The first day of free agency was a huge day and Falcons released two players, re-signed a pair of starters and brought in three linemen, all in a day’s work. Tuesday began with re-signing defensive tackle Jonathan Babineuax to a three-year contract worth $9 million. The deal guarantees $4 million in 2014 to the durable 32-year old who has missed a total of six games in his nine-year career with the Falcons. Defensive tackle Corey Peters was also re-signed and agreed to a one-year deal last week.
Scott Pioli was hired as assistant general manager to Thomas Dimitroff this offseason after previously serving as GM of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Falcons have been shopping Kansas City’s free agents this offseason and were able to lock up Jon Asamoah and Tyson Jackson to long-term deals on Tuesday. Asamoah is a fifth-year offensive lineman most suited at right guard. The former third-round pick played in 59 games the last four seasonsn Kansas City and will help the right side of the offensive line that struggled this past season.
Jackson is a big 6-foot-4, 296-pound defensive end that accumulated 201 tackles in his five seasons in Kansas City. Jackson was the third pick of the 2009 NFL draft and recorded four sacks last season.
Defensive tackle Paul Soliai’s signing came after Babineaux, Asamoah and Jackson were announced and it brings one of the League’s better run-stoppers into the Falcons defensive tackle rotation. Soliai is 6-foot-4, 340 pounds and a former fourth-round pick that has been a consistent force the past five seasons. Soliai has played in 77 games over the last five years and comes off a career-high five pass breakups last season to go with 34 tackles. Soliai’s deal is worth five years, $33 million, with $14 mil- lion fully guaranteed and $11 million coming in the first year.
Falcons center Joe Hawley signed a two- year extension after playing in all 16 games last season and starting seven at center.
CUT LIST …
Safety Thomas DeCoud was released on Tuesday and will free up $3 million of cap space for the Falcons this season. DeCoud totaled 544 tackles (339 solo) and 14 interceptions with the Falcons. Tony Gonzalez, who is set to work with CBS this fall, was also released on Tuesday and placed on the officially retired list.
Get to know the newest Falcons…
(AtlantaFalcons.com)
5 things to know about Tyson Jackson
5 things to know about Jon Asamoah
5 things to know about Paul Soliai
Loading ...
