Falcons Sign Courtney Upshaw
A day after visiting with Courtney Upshaw, the Falcons signed him, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Falcons announced the move on their website
.
Upshaw started for the bulk of his time with the Ravens, logging at least nine starts in each of his four seasons and lining up with Baltimore’s first-string unit for at least 13 contests from 2013-15.
The former second-round pick could be a replacement for UFA O’Brien Schofield, with the Falcons and the outside linebacker not in harmony during negotiations. Philip Wheeler is also a free agent.
Upshaw previously visited with the Jets, and had other suitors, with the Patriots and 49ers vying with the Ravens among potential suitors.
Upshaw (five career sacks) didn’t serve as a key pass-rusher for the Ravens like Terrell Suggs or Elvis Dumervil, which could be at the root of why he wasn’t snatched up earlier like former sought-after Ravens Paul Kruger and Pernell McPhee. An ex-Alabama talent, Upshaw rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 84 edge defender last season. Upshaw, however, was a top-20 performer against the run and may be well-suited to play in Dan Quinn‘s 4-3 defense that isn’t as dependent on linebackers to serve as pass-rushers.
The newest Falcon recorded 51 tackles and three fumble recoveries last season for the No. 8-ranked Ravens’ defense.
The Ravens have now lost both of their 2012 second-round selections after Kelechi Osemele bolted on Day 1 of free agency.
Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images
Ted Larsen's Falcons Visit Went "Great"
- Free agent guard Ted Larsen continues to consider his options and isn’t expected to sign a contract today, but his visit with the Falcons went “great,” a source tells Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.
Falcons Looking At USC LB/S Su’a Cravens
- USC linebacker/safety Su’a Cravens will visit/work out for the Falcons, Panthers, Colts, Bills, Patriots, Saints, and Chargers, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter).
Falcons Re-Sign Philip Wheeler
4:40pm: The Falcons formally announced the deal, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
3:15pm: The Falcons have re-signed veteran linebacker Philip Wheeler, the team formally announced today in a press release. The news comes on the heels of head coach Dan Quinn confirming at the owners’ meetings this week that the two sides remained engaged in talks.
[RELATED: Courtney Upshaw visiting Falcons]
Wheeler, 31, began his career with the Colts after being selected in the third round of the 2008 draft. He spent four years in Indianapolis, one in Oakland, and two in Miami before joining the Falcons for the 2015 campaign. Appearing in nine game for Atlanta (two starts), Wheeler recorded 29 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.
Wheeler saw most of his 2015 playing time in the second half of the season, and may earn an increased role in 2016, but the Falcons have already ensured that linebacker Paul Worrilow received an RFA tender, and brought back Sean Weatherspoon in free agency, so we’ll have to wait and see how the defensive snaps shake out on Atlanta’s linebacking corps.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Courtney Upshaw Visiting Falcons
2:18pm: The Falcons have confirmed Upshaw’s visit and announced that free agent guard Ted Larsen is also in town to meet with the team today (Twitter link). Larsen has 57 career NFL starts for the Cardinals and Buccaneers.
11:29am: More than two weeks into free agency, free agent outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw remains unsigned, but it appears a new suitor has emerged. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Upshaw is set to pay a visit to the Falcons. ESPN’s Vaughn McClure confirms (via Twitter) that the visit is taking place today.
A second-round pick in 2012 out of Alabama, Upshaw didn’t miss a regular-season game for the Ravens in his four seasons with the team, making 51 starts, but he never really made the sort of impact the team may have expected. In his four NFL seasons, the 26-year-old has struggled to get to opposing quarterbacks, totaling just five sacks. In 2015, Pro Football Focus ranked him 84th out of 110 edge defenders, assigning him a much higher grade against the run than as a pass rusher.
The Falcons may be in the market for a replacement for O’Brien Schofield at their outside linebacker spot — a reunion between the Falcons and Schofield hasn’t been ruled out, but the veteran free agent said last week that the two sides weren’t “seeing eye-to-eye” in contract talks, so it appears Atlanta is exploring other options.
So far in free agency, Upshaw has reportedly visited the Jets, with the Ravens, 49ers, and Patriots among the other teams cited as potential suitors.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Ohio State LB Darron Lee Working Out For Falcons
- Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee is working out for the Falcons today, telling Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com that it’s the first workout on his schedule. “From what they told me at the combine, they need a lot of speed on the defensive side of the ball,” Lee said. Interestingly, McShay’s mock draft from today has Atlanta nabbing Lee with the 17th overall pick.
No Discipline Expected For Falcons' Combine Interview
- No discipline is expected for the Falcons and/or their coaches after secondary coach Marquand Manuel asked cornerback prospect Eli Apple at the combine if he liked men.
Falcons In Negotiations With Philip Wheeler
- Falcons head coach Dan Quinn confirmed this morning that his club remains in negotiations with free agent linebacker Philip Wheeler, who may end up returning, tweets D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Falcons To Meet With Florida S Keanu Neal
- Florida safety Keanu Neal has a workout scheduled with the Falcons this week, according to league source who spoke with Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. McClure notes that Neal was recruited to Florida by Falcons coach Dan Quinn when he was the Gators’ defensive coordinator.
Contract Details: Starks, Compton, Michael
Here are several of the latest contract details on deals which were agreed upon or signed within the last week.
- James Starks, RB (Packers): 2016 base salary: $1.1MM. Cap charge: $2.25MM. 2017 base salary: $2.6MM. Cap charge: $3.75MM. (According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com).
- Tom Compton, T (Falcons): One year, $760K base salary.
- LaRoy Reynolds, LB (Falcons): One year, $675K base salary. (Twitter link via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com)
- Christine Michael, RB (Seahawks): One year, $725K. $675K base salary. $25K signing bonus. $25K roster bonus. (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)