Sean Weatherspoon signs 5-year, $17.5 million contract
00509 Flowery Branch - Atlanta Falcons linebackers coach Greg Pires works with first round draft pick rookie linebacker # 56 Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri, during day 3 of minicamp in Flowery Branch on Sunday, May 9, 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons first-round pick Sean Weatherspoon agreed to five year contract on Thursday, the team confirmed.
Weatherspoon, a linebacker from Missouri, is set to sign the deal before the team meeting which is scheduled for 7 p.m. He was the 19th player selected in the 2010 NFL draft.
Most of the Falcons pulled up to the amenities building in their luxury cars to check into the living quarters for training camp earlier in the day.
But Weatherspoon was not one of them because the team and his agent were still hammering out his contract.
With Weatherspoon in the fold, the Falcons have all of their rookies signed and will have all 80 players when they hit field for their first practice Friday morning.
Earlier in the week, Falcons coach Mike Smith said he was optimistic that the Weatherspoon deal would get done
Elwanda Weatherspoon and her son, Sean, the Falcons unsigned first round draft pick. (Brant Sutherlin/AJC)
before camp opened.
Progress was made during the negotiations on Wednesday and with a big push Thursday morning, Weatherspoon’s deal was completed.
“There hasn’t really been a lot of action throughout the first and second rounds,” Smith said. “But of course, the closer that you get to the reporting date, you’ll start to see more and more guys sign.”
Under the current regime, three of the four first round picks have been signed in time for the opening of training camp.
With the owners’ meeting in town, the Falcons signed Matt Ryan in May of 2008, months before training camp opened.
Last year, Peria Jerry was signed on the Thursday just before the start of camp on Saturday.
However, in 2008, Sam Baker’s first-round deal hit a last minute snag. He agreed to a contract late Friday night, but the contract was not approved by the league in time for Baker to start practice early Saturday.
Baker had to go upstairs and wait in an office until his contract was approved.
Baker joined the team one hour and 12 minutes after the first practice started. He was selected with the 21st pick, two picks behind where Weatherspoon was selected.
Over the offseason, the Falcons trained Weatherspoon at both outside linebacker positions. He will be expected to compete for a starting position.
“When you start to add the talent level and skill set of a first round draft pick to the linebacker corps, that position is going to be very, very competitive,” Smith said. “I think Sean can play all three, but right now we have basically spent our time training Sean at our outside linebacker position.”
Smith said the team will no longer make a distinction between the strongside or weakside linebacker position. Last season, Mike Peterson started at the weakside position and Stephen Nicholas started at the strongside position.
Peterson turned 34 in June, but played for Smith in Jacksonville. Nicholas was a first-time starter last season, but was drafted as a weakside linebacker by the previous regime.
“Is he a (strongside) or (weakside)?” Smith said. “He’s an outside linebacker. By cross training him and giving him that workload in (the offseason) is going to be beneficial because you’ve got to be able to do the same techniques if you are (strongside) linebacker or (weakside). I think more and more you’re seeing more team developing their outside linebackers to be able t play multiple spots.”
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
137 comments Add your comment
I.MUS WRITE
July 29th, 2010
8:26 pm
TROLL FEST 2010………
burn atlanta ... again
July 29th, 2010
8:43 pm
Enter your comments here
burn atlanta ... again
July 29th, 2010
8:45 pm
so long gen. sherman–gen brees comin’ to set this town ablaze again
FalconUGAFan
July 29th, 2010
8:48 pm
Hey ya’ll I googled NOLA and I found a pic of him…
http://media.nola.com/saints_impact/photo/new-orleans-aints-fanjpg-cc437ae769892540_large.jpg
FEAR THE TALON
July 29th, 2010
8:54 pm
Enter your comments here
burn atlanta ... again
July 29th, 2010
8:55 pm
That picture looks like Blank before make-up
FEAR THE TALON
July 29th, 2010
8:56 pm
THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT STEP OF DOMINATION!!!
burn atlanta ... again
July 29th, 2010
8:59 pm
What was the 1st step ? Taking 44 yrs. to have 2 winning seasons in a row. How long is this next step going to take ? Another 44 yrs?
Falcon Jim
July 29th, 2010
9:18 pm
So, “burn atlanta…again,” you seem to be in favor of murder, rape, carnage, destruction, kidnapping, and total disregard for humanity. The historical representation of the satin, Sherman, has been virtually scrubbed. The “War of Northern Aggression” should never be used for amusement or belittled.
That said, …………….the Birds will kick the Saint’s ass.!!! I have watched Falcons/Saints games since the beginning (yeah, this dates me.) The frenchies never win big two years in a row.
burn atlanta ... again
July 29th, 2010
9:28 pm
Bothers me not but take heed redneck- The Lombardi Trophy will come back home up north where it was born and where it wants to be. Why all the concern for the Saints? True they won’t repeat but you will fall victim to one of the most prolific offenses ,besides ours , in the NFL.
BT
July 29th, 2010
9:28 pm
Locked and loaded..lets have a GREAT camp Falcons.
BT
July 29th, 2010
9:39 pm
Word up to all Falcons fans…
Don`t feed the trolls.
They are attention starved, pathetic individuals.
Skip over and ignore them, then in their twisted little minds.
They have not gained what they seek and they will go away.
burn atlanta ... again
July 29th, 2010
9:42 pm
BT- The new spokesman for the entire merto-Atlanta area. Did Obama make you the propoganda czar?
NES
July 29th, 2010
9:59 pm
I told all falcon fans and the rest of you blogs that Mr. Blankcheck would get it done! Demiroff and Smith had to reach for ‘Spoon because he has pass coverage skills at LB position, something that was missing from last season’s team. Can take a little undersized LB “Spoon because he makes up for it with foot-speed! He will be starting and Nicholas will play as back-up and also for Petersen. The thinking has to be Petersen to sidelines on passing downs and ‘Spoon and Nicholas will be on the outside spots. This will greatly help the Secondary being under pressure to cover underneath routes! just my opinion– can’t wait for football!
Falcon Jim
July 29th, 2010
10:01 pm
To: “burn atlanta…again.”
You must be a liberal. Because that is what “y’all” do………….start calling folks names. You call ME a redneck? You don’t know me. You have no idea what my upbringing, background and beliefs are; but you resort in name calling and call me a “redneck!” Redneck is the last venue in modern America where racist can get away with their “racism,” you racist! It’s O. K. to attack a rural, southern, righteous person because of the perceived prejudices that our society allows only on this ONE group.
Actually, I grew up in Buckhead, went to the 6th rated business school in the nation and have been in upper financial management for 30 years. I would think I was more of a nerd than a redneck. But, I guess, liberal racist, like you that just prefer to call people names wouldn’t know about being a righteous American from the hole in your butt!
Falcons kill Saints this year.
IMPEACH BROCCOLI OBAMA ! ! ! !
Reid Adair
July 29th, 2010
10:08 pm
Great news. Now camp can start and everyone can focus on getting ready, rather than negotiating contracts.
BigTimeTechFan
July 29th, 2010
10:16 pm
To be honest, I’m more excited about Corey Peters at DT.
Peters, Babs, Jerry will be nice rotation. Anderson better DT then DE, but about givin up on him.
Keys will be
Peters
Sidberry or Biermenn step upand being impact
Turner – 1500+ yrs rushing, this will open up outside for Ryan.
Lofton stepping up – to many tackles chasing the play, need to meet play at point, which he shows he can do but not often.
Falcon Jim
July 29th, 2010
10:24 pm
It seems the birds have most all parts covered. I believe this season will come down to avoiding injuries. I know, this is the obvious statement to the start of the year for any good team. However, the Falcons are solid in all areas. There are probably six to eight teams every year that could make this statement, and half are weeded-out by strategic injuries. This leaves the finals to a select few. So, barring major injury problems, I believe the birds could go very, VERY far.
BEAT THE SAINTS! ! ! !
burn atlanta ... again
July 29th, 2010
10:25 pm
Why so obsessed with the Saints when you concern should be the team that knocks you out of playoff contention. My team you silver spoon fed little yuppie. More than likely you toss hashbrowns at a Waffle House because on here you can pretend to be what you want to be. What is Buckhead? Some little redneck train stop near Atlanta.
Falcon Jim
July 29th, 2010
10:39 pm
O.K., “burn atlanta…again.” Your lack of class and name calling again shows you for what you are. Again, you don’t know me but you persist in trying to belittle me. Well, again, I’m going to pigeon-hole who you are because of your shallowness: you are an ignorant liberal yankee that shouldn’t be on a Falcons blog. Go back to your rust belt and yank-off with your Union buddies. (Look for the label….destroying America.) By the the way, anyone that knows the Falcons would know Buckhead, you idiot.
Also, I am who I say I am, contrary to ANY thing an ignoramus should as yourself could assert.
So, you have not made it clear, what rust-belt team do you follow?
northwinds
July 29th, 2010
11:08 pm
Please do not pay attention to “Burn Atlanta..again” he’s obviously some 16 year old from Bankhead Highway who doesn’t know his father or his “baby mama”. If you claim to be from Atlanta and call Buckhead a “little redneck train stop near Atlanta”….then you have no relevance to any discussion about Atlanta. LMAO at the ignorance.
Falcon Jim
July 29th, 2010
11:13 pm
Thank-you, northwinds, I was starting to lose my perspective.
GO FALCONS ! ! ! !
TEAMPLAYER
July 29th, 2010
11:29 pm
Super Bowl prospects…… AFC – if Cincy gets pass Baltimore…I don’t see Indy in the big show….Ever since the league took away the “VIDEO CAMERA” New England hasn’t won anything ……..
NFC – Dallas, the best run game, but can their defense hold up…Saint won’t repeat, teams will be waiting for them and the Falcons will split with them…..Minnesota if the old man’s ankle can hold up…..
Vikings and Cincinnati in the 2011 Super Bowl
burn atlanta ... again
July 29th, 2010
11:30 pm
The clue was returning the Lombardi to it’shome. To far over the heads of some pea-nut farmer I suppose
Falcon Jim
July 29th, 2010
11:38 pm
Yeah, I figured you for a cheese-head, but the Lombardi clue was still sorta generic. But, son, why the constant personal attacks? Is this a yankee thing, or a liberal thing, or a liberal yankee thing? This is just not the way we act in the south. Are you a carpetbagger or just visiting?
Anyway, go packs and ex-Falcon Farve! (Oh sorry………..forgot.)
God Bless and GO FALCONS ! ! !
Falcon Jim
July 29th, 2010
11:43 pm
Bed-time.
Nite-all.
GO BIRDS!!!!!!!
realbirdofprey
July 30th, 2010
2:05 am
That was pretty racist northwinds, just because burn Atlanta was being a troll doesn’t mean you have to be. and falcon jim all though Sherman march was pretty inhumane so was the 100s of years of racism and slavery in Georgia.
enz
July 30th, 2010
2:15 am
colts fan….get washed away with the next hurricane. then move to atl like the rest
zacfree1
July 30th, 2010
2:17 am
Enter your comments here
why why why
July 30th, 2010
5:38 am
people this is for the falcons only and i dont care to here about any racist coments please lets keep this about football im sure they have other sites about people you dont like!! go falcons beat every body so we can get some hush mouth around here!!!!!
NES
July 30th, 2010
6:16 am
I second that why why why! its the economy and all the stress going on in our country! That is why we need football to enjoy and divert our attention to a good thing! Falcon Jim and burn atlanta again, please step back and get a coke or coffee and let’s talk football only!
Barney Phyfe
July 30th, 2010
6:59 am
WHO CARES?
#NFL News and Notes – July 30, 2010 | The Other 31
July 30th, 2010
7:34 am
[...] Falcons first-round linebacker Sean Weatherspoon agreed to terms on his five-year contract before camp opened [...]
Hamp
July 30th, 2010
9:33 am
The hellya hellyeah!
Chucktown38
July 30th, 2010
1:19 pm
Colt fan how long did it take Payton to win anything?
colt fan
July 30th, 2010
1:25 pm
did the falcons make it to playoffs yet?
oops – 9-7 don’t cut it
Falcons noticias del 21/07 al 02/08 | NFL-Media News
August 3rd, 2010
8:17 am
[...] · Sean Weatherspoon firma su contrato de rookie. link [...]