With almost every move already made on the Atlanta Falcons defensive line (other than the obvious drafting of a lineman), things are beginning to show what the upcoming season will look like.
The most recent decision made was not forcing defensive end Osi Umenyiora to take a pay cut. The coaching coach eventually came to a conclusion that not restructuring Umenyiora's deal would not be detrimental to the team.
"I know they are going to do whatever is necessary to better their team," Umenyiora said. "That's just part of it. It's never personal. I'll always have a tremendous amount of respect and love for Mr. Dimitroff. He gave me a great opportunity."
The future of the line looks bright as Umenyiora answered the question of how much longer he would like to play the game of football; that is if he desires to play those games on the Falcons.
"After this one, two more," he said. "So, basically three more. That might be a pipe dream. We'll see what happens with that, but that's what I wish. I want to do a couple more things: I want to win another Super Bowl and I want to go to another Pro Bowl. I'll give myself another few years to do that."
The first couple of transactions before and during the free agency period were as predicted. The Falcons re-signed every single one of their free agent defensive tackles, who are Jonathan Babineaux, Peria Jerry and Corey Peters.
The one player that seems to be most 'exited' is that of Peters, who was one of the three players re-signed at his position.
"I think our defensive line will be much improved," Peters said. "I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out."
Peters also says that he's sure the Falcons will repeat what they have done in the past regarding the strategy of the defensive line.
"We've been multiple in the past," he said. "We've done some 3-4 things and some 4-3 things so it’s hard to say for sure. I'm sure we'll continue to do that. As far as my role in that, I try to pride myself on being flexible, being able to play multiple positions. Either way, I'm comfortable doing anything that will be asked of me as an inside guy in a 4-3 or both in a 3-4."
Lastly, the only moves that have yet to be mentioned are the acquisitions of defensive tackle Paul Soliai (from the Miami Dolphins) and defensive end Tyson Jackson (from the Kansas City Chiefs). Throughout the offseason, newly designated assistant general manager Scott Piolo has consistantly recruited young talent from Kansas City that he once managed before taking his current job in Atlanta, which includes one defensive lineman. Pioli (along with the rest of the Falcons coaching staff), has hired or in his case re-hired three players that he used to manage. They are Tyson Jackson, Jon Asamoah and Javier Arenas. Although that can't be said about Soliai who has never played under Pioli.
The most recent decision made was not forcing defensive end Osi Umenyiora to take a pay cut. The coaching coach eventually came to a conclusion that not restructuring Umenyiora's deal would not be detrimental to the team.
"I know they are going to do whatever is necessary to better their team," Umenyiora said. "That's just part of it. It's never personal. I'll always have a tremendous amount of respect and love for Mr. Dimitroff. He gave me a great opportunity."
The future of the line looks bright as Umenyiora answered the question of how much longer he would like to play the game of football; that is if he desires to play those games on the Falcons.
"After this one, two more," he said. "So, basically three more. That might be a pipe dream. We'll see what happens with that, but that's what I wish. I want to do a couple more things: I want to win another Super Bowl and I want to go to another Pro Bowl. I'll give myself another few years to do that."
The first couple of transactions before and during the free agency period were as predicted. The Falcons re-signed every single one of their free agent defensive tackles, who are Jonathan Babineaux, Peria Jerry and Corey Peters.
The one player that seems to be most 'exited' is that of Peters, who was one of the three players re-signed at his position.
"I think our defensive line will be much improved," Peters said. "I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out."
Peters also says that he's sure the Falcons will repeat what they have done in the past regarding the strategy of the defensive line.
"We've been multiple in the past," he said. "We've done some 3-4 things and some 4-3 things so it’s hard to say for sure. I'm sure we'll continue to do that. As far as my role in that, I try to pride myself on being flexible, being able to play multiple positions. Either way, I'm comfortable doing anything that will be asked of me as an inside guy in a 4-3 or both in a 3-4."
Lastly, the only moves that have yet to be mentioned are the acquisitions of defensive tackle Paul Soliai (from the Miami Dolphins) and defensive end Tyson Jackson (from the Kansas City Chiefs). Throughout the offseason, newly designated assistant general manager Scott Piolo has consistantly recruited young talent from Kansas City that he once managed before taking his current job in Atlanta, which includes one defensive lineman. Pioli (along with the rest of the Falcons coaching staff), has hired or in his case re-hired three players that he used to manage. They are Tyson Jackson, Jon Asamoah and Javier Arenas. Although that can't be said about Soliai who has never played under Pioli.