Falcons make some moves after market settles
Mike Peterson and Brett Romberg were added to the Birds’ nest.
The Falcons have been slow and extremely deliberate in free agency. By contrast, last season they were swift and decisive in adding running back Michael Turner, safety Erik Coleman and the rest of the group.
Peterson has played weakside and middle linebacker. He comes “cross-trained.” He was also a former captain in Jacksonville before falling out with head coach Jack Del Rio last season.
But Falcons coach Mike Smith never had any issues with Peterson. Word coming out of Flowery Branch is that their bond is still pretty tight and that allowed the deal to get done so quickly.
Despite his falling out with Del Rio, Peterson still led the Jags in tackles with 84. He missed six starts after Del Rio misinterpreted Peterson’s attempt to fire up the team as a selfish celebratory move. It was also the last year of Peterson’s contract and well, he thought he should have been extended.
But all that is in his rear view mirror.
Peterson steps into a unit that needs some direction and playmakers. Peterson and Stephen Nicholas can go at it for the weakside spot. If Peterson wins, then Nicholas could slide over to strongside and possibly play on passing downs if he can’t beat out Coy Wire. Wire started on running downs late last season for Boley.
Now, if something happens to Curtis Lofton, Peterson can also play the middle.
Romberg gets reunited with offensive line coach Paul Boudreau and gives the Falcons another solid interior lineman behind center Todd McClure and guards Justin Blalock and Harvey Dahl.
Romberg, 29, has started 18 games over the last three seasons. He started his career in Jacksonville after playing at Miami.
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308 comments Add your comment
oldbrave
March 10th, 2009
1:40 pm
peterson is going to start not back up anyone hes has always been a smith favorite and plays hard and fast and at 32 hes 4 years younger than brokings and hes always played hard and is a head hunter even after rios stupid move costing peterson six games he still lead jags in takles
FalconDawg
March 10th, 2009
1:41 pm
I like the pace they are moving at.Not rushing to go after who everyone says they should. Build your team to play how you want it to. I like the peterson move he’s playied strong over the years a good defensive leader i can’t believe that Jacksonville actually let him go. I’ve seen him play alot in Jaxs. Romberg will be good in case a injury occurs or when mcclure desides to retire. I feel all the right guys will come with time. As a fan that sucks waiting but for the long run whatever’s best for ATL
Deep South Falcon
March 10th, 2009
1:42 pm
All I have to say, is that last time checked DL and LB’s don’t cover WR’s very well. I am more concerned about the secondary now after the Peterson signing. We have three holes on the secondary to fill. I am not sold on Von Hutchins, Chris Houston, Chevis Jackson, or David Irons to be the answer at starting CB position, and I don’t think Jamal Fudge and Thomas DeCoud are much more than special teamer’s. I hope the ofense is awesome this year, because our secondary is going to get burnt all year. Hope we can put up 56 a game, to give the sorry excuse of a defense some room for error!!
Southside Falcon
March 10th, 2009
1:47 pm
WELCOME BACK BARRY! now thats a FAN! TD and the rest of the FO know exactly what they are doing. Spending frugal with solid veterans, building through the draft and NOT OVER SPENDING ON MEDIOCRE OVER HYPED PLAYERS!! Look at the last team to try and build a REAL team instead of a FANTASY one, The REDSKINS and COWBOYS and neither of those teams went any where in late December. TD comes from where!? Oh thats right the friggin PATRIOTS name one huge free agent contract that they gave out excluding Adalius Thomas. Ive sat back far too long and listened to far too much bad mouthing. Look what they did last year whith nothing, They have proved themselves to me and the rest of us in Falcons Nation.That should be enough,let them work. ONE HEARTBEAT!! WELCOME BACK BARRY!
Barry
March 10th, 2009
1:49 pm
Hey Y’all:
Glad to be back, but really I am resting and waiting for another great Falcon season. I got this weird feeling we are going to be in it to win it in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”. Also, I am just rallying the fans in
“ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!” We FALCON FANS will be full force when the season starts. So, “GET READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!!!” WE ARE DOWN WIT THAT.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY.
“ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!!!!”
Peter Griffin
March 10th, 2009
1:53 pm
GUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!
falconsavvy89
March 10th, 2009
1:53 pm
Just a quick quesrtion do you think that Sean Jones would have been a great addtion to the franchise if he did not sign with another team???
Tibo
March 10th, 2009
1:55 pm
I really like those 2 guys but im still concerned by our DBs… What is your opinion on Leigh Bodden? did he fit in our schemes?
And with our first pick, LB or S? what are your favorites???
falconsavvy89
March 10th, 2009
2:00 pm
Your rgiht Deep South Falcon it looks like im not the only one who noticed that the conerbacks especially Chris Houston got scorched down the field most of the time. Unless they step up, the secondary is a huge concern for me.
falc
March 10th, 2009
2:20 pm
Great…now we have a 32 year old weakside linebacker playing out of positon (he’s really an inside backer)who made 84 tackles last year and didn’t play 6 games because he couldn’t get along with the coach. He’s replacing a 5 year All-Pro,about the same age, who lead the team in tackles for 8 years in a row (over 130 tackles last year)even though he was playing out of position, who was an acknowledged leader by both his coaches and peers. Now how is this such a great move, most of the “know all” fans will probably say Peterson never made tackles 15 yards down field. Maybe he couldn’t get there or maybe it takes hustle to get there. Upgrade….I don’t see it.
I do like bringing in a back up offensive lineman, it’s tough in the trenches and they need all the help they can get.
ndadome
March 10th, 2009
2:20 pm
Was that the “real” Matt Winkeljohn on the previous page? Miss that guy. . .one of the best!
ndadome
March 10th, 2009
2:24 pm
Not throwing rocks at DLed, though. .just enjoyed Matt a great deal. I like the bowtie as well.
danga
March 10th, 2009
2:30 pm
safety roy williams would be a great help to our defense just look at his stats.before dallas went to a 3-4 scheme he was one of the top safetys in the game plus we need a safety that puts fear in a receiver coming accross our middle. Sign him and we could do alot of different things with that first pick
clthurman
March 10th, 2009
2:46 pm
Hope we can draft some serious beef for that defensive middle to help our linebackers and secondary some. We will not get the BC monster nor it looks like any of the smart USC backers so what is realistic for us at 24. The safeties are not that good for that high a pick and I should say strong safety since that is what we really need. Johnson from Tech seems like a combine beast but takes too many plays off. Any ideas on corners since I hope Grimes and Jackson are not our go to plan.
Andy
March 10th, 2009
2:50 pm
I agree with clthurman. I don’t think falcons can just assume they can get a miracle corner like they did last year. I think the coaching staff is great–the falcons way overachieved because of great coaching. It would be nice to get some solid help on d that is not at the 99 cent store for free agents. I know the coaches are great and really good—they will draft well. But a repeat of anything close to last year draft would be lighting in a bottle twice. Maybe the falcons can finally break the curse . Lets get back to back winning seasons baby!!!!
danga
March 10th, 2009
2:51 pm
Enter your comments here
clthurman
March 10th, 2009
2:55 pm
For all those questioning the secondary thank you…I have been taking a beating today from posters who feel I am to hard on the FO and staff. Deep South Falcon right on sir. There was not much at stopping the pass last year except for Foxworth and they didn’t have to go there much because Houston was getting toasted. Grimes is too small period. Jackson is a nickle back at best and who is Von Hutchins?
hawesg
March 10th, 2009
2:56 pm
I like the Peterson move. It gives you depth and experience at LB. Does he have enough juice left in his legs to play WLB? I thought it would make more sense to put a big Hoss at SLB. Romberg is just a dept signing, but you need that.
If they could (they won’t) sign Bodden, then you’re in a great position to fill SS, TE and maybe OLB or DE in the draft.
I could see them trade down a few slots if they got a good return and were confident they could still land a safety they want.
steve'o
March 10th, 2009
2:57 pm
Coach Smith has proved he knows how to build a great defence! Do some of you truly believe he has no ideal what to do about the secondary!! If foxworth was all that I’m sure he would have kept him! Let the facts speak for themselves, coach know how to build a defence!!
Webhead
March 10th, 2009
2:58 pm
Sorryass signing Leadership,really? From someone in the doghouse of the head coach. Someone upset because the club didn’t extend his contract. Someone who did not have near as many tackles as Brooking. Something is wrong with you guys, this guy isn’t half the player Brooking is not to mention Boley. Jeez
steve'o
March 10th, 2009
3:03 pm
Whatever webhead.
buc_wild1
March 10th, 2009
3:06 pm
Everyone, take a step back and listen to yourselves. You guys act as if you’re a part of the FO and Coaching Staff, you don’t get paid for opinions (which we are all entitled to). All we are doing is called wishful thinking. I would be nice to acquire some of the FA talent that was available out there, but someone knows something more than we do, that’s why those certain impact players haven’t been signed here. I personally, will sit back and watch what unfolds in Flowery Branch and wait for the season to start. Let’s just hope for the sake of sanity that “OUR FALCON BRASS” does make the right moves and we do get our back to back winning seasons…….GO FALCONS!!
clthurman
March 10th, 2009
3:10 pm
Steve-o I am curious. Do you think Baltimore has had a good defense these past few years? Who paid Foxworth the big bucks? I trust Newsome for defensive schrewdness at talent jusdgement especially on the defensive side of the ball….after all he did pass on signing on Hartwell and how did that turn out for us. And if Foxworth was not “all that” then why go thru the trouble of getting him here and then letting him start. I gotta hand it to TD he got that guy for a 7th round pick…are you saying we will pick up the equivalent of Foxworth in this or even the next draft for sure. We had a good young corner with a giant upside …leave. They are not easy to find much less replace.
falconsavvy89
March 10th, 2009
3:10 pm
lol i hope that they make the right moves too buc_wild1 but what is a post without everyone’s opinion lol!!!! the Falcons will be fine as long as the secondary can either improve or be improved
Spud Webb
March 10th, 2009
3:13 pm
I love it. Dmitroff is going to build this thing with the draft. SMART free agent signings like these give a team depth and versatility and flexability. DB’s will see at least 2 new faces via the draft. TE if LJ smith doesnt sign here and probably another LB. Good job Falcons.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 10th, 2009
3:16 pm
CAMERON: Checking on the loot.
MATT: The bow tie is goofy enough. Didn’t pose with the glasses, too.
buc_wild1
March 10th, 2009
3:20 pm
I agree totally, but all this guessimation by the blog experts just makes me laugh. You’ve heard the old phrase, “OPINION ARE LIKE_ _ _HOLES!” Bottom lines is that we all want OUR FALCONS to succeed no matter what talent gets brought in. There is the one little word we should all have – FAITH, that they do make the right decisions concerning personnel. I, for one thought letting Foxworth escape was a bad idea, but hey it happened. I think the concept the team is using is a great formula, get as many 2nd tier players who has been with other teams (most who’s accustomed to winning) and bring them in to help develop our younger players into buying into Coach Smith philosophy.
clthurman
March 10th, 2009
3:29 pm
Faith and Falcons….haven’t always been able to associate those 2 together. How about we be cautiously optimistic. And opinions are what blogs are for. Leave the blind faith at church.
doodoobailey
March 10th, 2009
3:29 pm
GET ROY WILLIAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!! OUR DB’S ARE AVERAGE!!!!!!!!!
Andy
March 10th, 2009
3:30 pm
These are the thoughts of the nfc south beat writer. The falcons could have gotten booking cheaper than peterson? why not get both?
Just got the numbers on Mike Peterson’s deal with Atlanta and they’re pretty interesting.
Peterson didn’t get the one-year deal you’d expect for a 32-year-old linebacker on the downside of his career. He got a two-year deal that could be worth as much as $6.6 million. That’s a pretty good indication that the Falcons plan to use Peterson as a starter.
That’s a little bit of a gamble. Peterson’s spent much of his career as a middle linebacker. The Falcons are set there with Curtis Lofton and they apparently will shift Peterson to the outside after letting Keith Brooking and Michael Boley walk in free agency.
I know coach Mike Smith has a history with Peterson in Jacksonville and knows his abilities. But you have to wonder how much Peterson has left and how he’ll handle a move to the outside? I’m not sure that Peterson is any better than Brooking at this point in their careers.
Brooking got a four-year deal in Dallas that averages $2.6 million. In other words, the Falcons could have kept Brooking for less money than it took them to get Peterson. Yes, Brooking struggled at times last season, but I’m not sure Peterson will be an upgrade.
doodoobailey
March 10th, 2009
3:31 pm
The draft does not look too enticing for us this year; low round picks, hope TD can package something together. Unlike how GT coach Paul Johnson cannot package a polo that fits him correctly due to him being a loser.
buc_wild1
March 10th, 2009
3:34 pm
Boy oh boy, idiotic people just don’t know when to stop when they are ahead.
doodoobailey
March 10th, 2009
3:44 pm
Hell yes clthurman! ; I think he is talking to you buc_wild1, the part about taking your faith and lackofneedforopioness of the blog; like coach Paul Johnson taking off his ill fitting polos that do not fit him because he is a loser.
GATORZONE
March 10th, 2009
3:44 pm
LOVE THE PETERSON SIGNING…
ANOTHER GATOR!!!!
ANYONE CALLING FOR ROY WILLIAMS NEEDS HIS HEAD EXAMINED! HE CANNOT COVER ANYONE AND RECENTLY HE HAS NOT HIT ANYONE WITH REAL AUTHORITY EITHER! TOO OLD AND TOO SLOW!
buc_wild1
March 10th, 2009
3:49 pm
Could truly care less, it’s his opinion doodoobailey. And what”s with the GT mess, this is a Falcons blog. As for the blind faith, yeah leave it for the bible bandits, this is about FOOTBALL!
GATORZONE
March 10th, 2009
3:49 pm
2 year contract for a 32 year old linebacker is not too much. That would have him end his contract the same age as Brooking when he left. Or am I wrong about that? Anyway, I know Ray Lewis wanted a 3 year last year and he was 34, so it is not uncommon.
crabapplejoe
March 10th, 2009
3:51 pm
oldbrave wrote: ” and at 32 hes 4 years younger than brokings and hes always played hard and is a head hunter”
Well, actually, if you look at the facts ‘petersons’ is only eight months younger than ‘brokings’ as you call him. So we let ‘old’ KB56 walk and then go out and sign a malcontent who is essentially the same age. Not to mention he plays MLB, and I think we can all agree we already have one of those that’s pretty good. Its funny how suddenly I don’t see anybody talking about “impact plays” anymore. LOL. Let’s see, petersons had zero forced fumbles, zero ints., 0 PDefs, and one little sack in 2008. And while KB56 was starting every game for the last three years, petersons was riding the pine for about one third of the games due to injuries and/or screaming at his coaches…Yep, heck of a pick-up for us.
GATORZONE
March 10th, 2009
3:53 pm
what kind of name is doodoobailey anyway? YOU MUST BE A BULLDAWG FAN!!!!!
clthurman
March 10th, 2009
3:54 pm
Well now we have only the draft realistically to get other players. The free agents that are left are there for a reason, and why bother with someone else’s trash. Let’s hope TD can find some hidden gems this year to start defensively,cuz the ones we have…will have a hard time even beating the Bucs this year.
Hannbird
March 10th, 2009
3:56 pm
Like the signings but (and this is a long shot) I think there is going to be some sort of deal between ATL and CAR. I think they are going to work out a deal so CAR gets Vick and ATL gets Peppers. Think about it…
smauricio
March 10th, 2009
3:56 pm
I went in favor for the Brooking exit, but I think we will miss him….
I prefer him than Peterson…
clthurman
March 10th, 2009
3:59 pm
If we can get anything for Vick that would be a bonus. Beacause he is our trash.
marko
March 10th, 2009
4:01 pm
Peterson fits with what the Falcon’s brain trust says they want to accomplish, namely he can help at more than one position. Is he a back up or a starter? From what I’ve seen of Smith so far I Don’t think it matters much. He rotates players faster than a hockey coach juggles lines. Peterson will get his uniform dirty and Smith trust him to get the job done. That’s good enough for me.
doodoobailey
March 10th, 2009
4:04 pm
GATORZONE: i think you are a loser that makes out with his mother in jean shorts; that is why you type in all caps so much and have such a basic name like GATORZONE. It should be “imaf*ckingloserzone”…did you catch all that? Roy Williams could probably knock your head and jean shorts off though.
buc_wild1: sorry about the GT stuff; those polos he wears make me sick, go falcons!
steve'o
March 10th, 2009
4:05 pm
clthurman, have you ever coached a strong NFL defence? Has coach Smith? I’m sure coach knows what he is doing. I’ve been through ups and downs with this franchise since the late 70’s, this is truly the first time I’ve felt confident about the direction of the team! Goog to be a Falcon fan isn’t it!!
marko
March 10th, 2009
4:07 pm
Orlando, I had felt that the Falcons would go linebacker in the first round. Do you think signing Peterson to a two year contract will alter their plans. I’d think D-line or cornerback would now be top priorities.
Reno 911
March 10th, 2009
4:17 pm
Not pursuing Sean Jones in FA and signing Peterson and resigning C. Davis means either:
A)
1st: Safety– Delmas, Western Mich. or Sean Smith, Utah.
2nd: DT – Ziggy Hood, Mizzou.
3rd: TE– Casey, Rice or Coffman, Mizzou
or
B)
1st: DT – Peria Jerry, Miss.
2nd: Safety – Rashad Johnson, Alabama
3rd: TE– Casey, Rice or Coffman, Mizzou
If Pettigrew is there at #24 (as many think he will be), should the Falcons take him? Ugh, though I think he’d be great, our defense is too thin right now not to put the first two picks on that side of the ball. I’m still on the Clay Matthews bandwagon at OLB, but our needs are greater elsewhere.
clthurman
March 10th, 2009
4:27 pm
Yes Steve-O it good to be a Falcon fan. No i have never been a defensive coach but you did not answer the question. I’m a dick because I want us to keep winning and I point out the 800 pound gorilla in the room. We have no secondary and you do not continue winning in this league without a consistent defense. I don’t care if Coach Smith has sex with Dick Butkus, if he was an avowed genius Jacksonville would have not let him go. He is a damn good coach and whether it be him or TD I will call them on being cheap when it comes to Foxworth and the fact we have NO DAMN SECONDARY!!!!
doodoobailey
March 10th, 2009
4:36 pm
steve’o….it’s “DEFENSE”….dumba$$. And work on your comma splices too.
steve'o is a hom'o
March 10th, 2009
4:39 pm
Steve’o: Is Defence a privacy fence or a chain link fence?