Falcons re-sign linebacker Mike Peterson
Here's Mike Peterson (53) stretching as the Falcons opened their first 2009 minicamp in Flowery Branch. CURTIS COMPTON / ccompton@ajc.com
Terms of the deal were undisclosed. Peterson, 36, was a starter in 2009 and 2010 before shifting to a reserve role last season. He received a $50,000 signing bonus and a base salary of $910,000 in 2011. He was not tendered an offer, when his contract expired on March 13.
In 2011, he started five games and played in 15 before going on injured reserve with a torn triceps that required surgery.
He was originally selected as a second round (36th overall) draft choice by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft. Peterson, one of the most-respected players in the locker room, currently has 1,607 career tackles.
The Falcons were thin at linebacker after releasing Matt Hansen and with Lofa Tatupu suffering a serious pectoral injury last Thursday in the weight room.
Tatupu was scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews today. The team has not provided an update on his status.
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- In a 37-21 victory in Oct. of 2009, Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking (51) cheers toward the Falcons bench after teammate Patrick Crayton scored a touchdown. The former Falcon had two tackles for the Cowboys. (Vernon Bryant, Dallas Morning News)
BIRDLAND - With the pectoral injury to Lofa Tatupu and the release of Matt Hansen, the Falcons are back in the linebacker market before the start of training camp on Thursday.
The extent of Tatupu’s injury will be known after a visit to specialist Dr. James Andrews on Monday.
The group of available veteran linebackers includes a couple of familiar names in Mike Peterson and Keith Brooking. Peterson is the logical choice to return, since the present regime elected not to re-sign Brooking 
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Brooking’s celebration after the Cowboys beat the Falcons in 2009 would also have to be forgotten for the former first-round pick and Georgia Tech standout to return to Flowery Branch.
Here’s a quick look at some of the prospects:
Mike Peterson, age 36, 6-foot-1, 230-pounds: Played the last three seasons with the Falcons. He was a starter in 2009 and 2010 before shifting to a reserve role last season. He started five games and played in 15 before going on injured reserve with a torn triceps that required surgery. He was originally selected as a second round (36th overall) draft choice by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft. Peterson, one of the most-liked players in the locker room, currently has 1,607 career tackles. Twitter handle: @MikePeterson53
Channing Crowder, 28, 6-2, 247: Last played with the Miami Dolphins during the 2010 season. He
Channing Crowder on Radio Row for Super Bowl XLVI. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/Dledbetter@ajc.com)
played under new Falcons coordinator Mike Nolan for two seasons. He played in 82 NFL games and made 74 starts. On his radio show in Miami he announced his retirement on Friday, according to Florida Sun-Sentinel Dolphins beat writer Omar Kelly. At the Super Bowl, the former North Springs High standout talked about making a comeback with Nolan and the Falcons.
E.J. Henderson, 31, 6-1, 235: He started 107 of 125 games over the past nine seasons for the Vikings. He rebounded from a horrific injury in 2008 and made the Pro Bowl in 2010. He could fit the bill as a two-down run stuffer. Twitter: @56ejhenderson.
Gary Brackett, 32, 5-11, 235: He played in one game last season after starting the previous seven seasons at middle linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts. Falcons director of player personnel David Caldwell was with the Colts during part of Brackett’s tenure. Twitter: @GaryBrackett58
Keith Brooking, 36, 6-2, 245: After spending his first 11 seasons with the Falcons, he played the last three seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. He’s a former five-time Pro Bowler and played one season under head coach Mike Smith in 2008.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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141 comments Add your comment
Nobis is already on the payroll
July 23rd, 2012
3:43 pm
I’d go EJ of the ones mentioned. Od course, I would’ve preferred we keep Lofton, and Dahl the year before that so as to maintain O line integrity.
Peerless Price
July 23rd, 2012
3:52 pm
Putting Brooking in a game is like using Hasheem Thabeet as a starter. It all looks good till the whistle blows.
rollo lawson
July 23rd, 2012
4:20 pm
Say no to Highway 56 aka Brokeback Brooking aka Brooking 3:16.
REAL FALCONS FAN
July 23rd, 2012
4:25 pm
THIS IS AA NO BRAINER . DENT IS A FATSTER VERSION OF LOFTON ,NO DISRESPECT TO THE POLICE. DENT IS FASTER ANDA THUMPER, PETERSON WILL PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AS A COACH ON THE FIELD . KNOWING HOW THE FALCON’S OPERATE THE CHANCES OF CROWDER BEING A FALCON ARE SLIM , HE WOULD HAVE TO WOW SMITTY ,AND THEN SOME . GIVE ME PETE ALL DAY LONG AND HE HAS BEEN A SPECIAL TEAMER ,AND STILL HAS SPEED. EITHER WAY T.D. ,AND SMITTY WILL MAKE THE CHOICE THAT BENIFITS THE FALCON’S! RISE UP GO FALCON’S .
RobbE33
July 23rd, 2012
4:48 pm
Leave Brooking in the heap with MeAngelo. I enjoyed him while he was here but his antics showed why Falcons let him go.
philip
July 23rd, 2012
5:18 pm
Good move on brining in Peterson. I think it a short term fix. Any other LB on the radar??
BravesFan79
July 23rd, 2012
6:06 pm
As a longtime Falcons fan i still got love for Brooking. Would be awsome to see him back in a Falcons jersey! Football is a emotional game, he plays with emotion. That’s what we need in a part time player like he would be now!
James
July 23rd, 2012
6:13 pm
Please tell me you folks don’t act like this in public…
I like Peterson and am glad to have him back, but If Dent doesn’t work out well, we might be in a a bit of trouble.
Big Ray
July 23rd, 2012
6:41 pm
Signed Mike Peterson, huh? Ehhh…not the worst we could do, and besides…he’s fine in limited snaps. Make him work hard all season long, and he wears down.
phil
July 23rd, 2012
6:41 pm
Brooking? Are you kidding me?
Brooking? Why even mention the name of this pathetic has been?
phil
July 23rd, 2012
6:43 pm
Peterson…
36 years old. Tired. Worn out.
Yep, here we come, Super Bowl….sigh.
True Falcon Fan
July 23rd, 2012
7:05 pm
Where is ZERO “do nothing” & “expect somebody to take of his worthless A$$??? Maybe momma will or is!!!!!
Dan
July 23rd, 2012
7:08 pm
I would take Crowder but if we settled for Peterson must have been because he came cheaper
Robert
July 23rd, 2012
8:03 pm
We could of brought in crowder but oh well
Just Sayin.....
July 23rd, 2012
9:01 pm
Why do the Falcons do this every season? When most teams are set and looking forward to trainng camp, the Falcons find themselves scrambling and settling for injury prone and/or cut players.
Dimitroff anyone?
SeenThisB4
July 23rd, 2012
9:06 pm
LOL! It’s going to be so easy! LOL! Peterson?! Ba ha, ha ha ha!
Just Sayin.....
July 23rd, 2012
9:13 pm
Can anyone tel me how with only 6 spots in the playoffs can we really believe the Falcons are a shoe in to beat out one of these teams for a playoff spot when they are in the current state?
San Fran
Philly
Green Bay
Giants
Lions
Bears
Saints
San Fran will probably win the West, Philly or Giants in the East, Green Bay in the North, the rest of the teams listed will be scrambling for the remaining 3 spots, so are we so certain the Falcons can make it in? If so, how and where?
nfcchampsliveinga
July 23rd, 2012
9:28 pm
Give Dent a chance. The guy played at UGA in both 4-3 and 3-4 scheme. He is faster than CL50 and more athletic. Dent will do fine as a run stopping MLB, just like CL50 did. He has to learn quickly, but i dont expect a huge difference from his play than CL50. Dent my turn out better in passing downs than Lofton. Dent will do fine!
SeenThisB4
July 23rd, 2012
9:39 pm
I’m sure Peterson will pick up that new scheme in a flash too! Peterson! That’s hilarious!
nfcchampsliveinga
July 23rd, 2012
9:40 pm
As far as the NFC South goes, the Saints are unlikely to repeat as a division winner. NFC South history isnt own there side.
SeenThisB4
July 23rd, 2012
9:49 pm
Not playing a history book.
nfcchampsliveinga
July 23rd, 2012
9:56 pm
The D will be fine, the only change will be at MLB. Dent was drafted as CL50 replacement. Nothing new here. He has his opportunity to take the position as I expect him to. Peterson is a good veteran to have who is familiar with the team so the chemisty piece wont be an issue.
ws
July 23rd, 2012
10:09 pm
Why Peterson? He never played forr Nolan. We must be going too still run a Mike Smith defense!!! Can not blame BVG ANYMORE; Falcons name should be the Altanta Jags!!! They love old over the hill player . And add sign ever injury player that they can. What is the hold up on Mc Neil?
nfcchampsliveinga
July 23rd, 2012
10:17 pm
McNeil has to be a medical issue, which means he more than likely cant pass the teams physical. MP53 is familiar with the team and has team chemistry already. Tatupu was plan A, now the team had to move to Plan B. MP53 is still productive in a limited role and will provide additional leadership as he didid for SW56.
Falcons Bring Back Linebacker Mike Peterson « The Falcon Project
July 23rd, 2012
10:34 pm
[...] Falcons have signed veteran linebacker Mike [...]
jaz
July 23rd, 2012
10:47 pm
Thought Tatupu’s expertise was LB with great pass defense. With a pec injury, he won’t be raising his arms up for a while, so I would have expected a replacement with similar skills, not just a run-stopper.
JR
July 23rd, 2012
11:00 pm
We are in a mell of a hess
Just Sayin.....
July 23rd, 2012
11:12 pm
The average window of opportunity is 3 years in the NFL. This coffin is pretty much shut. Its Carolina and Tampa’s turn.
nfcchampsliveinga
July 23rd, 2012
11:30 pm
Atlanta isnt in bad shape as many are tryin to put us in. Dent will have few responsiblities in the MlB position. SW56 will be the QB of the Defense. He will be making the calls and adjustments not Dent. For the record, MP53, MS, and Van Gorder mentored SW56, not Nolan in his first 2 years in the NFL. SW56 had a pro bowl year last year, Nolan had nothing to do with that. Nolan can continue to develop SW56 into an elite OLB, which I think he will. Personally, Im more concerned about LT than MLB. The D will be fine. Dont underestimate team chemistry.
JSS
July 24th, 2012
12:02 am
A man can’t even enjoy a nice dinner out without some Sleestak mentality megalomaniac fool trolling about defaming people’s mother… Dude, go and rest your limited brain until after the pre-season…
At least Grandpa Abe, Abuelo Gonzalez, Uncle Festus McClure, and Spinster Uncle Petersen can keep each other company at Denny’s senior breakfast!
DR. FALCON
July 24th, 2012
12:16 am
YOU GUYS ARE A JOKE! WHO THE HELL BROUGHT UP KEITH BROOKING? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? WHILE YOU ARE AT IT, SEE IF FULTON KUYKENDALL IS AVAILABLE! BETTER YET, CHECK INTO BUDDY CURRY! THOSE TWO GUYS, SHOULD HAVE FRESH LEGS! THEY HAVEN’T PLAYED IN YEARS!!! GET REAL! BROOKING?
garcia
July 24th, 2012
5:12 am
Why all the angst over a back up MLB position? Dent is our starting MLB.
Signing Peterson, for the back up role is the smartest thing to do. Once teams break camp, other MLB’s of decent quality will be shed and the Falcons will get a chance to work them out.
Not a big deal.
Season Ticket Holder Sec 128
July 24th, 2012
6:24 am
Anybody but Brooking. He is a Azz Clown….
Saints R.E.A.M.
July 24th, 2012
8:47 am
I expect the Falcons to have problems stopping the run and the pass this year. Enjoy. Defense will be ranked 18th in the league…..Enjoy.
Float on
July 24th, 2012
9:48 am
I expect the saints to have problems stopping the run and the pass this year. Enjoy. Defense will be ranked 19th in the league. Enjoy.
Mr Post it note:
July 24th, 2012
10:32 am
These are nice camp guys to give the O some reps, but in late August many vet LB’s will be cut because of overblotted contracts. I am sure a couple of these guys would like to play for a playoff contender and for Mike Nolan. TD will pick one up then.
Just Sayin.....
July 24th, 2012
1:09 pm
I don’t get all the love for Dimitroff. All he does is draft injury prone players and unproven contracts. Every year he picks up other teams leftovers because his signings and draft picks are injured, which he should have anticipated if he had done his homework. Then there is the cap issue.
Look at Philly in contrast. They signed all those big free agents, resigned all their top performers yet they still are 15 million below the cap.
Dimitroff is a joke.
ASHCAN!!!!!!!
July 24th, 2012
1:26 pm
Don’t matter who they sign this team still won’t make it to the superbowl. Go ahead, take a shot at me for telling thr truth. Matt ryan can’t and will not win in the playoffs, he’s 0 for ugly.
LexLuth
July 24th, 2012
2:24 pm
Brooking has, and always will be, a better show boater than a linebacker. He is not needed here.
True Falcon Fan
July 24th, 2012
2:28 pm
Dled are you kidding me,,,, what is up with you
DION JONES
July 25th, 2012
1:00 am
Why we didn’t pursue Brackett or EJ Hederson? They are 2 outstanding football players who can help our line backer core. Brooking should not come back to Atlanta remember he bit on the play action vs Arizona in the playoffs and we lose and released him; any chance we can try to sign Brackett or Henderson??? RISEUP