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Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff acknowledged that assistant general manager Scott Pioli and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan provided important background and character information on the free agency class.
Right guard Jon Asamoah and defensive end Tyson Jackson were drafted by Pioli when he was general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs. Defensive tackle Paul Soliai was with the Dolphins and played under Nolan and defensive line coach Bryan Cox, who also contributed information.
“Scott, like the rest of personnel department and our coaching staff, all had an important hand with the acquisition of our talent,” Dimitroff said. “Scott gave us background, character, personality and skill-set (information) for the players (who were) with the Chiefs organization.
“Like Mike Nolan and Bryan Cox gave us background on character, play and skill-set (information about) Paul Soliai, who played for the Dolphins. Everyone was very involved. This was a very collaborative group. All hands were on deck when it came to evaluating the players that we acquired.”
With the release of Thomas DeCoud and Tony Gonzalez, the Falcons still have holes at free safety and tight end.
Dimitroff said that the Falcons did look at the safety position in free agency. They want to upgrade the safety position.
“Our quest to become a better and more consistent defense was at the forefront of that decision,” Dimitroff said.
They have a plan for the tight end position.
“We’ll continue to look in free agency as well as potentially in the draft to shore up our tight end position,” Dimitroff said.
Green Bay’s Jermichael Finley is the best available free agent tight end, but has a medical issue with his neck. Detroit’s Brandon Pettigrew and Miami’s Dustin Keller are also available.
After the free agency frenzy, here’s what the projected Atlanta Falcons’ depth chart looks like.
OFFENSE
WR 11 Julio Jones, 83 Harry Douglas, 13 Darius Johnson
LT 72 Sam Baker, 76 Lamar Holmes, 74 Terren Jones
LG 63 Justin Blalock, 69 Harland Gunn
C 61 Joe Hawley, 66 Peter Konz
RG Jon Asamoah, 68 Gabe Carimi, 69 Harland Gunn
RT Taylor Lewan or Jake Matthews (projected first round pick), 79 Mike Johnson, 76 Lamar Holmes, 73 Ryan Schraeder
TE Brandon Pettigrew (projected free agent signing), 80 Levine Toilolo, 81 Mickey Schuler
WR 84 Roddy White, 19 Drew Davis, 14 Dominique Croom
QB 2 Matt Ryan, 4 Dominique Davis, 12 Sean Renfree
RB 39 Steven Jackson, 32 Jacquizz Rodgers, 35 Antone Smith, 30 Josh Vaughan
FB 42 Patrick DiMarco, 34 Bradie Ewing
DEFENSE
RE Tyson Jackson, 50 Osi Umenyiora, 90 Stansly Maponga
DT Paul Soliai, 91 Corey Peters, 67 Adam Replogle
DT 95 Jonathan Babineaux, 92 Travian Robertson
LE 71 Kroy Bierman, 96 Jonathan Massaquoi, 98 Cliff Matthews, 93 Malliciah Goodman
OLB 59 Joplo Bartu, 71 Kroy Biermann
MLB 55 Paul Worrilow, 52 Akeem Dent
OLB 56 Sean Weatherspoon
CB 21 Desmond Trufant, 27 Robert McClain
CB 23 Robert Alford, 43 Jordan Mabin, 26 Saeed Lee
S 25 William Moore, 41 Zeke Motta
S Kenny Ladler or Deone Bucannon projected second round pick , 36 Kemal Ishmael
SPECIALISTS
K 3 Matt Bryant
KO 5 Matt Bosher
P 5 Matt Bosher
KR 32 Jacquizz Rodgers
PR 27 Robert McClain, 23 Robert Alford
LS 47 Josh Harris
H 5 Matt Bosher
