Falcons add “bruisemakers”

By Darrell Laurant  |   Wednesday, March 22, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Atlanta Falcons
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It remains to be seen whether the Atlanta Falcons will be any better in 2006 than in 2005, but one thing seems for certain -- they'll be tougher.

In acquiring Lawyer Milloy, Chris Crocker and -- most recently -- John Abraham, the Falcons added three players known for inflicting bruises on the opposition. Best of all, these additions came with a minimum of subtraction.

The Abraham deal, for instance, did not turn out to involve Falcon backup quarterback Matt Schaub. The New York Jets, who had made Abraham their franchise player, wanted Schaub as a possible replacement for Chad Pennington -- but given Michael Vick's on-the-edge style and history of injuries, Atlanta refused to part with one of the league's best backups.

Instead, the Falcons traded their No. 15 pick in the April 29 draft to Denver for the Broncos' No. 29 pick. They then sent that pick and other draft considerations to the Jets for Abraham, who had 58 tackles and 11 sacks from his defensive end position last season.

Although this leaves Atlanta without a first-round pick next month, it's doubtful that the Falcons could have drafted anyone who would have had the immediate impact of Abraham, a six-year veteran who's only 26.

A South Carolina native and University of South Carolina product, Abraham made no secret of his desire to play in Atlanta, where he also has some family connections. Nor did he make any secret of his desire to leave New York, which had made him a problem in the Jets' locker room.

Putting Abraham on the opposite side from Patrick Kerney should improve an already-strong Atlanta pass rush. That, in turn, will help a secondary that was held together largely by the free-ranging DeAngelo Hall last season.

Crocker and Milloy were added to play the run, a weakness of the Falcon DB's in 2005.

Milloy was cut loose by the Buffalo Bills for cap reasons after making 106 tackles last year. He's a four-time Pro Bowl choice about whom Falcons' coach Jim Mora said: "He has a toughness and a hardness that I really like."

On the downside, the University of Washington grad is 34 years old. But given Bryan Scott's inconsistency and a serious knee injury to Keion Carpenter, the Falcons needed immediate help at safety.

Crocker, acquired via a trade with the Cleveland Browns for an undisclosed draft pick, will step in at free safety. A 5-11, 192-pounder out of Marshall, he had 79 tackles, two interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles for the Browns last season. He's also from DeAngelo Hall's hometown – Chesapeake, Virginia.

Atlanta's only other move thus far was to re-sign wide receiver Brian Finneran, the team's second-leading pass-catcher last year with 611 yards and 2 touchdowns on 50 receptions.
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