When the Falcons took outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon with the nineteenth overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, it was a move deemed to help in the future.

More than likely, Falcons head coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff looked at tape of the teams 2009 season back in February and deemed that their pass coverage was the weakest part of their defense. So when free agency rolled around in March, they made their first big splash with signing cornerback Dunta Robinson. Robinson would bring a swagger to the defense and secondary that was sorely lacking, and provide the team with a cover man that can go up against the Steve Smiths, Larry Fitzgeralds, Marques Colstons, and Greg Jennings that they would face in the 2010 season.

But the Falcons did not stop there, and many expected them to target one of the premier pass rushers when the draft rolled around in April to help improve a meager pass defense. When Brandon Graham, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Derrick Morgan went off the board only minutes before the Falcons were set to pick, many fans panicked. But the Falcons brass did not because Weatherspoon was still available.

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Sean Weatherspoon

The brunt of the camp conflict at this position will come from Falcons top pick Sean Weatherspoon.

The Falcons drafted Weatherspoon to be an upgrade in speed and coverage abilities on defense. Thus far, they have cross-trained him at both outside spots, but it remains to be seen which position he will primarily play at this summer.

It would seem that strongside linebacker Stephen Nicholas is the likeliest of the starting trio to lose his spot in the starting lineup. Nicholas is a capable blitzer and able run defender, but is a liability in coverage. But at the same time, throughout last year weakside linebacker Mike Peterson also struggled in coverage. Peterson got off to a fast start last season but his played tailed off after the first month. One presumes that Weatherspoon is considered the long-term option to replace Peterson, so it would make sense if the Falcons tried to have him push there immediately, rather than facing the potential of shuffling the linebackers down the road.

There is also the possibility that Weatherspoon could become the starting weakside linebacker, and the team move Peterson to the strongside. But regardless of how the team shuffles the linebacker position, it must start with Weatherspoon having a strong summer. But his draft status gives him a leg up in competition. The Falcons haven’t had a first round pick not start the season opener under MIke Smith and Thomas Dimitroff.

Curtis Lofton is locked in the middle, and the team will be looking to see him make some improvements in coverage this summer.

Coy Wire may lose his status as the top reserve to either Weatherspoon, or whichever incumbent starter is benched. But he still has a firm grasp on a roster spot. He can play all three positions and is a valuable special teams performer.

Because of the versatility of Wire, Weatherspoon, and Peterson, the Falcons presumably can get away with keeping six linebackers on the roster. But normally 4-3 teams keep seven. So that means that there should be two more roster positions left available. The front runner for one of those spots would appear to be Spencer Adkins. Adkins only appeared in five games last year, but the team is looking to see him make further strides this summer. Also in the mix is Robert James, but due to a four-game suspension to open the regular season, he’ll have to have a really strong showing this summer for the team to keep him on. That looming suspension opens greater opportunities for undrafted rookies like Weston Johnson and Bear Woods. Both players will have to shine on special teams, as well as make some impact plays defensively in the preseason.

According to Brian McIntyre of Mac’s Football Blog, two Falcon players will see their base salaries increase this year due to incentive clauses in their contract. Jamaal Anderson will see his base salary increase by $2 million to $3.1625 million, and Mike Peterson will get a $600,000 raise to have a base salary of $3.1 million.

Peterson is entering the final deal of the two-year contract he signed with the Falcons last off-season. Anderson is signed through 2012, although the final year of his rookie deal is voidable.

Re-assessing which players have raised and lowered their stock after two preseason games.

STOCK UP

Thomas Johnson – He started the first preseason game and has added some size. It remains to be seen if Johnson will be the opening day starter, but he’s made an impression that he should at least land a reserve spot in the rotation.

Chris Owens – He’s given up two touchdown passes in the preseason, but Owens has impressed the coaches throughout the summer with his speed and instincts. While he’s probably not in the hunt for a starting position with Brent Grimes taking the lead there, he still stands a good shot of landing the nickel back spot by opening day.

Michael Turner – There was no doubt that Turner is the man. But he’s looked very strong in his two preseason performances so far.  Questions still remain whether Turner’s workload last year will have a detriment later in the season, but just like in 2008, Turner seems poised for a strong start in 2009.

Eric Weems – He seems almost a lock to make the final roster because he’s been the most consistent return threat, and has shown an ability to contribute somewhat on offense as a potential slot receiver. Weems isn’t the player that Harry Douglas is, but if he continues to play like he’s done, the team’s need to find that player elsewhere will be less by the end of the preseason.

STOCK DOWN

Peria Jerry – He is still in the hunt for the starting position, and the coaches will give him plenty of chances to win it. But Jerry hasn’t done much in the first two preseason games, suggesting that he may be better off working off the bench as the season starts.

Mike Peterson – Peterson hasn’t had great days in the first two preseason games. While he’s no threat to lose his starting job, don’t be surprised if he loses a lot of reps to Coy Wire or Jamie Winborn once the regular season starts.

D.J. Shockley – Shockley hasn’t been overly impressive in his two preseason performances, and may need a strong finish to salvage his roster spot. He just hasn’t shown the mastery of running an NFL offense that one should seem coming from a fourth-year veteran and a guy with a year’s experience in this offense. Comparing him to John Parker Wilson right now, it’s hard telling who’s the rookie and who’s the fourth-year veteran.

Steve Wyche of NFL.com reports that the Falcons signed free agent linebacker Mike Peterson on Monday night, after he visited the team earlier that day. Wyche reports that Peterson agreed to a three-year deal, while the AJC and ESPN report that it was a two-year deal.

Peterson is expected to play one of the outside linebacker spots. Earlier in his career with the Indianapolis Colts he played on the weakside. For the past six seasons in Jacksonville with the Jaguars he manned the middle linebacker position, although the Falcons already have promising second-year player Curtis Lofton there. Peterson was benched last year due to some conflicts with the coaching staff. When he returned the lineup later in the year, he did play some on the strongside. Peterson’s experience, versatility, and his experience with many of the Falcons coaching staff is likely what attracted the two parties.

The AJC reports that free agent linebacker Mike Peterson, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars, is set to visit the Falcons later this week, with no specific date. Peterson is an experienced veteran that has a connection to the current Falcons coaching staff since head coach Mike Smith and several assistants were assistants in Jacksonville from five seasons prior to landing in Atlanta in 2008.

Peterson, 32, has served as the Jaguars starting linebacker for the past six seasons. His production has declined sharply in the past three seasons. During his first three seasons (2003-05) in Jacksonville, he averaged 120 tackles annually, and totaled 12 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 16 passes defended, and 6 interceptions. In the past three seasons (2006-08), he has averaged 62 tackles annually, total 3 sacks, no forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 4 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. Part of the decline in production has come from injuries, having missed a combined 17 games in 2006 and 2007. He was also benched for a time last season for clashing with the Jaguars coaching staff.

Prior to joining Jacksonville, he played four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, serving as an outside linebacker. Due to the strong play of rookie Curtis Lofton last year, it would seem likely that the Falcons are looking for Peterson to return to his former position on the outside. The Falcons have lost both starting outside linebackers, Keith Brooking and Michael Boley, this off-season and looking for replacements. Peterson spent most of his Colt career playing the weakside, just like Brooking.