Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: 2015 Atlanta Falcons Team Page

  1. #1

    2015 Atlanta Falcons Team Page

    2015 Atlanta Falcons Team Page

    Offense

    Pos. Player Salary Dead Money

    QB Matt Ryan $19,500,000 ($33,900,000)
    QB Josh McCown $1,500,000 ($1,500,000)
    QB Zac Dysert $550,000 ($550,000)

    HB DeMarco Murray $10,500,000 ($10,500,000)
    HB Stevan Ridley $2,500,000 ($2,500,000)
    HB Thomas Rawls $451,875 ($451,875)
    HB Corey Grant $435,000 ($0)
    FB John Conner $650,000 ($650,000)

    WR Roddy White $5,587,500 ($5,662,500)
    WR Dorial Green-Beckham $1,571,955 ($1,571,955)
    WR Jeremy Kerley $750,000 ($750,000)
    WR Brandon Gibson $1,000,000 ($1,000,000)
    WR Justin Hardy $538,140 (538,140)
    WR Jake Kumerow $446,547 ($446,547)


    TE Charles Clay $6,000,000 ($6,000,000)
    TE Levine Toilolo $660,146 ($150,292)
    TE Rob Housler $750,000 ($750,000)

    LT Jake Matthews $3,733,977 ($13,442,318)

    LG Sam Baker $7,300,000 ($9,200,000)

    C Joe Hawley $510,000 ($0)
    C Scott Wells $550,000 ($550,000)

    RG Jon Asamoah $4,300,000 ($3,200,000)
    RG Peter Konz $1,141,827 ($262,473)

    RT Brandon Scherff $1,776,273 ($1,776,273)
    RT Lamar Holmes $793,400 ($133,400)

    Total Value Offense: $74,496,140

    Dead Money Offense: $11,264,868

    Total Cap Value: $85,761,008

    Defense


    Pos. Player Salary Dead Money

    DE Jabal Sheard $7,500,000 ($7,500,000)
    DE Willie Young $3,166,666 (1,333,334)
    DE Olivier Vernon $869,520 ($159,520)
    DE Dante Fowler Jr. $2,348,364 ($2,348,364)

    DT Paul Soliai $4,400,000 ($5,600,000)
    DT Tyson Jackson $3,850,000 ($8,650,000)
    DT Roy Miller $3,850,000 ($1,400,000)

    OLB JT Thomas $3,000,000 ($3,000,000)
    OLB Jacquian Williams $650,000 ($650,000)
    OLB Prince Shembo $585,146 ($225,438)
    OLB Joplo Bartu $586,668 ($1,668)

    ILB Paul Worrilow $585,668 ($668)
    ILB Casey Matthews $1,000,000 ($1,000,000)
    ILB Michael Wilhoite $1,000,000 ($1,000,000)
    ILB Mike Hull $450,612 ($450,612)

    CB Davon House $4,000,000 ($4,000,000)
    CB David Amerson 1,050,246 (590,328)
    CB Robert Alford $927,654 ($426,872)
    CB Charles Gaines $554,250($554,250)
    CB Craig Mager $459,150 ($459,150)

    FS Dashon Goldson $4,000,000 ($4,000,000)
    FS Dezmen Southward $737,373 ($518,124)
    FS Chris Hackett $463,000 ($463,000)

    SS Kernal Ishmael $596,474 ($22,948)
    SS William Moore $5,650,000 ($4,950,000)

    Total Value Defense: $52,280,791

    Total Defense Dead Money: $3,880,495

    Total Defense Cap Value: $56,161,285

    Special Teams

    Pos. Player Salary Dead Money

    P Matt Bosher $1,605,000 ($2,000,000)
    K Kai Forbath $510,000 ($0)
    LS Josh Harris $760,000 ($400,000)

    Total Value Special Teams: $2,875,000



    Total Cap value of team: $144,797,293

    Approximate cap number: $145,000,000

    Cap Space :$202,707

    Cap Space Reserved for Draft Picks: $0

    Cap Space for Signing Free Agents: $202,707
    Last edited by Choon328; 04-23-2015 at 11:02 AM.

  2. #2

    Re: 2015 Atlanta Falcons Team Page

    UFA's

    QB TJ Yates
    RB Antone Smith
    RB Jacquizz Rodgers
    WR Eric Weems
    TE Bear Pascoe
    RT Gabe Carimi
    RT Jonathan Scott
    RT Mike Johnson

    DE Osi Umenyiora
    DE Kroy Biermann
    DT Corey Peters
    DT Cliff Matthews
    OLB Sean Weatherspoon
    CB Robert McClain
    CB Josh Wilson
    CB Javier Arenas
    S Dwight Lowery
    S Charles Godfrey

    K Matt Bryant

    RFA's

    FB Patrick DiMarco
    WR Drew Davis

    ERFA

    ILB Nathan Stupar

  3. #3

    Re: 2015 Atlanta Falcons Team Page

    Draft Picks:

    1(8) (8th Overall) DE/OLB Dante Fowler, Florida $2,348,364 ($2,348,364)

    1(14) (14th Overall) RT Brandon Scherff, Iowa $1,776,273 ($1,776,273)

    1(18) (18th Overall) WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri $1,571,955 ($1,571,955)

    4(1) (100th Overall) CB Charles Gaines, Louisville $554,250($554,250)

    4(26) (122nd Overall) WR Justin Hardy East Carolina $538,140 (538,140)

    6(9) (169th Overall) FS Chris Hackett TCU $463,000 ($463,000)

    6(28) (188th Overall) CB Craig Mager, Texas State $459,150 ($459,150)

    7(3) (195th Overall) HB Thomas Rawls, Central Michigan $451,875 ($451,875)

    7(8) (200th Overall) ILB Mike Hull, Penn State $450,612 ($450,612)

    7(32) (224th Overall) WR Jake Kumerow, Wisconsin-Whitewater $446,547 ($446,547)
    Last edited by Choon328; 04-16-2015 at 11:44 PM.

  4. #4

    Re: 2015 Atlanta Falcons Team Page

    Trades:

    1. Falcons Trade:

    4th round pick (104th Overall)
    S Zeke Motta $596,474 ($22,948)

    Bears Trade:

    DE Willie Young 3,166,666 (1,333,334)


    "The Atlanta Falcons would like to announce acquisition of DE Willie Young from the Atlanta Falcons. Willie Young will slip right in to a starting spot at one of the DE spots when the season begins. Young comes to the Falcons after an impressive 10 sack season in 2014 and adds much needed pass rushing ability immediately. This is the first moves of many to come as the new Head Coach Dan Quinn puts his touch on the Falcons defense."

    2. Falcons Trade:

    WR Julio Jones $10,176,000 ($0)

    Dolphins Trade:

    DE Olivier Vernon $869,520 ($159,520)
    WR Brian Hartline $7,350,000 ($4,200,000)
    1st Round Pick (14th Overall)


    "The Atlanta Falcons would like to announce the acquisitions of DE Olivier Vernon and WR Brian Hartline. Vernon was a highly sought after piece of Dan Quinn's defensive puzzle. He will slide right into the starting lineup opposite Willie Young. With the acquisitions of Young and Vernon the Atlanta Falcons have completely remodeled their defensive line and pass rushing attack. Brian Hartline will move into the slot between Roddy White and Harry Douglas. He brings a veteran presence to the Falcons and another pair of reliable hands for Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense. The Falcons also acquired the 14th overall selection in the 2015 NFL draft. This will allow them to have 2 top 15 picks in the upcoming draft."

    3. Falcons Trade:

    DT Ra'Shede Hageman $1,212,691 ($2,313,997)

    Redskins Trade:

    CB David Amerson 1,050,246 (590,328)


    "The Atlanta Falcons would like to announce the acquisition of CB David Amerson from the Washington Redskins for DT Ra'Shede Hageman. The Falcons traded from one of their strenghts of their defense, DT, and were able to strengthen the back end, which up to this point has been their weakness on defense. Amerson will compete with Trufant and House for the top 2 CB spots and the nickel spot."

    4. Falcons Trade:

    CB Desmond Trufant 2,227,117 (3,606,863)

    Bears Trade:

    DE David Bass 585,000 (0)
    Pick 2(63)
    Pick 5(160)


    "On the day the 2015 GML draft begins the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to Trade CB Desmond Trufant to the Chicago Bears for DE David Bass and 2nd (63rd overall) and 5th (160th overall) draft picks. Trufant became expendable after the Falcons were able to acquire Amerson earlier in the week. David Bass is a young DE who will fight for a job in camp as a rotational player on the Falcons improved defensive line. The most important part of the trade for the Falcons was obtaining a 2nd and 5th round selection. These picks give them extra resources to be able to maneuver up and down the draft board."

    5. Falcons Trade:

    2 (10) (42nd Overall)
    2 (31) (63rd Overall)

    Broncos Trade:

    1 (28) (28th Overall)
    4(1) (100th Overall)


    "The Atlanta Falcons would like to announce a trade between the Falcons and the Denver Broncos. The Atlanta Falcons will receive the 28th overall pick in the 1 Rd of the 2015 GML Draft as well as the 1st pick in the 4th RD, 100th overall. In return the Falcons will send two 2nd round picks (42nd and 63rd overall) to the Denver Broncos. The Atlanta Falcons have been trying to move back up for some time in order to accumulate more higher end talent in the draft."

    6. Falcons Trade:

    5(10) (138th Overall)

    5(32) (160th Overall)

    Ravens Trade:

    4(26) (122nd Overall)

    6(28) (188th Overall)


    7. Falcons Trade:

    HB Devonta Freeman $631,106 ($363,318)

    Jaguars Trade:

    DT Roy Miller $3,850,000 ($1,400,000)

    7(3) (195th Overall)


    "The Falcons would like to announce the trade of HB Devonta Freeman to the Jaguars for DT Roy Miller and the 195th overall selection in the 2015 draft. The Falcons were looking to bolster the inside of their 4 man defensive line and did so by acquiring Roy Miller. They now have a rotation of Soliai, Tyson Jackson and Roy Miller at DT and now have one of the better DT groups in the league. Freeman was a 4th round pick in 2014 but became expendable with the huge signing of last years leading rusher, DeMarco Murray, and Stevan Ridley. The Falcons also acquired the 3rd pick in the 7th round, 195th overall, and will use that to build depth within the organization."
    Last edited by Choon328; 04-13-2015 at 12:34 AM.

  5. #5

    Re: 2015 Atlanta Falcons Team Page

    Cuts:

    HB Steven Jackson $4,916,668 ($1,166,668) ($3,750,000 Cap Savings)

    WR Devin Hester $3,708,333 ($1,666,667) ($2,041,666 Cap Savings)

    DT Jonathan Babineaux $3,666,666 ($1,333,334) ($2,333,332 Cap Savings)
    DT Ricky Havii-Heimuli $435,000 ($0) ($435,000 Cap Savings)
    DT Adam Replogle $435,000 ($0) ($435,000 Cap Savings)

    S Sean Baker $610,000 ($0) ($610,000 Cap Savings)
    S Brandon Bishop $435,000 ($0) ($435,000 Cap Savings)


    UPDATED CUTS 3/6/2015

    HB Jerome Smith $510,000 ($0)
    HB Ronnie Wingo $510,000 ($0)

    WR Harry Douglas $4,395,834 ($895,834) ($447,917 actual dead money) (Cap Savings $3,947,917) June 1st Cut

    TE Mickey Shuler $585,000 ($0)
    LG Justin Blalock $7,910,000 ($4,120,000) (2,060,000 actual dead money) (Cap Savings $5,850,000) 2nd June 1st Cut

    UPDATED CUTS 3/11/2015

    WR Freddie Martino $510,000 ($0)
    WR Bernard Reedy $435,000 ($0)

    LT Redi Fragel $510,000 ($0)


    C James Stone $510,000 ($0)

    UPDATED CUTS 3/15/2015

    OLB Jonathan Massaquoi $702,215 ($42,215)
    OLB Tyler Starr $521,474 ($34,422)
    OLB Jacques Smith $435,000 ($0)

    UPDATED CUTS 3/17/2015

    DE Malliciah Goodman $684,252 ($198,544)
    ILB Marquis Spruill $477,870 ($128,610)
    QB Sean Renfree $596,474 ($422,948)
    WR Louis Murphy $510,000 ($0)

    UPDATED CUTS 3/18/2015

    TE Kyle Miller $510,000 ($0)
    CB Jordan Mabin $510,000 ($0)
    CB Ricardo Allen $435,000 ($0)

    UPDATED CUTS 3/19/2015


    FB Richie Brockel $510,000 ($0)

    UPDATED CUTS 3/27/2015

    DE Osi Umenyiora $510,000 ($0)

    UPDATED CUTS 3/31/2015

    WR Brian Hartline $7,350,000 ($4,200,000) Savings of $3,150,000

    UPDATED CUTS 4/4/2015

    CB Ike Taylor $510,000 ($0)

    UPDATED CUTS 4/12/2015

    DT Nick Hayden $510,000 ($0)

    UPDATED CUTS 4/13/2015

    CB Carlos Rogers $510,000 ($0)

    UPDATED CUTS 4/16/2015

    HB Jonathan Dwyer $510,000 ($0)
    HB LaMichael James $510,000 ($0)
    WR Andre Caldwell $550,000 ($550,000)
    LG Harland Gunn $660,000 ($0)
    LG Charlie Johnson $750,000 ($750,000)
    RT Ryan Schraeder $585,668 ($668)

    DE David Bass 585,000 (0)
    FS Antonio Allen $550,000 ($550,000)
    FS Darian Stewart $1,500,000 ($1,500,000)

    UPDATED CUTS 4/17/2015


    C Joe Hawley $4,000,000 ($1,000,000)

    UPDATED CUTS 4/19/2015


    DE Stansly Maponga $631,685 ($93,370)

    UPDATED CUTS 4/20/2015

    C Chris Spencer $510,000 ($0)
    Last edited by Choon328; 04-20-2015 at 12:17 PM.

  6. #6

    Re: 2015 Atlanta Falcons Team Page

    Signings:

    1. QB Zac Dysert $550,000
    2. WR Andre Caldwell $550,000
    3. FS Antonio Allen $550,000
    4. G Charlie Johnson $750,000
    5. HB Stevan Ridley $2,500,000
    6. TE Charles Clay $6,000,000
    7. HB DeMarco Murray $10,500,000
    8. K Garrett Hartley $510,000 CUT 4/13/2015
    9. C Scott Wells $550,000
    10. WR Louis Murphy $510,000 Cut 3/17/2015
    11. WR Brandon Gibson $1,000,000
    12. OLB JT Thomas $3,000,000
    13. DE Jabal Sheard $7,500,000
    14. FB Richie Brockel $510,000 Cut 3/19/2015
    15. ILB Casey Matthews $1,000,000
    16. ILB Michael Wilhoite $1,000,000
    17. CB Davon House $4,000,000
    18. QB Josh McCown $1,500,000
    19. WR Jeremy Kerley $750,000
    20. CB Carlos Rogers $510,000 Cut 4/13/2015
    21. CB Ike Tayler $510,000 Cut 4/4/2015
    22. TE Rob Housler $750,000
    23. OLB Jacquian Williams $650,000
    24. FB John Conner $650,000
    25. FS Darian Stewart $1,500,000
    26. DE Osi Umenyiora $510,000 Cut 3/27/2015
    27. DT Nick Hayden $510,000 Cut 4/12/2015
    28. FS Dashon Goldson $4,000,000
    29. K Kai Forbath $510,000 ($0)
    30. HB Jonathan Dwyer $510,000 Cut 4/16/2015
    31. HB LaMichael James $510,000 Cut 4/16/2015

    32. C Chris Spencer $510,000 Cut 4/20/2015
    33. C Joe Hawley $510,000
    34. HB Corey Grant $435,000 (UDFA)
    Last edited by Choon328; 04-23-2015 at 11:03 AM.

  7. #7

    Re: 2015 Atlanta Falcons Team Page

    2015 Atlanta Falcons Draft Picks Announcements

    1(8) (8th Overall) DE/OLB Dante Fowler, Florida $2,348,364 ($2,348,364)

    1(14) (14th Overall) RT Brandon Scherff, Iowa $1,776,273 ($1,776,273)

    1(18) (18th Overall) WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri $1,571,955 ($1,571,955)

    4(1) (100th Overall) CB Charles Gaines, Louisville $559,257($559,257)

    4(26) (122nd Overall) WR Justin Hardy East Carolina $540,027 ($540,027)

    6(9) (169th Overall) FS Chris Hackett TCU $471,140 ($471,140)

    6(28) (188th Overall) CB Craig Mager, Texas State $461,918 ($461,918)

    7(3) (195th Overall) HB Thomas Rawls, Central Michigan $460,966 ($460,966)

    7(8) (200th Overall) ILB Mike Hull, Penn State $460,075 ($460,075)

    7(32) (224th Overall) WR Jake Kumerow, Wisconsin-Whitewater $446,547 ($446,547)
    Last edited by Choon328; 04-16-2015 at 11:44 PM.

  8. #8

    Re: 2015 Atlanta Falcons Team Page

    ATLANTA FALCONS 2015 DEPTH CHART :
    OFFENSE/DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS



    OFFENSE:


    *Base offense is 3 Wr's, 1 TE, 1 HB*

    QB1: Matt Ryan (Career 91.1 rating)
    QB2: Josh McCown (Career 76.1 rating)
    QB3: Zac Dysert

    HB1: DeMarco Murray (1845 yds rushing, 13 td's, 57 rec 2014)
    HB2: Stevan Ridley (Career 4.3 YPA)
    HB3: Thomas Rawls (7th round, 195th overall)
    HB4: Corey Grant (UDFA

    3rd Down Back1: DeMarco Murray
    3rd Down Back2: Thomas Rawls
    3rd Down Back3: Stevan Ridley
    3rd Down Back4: Corey Grant

    FB1: John Conner (Only used in short yardage and Goalline offenses)

    WR1: Roddy White (80 rec, 921 yds, 7 td's 2014)
    WR4: Brandon Gibson (Avg 33 rec, 387 yds per year over career)

    WR2: Dorial Green-Beckham (1st round, 18th overall)
    WR5: Jake Kumerow (7th round, 224th overall)

    Slot1: Jeremy Kerley (Avg 40 rec, 500 yards per year over career)
    Slot2: Justin Hardy (4th round, 122nd overall)

    TE1: Charles Clay (Avg 64 rec, 682 yards and 4 Td's in 2013/2014)
    TE2: Rob Housler (Avg 26 rec, 283 yds per year over career)
    TE3: Levine Toilolo (31 rec, 238 yds, 2 td's 2014)

    LT1: Jake Matthews
    LT2: Sam Baker

    LG1: Sam Baker
    LG2: Peter Konz

    C1: Joe Hawley
    C2: Scott Wells

    RG1: Jon Asamoah
    RG2: Peter Konz

    RT1: Brandon Scheff
    RT2: Lamar Holmes

    OFFENSIVE STARTING LINEUP

    QB: Matt Ryan
    HB: DeMarco Murray
    WR1: Roddy White
    WR2: Dorial Green-Beckham
    Slot: Jeremy Kerley
    TE: Charles Clay
    LT: Jake Matthews
    LG: Sam Baker
    C: Joe Hawley
    RG: Jon Asamoah
    RT: Brandon Scherff


    -My goals for the Falcons offense in 2015 was to bring more balance to the team. It is no coincidence that over the last two years with Matt Ryan as the QB the team has gone 10-22 and been ranked 32nd and 24th in rushing offense. It was my goal to bring a truly better running attack to the team while also trying to preserve talent and skill for my veteran signal caller.

    I was able to accomplish that in a big way by signing HB DeMarco Murray (1845 rushing yds, 13 tds and 57 rec in 2014). Getting the 2014 leading rusher in the league was a big coup for the Falcons and for Matt Ryan. Murray is a 3 down back who is a very good reciever out of the backfield as well. I also brought in Stevan Ridley to spell him on occasion b/c he has a similar style of running but without the hands. I also drafted HB Thomas Rawls, Central Michigan (7th RD 195th overall). Rawls has 3rd round talent but dropped due to character issues. He is a player that can develop into a starting RB with the right support and some growing up. Potential steal in the 7th round.

    As far as preserving talent for Matt Ryan to be able to throw to I was able to do that as well. Although I was unable to hang on to Julio Jones, I was able to replace him by adding talent at TE, Charles Clay (Avg 64 rec, 682 yards and 4 Td's in 2013/2014 in an inferior passing game), and bringing in a few WR's through FA and the draft. WR Jeremy Kerley (Avg 40 rec, 500 yards over career in poor passing offenses) will man that starting slot position and WR Brandon Gibson (Avg 33 rec, 387 yards over career in limited playing time). The biggest way I chose to preserve offensive weapons for Ryan was to use my 1st round pick, 18th overall on WR Dorial Green-Beckham. He is a tremendous athlete and WR who dominated college. He should be able to contribute in a big way day 1 opposite veteran Roddy White. I was also able to acquire WR Justin Hardy, East Carolina (4th RD 122nd overall) and WR Jake Kumerow (7th RD 224th overall). Kumerow is a small school developmental guy with a huge frame and very good upside. Hardy is a player who will most likely stick at the slot position and help this team tremendously in years to come while adding depth at WR and special teams ability.

    One of the other biggest moves I made was bringing in RT Brandon Scherff, Iowa (1st RD 14th overall). Adding Scherff opposite Jake Matthews gives this line two bookend Tackles for the next few seasons and maybe longer. I also moved Sam Baker to LG since the "real" Falcons are moving him there as well. So with Matthews and Scherff at tackle, Baker and Asamoah at guard and Hawley at center the Falcons are looking forward to having one of the better offensive lines in football. That's good news for Matt Ryan and DeMarco Murray.


    BASE DEFENSE (4-3)

    LE1: Dante Fowler (1st Round pick, 8th overall)
    LE2: Willie Young (10 sacks 2014)

    RE1: Olivier Vernon (6.5 sacks 2014)
    RE2: Jabaal Sheard (23 sacks 2011-2014, 44 tackles, 2 sacks 2014 as OLB)

    LDT1: Tyson Jackson (22 tackles 0 sacks 2014)
    LDT2: Roy Miller (31 tackles 1 sack 2014)

    RDT1: Paul Soliai (29 tackles 1 sack 2014)
    RDT2: Roy Miller

    Weak side OLB1: J.T. Thomas
    (85 tackles, 2 int's, 2 FF, 5 PD's 2014)
    Weak Side OLB2: Jacquian Williams (78 tackles, 3 PD's, 9 games played 2014)

    ILB1: Paul Worrilow (143 tackles, 3 PD's, 2 FF, 2 sacks 2014)
    ILB2: Michael Wilhoite (87 tackles, 2 int's, 6 PD's, 1 FF 2014)
    ILB3: Casey Matthews (53 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 FF 2014)
    ILB4: Mike Hull (7th round, 200th overall)

    Strong Side OLB1: Joplo Bartu
    (83 tackles, 1 sack, 2 FR 2014)
    Strong Side OLB2: Prince Shembo (58 tackles 2014)

    CB1: Davon House (31 tackles, 1 int, 10 PD's, 1 FF 4 games started 2014)
    CB4: Charles Gaines (4th round, 100th overall)

    CB2: David Amerson (61 tackles, 7 PD's 2014)
    CB5: Craig Mager (6th round, 188th overall)

    NB1: Robert Alford (31 tackles, 3 int's, 11 PD's 2014)
    NB2: Charles Gaines (4th round, 100th overall)

    FS1: Dashon Goldson (81 tackles 2014)
    FS2: Dezmen Southward (23 tackles, 1 int, 1 sack, 2 PD's 2014)
    FS3: Chris Hackett (6th round, 169th overall)

    SS1: Kemal Ishmael (96 tackles, 4 int's, 6 PD's, 1 FF, 10 games started 2014)
    SS2: William Moore (25 tackles, 2 FF, 7 games played 2014)


    DEFENSIVE STARTING LINEUP

    LE: Dante Fowler
    RE: Olivier Vernon
    LDT: Tyson Jackson
    RDT: Paul Soliai
    WSLB: J.T. Thomas
    ILB: Paul Worrilow
    SSLB: Joplo Bartu
    CB1: Davon House
    CB2: David Amerson
    FS: Dashon Goldson
    SS: Kernel Ishmael


    -One way I wanted to attack this off-season as GM of the Falcons was to rebuild the defense first and foremost. In 2014 the Falcons were ranked 27th in points against and 32nd in total yards against.

    One of the worst parts of the 2014 defense was the pass rush. The 2014 Falcons ranked 30th in sacks (22) in 2014. The way I set out to address that problems was through trades, FA and the draft. Through trades I was able to acquire DE Willie Young (10 sacks in 2014) and DE Olivier Vernon (6.5 sacks in 2014). Using FA I was able to bring in DE Jabaal Sheard (23 sacks 2011-2014). During the draft process I was able to bring in one of the top pass rushers coming out of college in 2015. That player was DE Dante Fowler, 1st Round 8th overall. He should add a ton of depth at the position and a heavy pass rush. All of these moves will contribute to having more depth on the DL and having a formidable pass rush.

    One of the other big issues with the Falcons 2014 defense was the depth at all of the LB positions. In order to increase depth and skill at those positions I used FA and the draft. Through FA I was able to acquire OLBers J.T. Thomas and Jacquian Willaims. And at ILB I was able to bring in Michael Wilhoite and Casey Matthews. All 4 of these players will contribute significant snaps on defense in 2015. During the draft process I was able to bring in ILB Mike Hull, Penn St. (7th round, 200th overall). This is a player who has 5th/6th round talent that I was able to acquire in the 7th round. He is a guy that can develop into a solid rotational LB with an immediate impact on special teams.

    The other big issue with the 2014 Falcons defense was their horrid play against the pass. They ranked 32nd against the pass in 2014. In order to increase the talent level in the secondary I used trades, FA and the draft to do so. During the off-season I was able to trade for CB David Amerson (99 tackles, 17 PD's, 2 int 2013/2014). I also was able to acquire some players through FA. Those players were CB Davon House (31 tackles, 10 PD's, 1 int in 10 games played 2014) and FS Dashon Goldson (81 tackles 2014). I was also able to acquire some young talented pieces to the secondary during the draft. Those players include CB Charles Gaines, Louisville (4th RD 100th overall), CB Craig Mager, Texas State (6th RD 188th overall) and FS Chris Hackett (6th RD 169th overall).

    Overall I feel as though the defense has been upgraded in every aspect that I wanted to achieve. I brought in pass rushers to get to the QB at a higher frequency. I added talent and depth to the LBer core. And I also added talent, depth and experience to the secondary.



    SPECIAL TEAMS

    LS: Josh Harris
    K: Kai Forbath (88.1 career accuracy percentage 59/67)
    P: Matt Bosher (Career 45.5 yards per punt, 8th in net punting 2014)
    KR: Justin Hardy
    PR: Jeremy Kerley

    -As far as the special teams the only thing that needed to be upgraded was kicker. LS Josh Harris is as consistent as they come and P Matt Bosher was 8th in net punting in 2014. I brought in K Kai Forbath during the FA period. He has a lifetime accuracy rating of 88.1%. With the move to at least 9 games indoors (8 home, 1 in NO) Kai Forbath should flourish in Atlanta.



    2015 Atlanta Falcons Draft Picks

    1(8) (8th Overall) DE/OLB Dante Fowler, Florida $2,348,364 ($2,348,364)

    1(14) (14th Overall) RT Brandon Scherff, Iowa $1,776,273 ($1,776,273)

    1(18) (18th Overall) WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri $1,571,955 ($1,571,955)

    4(1) (100th Overall) CB Charles Gaines, Louisville $559,257($559,257)

    4(26) (122nd Overall) WR Justin Hardy East Carolina $540,027 ($540,027)

    6(9) (169th Overall) FS Chris Hackett TCU $471,140 ($471,140)

    6(28) (188th Overall) CB Craig Mager, Texas State $461,918 ($461,918)

    7(3) (195th Overall) HB Thomas Rawls, Central Michigan $460,966 ($460,966)

    7(8) (200th Overall) ILB Mike Hull, Penn State $460,075 ($460,075)

    7(32) (224th Overall) WR Jake Kumerow, Wisconsin-Whitewater $446,547 ($446,547)

    SALARY CAP

    Total Cap Value (Offense): $85,761,008

    Total Cap Value (Defense): $56,161,285

    Total Cap Value (Special Teams: $2,875,000

    Overall Cap Value: $144,797,293

    Remaining Cap Space: $202,707
    Last edited by Choon328; 04-23-2015 at 11:07 AM.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •