Falcons 2005 off season review

FLOWERY BRANCH - 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.

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.