The Atlanta Falcons are coming out of their bye week healthy, but not as healthy as they would like to be. With a win needed in Week 11 to keep postseason dreams alive, the Falcons need their roster to make big improvements against the Indianapolis Colts. While all eyes are on the stalling offense, injuries in the secondary could play a big role. With Williams Moore, Ricardo Allen and Robert Alford all limited this week, is a free agency signing an option?
DJ Swearinger is available after getting released from the Houston Texans. The veteran safety has been a target of the Falcons in the post. The team put in a claim on him back in May, but lost out after eight teams were pushing for him. Now available once again, ESPN's Vaughn McClure writes that Swearinger could be a solid addition for the Falcons, but the team is not likely to make the move. Right now, the Falcons' secondary is banged up and while everyone is expected to be on the field in Week 11, one bad hit could knock someone out. Moore told the media that there is value in adding the safety.
"To be honest with you, I haven't really watched him recently, but if he's still the same player he was at first, he would be an addition to any team," said Moore, via ESPN.com. "I like the way he plays. From what I hear, he has the knowledge for the game. And he's a fierce competitor. If you have smarts to go along with that, you can make it in any system."
Moore, Allen and Alford were all on the practice field while Robenson Therezie is out with a hamstring injury. There is certainly room for Swearinger on the roster with Charles Godfrey bouncing around. McClure writes the Falcons could get him for cheap and have a nice veteran presence on the field to help with a postseason push.
The defense has been good for the Falcons, but not great. The pass rush is looking to have a big game against the Colts who will be starting Matt Hasselback at the quarterback position. Being aggressive off the line is one way the team can really make a move to beat the Colts as Vic Beasley knows he needs to be a player to step up.
"They're trying to switch us up and give us different looks," Beasley said, via ESPN.com. It's whatever is best for the team. I'm trying to rush from the left side, too. I'm trying to become a dynamic player on both sides. It was an adjustment at first, but I'm coming into my own now. I've been having some good rushes over there. I just need to keep improving."
As far as the offense is concerned, Kyle Shanahan told the media he is preparing to feed Julio Jones the ball as much as possible. The receiver said he is not concerned about numbers and simply wants wins. Getting the ball to him will get the Falcons those wins. Roddy White, Leonard Hankerson and Jacob Tamme will also help move the offense down the field, but the Matt Ryan-Jones connection will be the x-factor going forward.
