Falconsroach7
Starter
The falcons made waves today in both their signings of free agents and the release of a veteran. Let's examine the moves:
Ashlee Palmer
The falcons have signed 4-3 OLB Ashlee Palmer to a 3 year, 10.3 million dollar deal. Palmer was a free agent throughout all of the season a year ago, but now he's found a home in Georgia. While palmer is a very good football player, we're not exactly sure of the teams intention here-- they were already solid at OLB with brooks reed and Justin Durant locking down the spots, so perhaps we'll see palmer play inside linebacker after the departure of Paul worrilow. Likewise, we could see brooks reed shift inside as he's got the physical requirements to do so. It'll be interesting to see the adjustments here moving forward, and it could make or break this defense
Henry Melton
The team penned Henry Melton to a 2 year 3.76M dollar contract. There's no speculation here. Melton is a solid DT who should slide right into a starting role beside Ra'shede Hageman. He's more athletic than Babineaux was, so we could see improved play from this position in the upcoming season.
Brent Grimes
After being cut by Miami a week ago, Grimes is returning home. Grimes and Atlanta agreed to a 1 year deal worth 6.3M. It's another move that is either a big time win or a loss that could weaken the defense. Whenever you bring in a player of Grimes capabilities, you automatically assume he'll be a starter, but this may not be the case. Collins and trufant make a dynamic combo, and Grimes has reached his ceiling. The team was shredded by slot receivers a year ago, so grimes could be asked to play nickel. While seemingly questionable, it could really shut down passing games as Collins could emerge as a top tier CB in his sophomore effort. On the flip side, if Collins regresses, grimes could step outside and fill that role. Either way, this looks like a solid signing
Jeremy Mincey
Finally, Atlanta brought in Mincey on a 2 year, 7.28M deal. A veteran, Mincey adds to the defensive line that's really shaping up. Retaining the services of Adrian Clayborn, the line looks very stout now. We could see a very dangerous rotation down there this year with Beasley and Clayborn playing on 1st and 2nd downs to stop the run while Mincey gets in on 3rd to rush the passer.
Devin Hester
Hester, your talents were much appreciated here in Atlanta. You were very dynamic in the return game, but, at the end of the day, it's about the money. Cutting hester saved atlanta 1.8M in cap space to, presumably, have money to add a few more free agents. Despite getting up there in age, hester should find another NFL home as a return specialist. We wish the best of luck to him in his future endeavors.
Ashlee Palmer
The falcons have signed 4-3 OLB Ashlee Palmer to a 3 year, 10.3 million dollar deal. Palmer was a free agent throughout all of the season a year ago, but now he's found a home in Georgia. While palmer is a very good football player, we're not exactly sure of the teams intention here-- they were already solid at OLB with brooks reed and Justin Durant locking down the spots, so perhaps we'll see palmer play inside linebacker after the departure of Paul worrilow. Likewise, we could see brooks reed shift inside as he's got the physical requirements to do so. It'll be interesting to see the adjustments here moving forward, and it could make or break this defense
Henry Melton
The team penned Henry Melton to a 2 year 3.76M dollar contract. There's no speculation here. Melton is a solid DT who should slide right into a starting role beside Ra'shede Hageman. He's more athletic than Babineaux was, so we could see improved play from this position in the upcoming season.
Brent Grimes
After being cut by Miami a week ago, Grimes is returning home. Grimes and Atlanta agreed to a 1 year deal worth 6.3M. It's another move that is either a big time win or a loss that could weaken the defense. Whenever you bring in a player of Grimes capabilities, you automatically assume he'll be a starter, but this may not be the case. Collins and trufant make a dynamic combo, and Grimes has reached his ceiling. The team was shredded by slot receivers a year ago, so grimes could be asked to play nickel. While seemingly questionable, it could really shut down passing games as Collins could emerge as a top tier CB in his sophomore effort. On the flip side, if Collins regresses, grimes could step outside and fill that role. Either way, this looks like a solid signing
Jeremy Mincey
Finally, Atlanta brought in Mincey on a 2 year, 7.28M deal. A veteran, Mincey adds to the defensive line that's really shaping up. Retaining the services of Adrian Clayborn, the line looks very stout now. We could see a very dangerous rotation down there this year with Beasley and Clayborn playing on 1st and 2nd downs to stop the run while Mincey gets in on 3rd to rush the passer.
Devin Hester
Hester, your talents were much appreciated here in Atlanta. You were very dynamic in the return game, but, at the end of the day, it's about the money. Cutting hester saved atlanta 1.8M in cap space to, presumably, have money to add a few more free agents. Despite getting up there in age, hester should find another NFL home as a return specialist. We wish the best of luck to him in his future endeavors.