SB Nation - Michael Turner

New Orleans Saints linebacker Victor Butler tore his ACL and will likely miss the entirety of the upcoming season. Butler joined the Saints as a free agent this offseason, signing a two-year contract. Unfortunately for New Orleans, Butler was in line for a starting role and now they have a hole at the position.

That was the biggest news of Wednesday, though there's plenty more you might have missed below:

Stafford not focused on a new contract

The Detroit Lions made it clear that they want to get quarterback Matthew Stafford signed to an extension sooner rather than later. The team was adamant they postpone talks until after this year if they couldn't get Stafford under contract before the start of the regular season, however. On Wednesday, Stafford said that he is focusing on the upcoming season and isn't thinking about a contract.

That's a good attitude to have, especially since the team went 4-12 last season and part of Stafford's motivation is likely to put up better numbers for a bigger contract.

Peters arrested for drag racing

Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters was arrested for drag racing on Wednesday. Actually, he was arrested for drag racing and fleeing from the police, as he neglected to pull over when the arresting deputy turned on the emergency lights. Peters allegedly accelerated above 100 mph and attempted to escape before pulling over in a shopping center parking lot and being arrested.

Jackson returns to Seattle

The Seattle Seahawks are bringing back quarterback Tarvaris Jackson on an expected one-year contract. In an effort to reduce their quarterback competition to two players, the Buffalo Bills released Jackson on Monday. The Sehawks don't have much in the way of backups to Russell Wilson. At this stage in his career, Jackson is probably OK with being a reserve, as he certainly won't have a chance to compete with Wilson.

'Pacman' Jones' 911 tape released

Adam "Pacman" Jones is in legal trouble once again, as he's dealing with an assault charge for allegedly punching a 34-year-old woman. The 911 call from the woman, Shannon Wesley, was released on Wednesday, and it doesn't sound good for Jones. This isn't his first issue off the field, and his outlook for a future in the NFL probably isn't great at this point.

Turner gets probation

On Wednesday, free agent running back Michael Turner was sentenced to 12 months probation, a $1,000 fine and 30 days of community service for a September DUI arrest. It's likely that Turner will find a team at some point, though probably not until during or after training camp.

Saints sign Carr

The Saints signed cornerback Chris Carr on Wednesday, inking the veteran to a one-year deal. Carr is one of the few players still on the market with starting experience. That said, he won't be given a starting role right from the get-go, as he'll have to compete with guys like Jabari Greer, Keenan Lewis and Patrick Robinson. Carr will likely come in and contribute primarily on special teams, with the potential to earn a starting job.

Leach could return to Baltimore

Fullback Vonta Leach has long been considered one of the top players at his position, but he's getting up there in years and was released by the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday. However, as noted on Wednesday, Leach could return to Baltimore at a reduced salary if he finds the open market unaccommodating.

Johnson's lawyer asks judge to reconsider sentence

Wide receiver Chad Johnson is serving jail time after a judge felt Johnson wasn't taking things seriously after reaching a plea deal. Johnson patted his lawyer on the backside, as athletes often do, and the judge elected to throw out the deal. Now, Johnson's lawyer is asking the judge to reconsider, suggesting that Johnson didn't mean anything by it and that athletes patting each other on the backsides is a "sign of respect and gratitude."

More from SB Nation:

• DeSean Jackson wants QB question answered

• NFL Pulse: Tebow, Te'o and rookie QBs

• 3 reasons why signing Tebow was a smart move

• This is real life: Patriots sign Tim Tebow

• Police release 911 call from Adam "Pacman" Jones arrest

Michael Turner receives 12 months probation, community service for DUI arrest

Matt Conner — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:25:10 -0000

Former Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner has finally received his punishment dating back to a DUI charge last September. On Wednesday, a judge handed Turner 12 months probation, a $1,000 fine and 30 days of community service, according to Fox Sports.

According to John Manasso, Turner also agreed to "risk reduction (DUI school), alcohol and drug evaluation, no alcohol consumption and random screens."

Turner was also arrested for speeding in the incident, and the back immediately posted bond. The arrest came just hours after the Falcons beat the Denver Broncos in Week 2 of the regular season.

Turner is still a free agent after the Falcons released him along with other veteran players like Dunta Robinson in early March. While Robinson quickly found a home in Kansas City, Turner is still waiting on his return to an NFL roster. Yet it's not a surprise for skill position players to wait while teams see what they have in newly drafted players through the early summer. To that end, expect Turner to get a call around training camp time.

Turner had 222 carries last season for 800 total yards and 10 touchdowns. It was the fifth consecutive year that Turner had at least 10 touchdowns, and he has 83 total touchdowns in his NFL career.

More from SB Nation:

• DeSean Jackson wants QB question answered

• NFL Pulse: Tebow, Te'o and rookie QBs

• 3 reasons why signing Tebow was a smart move

• This is real life: Patriots sign Tim Tebow

• Police release 911 call from Adam "Pacman" Jones arrest

Will Atlanta's Fullbacks Hold the Offense Back?

Andrew Hirsh — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:00:07 -0000

Unlike other major American sports -- baseball, basketball, hockey, beerpong, etc. -- football is a game that requires players who go relatively unnoticed by the untrained eye. One such position (at least in this day and age) is the fullback.

After last season ended for the Falcons in the NFC Championship Game, former FB Ovie Mughelli spoke out in support of Michael Turner, who had by far his worst season in Atlanta (can't find the link, but I promise this happened). Mughelli stated that inadequate play from the Falcons' fullbacks made it extremely difficult for the RBs to succeed, and it's hard to disagree with that sentiment.

While Turner had certainly lost a step or two with all the reps he's taken since 2008, he wasn't getting the same kind of holes he had grown used to when Mughelli lined up in front of him. Those two factors together made matters incredibly difficult for the franchise's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns, and ultimately led to his release.

Right now the Falcons have Bradie Ewing and Patrick DiMarco recently came on board, and it's hard to imagine either will play at the level Mughelli did during his tenure here. Former fullback Mike Cox tried out for the Giants a few weeks ago, so it looks like his time with Atlanta may be up.

Ewing is more of a wild card. The former Wisconsin Badger was lost for the season in training camp last August with a leg injury, and has yet to play a regular season snap at the NFL level. Drafted in the fifth round in 2012, he was brought to Atlanta with the hope of becoming the fullback of the future, but with such little experience, it's difficult to tell if he'll be ready for a big role this year.

While Stephen Jackson will bring more to the table than Turner did in 2012, having a guy in front who can give him that extra push would be incredibly useful -- especially given Jackson's age. SJ39 figures to take a lot of reps this year, and the Falcons don't want him to burn out before his three-year contract expires.

So what should the Falcons do? Vonta Leach was just released by the Ravens, so that could be an option, but I don't see him being in the team's price range.

Honestly, I would try and swing a deal for a veteran fullback. I do believe that Ewing could be the answer in the long run, but as we know, this team is ready to win now. Is Ewing ready to be an NFL starter at the moment? Hard to tell, but my guess is the answer is no.

It's not like a trade of this nature would require a hefty return, and giving Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers adequate help from the FB position would be worth a small sacrifice in the form of future draft picks and/or depth players.

Given the investments this team has made in the running back position, and given how close these guys are to bringing home the Lombardi Trophy, getting that extra piece in place is absolutely worth exploring.

What say you, Falcons fans?

2013 NFL Best Available Free Agents: Offense

Levi Damien — Fri, 31 May 2013 23:39:57 -0000

With tomorrow being June 1st and the Raiders about to receive $8 million in relief from Michael Huff's June 1st cut designation, it is a good time to do a ‘Best free agents available' update. Let's starts with the offense.

Quarterback

Tyler Thigpen

Sage Rosenfels

Vince Young

My take: Not much to see here. It would take an injury to Raiders current group of QB's to prompt interest here.

Running Back

Ahmad Bradshaw

Michael Turner

Cedric Benson

Chris "Beanie" Wells

My take: Some nice options among the running backs. All seem to be available due in large part to injuries.

Fullback

Peyton Hillis

Jackie Battle

Lousaka Polite

My take: Some talent here but I wouldn't expect any of them to find work soon.

Wide Receiver

My take: Little reason any of these receivers shouldn't find a team. Most of them very soon.

Tight End

Kellen Winslow Jr

My take: The top four names here were once the best in the game. Age has caught up to them (Well, attitude with Winslow Jr) but the game hasn't passed them by.

Offensive Tackle

Eric Winston (RT)

Jammal Brown (RT)

Winston Justice (RT)

Demetress Bell (LT)

Sean Locklear (RT/LT)

Frank Omiyale (RT/LT/G)

My take: No football reason whatsoever why Eric Winston is not on a team. He is a solid number one right tackle. I expect the others will be on a team soon as well.

Guard/Center

Brandon Moore

Leroy Harris

Dan Koppen (C)

Cooper Carlisle

Jake Scott

My take: Brandon Moore is good but he is 33 and is pricing himself out of a job right now. Overall age is the major factor with most of these guards. They are in many team's back pockets as reliable plug and play replacements.

Click here to see the Best Available Free Agents DEFENSE

Also See:

Raiders about to have load more spending room

Follow @LeviDamien

NFL Top 100: Where are the Falcons?

Alex Welch — Sun, 26 May 2013 16:00:07 -0000

NFL Network is currently going through its Top 100 players list for 2013. With 50 players on the list already revealed, the Falcons have not seen one of their own make the ranks to this point. How will the remaining 50 turn out?

Last year's list was rather questionable in regards to Atlanta's showing. Matt Ryan was not included in the Top 100, at all. There were 13 quarterbacks on that list, including Philip Rivers, Cam Newton and TIM TEBOW. I wish that were a joke.

Players around the league vote on this list, so it's not like Ryan was simply snubbed by fans. Surely after last year's campaign, he deserves to be included, right?

Here are the Falcons found on the 2012 Top 100.

No. 37: Steven Jackson (Yes, I know he wasn't a Falcon last year.)

No. 53: Tony Gonzalez

No. 65: Roddy White

No. 88: Michael Turner

After his eighth straight 1,000-yard season, Jackson should be in the top 50 again. Gonzalez posted his highest reception total since 2008, and White surpassed 1,000 yards receiving for the sixth consecutive year. They should be locks to make the list as well.

Who else gets recognized from the Falcons?

Ryan is one of the league's best passers. There's no disputing that. He deserves to be in the Top 100, and since he wasn't in the first 50, you have to expect his name will be called soon. Jumping to the Top 50 after not being on the 2012 list is quite a leap, but c'mon, it's Matty Ice.

Julio Jones is easily one of the top receivers in the NFL. He wasn't on the list last year after an injury-plagued rookie season, but even then he showed how dangerous he can be. Last season he caught 79 passes for 1,198 yards, 10 touchdowns and 486 YAC. A player's stats aren't the sole reason for him be considered one of the league's best, though.

If Julio wasn't lining up opposite Roddy (and thank goodness they are), his stats would be off the chart as a clear-cut No. 1. It's obvious how talented he is. I think he makes the list.

So, by my estimation, we can expect five Falcons to be listed in the top 50 (all offense!). Does that sound right? How do you think the rest of the Top 100 plays out?

Stepping Up for the Falcons in 2013

Jeanna Thomas — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:00:05 -0000

The Falcons certainly had an exceptional season in 2012, although they did fall short of their ultimate goal. They certainly had some weaknesses on both sides of the ball that opponents were able to exploit. They also left some questions marks at starting roles with cuts this offseason. With that in mind, which players need to step up for the Falcons in 2013?

The key weakness for Atlanta's offense in 2012 was their running game. Basically, they didn't have much of one. They finished the season 29th in the league for rushing yards per game with 87.3. The Falcons acknowledged this with the decision to cut Michael Turner following the season, and the subsequent signing of Steven Jackson in free agency.

Jackson will need to step up for the Falcons, as the threat of an effective rushing game takes a lot of pressure off of Matt Ryan. If you just replace Michael Turner's stats from last season with Steven Jackson's stats in St. Louis in 2012, the net increase in rushing yards would put the Falcons at 22nd in the league instead of 29th. It's an improvement, but there are some key issues that suggest Jackson's impact in Atlanta will be more significant. First of all, Matt Ryan is inarguably a better quarterback than Sam Bradford, and the Falcons receivers are much more threatening than the St. Louis receivers. It's a little more challenging to stack the box when you know you have to try to cover Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez.

Another key to offensive success will be the performance of the offensive line in 2013. With key players Todd McClure and Tyson Clabo departed, it's time for young players along the line to step up and contribute. Mike Smith has indicated that second-year player Peter Konz is currently expected to start at center. Sam Baker will again start at left tackle, Justin Blalock will start at left guard, and Garrett Reynolds will step back into the starting right guard role that he held prior to a season-ending injury in 2012. Lamar Holmes will compete with Mike Johnson for the right tackle spot. Konz, Holmes or Johnson, and the rest of the line will need to perform at a high level to effectively protect Ryan this season.

On defense, the two most glaring weaknesses for the Falcons last season were the pass rush and a lackluster run defense. The Falcons cut John Abraham, their most productive pass rusher, and lost defensive tackle Vance Walker, very effective in 2012, to free agency. In addition, the Falcons lost a starting cornerback when they cut Dunta Robinson, and they did not re-sign cornerback Brent Grimes in free agency.

To address the pass rush issues, the Falcons signed Osi Umenyiora as a free agent, but Umenyiora can't do it all by himself. The Falcons also drafted defensive end Malliciah Goodman, and statements by Thomas Dimitroff indicate that Goodman should be prepared to start opposite Osi. Goodman will definitely have to step up in 2013 if that is the case.

The Falcons woes against the run last season are no secret. According to Pro Football Focus premium stats, only nine defensive players graded positively against the run over the course of the regular season and postseason, and of those nine, the Falcons did not retain five of those players (Dunta Robinson, Vance Walker, Mike Peterson, Chris Owens and Brent Grimes.) However, of those five, only Robinson and Walker saw a significant snap count last season.

The Falcons run defense has to improve if they want to succeed in 2013. Middle linebacker Akeem Dent seemed to settle into his role as last season progressed, and he ended up being one of the nine players with a positive grade against the run. Basically, everyone that struggled against the run last season, which was most of the defense, needs to step up in 2013 to stop the run.

The other key player who needs to step up in 2013 would be cornerback Desmond Trufant, drafted in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft to start opposite Asante Samuel. Many fans did not love Dunta Robinson's performance in coverage, but he hit like a truck and was a solid contributor as a starter. Trufant will likely be targeted a great deal, and he will need to adapt to the speed of the game and be ready to contribute immediately.

The whole team is going to have to perform at a high level in order to attain the level of success they're hoping for this season, but those are a few key areas where the team needs improvement over last year's performance, or where the Falcons lost a starter and have a young player moving into the role. Which players do you think will need to step up for the Falcons in 2013?

Falcons State of the Franchise--Football Edition

Jeanna Thomas — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:02:18 -0000

The Atlanta Falcons hosted their annual State of the Franchise event yesterday evening at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center and invited season ticket holders to attend. From photos with Freddie Falcon immediately upon arrival, to free food, to discounted merchandise, it was clear that the Falcons, as usual, took great care to provide a great experience for fans.

Wes Durham, the "Voice of the Falcons" on the radio, served as the master of ceremonies for the event, and Falcons president and C.E.O. Rich McKay, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith all spoke at the event.

McKay spoke a great deal about the new stadium, and the thought process behind it--so much so, in fact, that it deserves its own post. Here, I'll recap primarily just what the brain trust said about the direction of the team, their personnel moves this offseason, and their focus on the coming season. Fans had some really excellent questions for McKay, Dimitroff and Smith as well, which I will also cover in a separate post.

Rich McKay talked about the previous season, and what a great year it was, and acknowledged that, while the team did get to that next level in 2012, they have a couple more levels to go. He commented on fan energy in the Georgia Dome in 2012 being significantly better, saying that fans are succeeding in making the Dome uncomfortable for opposing fans. He thanked fans for "rising back up," following the loss in in the NFC Championship Game.

McKay also brought Dimitroff and Smith on stage for applause after listing their accomplishments over the past five seasons--five consecutive winning seasons, four playoff appearances, three consecutive playoff appearances. Remember, McKay was in Atlanta--and was the GM--during the catastrophe that was 2007, and everything that led to it. McKay said that Dimitroff and Smith took at team that had no credibility and turned them into a team that is second in the league for total number of wins over the past five years (McKay apologized for not being first) and is first in the NFC for total number of wins in that five-year period.

Thomas Dimitroff took the stage to a standing ovation. Dimitroff spoke about their focus on retaining their own players, emphasizing that, if they draft well, retaining their players should be a priority. Dimitroff mentioned the four starters who were cut--Dunta Robinson, Michael Turner, John Abraham and Tyson Clabo--and said that the Falcons made those moves partially for salary cap reasons, but also to get better as a football team.

On Tony Gonzalez, Dimitroff said that when he initially brokered a deal with Gonzalez in 2009, he was holding his breath that the Falcons would get one season out of him. Looking back, that's hilarious. Needless to say, Dimitroff, like everyone else, is delighted to have Gonzalez back for his fifth season with the Falcons.

Dimitroff showed some film of free agent acquisitions Steven Jackson and Osi Umenyiora, to give the fans a glimpse into their thought process for the signings. He also reiterated what we already know--these are guys that fans can be proud of on and off the field.

For Steven Jackson, the Falcons like the power he runs with--Dimitroff said he has one of the best, if not the best, motors in football. They also like his versatility as a receiver.

On Umenyiora, Dimitroff said, and showed on film, how Osi has good instincts and a nose for the ball. He emphasized that Umenyiora knows what it takes to win championships. The film on Osi had one play that the crowd loved, featuring Umenyiora absolutely destroying Drew Brees, and Dimitroff played that one again, much to the crowd's delight.

As far as the draft, Dimitroff said that they knew for certain that they would not be able to get Desmond Trufant--a player they were very focused on--anywhere from the mid-twenties to 30, which is why they partnered with an ally, Les Snead in St. Louis, to move up to get him. Trufant, per Dimitroff, is a good sized corner who consistently gets his hands on the ball. He is expected to start outside at right cornerback, opposite Asante Samuel. Trufant has potential to contribute on special teams as well.

The Falcons actually considered taking Robert Alford at 30, as a contingency plan if they were unable to make moves to draft Trufant, so Alford was a steal for the team. Alford is incredibly fast, with a 40 time in the mid-4.3s. Dimitroff's key word in describing Alford is, he plays with urgency.

On defensive end Malliciah Goodman, Dimitroff emphasized his size. He has 37" arms and 11" hands. That's ridiculous. Goodman was projected as second round talent, and the Falcons believe he is currently prepared to start at left defensive end, opposite Umenyiora, so to grab a starting-caliber player in the fourth round is pretty phenomenal.

Dimitroff said that he and Mike Smith went back and forth on whether to draft tight end or Levine Toilolo with their first fourth round pick. Toilolo's height, 6'8", is an asset, but he's also very aggressive. The film showed him stiff-arming a defender without hesitation. They did bring him in to learn under Gonzalez, and it is their hope that he will be Tony's heir apparent long-term.

The team's fifth round pick, Stansly Maponga, was brought in as a right defensive end, and he was projected as second round talent by some analysts. He's very athletic, and he has what Dimitroff called a "nasty, ornery streak" that the team loves. He plays with the urgency they're looking for on the field.

On their seventh round picks, specifically safeties Kemal Ishmael and Zeke Motta, Dimitroff said that you can never have enough safeties on your roster who tackle well. He called Ishmael one of the best tacklers in the NCAA, and said that he wraps up "respectfully and properly, not illegally," for the sake of the NFL Competition Committee Chairman on stage with him. They expect Ishmael to contribute on special teams right away.

Dimitroff said that Motta dropped in the draft due to a slow 40 time, but that Motta's very talented against the run, and that he will be able to contribute on special teams while he develops as a player.

On quarterback Sean Renfree, Dimitroff said that they expect him to come in and compete for the third string quarterback spot. That tells us that Dominique Davis will be established as the backup, unless Dimitroff misspoke and intended to say second string. I only point this out because it seems unusual to draft a player and not give him the opportunity to compete for the backup spot.

Dimitroff said that he feels like they've had some solid drafts over the years, but he has never been this excited about a group heading into the season.

Mike Smith took the stage, also to a standing ovation, and rightfully so for the three-time Sporting News Coach of the Year. Smitty can't wait for the season, and assured the fans that there is no NFL offseason for the coaching staff. They're working around the clock to get ready for the new season.

Smitty told a fun story about losing his temper on the sidelines during a game in New Orleans. It was an unjustified pass interference call against Brent Grimes that negated an interception, and Smitty broke his headset, and after the game he returned to the locker room to a text message on his phone from his 70-something year old mother, who didn't really send text messages in general, expressing his family's disappointment in his behavior. The Falcons won that game in New Orleans, and Smitty escaped the situation without a $15,000 fine from the NFL, but he did not evade scolding from his mother.

Smitty also talked about the different "abilities" that lead to success in the National Football League. He said that the reason they re-calibrated their roster was for "sustainability." "Accountability," to oneself and to their teammates, is a big factor, as is "reliability." Everyone at every level of the organization must be reliable. The last, but not least, that he mentioned was "flexibility," saying it was necessary to success in the NFL, and any other business. With those "abilities" in mind, Smitty stressed his well-known philosophy that teams win in the locker room first.

On the offensive line, Smitty said that he expects to see some pretty good competitions for those positions. Left tackle Sam Baker and left guard Justin Blalock are pretty set, but with Todd McClure retired and Tyson Clabo cut for salary cap reasons, the other positions are pretty wide open, and they are looking for their young players, who have had an opportunity to learn from an excellent offensive line coach in Pat Hill, as well as the veteran players along the line, to step up at this point.

The Falcons focused on the secondary as an area of need in the 2013 NFL Draft, and while starters in the secondary seem pretty established, Smitty emphasized that you earn what you get in the NFL, and we can expect to see some competitions for starting spots, or just more playing time, in the secondary as well.

Smith feels like the team has struck a productive balance of solid veteran leadership and young talent.

As far as preparation, the CBA is pretty strict on when the team can work with the players, and what they're allowed to do. April 22 was the first day that the team was allowed to implement some classroom time with players, but a significant number of players have been working out at the facility together since March 15th, led, of course, by Matt Ryan. Smitty said that you can't win a Super Bowl in March, April or June, but you sure can hinder your own efforts to win a Super Bowl by what you do, or fail to do, in the offseason.

On the Falcons schedule for the coming season, Smitty said that he would prefer that every game be scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoons--and what coach wouldn't?--but the team's success means they'll have primetime games.

An aside--as Smitty went through the schedule game by game, some dummy in front of me yelled, "Who Dat!" about the Saints, and not in a sarcastic way. I exercised a great deal of restraint, because I wanted to verbally assault him, but I settled for giving him hateful looks.

It was interesting to hear from Smitty that after the NFC Championship Game, he didn't sleep well for a week, and he did not watch the Super Bowl. He said that once he started watching the NFL talking heads again, he kept hearing people say that the Falcons were just 10 yards from the Super Bowl. He made it clear that the team's focus is in the right place by saying that they aren't 10 yards from the Super Bowl now, they're 261 (now 260) days from the Super Bowl, and there's a lot of work to be done to get there.

A few things stood out from what Rich McKay, Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith said about their personnel moves and the coming season. The team is proud of what they accomplished last season, but not even remotely satisfied. That NFC Championship loss hurt them much more than it hurt us. The front office worked strategically this offseason--with some very difficult decisions along the way--to put the team in a better position to win. The coaching staff and the players are already hard at work to put themselves in the best position to win in 2013. And, they're all just as excited about the 2013 season as we are.

The Best Available Offensive Free Agents

Scotty Payne — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:00:11 -0000

The NFL Draft is over, and teams know where they stand heading into Training Camp and the Preseason. Teams now see what holes they have left on their team, and can look at the veterans who are available to fill them holes.

The Broncos signed two players last year in the final stages of Free Agency who ended up playing key roles on the 2012 team. Those players were Safety Jim Leonhard and Inside Linebacker Keith Brooking. Do the Broncos sign any veterans this year who can fill key roles on the team? Below I'll list the best available Free Agents on the offensive side of the ball.

Quarterback:

The obvious big name here is Tim Tebow. We all know his story, what about the rest of the guys? Trent Edwards, Charlie Batch, Byron Leftwich and Matt Leinart will figure to make a roster to challenge for a backup Quarterback spot.

I do not see the Broncos in the market for a camp QB. obviously Manning will get the most reps in camp. Brock Osweiler and Dysert will figure to get their share of reps as well. The Broncos coaching staff figures to want have a long look at their two young QBs.

Running Back:

There's plenty of talent at this position, but most if not all of these veterans come with injury questions. Ahmad Bradshaw figures to be hot commodity. He can still start if healthy, and still is has a few good years ahead of him. Beanie Wells is still pretty young, but has been riddled with injuries through his career. He figures to be a low risk, high reward type signing for some team. Felix Jones isn't the burner he was when he first entered the league, but can still be a good back in a rotation for a team.

I believe Veterans Cedric Benson, Kevin Smith, Michael Turner and Peyton Hillis may have a hard time latching on with a team. All these guys are near the end of their career and only figure to get a call if/when a injury occurs.

Do any of the guys make sense for the Broncos? I don't think so. Recently drafted Montee Ball can be a three down back for the Broncos, and Ronnie Hillman figures to spell Ball on occasion. Willis McGahee figures to be cut sooner rather then later, and Knowshon Moreno, Lance Ball, Jeremiah Johnson, and un-drafted rookie C.J. Anderson figure to battle for a roster spot. Unless an injury occurs, i do not see a spot for one of these guys

Wide Receiver:

Brandon Lloyd is having a hard time finding a job. He's not the same player he was a few years ago, and his attitude may also have something to do with it. A team may take a chance on the veteran, but might have to need an injury to occur first.

Titus Young is very talented and still pretty young, but his attitude is the big thing here. If he can screw his head on straight he has a chance to be a contributor on a NFL team. He might be getting his last chance this summer.

I have a hard time seeing Randy Moss being on a NFL roster this year. This might be the end of his Hall Of Fame Career.

I have a hard time seeing the Broncos adding any of these guys. They seem set with their 5-6 WR's. Unless an injury occurs, they won't be adding any of these veterans.

Tight End:

This list would have been great 5 to 7 years ago. These veterans are not their old selves, however they can still add depth at the Tight End position on a NFL teams.

I do not see the Broncos being in the market for a Tight End. They seem set with Tamme, Dreessen, Green and Thomas.

Offensive Tackles:

I am a bit surprised that Eric Winston is still a free agent. He figures to get signed sooner rather then later and be a starter for a NFL team. The rest all figure to garner interest as well. Teams are always looking for depth at tackle and even a starter at this point.

Unless the Ryan Clady contract talks get ugly, i do not see the Broncos being in the market for a tackle. They're set with Clady and Franklin. They also have Chris Clark and rookie Vinston Painter to be the backups.

Interior Offensive Linemen:

Recently cut Adam Snyder may be the best guard available, but that's not saying much. None of the guards on this list really do not inspire much confidence. At best i see these guys being signed as backups. Dan Koppen who did a good job for the Broncos at center last year is the only center worth mentioning.

I think the Broncos are okay at Guard. They have Vasquez and Beadles at the starting spot, and Ramirez and Phillip Blake as backups. The Broncos do also have Chris Kuper on the roster still. It's interesting to see what they do with Kuper. At Center the Broncos seem content with giving J.D Walton the starting gig. I have a hard time seeing the Broncos adding another linemen.

What do you think?

Is there anywhere on offense the Denver Broncos should address through free agency late in the offseason?

Poll

Should the Broncos add any offensive free agents before training camp?

Yes

116 votes

No

277 votes

393 votes | Poll has closed

Is Matt Ryan Really a Top 5 QB?

The DW — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:00:08 -0000

Now that the NFL Draft is over, the talk has begun over the biggest remaining signing the Falcons have to make: Matt Ryan's extension. Now that Joe Flacco, Tony Romo and Aaron Rodgers have secured their futures, most analysts believe Ryan is next. And why not - he had his best statistical season in 2012 and finally took the Falcons to a playoff victory.

But the question now turns to where Ryan should fit in the QB pay scale. Some people think he'll slot in right behind Rodgers, while others think the lack of a championship ring on his finger should slot him below Flacco but above Romo. The larger question, though, is whether Ryan is truly in the category that deserves the big pay day. Before we pay our franchise QB a king's randsom, I think it wise to consider whether Ryan is truly a top 5 QB in the league.

For my purposes, I'm going to look at two different advanced stats to make this determination: ESPN's Total QBR and Pro Football Focus' QB grading. I'm staying away from basic stats like passer rating and yardage totals, because these do not consider many of the intangibles that make a Quarterback truly valuable to his team - such as converting critical 3rd downs, or performance in critical moments. Both of these advanced stats take this into account, and weigh them with an amount of importance while also considering interceptions that happened due to a WR, rather than those that were legitimately the fault of the QB. These stats also better align with a teams W/L record than basic QB rating, suggesting that they give you a better measurement for determining if a QB is contributing to or hurting a team's chances of winning.

Season Breakdown

2008 Season - ESPN QBR Ranking: 3rd - PFF Ranking: 2nd

There's a reason Ryan won the rookie of the year award in 2008 - he was clearly one of the most clutch QBs that season, coming in a surprising 3rd in the Total QBR ratings for that season. In ESPN Total QBR, the 2008 season was dominated by Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, while Aaron Rodgers slotted in right behind Ryan at 4th. The only QB ranked higher on the PFF scale was Peyton Manning.

Now - many will correctly argue that the Falcons were a predominantly run-based offense in 2008, which is absolutely true. However, when called upon, Ryan delivered better than most QBs in the league. His last-minute heroics began showing up early, and when he started calling plays out of the no-huddle as a rookie, people were stunned at how quickly he was picking up the NFL game.

2009 Season - ESPN QBR Ranking: 14th - PFF Ranking: 20th

The only year under Ryan where the Falcons missed the playoffs, the 2009 season was hampered by injuries to both Michael Turner and Ryan. The 9-7 campaign did give the Falcons their first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history, but was a let-down nonetheless.

2010 Season - ESPN QBR Ranking: 2nd - PFF Ranking: 1st

One of the best regular seasons in Falcons history, Ryan lead the Falcons to a 13-3 record and the best record in the NFC. He continued to rake in the fourth quarter comebacks, and took a bigger role in the offense. The only QB who ranked higher in ESPN Total QBR in 2010 was Tom Brady.

The 2010 season also featured some impressive performances out of our franchise QB, including a last minute win against the Packers during the regular season, and a great no-huddle based performance against a stout Ravens defense.

2011 Season - ESPN QBR Ranking: 5th - PFF Ranking: 4th

The 2011 season started off with some major struggles on the offensive line that has tainted the perception of how people see this season. But Ryan finished the regular season on a tear, and ultimately finished 5th in ESPN Total QBR. He trailed only Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Tony Romo (I know) in the rankings. On the PFF charts, only Brees, Rodgers and Brady ranked higher.

This was also the first season in which Ryan passed for over 4000 yards, a clear sign that the offense had been fully turned over to our franchise QB.

2012 Season - ESPN QBR Ranking: 3rd - PFF Ranking: Tied-5th

Another stunning 13-3 season capped with the first playoff victory under Ryan, Matty Ice once again took his team to the #1 seed in the NFC. Amassing 4700 yards under the new Koetter lead offense, Ryan took a huge leap forward and was topped in ESPN Total QBR ranking by only Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. The PFF chart had Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Drew Brees ahead of Ryan, who was tied with Russel Wilson at 5th. Were it not for the disastrous Arizona game, Ryan would have leaped ahead of Brees for fourth on the list.

Ryan continued to amass fourth quarter comebacks during the season and also put up one of the best completion percentages of any NFL QB, while also maintaining his impressive 2:1 TD-to-INT career ratio. Ryan was in the early discussions for league MVP, a clear sign of respect for the signal caller.

Interestingly, Ryan actually was ranked 1st in the post-season PFF Ranking for 2012. Joe Flacco and Colin Kaepernick were 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Conclusion

Say what you will about Ryan and his upcoming contract, but it is clear that the advanced stats support the notion that Ryan is not only a top-10 QB, but has also consistently been one of the top 5 QBs since he entered the league - the 2009 season not withstanding. While his detractors will undoubtedly point to his playoff record and lack of a championship ring as reason to not include him, Ryan has consistently gotten better each season and his 2012 post-season performance was about as much as you could ask from a franchise QB.

There's little doubt that the Falcons will get Matt Ryan a new contract soon. If these stats are any indication, we can expect him to receive top-5 money - and deservedly so.

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What do you think?

Should the Broncos add any offensive free agents before training camp?

Yes

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Is Matt Ryan Really a Top 5 QB?

Season Breakdown

2008 Season - ESPN QBR Ranking: 3rd - PFF Ranking: 2nd

2009 Season - ESPN QBR Ranking: 14th - PFF Ranking: 20th

2010 Season - ESPN QBR Ranking: 2nd - PFF Ranking: 1st

2011 Season - ESPN QBR Ranking: 5th - PFF Ranking: 4th

2012 Season - ESPN QBR Ranking: 3rd - PFF Ranking: Tied-5th

Conclusion

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