Why the Atlanta Falcons need to target a pass rusher in free agency

It seems that the lockout it set to be over by the end of the week. When that happens free agency will be crazy, and all teams have said they are prepared for it. Thomas Dimitroff of the Atlanta Falcons has always had a plan of what he wants to do, and on draft day when everybody predicted them to stay at the 26 th pick and select a defensive end he second guessed them and sent five draft picks to Cleveland for their 6 th pick. With that pick they selected Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones. This choice left analyst confused, because they felt that it was a glaring need for the Falcons to get a pass rusher to compliment John Abraham, because Abraham turned 33 this year and he’s not getting any younger. I felt the same way, but then the next week I heard rumors of the Falcons were targeting defensive end Ray Edwards of the Minnesota Vikings when free agency starts. I believe it is the Falcons top priority to add a pass rusher, because they desperately need somebody to be effective to take all the pressure off of Abraham. 2007 first round pick Jamal Anderson has not worked out, and it’s clear to say that he has been a bust, as he has only collected 4.5 sacks in 4 seasons.

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Last year the Falcons tried Kroy Biermann, but that proved ineffective as well. Biermann only recorded 3 sacks last season while starting. If the Falcons defense wants to make the next step to become a championship level defense they have to pressure the quarterback. They were at the bottom of league with only 27 sacks, and Abraham had 13 of them. The Falcons secondary is not at the elite level to where they can defend for a long time, and that is why it is imperative for the Falcons to get to the quarterback so they can protect the secondary from being exposed. I believe Ray Edwards or Charles Johnson from Carolina would be good fits for the Falcons. Both have questions about being able to stay healthy, but when playing obviously make an impact. Neither one will demand Julius Peppers type money although it won’t be cheap to sign either one. This is the only piece missing from making the Falcons defense championship caliber. They have Jonathan Babineaux, Peria Jerry, and Corey Peters in the middle. Talented young linebackers in Curtis Lofton and Sean Weatherspoon, and rising stars in the secondary with Brent Grimes and William Moore to go along with the veteran presence of Dunta Robinson. The Falcons are a pass rusher away.

By: Steven Virden
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer