4:20 PM ET, Sun March 14, 2010

Falcons' approach to free agency is strategic

Atlanta Journal-Constitution — The Falcons have taken a calculated approach to free agency in the three offseasons under general manager Thomas Dimitroff.

21 hours ago

Mock Draft 3.0: Q & A with Maurkice Pouncey

Atlanta Falcons with D. Orlando Ledbetter | Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford is headed for St. Louis in the Mock Draft 3.0. BIRDLAND – There’s some movement in the Mock Draft 3.0, but for second week in a row, the Atlanta Falcons are selecting LaShawn Maurkice Pouncey with the 19th pick in the draft. Some of you were irate with the pick last week. So, I got in touch with Pouncey and interviewed him over the phone on Wednesday. I figured you all should get to know the Falcons’ next first round pick before just ripping the decision to shreds. Also, you need to know that Pouncey was the first Florida Gator to win the Dave Rimi...

March 12, 2010

Contract: Falcons show Dunta Robinson the money

Atlanta Falcons with D. Orlando Ledbetter | Atlanta Journal-Constitution — New Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson on Monday, March 8, 2010. D. Orlando Ledbetter, dledbetter@ajc.com Here’s the breakdown on Dunta Robinson six-year contract, which included a $7 million signing bonus: He’s sent to receive base salaries of $5 million in 2010, $5.5 million in 2011, $6 million in 2012, $7 million in 2013, $9 million in 2014 and $9.5 million in 2015. He’s also set to receive a $3 million bonus in the second year of the deal and could also receive another $5 million in option bonuses. His salary cap numbers are $12 million in 2010, $6.5 million in 2011, $7.7...

March 10, 2010

Should the Atlanta Falcons go after Charles Grant?

Atlanta Falcons with D. Orlando Ledbetter | Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Falcons running back # 44 Jason Snelling is tackled by Saints defensive end # 94 Charles Grant as he picks up yardage during 1st half action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com BIRDLAND – The Falcons just spent $57 million in order to bring Georgia native Dunta Robinson back home. Should they open up Arthur Blank’s hefty wallet to bring home another one of the state’s top football products? Former New Orleans Saints defensive end Charles Grant, the Colquitt native who played at the University of Georgia, went on Sirius NFL Radio ...

March 10, 2010

Falcons sign cornerback Brent Grimes; waive Swinton

Atlanta Falcons with D. Orlando Ledbetter | Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Thomas DeCoud congratulates Brent Grimes, who led the team with six interceptions. (Kathy Willens/AP) Cornerback Brent Grimes, a former undrafted rookie free agent, was signed to an exclusive rights free agent contract on Tuesday. In an unrelated move, the Falcons released wide receiver James Swinton, who was on the practice squad. Grimes started eight of 16 games last season and led the team with six interceptions.

March 9, 2010

Q & A: Falcons new cornerback Dunta Robinson

Atlanta Journal-Constitution — New Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson, 27, sharply dressed in a gray three-piece suit, greenish paisley tie and white pocket square, was introduced to the local media Monday.

March 8, 2010

Chris Houston traded to the Detroit Lions

Atlanta Falcons with D. Orlando Ledbetter | Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Falcons cornerback Chris Houston snags a pass intended for the Panthers' Steve Smith in the closing seconds of the game to seal Atlanta's 28-21 win over Carolina at the Georgia Dome. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com Cornerback Chris Houston was traded to the Detroit Lions for a sixth round pick on Monday, the team confirmed. Also, as part of the deal, the Falcons will move up to the second pick overall in the fifth round and Detroit will pick 18th in fifth round. The Falcons now have at least six picks in the NFL Draft, which is set for April 22 through 24. The Falcons are also expected to re...

March 8, 2010

Atlanta Falcons set to ship Chris Houston to Detroit

Atlanta Falcons with D. Orlando Ledbetter | Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Less 24 hours after signing cornerback Dunta Robinson, the Falcons confirmed that they are in discussions to Chris Houston appears set to be traded to the Detroit Lions for an undisclosed draft pick. trade cornerback Chris Houston to the Detroit Lions. The completion of the deal revolves around the compensation that the Falcons would receive and some boilerplate trade language. The Falcons could receive an undisclosed draft pick and perhaps switch positions with the Lions in another round of the draft. The trade rumors had the Falcons talking to each other on twitter Sunday night. Pro Bowl wi...

March 7, 2010

Falcons in trade talks with Detroit over Chris Houston

Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Less than 24 hours after signing cornerback Dunta Robinson, the Falcons confirmed they are in "discussions" to trade cornerback Chris Houston to the Detroit Lions.

March 7, 2010

NFL's success using Wonderlic Test subject to interpretation

Atlanta Journal-Constitution — At the NFL Scouting Combine, no stone in a player's background is left unturned. In addition to the ad hoc character analysis, teams also try to test the intelligence of the prospects.

March 6, 2010
Most talked about players in the last 24 hours
  • Jake Delhomme signs with Cleveland Browns; James Hall concludes visit with New Orleans Saints Times-Picayune DE Leonard Little still expected to meet with Saints
  • Brown could prove to still have value for Bucs Tampa Tribune New receiver Reggie Brown is a player hungry for a chance to prove he can still play in this league.
  • Panthers free-agent basket nearly bare Charlotte Observer (By Charles Chandler, cchandler@charlotteobserver.com) The Carolina Panthers have been one of the nine least active teams during the NFL's nine-day-old free agency signing period.As of Saturday night, Carolina was one of 16 teams that hadn't signed an unrestricted free agent - a veteran of six years or more whose contract with his previous team expired. However, seven of those clubs either had traded for a likely starter or signed a potential front-liner recently cut by another team.
  • NFL free agent market check Charlotte Observer Following are the free-agent signings, trades, etc., teams have made this offseason. In instances when teams have placed a particularly strong emphasis on re-signing key players from their own team, that also is noted:(Abbreviations: UFA - Unrestricted Free Agent; RFA - Restricted Free Agent; SFA - Street Free Agent).
  • Delhomme in with Browns; Quinn out? Charlotte Observer (By Charles Chandler, cchandler@charlotteobserver.com) Former Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme signed on with Cleveland on Saturday, but that doesn't mean the player he's unseating is headed to the Panthers.Despite reports listing Carolina as a potential destination for Browns' quarterback Brady Quinn, a league source told the Observer Saturday night that the Panthers had not shown interest in trying to acquire the former Notre Dame star.
  • Source: Panthers not pursuing Quinn Inside the Panthers | Charlotte Observer Though there has been speculation that Carolina might be interested in acquiring Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn, the Panthers so far have shown no interest, according to a league source. The Browns are expected to try to trade Quinn now...
  • Do the Yellow Jackets have the legs to win the ACC title? Tech Blog | Atlanta Journal-Constitution GREENSBORO, NC – So that’s the question. Does Tech have the legs to beat Duke today, a team that’s played only two games in this tournament to Tech’s three. No team has won this title after playing four games in four days, since the league expanded to 12 teams in 2005. Coincidentally, that’s the last time Tech was in the final – 2005 – but the Yellow Jackets received a first round bye that year as a No. 5 seed. As the No. 7 seed, playing the No. 1 seed Duke, they’ve got a tough row to hoe. I asked Paul Hewitt about that last night, how Tech was doing physica...
  • Bobby Cremins sitting behind Tech bench today Tech Blog | Atlanta Journal-Constitution GREENSBORO – Bobby Cremins will be sitting behind the Georgia Tech bench today, cheering on his former Yellow Jackets in the ACC tournament against Duke. The shaggy-haired former Tech coach won three ACC tournament titles with the Yellow Jackets in 1985, 1990 and 1993.  He’s taking a break from his College of Charleston coaching schedule today to support his former team. Cremins was honored as part of the 25th anniversary of Tech’s 1985 ACC title team at Alexander Memorial Coliseum in early February but couldn’t be there for the festivities because the College of Charle...
  • Split-squad day, everybody (including J-Hey) plays Atlanta Braves with David O'Brien | Atlanta Journal-Constitution Kissimmee, Fla. – When you’re seated next to a reporter from The New Yorker in a pressbox at a spring training game between the Braves and Blue Jays, it’s a pretty good indicator there’s a transcendent baseball story unfolding. Seated next to yesterday was that reporter, at Dark Star to work on a story about Bobby Cox and Jason Heyward. The retiring skipper and ascendant prospect have drawn national baseball writers to Braves camp for the past few weeks. But the high-brow, erudite New Yorker? Like I said, you’ve got a bigger-than-usual story brewing when that mag sends ...
  • Hawks run out early, hold on against Detroit Atlanta Journal-Constitution The Hawks got off to the right kind of start. Their finish won't win any prizes, but was sufficient.
  • Hawks squawks: Hawks 112, Pistons 99 Hawks Blog | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Ken Sugiura sitting in for MC. - I’m curious how you grade the game. To me, the most impressive thing was the second quarter. After jumping out early, I figured the Hawks would let Detroit back in the game, but they turned it up a notch, which, as you know better than I do, has not always been the case. One play that stands out is Jamal Crawford D’ing up Ben Gordon out beyond the 3-point line, poking the ball away and cruising in for a dunk. - Jamal: “It’s contagious. I think that’s a part of my game, going towards the playoffs, I want to be a better all-around ...
  • Georgia Tech advances to ACC final Atlanta Journal-Constitution GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Awake at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, blurry-eyed from an action-packed ACC tournament, Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt watched videotape of his Yellow Jackets nearly spoil a 16-point lead to N.C.