Falcons Fantasy News

Thursday, April 25, 2013, 2:05pm

RB Steven Jackson moved on to the Falcons and a wide open running back room awaits with Isaiah Pead in position to seize the day. Coach Jeff Fisher believes Pead can easily live up to his draft-pick status. ESPN Insider Adam Schefter even pegged Pead as his 2013 NFC breakout player during a recent interview session with Sports Illustrated's Peter King. Despite all that's gone wrong for Pead, the future remains ripe with opportunity.

"He just didn't get a chance because of the other two," Fisher said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, referring to Jackson and Daryl Richardson. "But he'll get his opportunity this year. ... He's got a chance to make a lot of big plays for us."

"I'm not going to sit and linger on something, but I am one to not forget about a situation," Pead said. "I am moving on from last year, last year is last year, but I have not forgot about last year. I wouldn't call it revenge, but the chip that I put on my shoulder is just a little bigger."

Saturday, April 6, 2013, 10:27am

Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez tells PFT Live he is "100 percent" certain 2013 will be his final season, up from last year's 95 percent.

Patriots sign Michael Jenkins
Friday, March 29, 2013, 11:25am

The New England Patriots typically bring a ton of veteran wide receivers into training camp, and then let them battle it out for a roster spot. On Thursday, they brought another familiar name aboard.

The team announced the signing of former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Michael Jenkins. Details of the contract were not made public.

Jenkins caught 40 passes last season and has averaged 40 per year over the last three seasons as the possession receiver for the Vikings and Atlanta Falcons.

Thursday, March 28, 2013, 11:20am

DE Osi Umenyora signed a two-year deal to join the Falcons.

Sunday, March 24, 2013, 11:54am

As the weekend moves toward a conclusion, defensive end Osi Umenyiora’s time as a free agent is coming to a close.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Umenyiora is expected to join the Falcons on Sunday or, at the latest, on Monday.

Friday, March 15, 2013, 1:58pm

Tony Gonzalez contract was 2-years, $14 million with $7 million guaranteed.

Falcons sign Steven Jackson to a three-year deal
Thursday, March 14, 2013, 4:55pm

The Atlanta Falcons agreed to a contract with free-agent running back Steven Jackson on Thursday, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

As expected, Jackson voided his contract with the St. Louis Rams on Thursday, making the 29-year-old an unrestricted free agent. He said last week that he wanted to start for whichever team he signed with in free agency.

"For where I'm at, going into Year 10, I'm not ready to step back and just become a primary backup or a reduced role guy to be part of a running back by committee," Jackson said on Sirius XM NFL Radio last week. "I still have a lot left in my tank. I still have a lot left to offer to a team. We're not talking about someone that's in Year 12 or 13."

Tony Gonzalez tells agent to start negotiating
Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 12:38pm

Tony Gonzalez hasn't publicly declared that he will return for a 17th NFL season, but here's another sign that he apparently is leaning in that direction: The Atlanta Falcons tight end has given his agent, Tom Condon, the green light to talk to the team about a new contract, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told USA TODAY Sports.

Tony Gonzalez will return at right price
Sunday, March 10, 2013, 2:33pm

According to multiple team sources, the Falcons are cautiously optimistic that TE Tony Gonzalez will return for another potential title run in 2013. Sources close to Gonzalez, an unrestricted free agent, said he is contemplating a return at the right price, provided he can miss some or all of training camp this summer.

"He will come back if they pay him $7 million and he doesn't have to do training camp," said one Falcons player familiar with Gonzalez's thinking.

Another team source added, "If we offer him the money, he'll most likely be back for one more. He'll most likely be looking to miss training camp, though."

A high-ranking Falcons official indicated the team would not likely let either of those issues become an impediment to a deal.

"The money is there," a source close to Gonzalez said. "Working out the days he can miss is the biggest holdup."

Steven Jackson officially voids final year of contract
Thursday, March 7, 2013, 11:16am

Nothing earth-shattering, but Rams RB Steven Jackson has officially voided the final year of his contract.

Monday, March 4, 2013, 12:16pm

As far as outside free agents, it appears that Steven Jackson, who reportedly will void his contract with the Rams, will be the top target in light of the release of running back Michael Turner. The reason for his release was a failed physical, according to the NFL’s transactions list.

Turner aggravated an ankle injury in the NFC Championship game. He limped off the field in the third quarter and did not return. The team did not announce any additional information about the injury or if he required offseason surgery.

Jackson could split duties with Jacquizz Rodgers, who had a strong second season. Jackson is an adept pass catcher out of the backfield and fits the scheme.

Falcons release Michael Turner
Friday, March 1, 2013, 6:22pm

The Atlanta Falcons on Friday cut three veteran stars central to recent playoff success, including an appearance in last season's NFC Championship Game.

Running back Michael Turner, cornerback Dunta Robinson and defensive end John Abraham were released, the team announced.

Steven Jackson to test free agency
Tuesday, February 26, 2013, 9:46am

Rams running back Steven Jackson will void the final year of his contract March 12, league sources told the Post-Dispatch on Monday. That means Jackson, the Rams’ career rushing leader, will test the free-agent market.

It’s not a surprising development because all indications have pointed this way over the past several weeks. The Rams simply can’t afford to pay $7 million to a running back who turns 30 this coming summer, which is what Jackson was scheduled to make in 2013. In addition, the move saves the Rams the potential PR backlash of having to release Jackson.

For Jackson, he gets a chance to test the market for the first time in his career. Jackson’s heart may still be in St. Louis, where he has played his entire NFL career since being drafted in 2004. He still could end up with the Rams, but they must now compete for his services with the rest of the NFL.

It’s uncertain what the market will be for Jackson. But more than anything, Jackson wants to play for not only a playoff contender but a Super Bowl contender if possible. He has not played in a postseason game since his rookie season with the Rams.

One of the most likely suitors is Atlanta, which according to reports plans to release veteran back Michael Turner.

Thursday, February 14, 2013, 12:24pm

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has fully recovered from the sprained left AC shoulder joint he suffered against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game on Jan. 20.

After the game, Falcons coach Mike Smith said that Ryan’s recovery was expected to be three to four weeks and that Ryan would have played had the Falcons advanced to Super Bowl XLVII. No surgery was required.

“He’s started working out in the weight room,” Smith said on Wednesday. “He’s moved from the rehab part of it to working in the weight room, which is a good thing.”

No timetable for Tony Gonzalez
Thursday, February 14, 2013, 11:51am

Falcons HC Mike Smith said that team does not have a timetable for tight end Tony Gonzalez to decide if he’s going to retire or return to the team.

The team plans to be mindful of Gonzalez’ situation and let him arrive at his conclusion without any additional pressure. The Falcons have been clear that they want the game’s most prolific pass-catching tight end to return.

“I don’t that there is anything concrete in terms of a timetable,” Smith said. “But I think that conversation will take place. I had a conversation with him the week after the season and we’ll probably have another here real soon.”

Smith, his staff and the team’s scouts head to Indianapolis next week for the NFL scouting combine. He said it’s not a problem if Gonzalez has not decided by then and that the team would have to scout the tight ends and other position groups either way.