Falcons’ D-line: Plus or minus?

By Darrell Laurant  |   Wednesday, February 21, 2007  |  Comments( 1 )

Atlanta Falcons
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In the National Football League, a team's perceived strength can turn into a glaring weakness almost overnight.

Last March, the Atlanta Falcons were celebrating a trade that brought them DE John Abraham, a disenchanted New York Jet and one of the most feared pass rushers in the league. With veteran Patrick Kerney on the other side and Rod Coleman and Grady Jackson plugging the middle, Atlanta looked to have as strong a defensive front as anyone in its division, if not the entire NFC.

That euphoria lasted until the second game of the season, when Abraham suffered a lower abdominal injury that effectively cut his value to the team in half. Then, when he finally got back in the lineup nine weeks later, he dislocated his right thumb so badly that a pin had to be placed in it.

Presumably, Abraham will be ready when August comes -- but who will be on the D-line with him is a matter of concern. Kerney also missed a number of games with first a triceps tear and then a chest injury that ultimately sidelined him for the season. Moreover, he is an unrestricted free agent this year.

Jackson and Coleman, both in their 30s, may have crossed the line into decline in 2006. Coleman also suffered from nagging turf toe pain all season.

Backups? Problematic. Neither Darrell Shropshire nor Tommy Jackson inspired much confidence in 2006 coach Jim Mora, at least based on their playing time, and Paul Carrington still seems too light for a pro defensive end.

One bright spot among the reserves was Jonathan Babineaux, but he was charged this week with felony animal cruelty for killing his girlfriend's dog. Given new commissioner Roger Goodell's vow to come down hard on off-field thuggery, there may be a suspension in Babineaux's future.

The free-agent market doesn't offer much help. Only one impact defensive lineman is on the list, Jared Allen of the Kansas City Chiefs, and he's in the restricted class.

The draft pool is another matter. It's a good year for pass rushers, led by Clemson's Gaines Adams, Jamaal Anderson of Arkansas and Charles Johnson of Georgia, with run-stuffers Alan Branch of Michigan, Quinn Pitcock of Ohio State and Amobi Okoye of Louisville also on the table.

Word is that Atlanta plans to shop backup quarterback Matt Schaub around the league during the offseason. If that deal can net the Falcons one or two high draft picks, they can address some of their other needs (help in the secondary and at linebacker, a power running back) and also pick up a serviceable defensive lineman.

In the meantime, if he passes his physical, they can shell out a lot of money to keep Patrick Kerney.

Original Atlanta Falcons insight, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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