith to get more carries.
Umenyiora led the team in sacks last season with 7.5, but has not been able to find a pass-rush groove while playing in a designated pass-rush specialist role. He averages 23 plays per game and has played on only 32.4 percent of the defensive snaps.
Both thought it would be different and the Falcons would chase the Vince Lombardi trophy.
“Of course, it’s been very frustrating and somewhat disappointing, but the one thing about the game of football is that when we all sign up we know that it’s a team sport,” Jackson said. “We know that one or two individuals aren’t going to change the outcome of what may happen in the season.”
Umenyiora, who was born in London, came over from the Giants as a two-time Super Bowl winner.
“It has been tough, but you know the most important thing is that we still have a chance to turn this around,” Umenyiora said as the clock is ticking on this season. “If we’re able to do that then everything is going to look like it was in the past and we came for right reasons.”
Jackson and Umenyiora both had other suitors, but were determined to play for the Falcons. No one could have envisioned such a quick descent from contender status.
“We came here with good intentions,” Umenyiora said. “We came for the right reasons, but like everything in life, things don’t always work out.”
They are not ready to concede this season.
“We can help this team get turned around,” Jackson said. “I’ve been on teams that have had to go through some lean years and he has as well. So, the combination of knowing how to get guys to rectify the problems is helpful.”
Since the NFL went to the 12-team playoff format in 1990, no team that was 2-6 has reached the playoffs. (The Falcons are slight underdogs against the Lions.) Also, the teams in the NFC are playing so poorly that the champion could end up wearing an 8-8 crown.
So, the veterans have tried to remain optimistic.
“We still have a chance to go out there and get things done this year,” Umenyiora said. “If we’re able to do that, then everything will be OK.”
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