5 things we heard: Ray Edwards headed to Philadelphia
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards could be headed to Philadelphia. (Associated Press)
With most of the NFL writers in town last week, we passed some time during the eight-hour league’ meeting cross-checking free agency notes, catching up on league gossip, rumor and innuendo.
Here are five things we heard bouncing of the walls of the swank Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway:
- Ray Edwards is headed elsewhere: The Falcons reportedly have had a change of heart. They are going to focus on retaining their 11 free agents and will not be a player in the Ray Edwards derby. The defensive end is expected to land in Philadelphia.
- Tyson Clabo is staying put: Although the Falcons planned for a potential exodus of offensive linemen, they appear ready to retain two of the three starters. The order of priority is believed to be Clabo, Harvey Dahl and then Justin Blalock.
- Stephen Nicholas is headed to the New York Giants: Nicholas is viewed as a potential starter for the Giants. For the Falcons, he opened last season as a reserve. He has started 24 of the last 32 regular-season games with the Falcons.
- If no Edwards, what are the Falcons going to do at defensive end? I didn’t get a plausible answer for this. Kroy Biermann thinks he can make another leap if he doesn’t have to play on special teams.
- Charles Johnson likely headed back to Carolina: Johnson, the former UGA standout, could be another defensive end target, but Carolina general manager Marty Hurney said it was rather easy to figure out their priorities. Translation: They plan to re-sign Johnson and running back DeAngelo Williams.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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122 comments Add your comment
Beef
July 25th, 2011
9:49 am
@just sayin’
How does Julio replacing Jenkins take catches away from White?? Are you daft? How about he takes catches away from the guy he replaces, makes incredibly more sense doesn’t it. Julio’s presence on the field will spread out defenses and pull double-teams off Roddy. If anything, Roddy will be more productive.
Roddy 110 catches for 1,400 yards and 18 td’s
Gonzo 40 catches for 400 yards and 7 td’s
HD 30 catches for 500 yards and 3 td’s
Julio 55 catches for 850 yards and 7 td’s
Quizz 30 catches for 350 yards and 3 td’s
Jenkins 20 catches for 200 yards and 2 td’s
JONESBORO SLIM
July 25th, 2011
9:52 am
@All Falcon fans
Stop drinking the KOOL-AID Ray Edwards isn’t all that…while DLine was double teamed he would be singled covered with poor results…so move on….
Dilla
July 25th, 2011
9:52 am
Cant wait till free agency starts. First Edwards is a fore gone conclusion then he’s not. If the Falcons don’t improve the defense some how they are going to be taking a step backwards. Re-signing free agents will not cut it.
Jonesing for Football
July 25th, 2011
10:05 am
dump BVG
and
bring back the Grits Blitz
If The Falcons Don't Sign A DE
July 25th, 2011
10:06 am
Some heads in the front office will start to roll next year because we won’t make the playoffs with oure current Defense. And TD will look like the GM I’ve always considered him to be…way in over his head. Again, he doesn’t know what he’s doing and this years draft confirmed it.
By the way- if the Falcons don’t make the playoffs, Blank can surely forget getting a stadium.
TheManMike
July 25th, 2011
10:09 am
No Saints fan can say a word after that beating in Seattle (Seattle?? Really? hahahahaha) last year. We made it past round 1 and got beat by the eventual SB champs while the Aints lost to THE WORST TEAM TO EVER MAKE THE PLAYOFFS!
……I reapeat…..THE.WORST.TEAM.TO.EVER.MAKE.THE.PLAYOFFS…..EVER. And beat soundly…..Oh how you guys forget that….
If The Falcons Don't Sign A DE
July 25th, 2011
10:13 am
One last thing- Kroy is nothing better than a back-up DE. He didn’t cut the mustard last year and won’t this year. We not only need help on the DE but also in the middle of field.
Again, this goes back to TD. Look folks- we’ve been in this position since the release of Malloy/Brookings and still have not found a replacemen like TD promised. Don’t you remember Dimitroff comments about putting defensive play-makers on the field after the playoff lose to Arizona.
Either TD is stupid or he can’t evaluate talent. It just that simple.
So, if we by-pass on Defensive help, then that means that we put all of eggs in Julio’s basket…when we really didn’t need another WR.
SP
July 25th, 2011
10:14 am
Lets get Johnson! More Dawgs on the falcons will put butts in the seats and put up more W’s!
Falcons fans should check out http://www.sweetpons.com!
DawgFan
July 25th, 2011
10:16 am
D. Orlando-
What do you think about the Falcons maybe making a run at Mark Herzlich? If I’m remembering correctly he went undrafted. Not only did he beat cancer, but the man is a beast on the field.
DawgFan
July 25th, 2011
10:20 am
I love all these people who are blasting the Falcons front office. This is the group that finally put back-to-back winning product on the field, and not just that, but they’ve given us three winning seasons and just last year we were one of the best teams in the NFC. I don’t know of anyone who could be Green Bay at the end of last season. Yes, there is still some work to do, but it is darn foolish to say that Dimitroff cannot assess talent, or worse yet, to call him stupid. Just three years ago this organization was a joke. Since then, like every other team in the league, we’ve had good draft picks and bad draft picks. We’ve had good free agent signings and bad free agent signings. Look at teh core of talent this team has and you can see a perennial contender for years to come.
Unless you just want to write off the GM and coach as stupid.
just sayin'
July 25th, 2011
10:26 am
haven’t forgotten Seattle…but making steps to improve…unlike the falcants..add a speedy WR instead of defensive help…and don’t think that a FA DLineman will ‘propel’ u to the top of the class…sounds like grasping to me…need more than one player overcome your woes…as i remember the packers didn’t even punt in the playoff loss…
TheManMike
July 25th, 2011
10:26 am
If The Falcons Don’t Sign A DE – First off, the dudes name is Brooking…Not Brookings…how hard it that buddy? Second, Kroy can be a stud – we just need to get him OFF of Special Teams play so he can conserve his energy. TD drafted Lofton, and he took Brooking’s spot and Malloy wasn’t a cog…..Dude, are you new to the Falcons organization?
TheManMike
July 25th, 2011
10:28 am
Just sayin` – And I’m just sayin` that the Aints got burned by the WORST TEAM IN PLAYOFF HISTORY….You have no other argument.
PMC
July 25th, 2011
10:28 am
Kroy Biermann is about to be the new Keith Brooking. Everyone loves his hustle, but it’s few and far between when he actually does something amazing.
Joe11
July 25th, 2011
10:39 am
@ just sayin’
13-3 was the top of the class in the NFC
Innocent Bystander
July 25th, 2011
10:40 am
Guess that means we will have to make a play for Mario Williams when he hits free agency next year. Not a bad consolation prize.
BAMA dude
July 25th, 2011
10:41 am
Did one of the moron ain’t fans suggest that Cam Newton would be a competent passer this season? Brilliant. :eyeroll:
If The Falcons Don't Sign A DE
July 25th, 2011
10:42 am
@PMC – I agree with your assessment of Kroy. Its not that Kroy bad, its just that we don’t have the push up the middle to free up some of our DE to make plays. None of our DL requires double team; therefore, all of our opponets OL can concentrate on our biggest threat, which is Abraham.
Am I the only think that TD is either over his head as GM? I think his true colors and in-experience is starting to surface.
If The Falcons Don't Sign A DE
July 25th, 2011
10:43 am
correction: Am I the only one on this board that thinks TD is way in over his head as GM? I think his true colors and in-experience is starting to surface.
BAMA dude
July 25th, 2011
10:44 am
just sayin’
July 25th, 2011
10:26 am
haven’t forgotten Seattle…but making steps to improve…unlike the falcants..add a speedy WR instead of defensive help…and don’t think that a FA DLineman will ‘propel’ u to the top of the class…sounds like grasping to me…need more than one player overcome your woes…as i remember the packers didn’t even punt in the playoff loss…
I can’t wait ’til all you fools see this offense. Julio Jones is another Calvin Johnson- this passing game is going to be uncoverable.
just sayin'
July 25th, 2011
10:48 am
and i repeat….Tramon Williams…70yd int for TD as half ends….falcants fans start leaving the dome….give it up on seattle…everybody saw it…as did they see matty melt ‘telegraph’ that sideline floater…
swatguy
July 25th, 2011
10:48 am
DOL, Are the Falcons satisfied with the Backup QB position? I’m not.
just sayin'
July 25th, 2011
10:49 am
uh, oh…turd roll is back….cuttin and pasten…..
swatguy
July 25th, 2011
10:51 am
Oh, Biermann is a ballplayer. Take him off ST and he will be that difference maker at DE.
BAMA dude
July 25th, 2011
10:53 am
just sayin’
July 25th, 2011
10:49 am
uh, oh…turd roll is back….cuttin and pasten…..
And spelling correctly too. Using logic instead of Louisiana hood rat thinking, all that jazz.
TheManMike
July 25th, 2011
10:54 am
Just Sayin` – And that happened when? Oh yea, in the NFC Championship Game. The same game the Aints were watching from home while still trying to get over their loss TO THE WORST TEAM IN PLAYYOFF HISTORY!…..
Falc Fanatic
July 25th, 2011
10:55 am
Not surprised about Edwards. The boxing and press releases may well have created a Falcons Filter veto. Thx for the intel, Dled.
If I understand correctly, the cap is about $10 mill or so below the last capped year, so some fiscal decisions will need to be made all around the league. The Falcons may not do a big splurge, deciding instead to retain Grimes, the OL (or most of it), and Snelling if he isn’t too pricey. Next year, I think Abe’s contract is up so the may wait a year on DE, and stick with what made them 13-3 last year (with Sidbury perhaps in a fish or cut bait year).
Trade is also a possibility, Jenkins for Mario anyone??? (yeah I know, that blows past wishful thinking into hallucinogenic mushrooms territory.
Free agent wise, I want an experienced, solid Nickle back and an experienced, solid LB for the D.
Manny Lawson or Rocky McIntosh at LB would not shock me. No good ideas at NCB that would significantly upgrade what we have.
BAMA dude
July 25th, 2011
10:56 am
Mike, you can’t talk to somebody from the cesspool that is N’awlins. Why we spent federal money to rebuild that place is beyond me.
JONESBORO SLIM
July 25th, 2011
11:05 am
@D.O.L.
Who was the Def. player who was run over and I mean RUN OVER in the Seattle/Saints play-offs game last year……do you or anyone for that matter know who that player was?
bigdave
July 25th, 2011
11:08 am
Osi?
Falcons need to attack free agency for defensive help | Jeff Schultz
July 25th, 2011
11:10 am
[...] According to Barrister D. Orlando Ledbetter, Minnesota free agent defense end Ray Edwards is expected to sign with Philadelphia. This is a concern for two reasons: [...]
Ray Edwards likely bound for Philly | Pro Football Zone
July 25th, 2011
11:28 am
[...] team that is now likely to land Edwards is the Philadelphia Eagles who could use his help with second year defensive end Brandon Graham likely to miss the beginning of [...]
cwltank
July 25th, 2011
11:45 am
Great news the Falcons problem was not DE. Resigning Clabo is great news. I think they can manage without singing Dahl. We have debt at his position. I would like to see the Falcon.s make a few trades to insure success for next years draft. Great job so far T. D.
Edward
July 25th, 2011
11:45 am
Once the season start we will be saying the Falcons should have drafted defense.
DC Dirty Bird
July 25th, 2011
11:45 am
While I appreciate “just sayin” not cowardly posting and failing to respond to other falcon fans, I think the 70yd int TD did not surpass the 65yd Tecmo bowl TD run. To the Aint’s fans, the success of your team has been staked on rookies and retaining free agents in a period where other teams have as much as 60 million that they HAVE to spend on free agents. I understand team loyalty but are you really excited about that? At least the Falcon fans are honest about the state of the team.
Williams and Johnson will probably re-sign with the Panthers | Pro Football Zone
July 25th, 2011
11:49 am
[...] agent Charles Johnson and running back DeAngelo Williams will probably be re-signed by the Carolina Panthers since general manager Marty Hurney has indicated that they know what they’re priorities in [...]
Mike Jay
July 25th, 2011
11:49 am
Success for Aints fans is measured by a trophy won 3 seasons ago. It will be the same thing 30 years from now.
SirReal
July 25th, 2011
11:50 am
D Led,
I think I’ll make my final decision once the free agent frenzy begins…this is gonna be one of the wildest pools ever. There is gonna be a lot of wheeling and deealing done. I just hope these guys dont just look at $ but also culture of potential new teams, etc b/c they have to make sure its a good fit for both sides beyond $
Stephen Nicholas Headed To Giants? » Giants Gab
July 25th, 2011
12:00 pm
[...] the fun part starts: Free agency. D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a column called “5 Things We Heard”. Stephen Nicholas to the Giants is one of them: Nicholas is [...]
FalcFans.com » Falcons to pass on signing Edwards
July 25th, 2011
12:03 pm
[...] D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reports that the Falcons will reportedly pass on signing Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards when free agency begins in the coming days after the end of the NFL lockout. Ledbetter cites rumors and gossip discussed among NFL beat writers that were in Atlanta during last week’s owners meetings. The Falcosn will also be unlikely to sign Carolina Panthers end Charles Johnson, as he will be the top priority for the Panthers to keep. [...]
welikebaseball2
July 25th, 2011
12:39 pm
If I were an Aints fan I would stay away from talk about last year’s playoffs altogether. If I were an Aints fan, I also would use our ONE Superbowl in the history of our franchise as bragging rights against Falcons’ fans…nevermind the fact that any team can luck up & win ONE Superbowl. Don’t believe me? Just ask the Bucs, Colts, Ravens, & Rams. SUCCESSFULLY DEFEND a championship…then talk. Actually be the REIGNING champs…then possibly have something to say.
welikebaseball2
July 25th, 2011
12:45 pm
swatguy: I’d like to believe that about Bierman, I’m just not convinced. ST or no ST, he’s had his chance to prove he can be a starting DE in this league. While he’s proven to be a solid rotational player at the position, I’m just not comfortable going into the season hanging my hat on a player that racked up a whopping 3 sacks as a starter the previous season.
seer
July 25th, 2011
1:15 pm
http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-07-18/sn-power-rankings-dimitroff-tops-nfl-decision-makers
Rumor: Stephen Nicholas to the Giants | GiantsFootballBlog.com
July 25th, 2011
1:21 pm
[...] Writing in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, D. Orlando Ledbetter says that the 28-year-old Nicholas is on his way to the Giants. [...]
Falcon57
July 25th, 2011
2:35 pm
Well D-Led, I guess you didn’t like my questions about this article so your not going to post it. I’m assuming instead of posting something that has merit for others to respond to, you censure my post and simply post “FalcFans.com » Falcons to pass on signing Edwards” as your response to me.
To me, that’s bad journalism.
TheManMike
July 25th, 2011
3:08 pm
Falcon57 – Who are you and why would DLED owe you anything in response? ….douche. DLED is a beat writer, not Falcon57’s bish…
willie g the gambler
July 25th, 2011
3:29 pm
this team wont make the playoffs this year unless they get 1 or 2 defensive ends ., and the cb from oakland and resign the offensive lineman, and jason snelling. new orleans, philly, are strong and get BRET FAVRE TO BACK UP RYAN, WE HAD BRET AND JERRY STUPID A,,, GLANVILLE GAVE HIM AWAY SO LET HIS LASY YEAR BE A FALCON.
FalconNTX
July 25th, 2011
3:51 pm
So we trade 5 freaking draft picks for a WR with the thoughts that we would acquire Defensive help via FA and now TD is going to stand pat. We are toast. Packers, Bucs, Eagles ALL getting better, we are not getting better. With an aging Abe and ZERO help on the other side, this year the Falcons take a step back…probably for the next couple of years. Until Blank and Dimitroff get it through their heads that DEFENSE wins Championships we will always be a post season disappointment.
Falcon57
July 25th, 2011
3:56 pm
TheManMike, you must be DLed trying to make a ‘neutral’ response. Posting such BS and not letting me respond is about what I’d expect from you. Just keep on deleting my post, I’m sure your editor will agree with you.
Ken Strickland
July 25th, 2011
4:09 pm
I wonder what prompted the Falcons to back off signing DE REdwards. Apparently KBiermann has convinced management that playing on special teams definitely affected his overall ability to get to the QB. With the likelihood of OLB SNicholas joining the Giants, it looks like we’ll be going after a FA OLB. I strongly believe that our pass rushing problems rests at the feet of DC VanGorder.
There are teams, like the Eagles, that don’t get a strong pass rush from their DL. But they use creative coverages and blitz packages to get the job done. VanGorder has to stop putting all of the burden for rushing the passer on our DL. If he trusted our secondary more, and blized our LB’s more, he wouldn’t have to complain about our LB’s pass coverage skills.
Our secondary is simply too quick, fast and athletic to be playing so much doggone zone DEF. CB’s BGrimes and DRobinson aren’t what one would call shutdown CB’s, but they’re definitely solid cover CB’s that can be trusted to stick with their man and make plays. And we actually have safeties the can cover and be very physical as well.
With DT PJerry returning healthy, and if he stays that way, our pass rush, especially our interior pass rush, will improve tremendously. In certain passing situations, I’d like to see us use LSidbury and Biermann at DE, and let JAbraham rush from different positions, which is what we did with him when he got 16.5 sacks.
There are numerous things VanGoder can do to improve our pass rush without adding to our DL.