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Atlanta Falcons: 3 Veterans the Birds Should Bring in for Training Camp

After staying relatively quiet the past few weeks, the Atlanta Falcons added 10-year veteran safety Chris Hope to the team in late June to provide depth and leadership for Atlanta's younger starting tandem.

But they shouldn't stop there.

While many veterans left on the open market may be nearing the end of their careers, some like Hope still have enough in the tank to provide solid depth and, in some cases, fight for a starting job.

With training camp just a few weeks away, now is the time to make final tweaks to the roster.

Here are a few NFL veteran free agents the Falcons should consider adding to their roster just in time for training camp.

Lofa Tatupu considered retiring before joining Atlanta Falcons

When the Seahawks released Lofa Tatupu last year and he saw that no teams were calling for him, he contemplated retiring. He slowly stopped working out, but a call from the Atlanta Falcons changed that for him.

In March of this year, Tatupu signed a two-year, $3.6 million deal with the opportunity to start at middle linebacker. Falcons are hoping that he will be able to get back in the swing of things immediately considering they lost Curtis Lofton to the Saints during offseason.

"I'm excited about the whole process and just being back playing ball again," Tatupu, 29, told The Boston Globe in Sunday's edition. "You've got to knock a little rust off, but for the most part it's second nature, especially as a middle linebacker. You're supposed to know what everybody is doing. You're supposed to be the field general. From that standpoint, I really wasn't taken aback by it. I just come in and do what I do."

Tatupu will have to beat out Akeem Dent for the starting position, which he shouldn't have a problem doing with his experience. Lofa was a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker with the Seahawks so he's a veteran, whereas Dent still has a lot of learning to do.

All that being said, it's a good thing that the Falcons are adding all of these veterans to the roster. That can only help this team to get past their biggest problem....the playoffs. You should see immediate impact from these guys and it will elevate the game from everyone around them.

Impact of Atlanta Falcons 2012 Draft Picks

As training camp approaches for the Atlanta Falcons, the 2012 draft class has to prepare to make their impressions on the team and the coaching staff.  Every one of this year’s draft picks will be in a battle to not only make the team, but possibly start.  So who will rookie will be the biggest impact player?

In the second round, the Falcons picked center Peter Konz out of Wisconsin. Konz has been getting reps at right guard and at center, and could possibly challenge for either spot. The chances are he’ll be starting at right guard, and if he plays up to his potential – and the coaches hopes – he’ll have a huge impact on both the run game and on pass protection.

In the third round Atlanta took Southern Mississippi tackle, Lamar Holmes.  It’s no secret the Falcons haven’t been happy with the play of anyone at left tackle recently.  Holmes was drafted to try to create some competition, especially for Sam Baker, who has largely been considered a bust to this point.  However, Holmes was already injured during the rookie mini-camp, and had to sit out all of the other OTA’s.  He’s going to have to really step up in training camp if he wants to be considered viable competition for a tackle spot.

Fullback Bradie Ewing could be the sleeper of this year’s draft class.  With the Falcons releasing Ovie Mughelli, it will be up to Ewing to show that he’s ready to not only catch the ball out of the backfield and run with it, but that he can be that blocking fullback that the Falcons’ running game depends on so much.  If Ewing applies himself to really learn the Falcons’ playbook and develops his blocking techniques, he could really make a big difference to the offensive game plan.

Troy State University outside linebacker/defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi might be just the bookend that the Falcons need to compliment Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham.   The Falcons wanted to add depth to the linebacker and end position, and Massaquoi looks to be doing just fine at both.  I’m not sure that Massaquoi is ready to step in with the experienced linebackers that the Falcons have, but he could certainly step in pretty quickly at defensive end if he picks up things quickly from both Abraham and the coaches.

Strong safety Charles Mitchell out of Mississippi State was a reach pick in the sixth round, and with the safeties that the Falcons already had, plus free agent addition Chris Hope, Mitchell has very little chance of starting, or even making the roster.  Should Atlanta sustain some injuries at safety, it’s possible you may see Mitchell, but chances are he’ll be relegated to a practice squad role.

South Carolina defensive tackle Travian Robertson is another one we will most likely not see after training camp. He lacks a lot of fundamentals, and will be a project.  Right now the Falcons are more concerned about getting their money’s worth out of Peria Jerry, so unless Robertson shows the coaches something spectacular during camp, he’ll likely be put on the back burner.

Comment below and let us know what you think.

Special Olympics Georgia Receives Grant From The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation To Boost Athletes' Healthy Lifestyles Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/06/4613747/special-olympics-georgia-receives.html#storylink=cpy

ATLANTA, July 6, 2012 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Special Olympics Georgia received a $5,000 grant from The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Atlanta Falcons and affiliated fund of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

The grant supports a new Special Olympics Georgia initiative, the Fitness and Nutrition (FAN) program, which combines sports aptitude testing with nutrition education to kickstart healthy lifestyles for school-aged athletes and families. As the program continues, SOGA plans to train and use FAN kits in metro Atlanta and beyond in order to measure more athletes' physical fitness levels as they enter Special Olympics. Ultimately, the computerized assessments of fitness could also serve as marks of improvement as athletes continue competition and learning new sports.

This new program combats a problem that families of people with intellectual disabilities face in direct correlation between athlete sports performance and their health. In a Teaching Exceptional Children study, researchers stated individuals with intellectual disabilities are more likely to develop a sedentary lifestyle, yet this population has the same fitness needs and capabilities as others without intellectual disabilities. Physical activity not only improves the health of an athlete but also increases the probability they will be successful in other aspects of their lives.

"We at Special Olympics Georgia are so excited and honored to have received this recent grant from the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation. Our partnership is a great fit as both organizations are strong believers in improved fitness and better nutrition for all youth. Special Olympics will continue our evaluation of youth fitness and will also continue educating youth about the importance of lifelong fitness and wellness," said Georgia Milton-Sheats, Special Olympics Georgia CEO.

The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation (AFYF) was established in 1985 to serve as the philanthropic arm of the Atlanta Falcons. Since Arthur Blank acquired the Atlanta Falcons in 2002, AFYF has grown to be the largest owner-funded foundation in the National Football League, providing more than $18 million in grants to nonprofit organizations across the state of Georgia.

Investing across Georgia, the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation seeks to reduce childhood obesity and improve youth fitness. Working closely with the NFL Play 60 campaign, Let's Move, and national organizers such as Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and PreventObesity.net, AFYF makes grants to increase the time kids spend in physical activity and increase access to healthy, affordable food.

Atlanta Falcons: Spoon’s attracting early Pro Bowl hype

Weatherspoon finished last season with 127 tackles (86 solos) and four sacks. He was also solid in pass coverage. He covered running backs coming out of the backfield and covered tight ends down the field. He also had one fumble recovery and eight passes defensed.
We checked in with Spoon back in May. CLICK HERE.

Also, it is clear that defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has high expectations for Weatherspoon.

“He’s playing the same position in this defense that he was before, so there are no changes there,” Nolan said. “It’s very familiar to him. The expectation of him is that he continues to play well.”

Weatherspoon figures to have a big role in Nolan’s pressure packages.

“All players like to have their numbers called when you are pressuring and things like that,” Nolan said. “I’d like to think we’ll spread it around a little bit more than most. A lot of that depends how good of a guy he is at doing those things. Spoon is a very good player. I would hope that if he was pressuring or not, he would be making plays.”

Gregg Rosenthal, of NFL.com, is doing an around the league feature before training camps open. He predicted a breakout season for Weatherspoon in 2012.

I’m uncomfortable making Weatherspoon my “Making the Leap” pick for the Falcons, because he’s already made a sizable jump. He’s the leader of this Falcons defense. (Why do you think they let Curtis Lofton walk?) Weatherspoon is already one of the best 4-3 outside linebackers in football. He easily could have made the Pro Bowl last year, but he’s not a big enough name yet.

He’s listed here because he deserves more attention. Those Pro Bowl nods are often built on reputations gained one or two years after a player truly earns recognition. I’m doing my tiny part to elevate Weatherspoon’s reputation now.

Last season, the NFC Pro Bowl outside linebackers were Green Bay’s Clay Matthews, Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware and Chicago’s Lance Briggs.  Weatherspoon had more tackles than all of them and more sacks than Briggs, according to NFL.Com stats.

Ware had 58 tackles and 19.5 sacks. Briggs has 105 tackles and no sacks. Matthews has 50 tackles and six sacks. He also had 12 passes defensed and three interceptions.

I don’t think Rosenthal is off the mark at all. But, do you all think, Weatherspoon will make the Pro Bowl in 2012?

Atlanta Falcons Signing Of Chris Hope

Sep 11, 2011; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive back Chris Hope (24) during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Fernando Medina-US PRESSWIRE

Chris Hope isn’t necessarily going to dramatically change the fortunes of the Atlanta Falcons in the 2012 season. He hasn’t really changed any teams fortunes in the last three to four years. However he does bring one thing to the table that the Falcons could use: veteran leadership.

I apologize for not writing an update on the Falcons signing Hope until this point, but I haven’t been able to figure out my own feelings on the signing up to this point. The Falcons certainly had a need at the safety position going forward. The Falcons signed Safety James Sanders to a 1 year contract for the 2011 season, but he left in free-agency during this off-season. That left the Safety depth chart for the Falcons as William Moore at strong safety, Thomas DeCoud at free safety, and….Shann Schillinger. Sure, the Falcons drafted Charles Mitchell in the 6th round in this year’s draft, but he’s absolutely not ready to be playing on a regular basis (if Moore of DeCoud were to be injured), and there is no guaranteeing that he will ever be ready to start at safety for the Atlanta Falcons. But I digress.

The point here is that the Falcons needed a safety who filled two criteria: 1) Could step in at a safety position if one of the starters were injured and 2) would bring a veteran leadership to the team. That is exactly what Chris Hope will bring to the Falcons.

Hope is extremely durable. He has started 16 games a season every season until last season, when he lost his regular starting job to Jordan Babineaux. Even in 2010 he posted 101 tackles, a sack, an interception, and 5 passes defended. Hope was never spectacular, but he was solid. He also started at FS during Super Bowl XL, where he had 3 tackles and a pass defended. That is playing football on the highest level, and hopefully his understanding of how to go about his business and tough mentality in clutch situations will rub off on the Falcons young safeties.

The Falcons seem to have a mental block once they get to the playoffs. Even though Hope is not going to be a huge defensive playmaker for the Falcons now or ever, bringing in a tough minded player who can give his Falcon teammates a perspective of someone who has played for a championship.

Atlanta Falcons: Bailey, Flanigan to serve coaching fellowships

Former Howard University head coach Carey Bailey and Mississippi Valley State’s assistant coach Ramon Flanigan will take

Carey Bailey during his tenure as Howard's head coach. (Howard University)

part in the NFL’s minority coaching fellowship program with the Falcons during training camp.

Bailey is currently the defensive line coach at Lamar and Flanigan is the offensive coordinator/quarterback coach at Mississippi Valley State.

“As a coach, you want to give back to that fraternity in any way possible, so we are excited to have these two fine coaches joining us for training camp as part of the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship,” said Falcons coach Mike Smith said in a statement. “This is a great opportunity for these coaches to be exposed to new ideas, not only in terms of X’s and O’s, but also philosophically.”

Bailey, a former University of Tennessee standout, begins his first season as the defensive line coach at Lamar University after serving as the head coach at Howard University from 2007-10. Prior to taking the helm at Howard, Bailey spent two seasons as the defensive line coach at the University of Minnesota. He also served as the defensive line coach at Oklahoma State in 2004 and Middle Tennessee State in 2003. Bailey spent five seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette (1998-2002) coaching the defensive line, special teams and linebackers. His first coaching position came at Virginia Military Institute where he was defensive line coach from 1995-98.

Flanigan is entering his second season at Mississippi Valley State as the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Prior to arriving at MVSU, Flanigan spent the 2008 season as the wide receivers coach at Prestonwood Christian Academy and was the quarterbacks coach at Galveston Ball High School in 2009. He spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at the University of North Texas, including five as the program’s offensive coordinator. Flanigan played collegiately at Southern

Ramon Flanigan during his SMU days. (SMU Heritage Hall).

Methodist University.

The Minority Coaching Fellowship Program, which was named after the man who conceived the idea – late Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh – exposes talented minority college coaches to the methods and philosophies of summer NFL training camps. Walsh introduced the concept in 1987 when he brought a group of minority coaches into his San Francisco 49ers’ training camp. The program has mentored more than 1,500 minority coaches through the years, including Falcons special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong.

Atlanta Falcons: The Biggest Media Misconceptions about the Falcons

When general manager Thomas Dimitroff, head coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan landed in Atlanta in 2008, the Falcons slowly began their rise back to relevancy and, in the process, popularity.

Along the way, however, they have equally been the subject of numerous misconceptions by the national media.

This has had the undesired result of clouding some NFL fans’ perceptions of the Falcons, and even of some Falcons fans themselves.

In an attempt to correct those false beliefs, let's highlight a few of the many misconceptions about the Atlanta Falcons.

Atlanta Falcons Week 8 Preview: Philadelphia Eagles

According to my Falcons 2012 preview, the Falcons will just be coming off their week 7 bye, and will pay a visit to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Falcons have played the Eagles each of the last four seasons, making this quite a terrific matchup. The 5th consecutive year of this matchup will prove to be the Falcons’ biggest test so far, one which they may not emerge from looking completely unscathed.
Matchups are the most important thing to look at when comparing two teams, and I see one area that the Falcons held the matchup advantage in 2011, that they won’t in 2012. That would be the Eagles linebacking corps. In 2011 the Eagles boasted the best defensive secondary in the league with Asante Samuel, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. They also had a teriffic pass rush with Trent Cole lining up opposide Justin Babin at the DE position. When they lined up outside the offensive linemens’ shoulders in the Wide-9 look, they were a pass rush to behold. The Eagles have even bolstered that line with the addition of DT Fletcher Cox. He will make that line even more formidable. However, while the line sacked and hit QB Matt Ryan numerous times, and DBs Samuel and Asomugha both picked off Ryan, these were not the spots where the Falcons held the true advantage.
That was the Falcons offense against the line-backing corps. The Eagles had all the talent in the world on the line (save for D-Tackle) and DB, but couldn’t defend the run or deal with the tight end over the middle of the defense. Tony Gonzalez torched the Eagles for 2 TD’s and 7 catches, and Michael Turner ran for a TD and over 100 yards. This against the ‘Dream Team’. Unfortunately for the folk of Philadelphia, the linebackers were every bit as bad as the rest of the team was good. But now, the Eagles have signed LB Demedo Ryan from the Texans, and he will fortify that LB group. He may not win every battle with Tony Gonzalez, but he will certainly win more than the 2011 defenders did. As a Falcons fan, I would like to say that the Eagles aren’t vastly improved with just one addition, as their secondary isn’t much different and their line is at the least the same. However the truth is that Ryans makes that entire defense better. The defense will use more press-man coverage, which will play to the tremendous skill-set of Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie. A homer might say ‘the Eagles haven’t gotten much better this offseason’. I would reply to that simply by saying that the Falcons haven’t exactly been flooded with an influx of talent over last year’s team.
Offensively, the 2012 Eagles will pose about the same threat that the 2011 team did. Michael Vick is very hard to contain, and even when you contain him, he can still find ways to beat you. The receiving corps features tremendous talent in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, two players who have and can toast the Falcons defense at a moments notice. Add in the threat that LeSean McCoy presents both carrying and catching the ball out of the backfield, the Eagles offense is just as potent as the Falcons, if not more so due to the running ability of Michael Vick. The Falcons secondary is better, but the defensive line isn’t much more improved, and the Falcons caught some lucky breaks in 2011 as far as having the ball bounce their way/having Vick get injured. I would love to pick the Falcons and have them keep rolling through the rest of the 2012 season, but I can’t do it in good conscience. I don’t think this is a  game the Falcons can win, especially since they only barely did so in Atlanta last season. Doing so in Philly would be nothing short of miraculous. Vick may turn the ball over through fumbles or interceptions or both; however, I suspect that the Eagles defense could also coax a couple of turnovers out of the Falcons just as easily. As much as it pains me to say it: Philadelphia 31- Atlanta 21.

Importance Of Atlanta Falcons’ Peria Jerry

It’s always seemed like the Falcons have need at more than one position on both offensive and defensive line. Maybe that is simply the way life always goes in the NFL, and every team experiences it. Some teams have no o-line, but a great d-line. Some have an All-Pro offense that lines up in the trenches while they roll out nobodies on the d-line. It has been well documented that teams who are successful in the trenches are successful overall, or can overcome deficiencies in other areas as a result of strong lines. The Falcons have a hole at Center or Guard and Left Tackle on the o-line, and need a great pass rushing DE and a solid D-Tackle to make their line outstanding. I have gone into great depth about the O-line for months and will continue to in the future. Today I will address Peria Jerry, our veteran DT, who has yet to live up to his draft billing.

Jerry was taken in the 1st round, 24th overall, in the 2009 NFL Draft. He was expected to be a future cornerstone of the Falcons’ defensive, a good pass rusher and run defender, who could play alongside  Jonathan Babineaux. Babineaux was in his prime at this point, and the Falcons looked to have one of the most stout interior defensive lines in the NFL.

Then came the injury bug. Jerry hasn’t been the same since. In three seasons with the Falcons, Jerry has only started 6 games, made 20 tackles, and registered only 2.0 sacks. Sure he has been injured, but even when available for the Falcons for an entire season the way he was in 2011, Jerry remained very ineffective.

Can we expect more out of Jerry? At this stage I would say no. He has proven to be often injured, and inept when actually on the field. However he does have a potential for being a quality producer for this team in 2012 and the future. Anything Jerry brings to the table will be gravy compared to the minimal amount that he has in the past three seasons. Also, add in the fact that Jonathan Babineaux in truly not getting any younger, and the Falcons could stand to use a player like Jerry who could step in and spell Babineaux for stretches at a time, or even replace him in the not so distant future. If nothing else, he could be a holdover until the Falcons draft another DT, the one who can take the spot next to Corey Peters as the DT of the future for the Falcons.

What are your thoughts, expectations, and reasonable hopes for Jerry in the 2012 season and going foreward?

Atlanta Falcons: Q&A with new safety Chris Hope

Falcons safety Chris Hope, a 10-year NFL veteran, wants to finish his NFL career on a high note.

Last season, the former Tennessee Titan played in 10 games and made just two starts as he battled through two (dislocated shoulder and forearm) injuries.

When his six-year, $30.6 million contract expired after last season, he was not re-signed. The Falcons, who were looking for some depth at the safety position, signed Hope to a one-year, $925,000 contract. The parties agreed to terms on June 29.

Hope, who has been a starter at free safety for most of his career, won a Super Bowl (XL) ring with the Pittsburgh Steelers and went to the Pro Bowl following the 2008 season.

Hope, who turns 32 in September, has 690 tackles, four sacks and 20 interceptions over his career with the Steelers (2002-05) and Titans (2006-11).

Hope spoke with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via phone Tuesday about joining the Falcons, his iCHope Foundation, his times with the Steelers and Titans and how he plans to fit in with the Falcons.

Atlanta's sports teams go to bat for transportation tax vote

ATLANTA -- The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce called in some heavy hitters Monday to try and get the July 31st transportation sales tax vote across home plate.

Mascots for the Braves, Falcons, Hawks, and Atlanta Dream frolicked with tourists and locals outside the chamber's downtown headquarters near Centennial Olympic Park.

Then they joined top honchos from those sports organizations as well as the Atlanta Motor Speedway to push the T-SPLOST.

They claimed a "yes" vote would benefit nearly all citizens of metro Atlanta, especially the majority of their fans who drive from outside the city to attend sporting events.

"The number one reason, year in and year out, that people tell us they don't come to more games is because of the traffic," said Braves Executive Vice-President Mark Plant.

But sales tax critics saw the high profile sports support as an underdog play.

"I really believe it's a sign of desperation on the pro-tax side of the issue," insisted James Bell of the Georgia Taxpayers Alliance.

His group is one of several, including Tea Parties and the Sierra Club, that have formed a loose knit coalition against the transportation tax referendum.

Even though some might approve of a sales tax to improve getting around Georgia, they're opposed to the specific list of regional projects drawn up by local politicians, which they claim favor some citizens over others.

"People that live outside the perimeter are objecting to the fact that most of our money is going to Atlanta and Fulton County," Bell told 11 Alive News.

Supporters, including the top level professional sports executives, realize that's the biggest handicap they face.

"You may not have a project that affects you directly day in and day out, but it's going to affect you at some point when you travel from point A to point B," said Ed Clark, President of the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

"It's always second guessing that I didn't get the project that I wanted," said Chamber President Sam Williams.

"It is a perfect list? No. It's not a perfect list, but it's a practical list that I think can be passed," he added.

One reason the pro T-SPLOST team emptied their sports bench Monday could be that many recent polls show Georgians who oppose the tax are ahead on the scoreboard.

Atlanta Falcons: Jaws ranks Ryan 11th, ahead of Vick, Schaub

BIRDLAND — Falcons quarterback Matt Ryanfared much better in the “Jaws QB Countdown” series than in the Top 100 players ranking.

ESPN NFL analyst Ron Jaworski has examined each of the league’s veteran starting quarterbacks andTim Tebow.

The daily series has been running on SportsCenter, NFL Live and NFL32 and will culminate with Jaworski’s top-ranked quarterback Tuesday, July 10.

Ryan and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo were unveiled as the 11th- and 10th-ranked NFL veteran starters respectively. Ryan is ranked directly in front of former Falcons quarterbacks Michael Vick (12th) and Matt Schaub (13th). He is three spots ahead of former Georgia quarterback and present Detroit Lion Matthew Stafford (14th).

Ryan wasn’t ranked in the NFL Network’s Top 100 ranking. There were 13 other quarterbacks who made that ranking, which was voted on by players around the league.

Ryan has guided the Falcons to the playoffs three times in four seasons in the league and has posted a 43-19 regular-season record. He is 0-3 in the playoffs.

“Number 11 on my quarterback big board is Matt Ryan,” Jaworski said. “You know what I really appreciate about Ryan? He has improved in each of his four years as the Falcons starter. How about this, folks? He’s won 69 percent of his NFL starts. That’s pretty good!”

He went on to describe Ryan’s playing style.

“Ryan is a timing and rhythm passer,”Jaworski said. “He hits his back foot, and the ball comes out. First down was the explosive play down for Ryan. He had 24 completions of 20 yards or more. …I also like Ryan’s natural feel for anticipating throws.”

Last season, the Falcons were 10-6 and went to playoffs as one of the NFC’s wild-card teams. They were defeated in the playoffs by the New York Giants, who went on to win the Super Bowl.

“In 2011, Ryan was given more responsibility at the line of scrimmage,” Jaworski said. “The ability to control the game before the snap is an increasingly-important attribute in today’s NFL.”

The Falcons are hoping that Ryan continues to improve and joins some of the elite quarterbacks around the league.

“Ryan is right on the edge of being a top-10 NFL quarterback,” Jaworski said. “I love the way he’s engaged in every single game. But there’s still one element of Ryan’s game that needs work. He must become more consistent in what I call a ‘muddy pocket’, with bodies flying around him. Right now, he needs that comfortable cradle, that functional space. If he improves in that area, he’ll crack my top 10.”

Atlanta Falcons: Safety Chris Hope agrees to terms

Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams, center, runs as he is chased by Tennessee Titans' Chris Hope, left, and Michael Griffin, right, in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

The Falcons and veteran safety Chris Hope, a former Pro Bowler, agreed to contract terms on Friday.

Hope, 31, was a third-round draft pick (94th overall) in 2002 by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Florida State product played four seasons with the Steelers before playing the next six seasons with the Titans. He made the Pro Bowl after the 2008 season.

Hope, 5-foot-11 and 206 pounds, has 20 career interceptions.

Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan expressed concern about the depth at safety behind starters William Moore and Thomas DeCoud during minicamp.

Hope started 109 of 147 games over his career.

In 2011, Hope played in 10 games with two starts and made 33 tackles with one interception, one pass defense and two fumble recoveries.

He started every game for the Titans from 2008-10.

Over his career Hope has 758 total tackles (552 solo), four sacks, four forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He was a member of the Steelers 2005 Super Bowl title team.

The Falcons made room for Hope by releasing wide receiver Cody Pearcy on Thursday.

Cincinnati Bengals: Why Cincy's Defense Will Be the Best in 2012

John Grieshop/Getty Images

Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is good at his job and has been for a long time.  Since becoming a member of the Bengals' coaching staff in 2008, he's had a great impact on this defense.


Zimmer has made the defense consistently good and this year, he's got the tools to make them the absolute best. 


First and foremost, he's returning quite a few of his starters from last season, including his talented defensive line and linebackers.


To highlight the defensive line, Geno Atkins (nose tackle) is coming off a Pro Bowl season.  He collected 48 tackles and eight sacks, providing a lot of pressure for opposing quarterbacks.  Joining him was Pat Sims and the monstrous Domata Peko, who collected 66.5 sacks of his own.


At the ends, Carlos Dunlap spent a lot of the season injured—quite the disappointment after a stellar performance in 2010 as a rookie.  He was picked up by Michael Johnson and Robert Geathers, who combined for 71 tackles.  For the record, they're all returning.


Despite such an already talented defensive line, the Bengals drafted Devon Still out of Penn State and Brandon Thompson out of Clemson.  Both men were considered first or second round talent, and they slid to the Bengals in the later rounds.  There's no reason the defensive line shouldn't be extremely intimidating in 2012.


Moving onto the linebackers, that's an area that will be kind of iffy.  I'll first address Rey Maualuga, the inside linebacker Cincinnati took in the first round of the 2009 Draft.  He's been a hard-hitter since the day he walked through the door, collecting 226 tackles through three seasons.

Undrafted Freak Athlete and Parcells Favorite Cody Pearcy Released by Atlanta

One of the best stories of the 2012 undrafted free agent class has been given his walking papers. Jay Adams of the Atlanta Falcons' official website reports that Cody Pearcy, the tiny (by NFL standards) wide receiver from the tiny (by any standard) Division III program Huntingdon was waived by the team today.