It’s not clear whether Tony Gonzalez will be back in Atlanta next year. It is clear that Michael Turner, John Abraham, and Dunta Robinson won’t be.
And the Falcons wouldn’t have shoved that trio of overpaid veterans out the door without a plan to replace them.
So how about another trio of potentially overpaid veterans?
A report already had surfaced of Rams running back Steven Jackson potentially signing with the Falcons. Colts linebacker Dwight Freeney told PFT Live last week that he’s looking for a 4-3 team where he once again could be a defensive end.
The options are less obvious at cornerback. Patriots corner Aqib Talib hasn’t been linked to the Falcons. But they know him well from his time in Tampa, and the Patriots don’t seem to be inclined to sign him to a long-term deal.
On the other hand, the Falcons know Talib, given his off-field issues. And the Falcons aren’t the kind of team to embrace guys who can’t comply with the rules.
Regardless of what the Falcons do, the Falcons surely have a plan. And even though teams technically can’t talk to agents who represent upcoming free agents until March 9, every team does it.
And we’d be shocked if the Falcons, by dumping three big-name players on the birthday of the father of NFL parity, don’t know exactly what they’ll be doing in an effort to disrupt a budding San Francisco NFC dynasty.