If the Atlanta Falcons are going to make a move before the NFL trade deadline, they better do it quickly. The Falcons are currently sitting at 2-6 looking poised to put together back-to-back losing seasons. While the Falcons have a lot of issues on hand at the moment stemming from numerous injuries across the board, a trade or two could help at least get the team competitive considering they are alive in the NFC South with how bad the other three teams are playing. Will Thomas Dimitroff make a move?
According to NFL reporter Jason Cole of SBNation.com, the Falcons look poised to be sellers at the deadline. Steven Jackson could be on his way out as could Osi Umenyiora. Both veterans have expiring contracts and while their stats are not impressive at the moment, their names still hold enough weight to garner some sort of interest and return. Jackson's stats can be credited towards a depleted offensive line which is struggling to keep Matt Ryan upright much less get a run game going. Umenyiora is the lone pass rusher on the defense and has taken a smaller role with each game.
The Falcons could use defensive help. NFL Media's Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Oakland Raiders have made Justin Tuck available. The defensive end is signed to a two-year contract, but the Raiders are making it clear that at the right price, he is available. The Falcons are in desperate need of a productive pass rusher. Umenyiora is simply not getting the job done and the result is no pressure getting to the opposing quarterback. Linebacker Tamba Hali could also be an option.
The Falcons will not shop a marquee player that could help build for the future and they likely will not give away franchise stars. Any idea that someone like Roddy White is headed out the door is far-fetched. Desmund Trufant is going nowhere. The falcons could try and shop Devin Hester who is having a career-resurgence of sorts, but even that appears unlikely. Owner Arthur Blank notes that the team explores all options to improve the roster, but never favors-midseason deals.
"Once the season starts, it's not easy to make those changes because the chemistry is kind of set in the locker room," Blank said, via ESPN.com. "You can move it and change it and the coaches can motivate it differently. But players, they are used to working in certain schemes both offensively and defensively. It's not as easy to drop players in and out as it might be in other sports. If you're playing golf, you might be able to drop someone else into the foursome to go out and play because chemistry doesn't make a lot of difference. In this sport, it makes a huge difference."
Atlanta simply needs to start playing to their talent level. For as many injuries as the team has, they also have just as many mistakes. Dropped passes and blown coverages have plagued them in recent weeks. If not, Atlanta can guarantee themselves another top-five pick.
