The Falcons lost a linebacker tonight when they traded Akeem Dent to the Texans for quarterback T.J. Yates, but they wasted little time in finding a replacement. The club announced that they have agreed to terms with linebacker Tim Dobbins, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Dobbins was mentioned last week by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network as one of the veteran LBs that Atlanta was eyeing. The Falcons were also considering Jonathan Vilma, who worked out for the team today, and Pat Angerer, but it appears that Dobbins has won out. Dobbins doesn’t have the name recognition of either player but Atlanta brass clearly feels better about what the lesser-known talent can provide in 2014.
Over parts of eight seasons with the Chargers, Dolphins, and Texans, Dobbins has appeared in 110 games and made 22 starts. He has 195 total tackles to his credit with two sacks and seven fumble recoveries. Four of those fumble recoveries came during an especially fortuitous 2012 season.
The Falcons could have given consideration to other big names like the recently retired London Fletcher or ex-Steelers LB James Harrison, but both ideas were shot down last week by Rapoport’s report.