Center Todd McClure, who turned 35 in February, had his team-record streak of 144 consecutive starts snapped last season. The player they call "Mud Duck" broke the franchise record for consecutive games during the 2010 season, surpassing Keith Brooking's mark of 128 (2000-08) and was allowed to become an unrestricted free agent.
The Falcons drafted Joe Hawley, out of UNLV, as his heir apparent in 2010.
Near the end of the season, quarterback Matt Ryan credited McClure for much of his early success.
"For me, personally, he's been huge in my development," Ryan said. "He carried me the first two years in terms of pass protection and getting things set in the run game. He took a lot off my plate."
-The Falcons re-signed backup quarterback Chris Redman to a one-year contract.
Redman, 6-3, 225 pounds, was originally selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round (75th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft. He was signed by the Falcons on March 23, 2007 and re-signed in 2008. Redman has served as Matt Ryan's backup for the last four seasons. In 2011, he appeared in five games completing 18 of 28 pass attempts for 188 yards.
In nine NFL seasons, Redman has appeared in 31 games and completed 286 of 500 pass attempts for 3,179 yards with 21 touchdowns.
-Wide receiver Harry Douglas, the team's No. 3 receiver, signed a four-year deal.
He's caught 85 passes for 1,112 yards over four seasons. He missed the 2009 season because of a knee injury.
-Defensive tackle Vance Walker received a tender offer of $1.26 million.
Walker, 6-2, 304 pounds, was a seventh-round pick (210th overall) out of Georgia Tech in 2009.
He played in all 16 games last season and registered 25 tackles, including 17 solos. He also had two sacks and one forced fumble.
Over his career, he's had 77 tackles and 55 solos with the Falcons.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"The game has become more of a spacing game. There are more spread sets. The nickel back over the last four years for us has actually played more snaps than our third linebacker." -- Falcons coach Mike Smith on his theory that the nickel back position is like being a starter.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Eric Weems, who powered the Falcons' special teams units for the past three seasons and went to the Pro Bowl, signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Bears.
Weems, a former undrafted free agent from Bethune-Cookman, will be reunited with Bears general manager Phil Emery, who approved his signing when he was the Falcons' director of college scouting back in 2007.
"They know he's a tough player who can come and help them right away, both on the field and on special teams," said Joseph Christopher Martin, Weems' agent.
Weems returned punts and kickoffs. He also was one of the top special teams tacklers. He was important to the offense getting good field position as he averaged 25.3 yards on kickoff returns in 2009, 27.5 in 2010 and 23.5 last season.
In 2010, he had a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Tampa Bay that helped rally the team to victory and kept them on their path to the NFC South title.
Weems played in 55 games and made six career starts for the Falcons. He's caught 24 passes for 205 yards and had 47 special teams tackles.
"He'll get more (chances) at wide receiver and in the slot than he did with Atlanta," Martin said. "Now, he's got Brandon Marshall outside who can stretch the field and you've got Devin (Hester) who is explosive. Then you bring in a guy like Eric, who's a natural slot guy."
Cornerback Dominique Franks was the backup returner last season. Also, wide receiver Harry Douglas returned punts when he was a rookie in 2008. Running backs Antone Smith and Jacquizz Rodgers also have return experience. The Falcons will have a more difficult time replacing him on the coverage units, where he had 47 special teams tackles over the past three seasons.
TEAM NEEDS
1. Defensive end/Linebacker: The Falcons are revamping how they have been playing pass defense. They need more players who can rush the quarterback or hold their own while dropping into coverage. Since they've been quiet in free agency, it's pretty clear this is the direction they must take in the draft. Players like Marshall's Vinny Curry could be intriguing to them.
2. Tight end: Tony Gonzalez has signed up for another year and the Falcons don't appear to have his replacement on the roster. The team has heavily scouted this position. They have looked at Missouri's Michael Egnew, Stanford's Coby Fleener, Georgia's Orson Charles and are reportedly intrigued by Louisiana-Lafayette'd Ladarius Green, a lanky flex tight end with speed.
3. Quarterback: Backup quarterback Chris Redman is 35 and signed on for one more year. They could use one of their later round picks to bring in a quarterback who'll eventually become Redman's successor.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
-OT Kirk Chambers will not likely return. He was added to provide depth, but never played last season.
-CB Kelvin Hayden was a key reserve last season before suffering a nasty turf toe injury. He could return if healthy.
-TE Reggie Kelly is not expected to return.
-MLB Curtis Lofton is the team's leading tackler and has played strong against the run. He's been solid in pass coverage, but not spectacular. The team doesn't want to pay him like one of the top linebackers in the league and he could be lost in free agency.
-C Todd McClure wants to return and the team would like to have him back. However, all of the offensive line positions are up for grabs and he could be challenged by Joe Hawley for the starting spot. The team was not happy with their inability to get a push in short-yardage situations and that starts with the undersized center.
-LB Mike Peterson ended the season on injured reserve with a torn triceps. The team wants him to return if healthy.
-G/C Brett Romberg was added for depth after Todd McClure was injured in training camp. He's not expected to return.
-S James Sanders played in 15 games and made three starts. He provided depth behind Thomas DeCoud and William Moore. He's expected to be re-signed.
-LS Joe Zelenka will get a shot to return, but will face a challenge from a couple of younger long snappers that were signed in the offseason.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
-DT Vance Walker (tendered at $1.26M with seventh-round pick as compensation) is a key member of the defensive tackle rotation and short-yardage defense.
