STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
The Falcons didn't address the secondary in the draft, but soon after it ended, they re-signed Cory Hall and put him atop the depth chart at free safety. Hall, who was cut two months ago in a salary-cap move, moves into what would have been Bryan Scott's spot, pending Scott's recovery from surgery recently to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum.
Keion Carpenter, who was on injured reserve last year with a knee injury, is listed as the starting strong safety in Atlanta, where the strong safety plays somewhat like a free safety in most defenses, which is to say the free safety generally spends more time up in the box. Scott started at strong safety last season.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--CB Aaron Beasley was well worth his minimum-value contract this season, working at cornerback/safety early in the season, and strictly at FS in passing situations late in the season. If he returns, though, it will most likely be with a similar one-year contract.
--LB Jamie Duncan was signed in the spring as an insurance policy of sorts. He was active in just a handful of games, and had occasional problems making it to meetings on time. He's not likely to be asked back.
--LB Eric Johnson was signed last spring chiefly to augment special teams, but did not stand out. He'll hit free agency for sure.
--FB George Layne (not tendered as ERFA).
--FB Stanley Pritchett, an Atlanta native, was solid before a season-ending thumb injury in December. He probably will warrant no more than a minimum-value contract, however, behind Pro Bowl-caliber FB Justin Griffith.
--DE Karon Riley missed the season on injured reserve. He has done nothing to make Atlanta officials run out and re-sign him.
--LB Artie Ulmer was again very good on special teams. But if he returns to Atlanta, it will be late in the spring with another one-year contract. He's not significant as a backup LB.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--OL Martin Bibla: Potential RFA; terms unknown.
--TE Dwayne Blakely: ERFA; $305,000/1 yr.
--S Keion Carpenter: UFA; $540,000/1 yr.
--QB Ty Detmer: UFA; $765,000/1 yr.
--CB Kevin Mathis: UFA; $5.2M/4 yrs, SB unknown.
--S Kevin McCadam: Potential RFA; terms unknown.
--RB Fred McCrary: UFA; terms unknown.
--OL Steven Herndon: UFA; $540,000/1 yr; 2005 cap: $455,000.
--OG Michael Moore: Potential RFA; terms unknown.
--CB/KR Allen Rossum: UFA; 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--OT Kevin Shaffer: RFA; $1.43M/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--S Rich Coady: UFA Rams; $540,000/1 yr; 2005 cap: $455,000.
--P Toby Gowin: UFA Jets; $665,000/1 yr; 2005 cap: $455,000.
--LB Ed Hartwell: UFA Ravens; $26.25M/6 yrs, $8M bonuses.
--FS Ronnie Heard: UFA 49ers; terms unknown.
--LB Jordan Kramer: Not tendered as ERFA by Titans; terms unknown.
--G/C Matt Lehr: UFA Rams; $2.13M/3 yrs, $500,000 SB.
--DE Brandon Mitchell: UFA Seahawks; terms unknown.
--PK Todd Peterson: UFA 49ers; $790,000/1 yr, $25,000 SB; 2005 cap: $480,000.
--LB Ike Reese: UFA Eagles; terms unknown.
--OT Barry Stokes: FA Giants; terms unknown.
PLAYERS LOST
--LB Chris Draft (released).
--PK Jay Feely: UFA Giants; 3 yrs; $760,000 SB, other terms unknown.
--OL Roberto Garza: UFA Bears; $900,000/1 yr, SB unknown.
--S Cory Hall (released).
--DE Travis Hall (released).
--DT Ed Jasper (released).
--P Chris Mohr (released).
--LB Matt Stewart: UFA Browns; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
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