Yes, its true. The Falcons season is over (and has been for some weeks now) so I figured it was time for the offseason thread to begin.

Who would you like us to approach in free agency? Hearing any FA rumors? If so, post them here. Same with any trade rumors please. Who would you like us to draft? What do you think are our biggest needs? Is there anyone in particular you would like us to trade? Basically, if you have anything to say about the Falcons in the offseason, then do so here!

Yeah, I guess it is time to start this thread.

The only rumors are players who could be let go and there are a bunch. Basically, point to a veteran, and there's been a rumor this season that he won't be back next year.


As far as free agency goes, Haynesworth has to be top of the list if he's available. If we're forced to trade DeAngelo, then Samuel or Trufant also go to the front of the line.

I'd like to see us get a bigger center as well.

Yep, the season is now certainly officially over...look what I just found: Redman named as starter

I saw that myself. I will say that Redman looked really good last Sunday. Until he threw the interception, his passes were crisp and on time.

Word is that Harrington has been demoted to 3rd string. He may not get on the field again this season.

I hope he never gets on the field again. Ever. Well...except if he winds up in New Orleans or something

Well, Redman looked okay, but not great. His numbers were pretty solid aside from the Jenkins drop for a pick six.

Michael Jenkins should think about a career in professional volleyball after his football days are over. I've never seen a wide receiver deflect more balls to defenders than Jenkins does.

We still need a quarterback, but Redman may be the guy to hang around and mentor next season.


If we can't find a free agent who can get wins next season, then we have to draft a guy. Tonight, both Petrino and Blank were quoted to the effect that if they draft a QB early, they will sit him. The question then becomes, how do you convince everyone else to play next season when the front office is investing in 2009?

Maybe they purge the veterans, and only sign a couple of offensive linemen. Fill the rest of the roster with rookies and use next season as another transitional year.

That's going to suck.

This year, we knew the season was over in July.

Next season, we could know it's over less than an hour into the draft.

Well...all the preparation put in so far for offseason targets, draft boards, etc and then what? Our coach walks and we have to start over again. Having said that, I still think a new coach will want a revamped O-Line, a decent QB, a power RB, a new safety or two, and will probably want shot of some of the older guys. That said, I hope this means Hall and Crumpler stay...and preferably sign a new contract in Hall's case.

Anyone, any suggestions or wishes as to who you want as the next HC? I want Bill Cowher, but I realistically can't see it...

Everything I'm hearing/reading is Mike Singletary of the 49ers. He was the HOF MLB for the 80s Bears. I watched him coach at last years SR. Bowl and I think he'll be outstanding. Really coaches the kids up.

The major problem with the Falcons is obviously the QB play. I know the season has been a giant fiasco with Vick being thrown in the slammer. I think drafting a prototypical NFL qb will help this team tremendously. Redman, Leftwich, and Harrington have had mediocre careers. If Leftwich had any promise, Jacksonville would have kept him. I also think they need to use Norwood a little more. His speed is incredible and should be used more then just a 3rd down back.

I sat and watched the whole Blank/McKay press conference last night and I found something particularly intriguing... here's what was said

Blank: Rich, if you've got anything to say about any of these things feel free to interrupt me
McKay: Its ok, I'm good
Blank: I know you're good, but if you can be better by saying something then please do.

Just seemed like there was a little bit of tension between them at that PC, but it could just have been a throwaway remark, I don't know.

Anyway, Singletary would probably be a good coach...I wouldn't complain if he turned out to be our next HC. And on the QBs, you're absolutely right. And yes Norwood needs more of the ball, maybe he now will!

Well, McKay picked Petrino.

I think Arthur Blank was looking for someone to go off on in the wake of this latest fiasco.

All speculation, rumor or just simple fact...post it right here! Who is going to be the next Falcons HC?

Some of the names being mentioned include:
Bill Cowher
Marty Schottenheimer
Mike Singletary

Any others? Anyone you would want to see in ATL? Anyone you don't?

Steve Mariucci? He's a WCO offense guy. I think hes a bum head coach, but Blank is a bum owner so it might work?

Well in that case, NO Adam. We need someone to take us forward...we accept we're going to suck next year but hopefully we can find a HC to take us beyond next year and plan for the future...the future that includes a Superbowl!

Here's a thought. Why not Marty? With the 49er's win over Cincy, I think the Falcons now have the 2nd pick in the draft. Assuming that stands, and the Fins draft a QB or DL with the No.1 pick instead of trading down, Atlanta could take McFadden with their 1st pick, then target a QB for the 2nd or 3rd round. One thing about Marty is it doesn't take him long to build a winning, and tougher team. He would be the perfect choice for 3-5 years. McFadden would give him the dominant RB he loves, and in the weak NFC south, the Falcons might even contend sooner than later. Another thing is Marty isn't getting any younger, so 3-5 years is probably the end of his coaching career anyhow. Then the Falcons would be good enough to attract another proven coach who could build on or/and improve on what Marty builds.

if the falcons play their cards right this offseason they will contend next year. draft mcfadden, brennan or a differnet QB, a couple nice Ts. sign one of the big key free agents, trufant or haynesworth etc. mayb grab another WR. if they do this all they have to do is go mayb 9-7 and theyll proboly make the playoffs. get more touches for norwood and with norwood and mcfadden thats one of the top combos in the league. and with the further development of rhoddy white that would turn out to be a very explosive offense. if they get haynesworth then the DL will be one of the best. you cant double team coleman, haynesowrth, abraham, and anderson.

Very good points.

Well, I made a mistake in thinking the Falcons were in position to get the No2 overall pick, as it currently belongs to the Rams at this juncture. If that holds out, I do like the QB from BC, Ryan for this team if McFadden is gone, as they need a breath of fresh air on Peach Street. However, barring a trade down by one of the first two teams, which might be tempting to either the Dolphins, who need a lot of help, or the Rams, then the most logical picks before Atlanta's pick, which currently is 3rd overall, would have the Fins taking Dorsey with the 1st pick to begin shoring up the Dline, and the Rams then taking Jake Long, the OT, and that would still leave McFadden for the Falcons. In any case, I hope Atlanta makes a good choice for HC, and with their 1st rounder, for their fan's sake.

Well I certainly won't say no to Marty as our next HC, his track record is as good as any, so why not? What I will say no to is drafting a QB at #3. In my opinion, there is no QB in this draft worth the #3 overall pick. I don't care how much of a need it is, we will be wrong if we reach for a QB in this position. If we were picking around the 9-15 range, I would definately consider it, and there's a possibility we could trade down with someone who wants DMC to be in a position to draft a QB...but this high in the draft, no way. Besides that, I quite like the look of Colt Brennan, and get the feeling he could do a similar job to what Trent Edwards has done in Buffalo (5-1 as a starter).

The only name I've heard so far is Mike Singletary. Everyone in the front office liked him last year when he interviewed. Aside from him, Hue Jackson is getting a three game audition. Game 1 did not go well. 27 yards passing.

i just heard a fun fact on nfl primetime"in the nfc south in the last 5 years, the team that finishes last in the divison, goes on to win the divison the following year." lol, looking at that falcons nfc south division champs

Yeah...its true! Call me a pessimist, but I think it may not happen next year! On the other hand, with one or two (hundred) key personnel changes, who knows? If we can do some work in the offseason, we might stand a chance.

i think the south is gonna be a toss up and if we get mcfadden and a QB who can consistnely atleast play average we will contend. mcfadden and norwood will instantly be one of the most explosive backfields in the nfl

Jay Glazer is reporting that Bill Parcells was offered the job of Executive VP. Maybe Rich McKay is out and Parcells will hire a HC he wants. Stay tuned.

Make that VP of Football Operations. He'd have the say over the GM and HC if he takes the job.

I thought he was thinking of aoching again but he would rather do this job I am sure. If he did coach again would the Falcons make the switch to a 3-4 eventually? And how long do you think it would take? Also who would he think of hiring as Head Coach if he is the VP.

From the AJC.com

Parcells 'probably' will accept Falcons job
Former coach would assume position higher than McKay

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 12/19/07

Bill Parcells is on the verge of accepting Arthur Blank's offer to take over all football operations for the Atlanta Falcons, the New York Daily News reported on Wednesday.

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"I think I probably will do it," Parcells told the Daily News by telephone. "The job description is to be the football operations overseer. We still have a little work to do, but I don't think it's anything major. I don't expect any real deal-breaker. I don't think there will be any major hangups."

Parcells told the newspaper that he will oversee the football operation but he has no plans to return to coaching.

"I'm going to oversee the football operation," Parcells told the Daily News. "I'm going to hire a general manager if the deal is finalized in Atlanta. We are going to hire a coach and talk to all the coaches who are there. It's going to be a collective effort. The triangle is going to be the GM, the coach and Bill Parcells. I'm also going to include Rich McKay if he wants to stay in the business.

"Under no circumstances is Bill Parcells ever going to return to the field.

"I expect to speak to the Falcons today. It might be in person, but it won't be in Atlanta," Parcells said. "We have spoken about what the structure will be. We have some things to talk about. I will say this, I don't think it's anything real major."

Parcells sounded extremely upbeat. His agent was with him in Saratoga, an indication a deal is about to happen. He said Blank is a "nice man, a real nice man."

It is not known what role, if any, Rich McKay will have with the Falcons.

I had this idea before and I just wanted to share it with Falcons fans... It may be a little far-fetched, but anything is possible, right?

Let's say the Falcons end up with the 2nd pick in the draft.

ATL gets: QB Brady Quinn, CLE 08 2nd rounder, CLE 09 1st rounder
CLE gets: #2 pick (to take Darren McFadden).

Seems pretty fair to me, and it makes sense for both sides. Parcells could work something like this out with Savage I'm sure...

Again, just an idea....

WOW...looks as though there WAS some tension between the two, if Blank is bringing in Parcells to effectively replace McKay. Not sure if "Bring him home Parcells" sounds quite right yet, but I'll get used to it, I guess.

Maybe I need to change career or something...start up as a fortune teller!

So now Parcells is backing out and looks to be going to the Dophins. I guess he'd be what they call a carpetbagger down in the South.

Yeah, thats kinda disappointing. Still, I guess its not the end of the world...just somewhere close by!

We're worse than we were three days ago. What came out of all this is that McKay is virtually out the door as well. Not only do we need a quarterback and a head coach. We also need a GM, and we haven't even fired our current one officially, yet.

By the way, if anyone cares about the Pro-Bowl, no player from the NFC South was chosen to participate. The entire division got a big fat bagel.

I think Bill pulled a slick one on Atlanta, and as much as I respect his ability and knowledge as a football man, I have to say I really don't like how he left Atlanta hanging on this, and find it a bit distasteful personally, especially considering the Vick/Petrino situations that have already hit your team. As for McKay, he was not going to be fired, but reassigned, from my understanding, and probably deservedly so. This team needs redirection, and I do hope they find someone that can turn it around.

Couldn't sleep. Latest news on Falcons HC & GM search centers around two ex Chargers, Marty Schottenheimer and Buddy Nix, the Chargers Assistant GM. Here's the link:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/charg...s21chnotes.html

From reading the article, it seems that AJ Smith has heard of the Marty talks, basically confirming those. He states he hasn't heard of the Nix talks, but that may just be a smoke screen. This could be a good combo for Atlanta, as Nix is a good football man, likes and gets along with Marty, and has learned his job from two well respected talent evaluators in John Butler and AJ Smith. I don't know how much longer Marty would coach, as he is getting up in age, but he would undoubtedly instill a tough and winning attitude on the Falcons while he's there, and likely leave his successor a good team to take forward.

Could it be that Blank is lining up Marty as a potential GM rather than HC? I mean, he's got similar credentials to Bill Parcells, so why not?

An interesting idea that somehow escaped me, cjs206. Good thought, although I'm not too sure what Marty's abilities are when it comes to judging talent.

Although Parcells did not have that much input while with the Giants, he has had a lot of input everywhere else he's been (NE, NYJ, and Dallas), and has done more than quite well as a talent evaluator. That's the major reason why I think he'll likely turn the Dolphins around. I don't know if he'll keep Cameron, because Bill likes a certain type of system, and he knows how to find players that fit his system, so it would not surprise me if he brought someone into Miami that is from his past, or someone that has a similar ideology as his and start over. However, the one thing you can say about Cameron is that his team has never quit all year, which is a good sign, and they have lost a lot of close games, so Bill may actually stay with him. We'll know more very soon, I'm sure, because Bill and Cam are due to meet, I believe tomorrow, and it won't take long for Bill to decide what he'll do.

Your Marty/GM scenario is an interesting thought though.

I think all of u should despise Bobby Petrino. I know I would. But hey, u did almost beat Arizona on their homefield w/o him.

Oh we do, don't worry about that.

Lol, it might be better for u that he left. The so-called "offensive mastermind" couldn't do much with your offense.

Latest rumor I've heard is the Falcons have been exploring the chances of bringing in Mike Shanahan from Denver to become the HC/GM.

The rumor going around S. FL also has the Dolphins linked to Romeo Crennel of Cleveland.

profootballweekly.com posted that Mike Zimmer is likely to go to Miami as the D.C. if he isn't retained in Atlanta.

The AJC had an interview with Mike Singletary in which he said he was very interested in the job, and thought that having an owner like Arthur Blank was the right situation for him.

Singletary seems to be the guy that has everything working for him except experience. I have to think that if Blank weren't so snake-bitten that this guy might have been hired by now.


The rumor on McKay is that he'll be gone as soon as a head coach is hired. Blank wants a coach in place before hiring a GM, which seems completely backward from what has occurred in recent weeks and logic in general.

I think BLank's looking to get a GM first. Wouldn't be surprised if he made a run at Scott Pioli even though Parcells dicked him over.

Well, the thing is that we'll never know what it could've been with a quarterback... or the quarterback who's sitting in federal prison.

Yeah, I'll always wonder what Petrino could've done with Vick.

well towards the crennel rumor i have a thought. im not positive, but im pretty sure that crennel has 1 year left with cleveland. maybe parcells wants to keep cameron in his system for a year and see how he does then get crennel after. if not that, maybe parcells will be the coach for one year and then hand over the team to crennel. those are just a few thoughts.

well towards the crennel rumor i have a thought. im not positive, but im pretty sure that crennel has 1 year left with cleveland. maybe parcells wants to keep cameron in his system for a year and see how he does then get crennel after. if not that, maybe parcells will be the coach for one year and then hand over the team to crennel. those are just a few thoughts.

You are correct, Crennel is under contract. I did propose a trade with the Dolphins on the Miami board that was fun to dream up, and brings Crennel to the Fins.

ill go look at that trade.

The latest rumor on the Atlanta GM/HC jobs concerning Marty, are that he's told Blank he wants full control as both GM and HC because he's been promised the same with the Chiefs after they fire Carl Peterson and Herm Edwards after the season.

The latest reported situation concerning these jobs has Blank hiring former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi to advise him during his search.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/f...blank_1229.html

The Chiefs are getting rid of Herm? That seems a bit odd...I mean, yes, they're bad this year, but that's not entirely down to him. The front office have left him with one of the worst O-lines in football and a not particularly talented roster so the least they could do is improve these and then judge him.

If Marty wanted to be HC/GM I can't the problem with that, especially if we are keeping Rich McKay as an adviser...that would probably work quite nicely actually. I'd go for it.