Atlanta Falcons: Safety Chris Hope agrees to terms
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams, center, runs as he is chased by Tennessee Titans' Chris Hope, left, and Michael Griffin, right, in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Falcons and veteran safety Chris Hope, a former Pro Bowler, agreed to contract terms on Friday.
Hope, 31, was a third-round draft pick (94th overall) in 2002 by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Florida State product played four seasons with the Steelers before playing the next six seasons with the Titans. He made the Pro Bowl after the 2008 season.
Hope, 5-foot-11 and 206 pounds, has 20 career interceptions.
Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan expressed concern about the depth at safety behind starters William Moore and Thomas DeCoud during minicamp.
Hope started 109 of 147 games over his career.
In 2011, Hope played in 10 games with two starts and made 33 tackles with one interception, one pass defense and two fumble recoveries.
He started every game for the Titans from 2008-10.
Over his career Hope has 758 total tackles (552 solo), four sacks, four forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He was a member of the Steelers 2005 Super Bowl title team.
The Falcons made room for Hope by releasing wide receiver Cody Pearcy on Thursday.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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80 comments Add your comment
True Falcon Fan
June 30th, 2012
10:11 am
If i had a tenth of your brain i would be amzin’ — you hate your life forsure, you’ll fix that issue some day!
But as much as i disagree with you on occasion – you are spot-on with the 8:49 post.
Go Falcons!
True Falcon Fan
June 30th, 2012
10:12 am
Mr Predictable!
Steelers Six From Around The Web – June 30th – Hope & Pope Edition | Steelers Depot
June 30th, 2012
10:42 am
[...] Steelers safety Chris Hope, who has played the last six seasons with the Tennessee Titans, signed with the Atlanta Falcons on [...]
JSS
June 30th, 2012
11:27 am
You have a “tenth,” the problem is you refuse to do the work to get the synapses to fire in order use any matter! Now go to the rest stop mirror, look into it… Now hold up your hand (palm facing you), then take your first finger, flex it downward… Take the third and forth fingers and do the same… Now finish by using your thumb to hold the those three fingers in said position! Merry early Xmas Jerk!
True Falcon Fan
June 30th, 2012
12:31 pm
You are the “Good Buddy” on the radio and the “Rubber Duck” – Wow hello Good Buddy, i’ll meet you mile marker 37 S85 rest stop you sweet Good Buddy, bring that rubber duck…… I’m sure there will somebody to play with that rubber duck with you. For you are the only one that knows how to play with a rubber duck!
Re: your 8:49 am post you are still spot-on
Go Falcons!!!!
True Falcon Fan
June 30th, 2012
12:43 pm
Your problem is your cultural side is so full of hate! You are a very blind minded person! You are no longer the “Wonderous wizard of OZ” you are now the “ZerOstine”! You in time-out for at least today!
JSS maripose salio del closet de dias?
Michael M.
June 30th, 2012
12:47 pm
There was ” Watergate “, then there was ” Spygate “, and now we have ” Bountygate ” ! I have never laughed at the Saints so hard in all my days until this blowed the rockers away ! Especially Thursday night when Breezy was on the late nighter trying to defend those guilty bums.
I know b-4 and hiram the aint will be out to get me now ha ! ha ! but oh well, all is fun these days ! Breezy better take a cut to get that contract signed…they going to need em since the brains of the organization won’t be able to be on the sidelines. Huge difference !
Stay in the shade and drink lots of water…………” Its boiling here in the Mountains ” !
mister hankey
June 30th, 2012
1:01 pm
Highdy Hoo! It sho is cool down here in the sewers where the Falcons get their FA’s. Have no idea who Chris Hope is. Doesn’t appear related to Bob, however. Different shaped noses. That being said, only 6 more weeks till it’s DOME time! I’ve got to get in proper tailgating shape so I will stop early and go drinking for now.
P.S. I wonder if Isaiah is still a cro-WELL or is he back to Crowell now that he’s future holds little more than a mop bucket or a riding lawn mower working as a maintenance man for some shappy apartment complex in Columbus. No drug tests there, LOSER!
SeenThisB4
June 30th, 2012
1:12 pm
@Michael M.: I’ll make fun of you, when your team goes 0 & 2 versus the current defending Division Champs!
Michael M.
June 30th, 2012
1:18 pm
I think the Atlanta Falcons will have more to say about that 0-2 crap from last year this Season so I’ll be looking for ya now…….you hear
falconeddy
June 30th, 2012
1:41 pm
Chris is from my home town and a real class act. He’s a great, hard working guy. Very smart and generous in our community. The Falcons certainly have no fear this guy will be a problem off the field. At 31 Chris’ best years are probably behind him, but the guys can still play. He should provide a wealth of knowledge for Moore and Decoud and provide quality depth. I don’t think Nolan is counting on Hope as a starter and should get everything and more out of Chris that he expects. Hopefully we get Chris that second Super Bowl ring.
johnm
June 30th, 2012
2:02 pm
wtf is wrong with you people? Get a life seenthisb4; and gumbo I hope to god they keep decoud on the feild hes a great player, you just fall in line with what you hear others saying how about actually watching a game!
SeenThisB4
June 30th, 2012
3:35 pm
@Michael M.: Same thing you said last year. You’re a lot of talk, no substance, just like your team.
torgo
June 30th, 2012
3:39 pm
A few surprisingly negative comments about the signing. He’s not here to replace William Moore or Thomas Decoud. He’s here as a #3 in case a starter gets banged up. And along those lines, there is zero doubt that he’s an upgrade over Shann Schillinger.
The Falcons do have a few interesting prospects in the pipeline, such as our new draft pick Charles Mitchell, returning practice squad player Suaesi Tuimaunei, long shot undrafted free agent Chad Faulcon, or playing CB prospect Darrin Walls or LB prospect Matt Hansen at safety. But all of these guys would need another year before they’re ready for action in the secondary. Signing Hope now buys the team some time to develop the prospects.
Keith
June 30th, 2012
5:34 pm
sooo was this part of the reason they released Cod Pearcy, when they picked him up they listed him as the KR and the sudden release kinda surprised me. or was there another reason?
Falcon James
June 30th, 2012
8:37 pm
I think this guy is cannon fodder. He will never see a down in the regular season.
JSS
June 30th, 2012
9:11 pm
“Radio?” Man, the two-year old must be watching ‘BJ and the Bear’ on the Betamax again? You’re such a jerk… Buy Rosetta Stone, that Google Translate is going to get strung up somewhere in Cham-bodia!
JSS
June 30th, 2012
9:16 pm
“you are now the “ZerOstine” Dang, blind squirrel found a nut! He actually came with a new way to describe Matt Ryan’s playoff travails!!!
Disgusted
July 1st, 2012
12:09 am
This is not a bad depth sign, another veteran with a ring who might have something left.
You have Hope and Samuel in this secondary, Hope can find a role with this team and its not going to kill the cap.
You never have too many players in camp.
falcon
July 1st, 2012
6:00 am
I like the move. Upgrades our depth at S.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 1st, 2012
1:13 pm
Falcons James — A former Pro Bowler as cannon fodder. If someone slips, he can win a spot.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 1st, 2012
1:14 pm
Keith – I’ve got to make some calls on what happened to Pearcy. I’d imagine they told him to stay ready in case a spot opens back up. But the need at backup safety was more pressing.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 1st, 2012
1:18 pm
torgo — Good points. Mitchell should be ready next year after a season of special teams. Other guys are long shots.
FAlcons24
July 1st, 2012
11:10 pm
SeenThisB4, you are the only COMPLETE IDIOT I think I have encountered. Go back to New Orleans and splash some hot gumbo in your face. You get under my skin.
FalconJim
July 1st, 2012
11:55 pm
Wonder what kind o’ money we paid him, DLed., and for how long???
It may work out alright, though….we’ll see. At least he’s got a “ring”, and maybe he’ll flash it around some, and make some mouths water to have one…
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 2nd, 2012
9:14 am
FalconJim — Most likely vet minimum. I’ll have it when his contract is filed.
jbarnett
July 2nd, 2012
10:48 am
The addition of Hope is a good move. He was an academic All-American and his teammates say he’s like a coach on the field. Plus, he’s straight as a string.
Jimbo
July 3rd, 2012
2:32 pm
Torgo, is this your new hang out? Followed you religiously on another site and noticed you are no longer there. If this is not where I can expect to see more of your brilliant insights, then where can I go to see them?
MDRnTN
July 4th, 2012
9:29 am
(TrueFalcon nailed it w/ his assessmt) Hope has great football skills-athleticism but never had the speed to catchup if he missed a step or misread a route.. Multiple injuries since 09, He’s lost more than a step since 2010 and now runs like he’s 40. As a Titans fan I’ve seen it repeatedly, One good juke and he get’s burned for TD often had me wondering why staff kept him in a lot of games. Best of luck CH & Falcons but I think by week 8 fans will realize the reality he is toast, Hopefully I am wrong. FYI:If your Coach doesn’t make as many bonehead calls this yr ya’ll might just be SB material. Not sure who is worse Nolan(Nowin) or Del Rio
MDRnTN
July 4th, 2012
9:53 am
(TrueFalcon nailed it w/ his assessmt) Hope has great football skills-athleticism but never the speed to catchup if he missed a step or misread a route. Steelers saw that & cut ties. Multiple injuries since 09, He’s lost more than a step since 010 and now runs like he’s 40. As a Titans fan I’ve seen it repeatedly, One good juke and he get’s burned for TD… often left me wondering why staff kept him in a lot of games(desperation??). Best of luck CH & Falcons!.. I think by week 8 fans will come 2 reality-
Hope’s Toast…HOPEfully I am wrong…. FYI: If your Coach doesn’t make as many bonehead calls this year ya’ll might just be SB material. ….Not sure who is worse Nolan (NoWIN) or Duh Rio