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
danga
March 16th, 2009
12:00 am
we need DT’s that can clog the middle and demand double teaming.Last year our goal was to get an offensive line that was big mean and nasty.I think that should be our same focus on the defensive line.I also hope we can find a real kickoff return man norwood is fast but he has no agility and he’s always falling down everytime he cuts.
Chaos2
March 16th, 2009
4:57 am
I like the way the Falcons do business. I’m excited to get another season started and I trust and support the moves that management has made thus far. Regardless of the outcome, I know we have a great organization and Arthur is the new Ted. Go Birds!
al duncan
March 16th, 2009
7:27 am
Jamal Anderson needs to get in gear this year to me he has been a bust with only 2 sacks in 31 games we need to sure our defense up quickly hope that they work harder during the draft than they did in the early off season.
marko
March 16th, 2009
8:19 am
earth to Orlando, earth to Orlando, do you copy?
Ken Strickland
March 16th, 2009
10:18 am
There are a couple of issues that will play an important role in who we draft and when. One is COACHING and the other is SCHEME. Last yrs OFF turnaround, especially our OL, is a case in point. Our OL play has taken a beating over the previous 3yrs, and rightfully so. Last yr we added a rookie LT(Baker) and a 3rd yr castoff(Dahl) to basically the same players we’ve been complaining about(OT’s-TWeiner, TClabo, QOjinnaka, MButterworth & RFoster, OG’s-JBlalock & NBennett C’s-TMcClure & BWilkerson). Some serious OL coaching by one of the NFL’s best, and a OFF scheme that took full advantage of their talents, made an unbeliveable difference. These two attibutes represent something we simply haven’t have in yrs.
We just might see this same philosophy take root with our DEF. After all, how many teams have ever given up as many rushing and passing yds as we did last yr, and still managed to rank where we did in points allowed? Cutting down on the rushing and passing yrds allowed will correspondingly cut down on the oppositions scoring opportunities, which will further reduce points allowed. The best and most effective way to reduce rushing yrs allowed is at the point of attack, or DL, not LB. The best way to improve your pass DEF is by improving your pass rush, and reducing the QB’s time in the pocket and his options. In a 4-3 DEF, that’s best accomplished with a pass rushing front 4. Depending on your CB’s, safeties and LB’s to maintain coverage until DE’s like JAnderson and DT’s like GJackson can get to the QB just doesn’t work.
The question is, how much will our staff rely on coaching and scheme to get the job done, and how much will they rely on talent. Those two issues will determine who and what we draft and where we draft them.
atl1netime
March 17th, 2009
12:09 pm
Wow…..It is good to see so much energy on the fanboards…..pretty funny though….you would think that with success then some type of harmony would prevail in the fanbase…….well here I go….I like many would like to see more action in FA…with that being said I like and agree with every move so far…I have been a falcons fan for over 30yrs and I have never been more anxious for a season to get started. I think we will still be able to grab a FA or two that we need and pick up a nice starter or two out of the draft. At any rate we kept the offense together and the defense will be upgraded from last year so what is the worst that could happen we go 11-5 again and make the playoffs….darn…..that would be just terrible……RELAX FALCON FANS WE ARE ON THE UPSIDE OF THE NFL EXPERIENCE…..just think you could live in DETROIT.
mobetter
April 22nd, 2009
12:14 am
There is a olb that might not be drafted by the name of willie wilams this guy has stop being knuttulhead. why am i putting this out here is he pro day was better then aaron curry and runs a4.5 40 i hope falcon pick he up in 6.
mobetter
April 22nd, 2009
12:27 am
I have been saying all week long falcons will trade out of the24pick and will have 3 2nd round pick1ss/fs 1 nt 1te mark this words.