The Atlanta Falcons have officially started the process of bouncing back from a disappointing season. The team has opted make the defense the first focus of the offseason, needing to make several improvements heading into the 2014 season. After a slew of rookies proved they are capable of starting roles, two veterans found themselves the first to be cut.
The Falcons announced Wednesday the release of cornerback Asante Samuel and linebacker Stephen Nicholas. Both players were stars for the Falcons at one point. Samuel came over via trade. His 51 career interceptions rank him high on the all-time leaders list while he is the only NFL player to register at least one interception return for a touchdown in each of his six seasons. Nicholas was drafted back in 2007 and was the leading tackle back in 2012. However, both Samuel and Nicholas suffered injuries in 2013 that caused rookies to step up in their place.
Samuel lost his starting job this past season after suffering a thigh injury early in the year. As a result, both Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford saw time starting in the secondary and look the parts of two emerging stars for the Falcons. Nicholas had the same issue when he missed two games for a quad injury. Paul Worrilow and Joplo Bartu played like two first-round picks in his place despite being undrafted rookies. The Falcons saved $4.5 million by releasing Samuel while Nicholas gives them an extra $2 million.
So now the Falcons will start to focus on the draft and with an early pick, defense could be the focus. General manager Thomas Dimitroff noted that he wants the Falcons to get tougher on the defensive front and with the No. 6 overall pick, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney could be their top choice.
"I'll just say what everybody in the country knows: Jadeveon Clowney is a top notch talent and he's going to make a team happy and he's going to be a legitimate difference-maker in this game. The people with the top two picks know that," Dimitroff said, via the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
While Clowney could be a pick in the draft, several veteran free agents could be the target to help in the secondary. ESPN.com predicts the Falcons could make a run at a veteran safety. Vaughn McClure reports Atlanta could look towards a player like Jairus Byrd from the Buffalo Bills who could start next to William Moore.
The Falcons will likely make a few more cap saving moves in the coming weeks to set them up for a strong free agency run. After having success with several young players in 2013, adding a veteran might be the next move.