Atlanta Falcons Fan Base

Atlanta Falcons Inside Slant

2006-05-22T21:37:03+02:00

The Falcons generated good vibes two months ago in acquiring defensive end John Abraham and the starting safety tandem of Lawyer Milloy and Chris Crocker.

Depth, however, is still a potential problem at those positions.
Just like last year, when Brady Smith's injuries led to an all-out collapse of the run defense, Atlanta can't afford any extended time frames without Abraham or Patrick Kerney.

The same outlook applies to safety. President-general manager Rich McKay believes the marketplace will still offer some quality alternatives if Kevin Mathis struggles to rehab a potentially career-threatening knee injury.

Mathis, who's projected as Milloy's backup at strong safety, is a cornerback by trade, but he tackles so well and brings such an aggressive approach that he can adapt easily. In 2004, Mathis did such an excellent job of filling for injured starters DeAngelo Hall and Jason Webster that he earned a three-year contract extension.

"I don't know that we've completely settled on that yet, but I'd say if we're leaning one way, it's to getting him some safety work as well as the nickel stuff," Mora said of Mathis. "The great thing about Kevin is his versatility. He can play a lot of positions."

Omare Lowe can play any position in the secondary, but he lacks the speed and recognition skills to become a full-time starter. Though the Falcons still list him as a cornerback on their official web site, Lowe is likely to open training camp as the No. 2 free safety behind Crocker.

Falcons release 2006 regular season schedule

2006-04-17T20:35:27+02:00

The 2006 National Football League schedule was released by the League office today. This year the Falcons will face six playoff teams from 2005 (Tampa Bay, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Washington, New York Giants).

"Just like with any schedule, there are positives and negatives," said president & general manager Rich McKay. "We certainly look forward to a great home schedule for our fans and the primetime appearances."

The Falcons are currently scheduled to have two nationally televised games, one on ESPN's Monday Night Football at the Superdome against the New Orleans Saints, and the other being a Saturday match-up versus the Dallas Cowboys on NFL Network at the Georgia Dome. The number of national games can change though based on the NFL's new flexible scheduling plan. The NFL this season will implement for the first time in its history a primetime flexible scheduling' element on Sundays in Weeks 10-15 and Week 17. Sunday afternoon games in Weeks 10-15 and Week 17 are subject to being moved into the Sunday night window, airing on NBC's Sunday Night Football.

The Falcons first three games of the season will be against their NFC South division foes. Atlanta will travel to Carolina on opening weekend and then host Tampa Bay at the Georgia Dome before making a trip to New Orleans to play the Saints on Monday Night Football in the Superdome's first game since Hurricane Katrina last year.

Atlanta will then host three home games in-a-row with a bye in between. The games include match-ups against the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants, as well as a contest against the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The last time the Falcons and Steelers squared off was the last time the NFL had a game end in a tie as the two clubs settled for a 34-34 decision at Pittsburgh in 2002.

The Falcons then take to the road as the team faces the Cincinnati Bengals for the first time since 2002, and then makes a return trip to Detroit after defeating the Lions 27-7 last year on Thanksgiving Day. Atlanta then plays host to the Cleveland Browns and travels to Baltimore before facing off against the Saints for a second time. The Falcons will next square off against two 2005 playoff teams when the team travels to Washington and Tampa Bay on consecutive weekends.

The NFL Network will cover the Dallas Cowboys visiting the Georgia Dome for the first time since 2001. In that game, QB Michael Vick made his first career start as the Falcons rolled to a 20-13 victory. Atlanta will then host Carolina for a second time before closing out the regular season in Philadelphia.

Click here to view the Falcons complete 2006 regular season schedule.

Falcons trade Saints for veteran tackle Gandy

2006-04-17T20:34:30+02:00

The Falcons announced today that the team has traded S Bryan Scott and a 2007 undisclosed late-round draft choice to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for veteran T Wayne Gandy, pending physicals.
Gandy, 6-4, 315 pounds, has started 184-of-191 games in his 12-year career. He has only missed one contest in his career and has started all 16 games in 10-of-12 seasons. Gandy has been a member of the Saints (2003-05), Steelers (1999-2002), and Rams (1994-98) after originally being selected in the first-round (15th choice overall) of the 1994 NFL Draft out of Auburn by the Los Angeles Rams.
Gandy started 73 games for the Rams, playing both right and left tackle, before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an unrestricted free agent in 1999. With the Steelers, he started all 63 games he appeared in and helped the team reach the postseason in 2001 and 2002. As a member of the Saints, Gandy started all 48 games and was responsible for protecting QB Aaron Brooks' blindside from the left tackle position.
S Bryan Scott started 35-of-47 games for the Falcons in his three-year career with the team.

Falcons trade with Browns for S Chris Crocker

2006-04-17T20:33:42+02:00

The Falcons announced today that they have traded an undisclosed draft pick to the Cleveland Browns for S Chris Crocker.
"Chris Crocker is a talented, young safety," said Falcons Head Coach Jim Mora. "Our personnel people identified him as a potential trade option early in free agency, and we are thrilled to have a chance to add him to our team."
Crocker, 5-11, 192 pounds, played the last three seasons in Cleveland after being drafted in the third round (84th overall) by the Browns in 2003. In his career, Crocker has played in 44 games with 22 starts, and has totaled 172 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes defensed and four sacks. Crocker, 26, amassed career-highs with 86 tackles and two forced fumbles, in addition to tallying two sacks and two interceptions, while starting all 16 games for the Browns in 2005.