The team announced today that cornerback Brent Grimes signed his one-year franchise tender today. Grimes will now have the $10.281 million salary he is slated to receive this year fully guaranteed as a result.

Grimes is coming off two rock-solid seasons, including a Pro Bowl appearance following 2010. He was plagued by a knee injury late this past season, causing him to miss 4 games. The team placed the franchise tag on Grimes just prior to the start of free agency in March when long-term contract talks broke down.

The news of Grimes signing the tender is interesting given that news broke this morning per FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer that the Falcons had entered trade talks with the Philadelphia Eagles over cornerback Asante Samuel. Samuel, who turned 31 in January, is expected to be dealt prior to this Thursday’s draft according to reports. The Eagles made big acquisitions for cornerbacks last summer in acquiring Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and rumors have been rampant ever since that Samuel was on his way out. Samuel is due $21.5 million over the next two seasons he is under contract, but it is likely a deal for him won’t be struck until he reduces that number. Samuel is still widely considered one of the top corners in the league. He has collected 19 interceptions in the past three seasons, and 39 in the past six seasons, both being the highest in the league in their respective spans. He has a career total of 45 of nine seasons, the last four with the Eagles after five with the New England Patriots where he collected two Super Bowl rings.

How Grimes re-signing impacts any potential trade discussions is unknown. It’s possible their negotiations with the Eagles was meant to be leverage to get Grimes to sign on the dotted line, and now potential trade discussions are dead. Or it’s possible that a Samuel trade is still on the table.

Here we will keep track of all the Falcons activity, interest, the comings, and goings that come with free agency for the Atlanta Falcons. You can view an updated list of all of the Falcons free agents by clicking here.

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NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora reports that New Orleans Saints free agent defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin visited with the Falcons on Monday. Franklin played under current Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan in two previous stops in Baltimore and San Francisco before joining the Saints a year ago.

Franklin was originally a fifth round pick by the Ravens in 2003, during which Nolan served as that team’s defensive coordinator. Nolan would move on to become the head coach of the 49ers in 2005, where Franklin joined him in 2007. It was Franklin’s first starting opportunity after working as primarily a backup in Baltimore. He helped make Patrick Willis one of the better inside linebackers in the league during Franklin’s time in San Francisco. Nolan was fired after the 2008 season, and Franklin left the 49ers after 2010 to join the Saints a year ago. It was his first chance to play in a 4-3 scheme, after spending eight years primarily in the 3-4 in both Baltimore and San Francisco. Franklin responded with 17 tackles, while starting 9 of 16 games. It was his lowest tackle total since his final year in Baltimore in 2006, where he was a backup.

The Falcons could use the 317-pound former nose tackle to help shore up the run defense, as they plan to incorporate some 3-4 principles in their 4-3 defense.

UPDATE: John Keim of the Washington Examiner reports that Williams has signed with the Redskins.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports that the Falcons have an offer out for free agent safety Madieu Williams, who visited with the team Monday according to reports.

Williams most recently played with the San Francisco 49ers, where he recorded 9 tackles in 15 games, including 3 starts. He began the season as the 49ers starting free safety, as an injury replacement for Dashon Goldson. But once Goldson returned by Week 3, he logged minimal playing time after that. He joined the 49ers last summer after three injury-filled seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He missed 7 games in 2008 with a neck injury, but managed a total of 38 starts during his time with Minnesota. Prior to joining the Vikings, Williams played four years with the Cincinnati Bengals, earning a reputation as a ballhawk. Throughout his career, he has recorded 12 interceptions and 35 pass deflections. His best season came in 2006 with the Bengals, where he had 88 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 10 deflections.

Williams, 30, is also mulling over an offer from the Washington Redskins, who he visited on Friday with. Williams was born in Sierra Leone, but went to high school and college at the University of Maryland. He was originally a second round pick by the Bengals in 2004. That would make the Redskins a potential homecoming for him. If Williams signed with the Falcons, he would likely serve as the team’s top reserve at safety, following in the footsteps of James Sanders, who recently signed with the Arizona Cardinals, and Erik Coleman. Williams has spent the bulk of his career playing free safety.

D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reports that free agent center Todd McClure has re-signed with the Falcons on a one-year agreement. McClure has been with the Falcons since 1999, being the longest tenured player. He was originally drafted in the seventh round out of LSU in that year, but missed the entire season due to an injury. He returned in 2000 to start 7 games. In 2002, he began a streak of starting every game for the team that would last 9 seasons until he was forced to sit out the season opener this past year. McClure managed to finished the year with 13 starts. His career total is 179 starts. His 182 career appearances is the fourth most in Falcons history, trailling only Mike Kenn (251), Jeff Van Note (245), and Jessie Tuggle (209).

Had McClure not been re-signed, it was expected that Joe Hawley would take over for him at center. Hawley replaced McClure for 3 starts last year, but also started 9 other games at right guard. The team added Vince Manuwai in free agency to take over that position.

On Saturday night, Curtis Lofton agreed to a five-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. The following day Lofton had some interesting quotes in an article written by Mike Triplett of The Times-Picayune. Those quotes probably riled up many a Falcon fan that read them. But I have taken a different viewpoint. I don’t read Lofton’s statement(s) as ones meant to slight the Falcons or their fan base.

Here are the key excerpts of what Lofton said to Triplette:

Lofton, who turns 26 this summer, admitted that he didn’t expect to even become a free agent. After being a full-time starter and leader for the Atlanta Falcons over the past four years, he thought the Falcons would try to re-sign him and continue to build their defense around him.

“I was told they wanted me to start my career as a Falcon and end as a Falcon,” Lofton said.

Once he hit the open market, Lofton wound up taking only one free agent visit and he knew that New Orleans was the place for him. He admitted that the market was surprisingly slow-moving for middle linebackers, but he also was being patient, turning down some overtures from several teams.

“I wanted to go to a team that, No. 1, had a chance to win a Super Bowl, had true fans, a great defensive coordinator. Then once the Saints called, I was like, ‘Wow,’” Lofton said. “When I took my visit there, I loved it. I knew I was going there. I didn’t need to visit anywhere else. I told my agent that.”

Lofton said he is a “loyal guy,” so he wanted to give the Falcons a chance to keep him. But he liked what the Saints were offering better, so he wound up switching sides in the NFC’s South’s most heated rivalry.
Although that was a tough decision to make — and he has been hearing plenty of criticism from Falcons fan — Lofton said it was for the best.

One thing I know from playing against this team and from talking to them, they’re rallying together. It’s us vs. them. And this team is a winner. And from just talking to Vilma and everyone, I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Without context, these quotes seem to slight the Falcons and their fanbase. That the Falcons lack “true fans.” I don’t think that is what Lofton said one bit. Let’s look at the facts:

Curtis Lofton

• Lofton first visited the Saints on March 18
• Lofton signed with the Saints on March 24
• Lofton only visited one team, the Saints

By examining the facts, they clearly show that Lofton wanted to remain a Falcon. Overwhelmingly so, he gave the Falcons essentially six days between when he visited the Saints and signed with them to get back into the derby. Now you could certainly argue that Lofton was disappointed that the Falcons didn’t make a better offer to him and he felt slighted, and thus lashed out. But you could also read that Lofton was just looking for the same qualities he saw in Atlanta in another team, and the Saints were the only team that fit that description.

His criteria of finding a team that had true fans, capable of winning a Super Bowl, and a great defensive coordinator also can be used to describe the Falcons. Why else did it take him six days to sign in New Orleans? It doesn’t normally take six days to negotiate a contract. A day or two, or in the rare cases when you’re dealing with huge Mario Williams money, it could take three days.

I think most of that six-day period was used with Lofton and his representatives playing chicken with the Falcons. And I think the Falcons called his bluff.

I don’t blame the Falcons one bit for making that decision. I think it’s one of their bolder decisions, and unlike the Julio Jones trade, I think it makes a lot more football sense. Curtis Lofton is a good, young middle linebacker that is coming off arguably his best season as a pro. But Lofton also is not a player that has shown a ton of improvement over his career as a Falcon, particularly the last three years. He is better than he was in 2009, but not by a huge degree. And in reality, it’s unlikely he’ll become a significantly better player over the next three years.

Lofton has his strengths and has his weaknesses, and they will likely remain so for the rest of his career. He is a good run defender. He is a mediocre at best pass defender. He has improved in the latter phase, but he’ll never reach a point where it’s a strength of his game. He lacks the speed, quickness, and agility to match up in man coverage, and he is still prone to being caught out of position when working in zone as well.

Lofton is often applauded for his leadership. And while he is a very good leader in terms of leading by example, he’s a very, quiet ho-hum guy. The guy that is more willing and able to take the bull by the horns for that unit was Mike Peterson. I do think if Peterson was not re-signed, Lofton could assume some of that mantle going forward. But I do think he and Sean Weatherspoon would have functioned primarily as co-leaders of that unit. Tatupu has many of the same leadership traits that Lofton exhibits, and I don’t think the Falcons are going to take any step back in that department.

Because of Lofton’s issues in coverage, I don’t think the Falcons needed to bend over backwards to keep him. That coupled with his departure won’t cripple the locker room due to Tatupu’s presence, it was a bold move for the Falcons, but a smart one. They didn’t need to spend market value for a player that is not really going to improve over the next four to five years. In fact, he is a player that could have just peaked in 2011. The league is a passing league, and the Falcons need more linebackers like Sean Weatherspoon that are true everydown playmakers, rather than players like Lofton who are not.

I applaud the Falcons decision to pass on Lofton. And I also hold no ill will towards Lofton for signing with the Saints. If I had been in his shoes, I probably would have signed with the Saints as well.

The <a href=”http://www.atlantafalcons.com/2012/03/walker-signs-tender-zelenka-re-signed/”>Falcons announced earlier today</a> that defensive tackle Vance Walker and long snapper Joe Zelenka both agreed to return to the team. Walker, a restricted free agent, signed his one-year tender. Zelenka was an unrestricted free agent, and terms of his new deal with the team were undisclosed.

It had been previously reported that Walker had already agreed to sign his $1.26 million tender on the opening day of free agent, but his agent, <a href=”https://twitter.com/#!/AlvinKeels/status/179661596837167104″>Alvin Keels, tweeted shortly that those reports were false</a>. Walker will become an unrestricted free agent following the 2012 season. He was originally a 7th round pick by the Falcons in 2009. In three seasons with the Falcons, he has combined for 48 tackles and 2 sacks in 42 appearances, including two starts. Walker was the lone restricted free agent for the Falcons this off-season. Restricted free agents have until April 20 to sign offer sheets with new teams. Their respective teams then have the right of first refusal, which allows them to match the offer of the new team, or to allow them to depart and receive compensation in the form of draft picks.

Zelenka’s return to the team was potentially shaky given the team had signed a pair of free agents, Corey Adams and Scott Albritton, to futures contracts back in January. But the team opted to bring back the veteran snapper. He first joined the team at the end of hte 2009 season, after Mike Schneck went on injured reserve and his replacement Bryan Pittman was inconsistent in four games.

The Falcons are a needs-based drafting team. They tend to focus their draft on adding guys that can immediately make the roster. After all, if a player cannot make the roster then he isn’t going to add very much value to your roster.

That’s why in re-examining the team needs from previously, I have paid more attention to the Falcons current depth chart to see what holes/weaknesses remain on the roster. I believe for the most part, the Falcons have the vast majority of the 53 prospective players that will be on this year’s team currently on the roster. But a few holes remain…

Free Agency Needs

These are needs that likely will have the team opting for veterans to fill.

Left Tackle: It seems very likely that at the least the Falcons want to bring in some competition at this position. While the team could probably live with Will Svitek and Sam Baker competing for this spot, it does not seem likely they want to. This was a position that was a weakness all year last year, and to expect that not to change in 2012 is foolhardy without any changes to the roster.

Center: Right now besides Joe Hawley there is no other center on the roster. The team could tinker with the idea of moving Andrew Jackson to that position. New position coach Pat Hill’s praise of Jackson’s leadership and intelligence was one of the reasons which drew the Falcons brass to him as a seventh round draft pick a year ago. But the team might also look to add a veteran later in the off-season to provide depth. A player like Brett Romberg is likely to remain available, but he’s always been a Paul Boudreau guy, and it’s possible Hill will prefer another option.

Draft Needs

These are needs which the team will focus on adding young talent to fill via the draft. The Falcons are slated to only have five draft picks this April, which gives them more limited options of players they could target.

Tight End: Last year’s third tight end Reggie Kelly is a free agent, that almost no one has talked about re-signing. The Falcons extended Tony Gonzalez’s deal by one year, but he has made no secret that 2012 will be his last. Michael Palmer is a capable reserve, but has done little to nothing to show he has a future as a starter in this league. Expect this position to one of the team’s higher priorities come draft day. They will look for a guy that can add some immediate value as depth, but also offer starting potential in 2013 and beyond.

Quarterback: The Falcons re-signed Chris Redman for one more year, and John Parker Wilson is expected back. But the Falcons might be looking at more than just adding a fourth arm in camp, they might be looking for a guy that can immediately push/replace Wilson for the No. 3 spot, and have the upside to replace Redman as the No. 2 guy in 2013 and beyond. If the Falcons do eyeball a passer in the draft, they’ll likely take a flyer on someone in the late rounds.

Defensive Tackle: Peria Jerry has given this team little and Vance Walker is entering the final year of his deal. Coupled with the fact that Jonathan Babineaux is no spring chicken, an infusion of youth and depth at this position definitely will not hurt the Falcons. Someone that can bolster the rotation could be a mid or late-round target.

Outside Linebacker: The Falcons have never been married to Robert James, who currently is their top reserve on the strongside. While it’s likely that if Stephen Nicholas went down with injury, Spencer Adkins would be tapped to play the role, the team is probably looking for another reserve linebacker that can add some depth, be developed for the future, and contribute on special teams.

Draft/Free Agency Needs

These are needs that could be filled via the draft or free agency.

Return Specialist/Wide Receiver: While the team could probably get by with some combination of DOminique Franks and Harry Douglas manning this position as replacements for Eric Weems, it seems unlikely that the Falcons won’t look to bolster competition in camp. It’s likely that the team will look to add another wide receiver to compete with Kerry Meier for the No. 4 position that can offer some value in the return game, ostensibly replacing Weems niche/role on the roster.

Strong Safety: The Falcons need to add a backup safety behind William Moore. Having reliable depth at safety is often critical for success because safeties are generally the least durable position on the defense across the league. Moore missed some time last year, and has been injured in 2 of the last 3 seasons. The team could always settle on re-signing James Sanders later this off-season or a comparable veteran player as well. But they also probably would not shy away from adding a young backup in the draft that can also play on special teams.

Marcus McNeill

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that free agent offensive tackle Marcus McNeill has set up a visit to the Atlanta Falcons, along with the Kansas City Chiefs for next week. McNeill visited with the Detroit Lions today.

McNeill, 28, was cut by the San Diego Chargers, and has long been rumored to be a potential Falcons target since his release became imminent. McNeill has suffered from neck and spinal issues over the years, and it was those injuries that prompted his release from the Chargers. Per Birkett, McNeill was cleared by his own doctors to resume playing football, but was cut by San Diego because they did not think he would be cleared by the team’s doctors.

McNeill told Birkett that he does not intend to take too much time trying to figure out which team he will ultimately play for. It’s likely that after his visits with the Falcons and Chiefs next week, a decision should come soon after.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Falcons have re-signed free agent defensive end John Abraham to a three-year contract. Talks between Abraham and the Falcons seemed to fall apart the closer things got to free agency, but eventually the two sides were able to come to terms on a deal to keep Abraham a Falcon, who has played with since 2006.

The Falcons first acquired Abraham in a three-way trade in 2006 from the New York Jets in exchange for a first round pick. Abraham signed a six-year, $45 million deal with the team then. In six years, with the team he has tallied 58.5 sacks. That is tied with Chuck Smith for the team’s all-time lead, when accounting for years since sacks have been an official statistic. Claude Humphrey is considered the team’s true sack leader with 94.5 career sacks. Abraham is coming off a 2011 season where he recorded 9.5 sacks, the team lead.