Focusing on their own...

So far Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff is holding true on wanting to re-sign the players that are already on the roster. Just last week the Falcons re-signed starting safety William Moore to a 5-year $30 million contract, and as the start of the new football year began yesterday, two more players will be returning. Tight end Tony Gonzalez was 95 % sure he was going to retire after the lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game this past January. And after holding out on a trip to paradise on earth for the Pro Bowl, he seemed to have put a stamp on his retirement papers. But the 5% of him coming back held water. He agreed yesterday to return for one more year. Terms of the contract have not been reported yet, but rumors are it's in the area of $7 million with limited training camp. Seven million would cut deeply in the Falcons salary cap, as they were about $18 million under the $123 million cap for 2013. But the majority of that money could come in guaranteed bonuses, and not cut into the salary cap. Left tackle Sam Baker was also re-signed to a 6-year deal, terms undisclosed as of yet. Baker was drafted 21st overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, just 25 players behind started QB Matt Ryan. Baker as been a staple protecting Ryan's blind side.

Four more priorities for the Falcons are re-signing starting CB Brent Grimes to an extension, hoping he doesn't sign elsewhere in the coming days. Grimes was listed as the top corner available in the free agency market by NFL.com. But Grimes is coming off an achilles heel injury that sidelined him the entire year, after injuring his achilles in the first half of game one this past year at Kansas City Chiefs. The injury though might put some hesitation by most teams. The Falcons also need to sign a RB and DE after releasing starting RB Michael Turner and starting DE John Abraham. But those positions could come in the draft, more likely RB than DE. Falcons need an experienced DE to help strengthen a D line that doesn't get much presser on the QB. The last priority is shoring up Ryan to a long-term extension, making sure he will retire a Falcon. But there is time, Ryan has one more year left on his rookie deal. If not now, hopefully later in the year during the season or next offseason. But I have a feeling Dimitroff will not let him walk.

So lets see what today holds with the second day of free agency, anything can happen.

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Mark A. Kirkley: twitter @makirkley
Devoted husband and father of Team Kirkley. God and family are #1 in my life.
Academic Librarian/Cobb Game Day Magazine Contributor/Sports Writer/Sports Blogger. "Your thoughts are better organized when they are written."