After Atlanta’s humiliating playoff loss to the New York Giants in January, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff promised the front office would be aggressive in this year’s offseason.
Yet the Falcons have been noticeably quiet since free agency opened a few days ago. So far, the team’s only free agent acquisitions were two guys who didn’t even play a down in the NFL last season—linebacker Lofa Tatupu and guard Vince Manuwai.
The Falcons have yet to make their customary ‘marquee’ offseason acquisition (Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez, Dunta Robinson and Ray Edwards in each of the last four years).
Some have questioned that lack of activity, after many expected Atlanta to make a big splash and go after the likes of defensive end Mario Williams and guard Carl Nicks in the open market.
Instead, Atlanta has focused on keeping some of its own, recently re-signing the likes of defensive end John Abraham, receiver Harry Douglas and running back Jason Snelling.
But if Dimitroff’s recent appearance on NFL.com’s draft tracker podcast is any indication, it would appear some new players will soon make their way to Atlanta: “Free agency is going to be important. It doesn’t mean… that we need to be very aggressive at the beginning of free agency. It means we have to really have a good feel for what free agency may offer us throughout the weeks to come.”
Obviously, seeing organizations around the league make big-money free-agent acquisitions—while not a peep is heard out of Atlanta—may be frustrating from a fan’s perspective.
But as frustrating as it may be, I’m not quite sure it’s a cause for concern yet. The front office isn’t there to please fans with high-profile players—it’s there to win football games. And if that means bypassing overpriced first-wave free agents for bargain deals later on, then I have confidence Dimitroff and the rest of the organization know what they’re doing.
Dimitroff is unquestionably committed to bringing a championship to the city of Atlanta. He’s set on going about it the right way, however, and that means building through the draft and supplementing in free agency.
Simply because the Falcons haven’t made much noise yet in free agency doesn’t mean the team’s front office is any less committed to getting their hands on a Vince Lombardi Trophy.
So have patience, Falcons fans. Free agency has only just begun.
Chad Moeller Jorge Posada Lance Berkman Reegie Corona Juan Miranda Colin Curtis
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