Falcons release Gabe Derricks and Mark Ortman
According to the Associated Press, the Atlanta Falcons waived Gabe Derricks and Mark Ortman on Saturday night. (more…)
Falcons trade Quinn Ojinnaka to Patriots for undisclosed draft pick
Two days after playing one another, the Atlanta Falcons traded offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka to the New England Patriots for an undisclosed draft pick, according to the Seattle Post Intelligencer. (more…)
Falcons rookie WR Kerry Meier suffers season-ending injury
According to ESPN’s Pat Yasinskas, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Kerry Meier will miss the entire season after suffering a knee injury against the New England Patriots on Thursday night. He finished with just one reception for seven yards in the 28-10 loss.
The Falcons selected Meier in the fifth round (165th overall) of this year’s draft after an impressive career at Kansas. He finished his college career as the school’s all-time leading receiver with 226 receptions for 2,309 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Dan Parzych is the Lead NFL Content Editor for RantSports.com/NFL, where he writes and edits NFL content for RantSports.com.
Falcons sign DE Maurice Lucas
On Tuesday, the Atlanta Falcons signed defensive end Maurice Lucas, who spent last season on the team’s practice squad, and released defensive tackle Rajon Henley. The details of the contract have not been released.
Lucas signed with the Falcons as a rookie free agent last offseason, but never saw time during the regular season. He spent his college career at Colorado and will most likely end up on Atlanta’s practice squad for the second-straight season.
Dan Parzych is the Lead NFL Content Editor for RantSports.com/NFL where he writes and edits NFL content for RantSports.com.
Falcons take a look at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Atlanta Falcons are looking to rebound after last years season and compete for the NFC South division championship. Today, let’s look at one division opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers are in the midst of a rebuilding plan and are coming off a 3-13 season. I don’t look for much improvement from the Bucs this season, but all division games are tough ones. One of Tampa’s 3 wins last season was against the eventual Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints late in the season.
Bucs Offense-
Tampa is starting virtually a rookie quarterback this year in Josh Freeman. Freeman started 9 games last year and did show flashes of improvement but committed over 20 turnovers in those games. The Buccaneers figure to have two rookie wide receivers play a big part in their offense this season. They drafted Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams in this years draft. Williams appears to be penciled in as a starter right now. The offensive line should be the same starting 5 from last season. The running game will feature the same backs from last season. Carnell Williams, Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham who will once again play fullback. The only legitimate offensive threat for the Bucs is TE Kellen Winslow Jr.
Bucs Defense-
Perhaps the biggest change in the Bucs defense is on their defensive line. Tampa used the first and second round draft picks to select Gerald McCoy and Brian Price first and second, respectively. The Buccaneers look to improve on their league last run defense in 2009. Barrett Ruud anchors the middle of the linebacker corps once again. CB Aqib Talib, who is becoming a top corner in the NFL is reported to have a groin tear in training camp. The only player remaining from the 2002 championship season is CB Ronde Barber. Barber has lost a step and figures to start or play in the nickle defense in perhaps his last season.
The unique trait of the team which finishes last in the NFC South finishing first the following year appears to be coming to an end. Tampa will be starting and playing several rookies this year. While they should be improved over the team they fielded last year, Tampa should not be expected to win more than 5 games this year.
