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HOT TOPIC
Five years have passed since Alge Crumpler was drafted with the fourth pick of the second round, 35 spots after the Falcons took Michael Vick in the first overall spot.
At the time, critics howled that Dan Reeves had wasted a high pick on a tight end that the Falcons not only didn't need, but came from a North Carolina system that didn't feature him.
Those who doubted Crumpler ate their words long ago.
He has been to three straight Pro Bowls. He's hard to cover. He's tough to tackle. Any deficiency Crumpler had in his game was eliminated once he learned the nuances of Alex Gibbs' zone-blocking responsibilities.
"In order to become one of the best players at my position, I can't just do a few things really well," Crumpler said. "I have to be really good at everything."
Where Crumpler separates himself from most tight ends, however, is in his ability to understand Michael Vick's mindset and the quarterback's need to improvise on the move. It's no surprise that Crumpler long ago became Vick's favorite receiver.
"We were roommates on the road as rookies," Crumpler said. "There was no doubt that we wanted to build something special here and leave our mark together. It wasn't a 'me-me' thing. It was more about winning a championship here and how we could incorporate everyone in the offense to do their jobs as best they can."
PLAYER NOTES
-- For all the glowing reports about the trade for John Abraham and the huge contract he signed to anchor the right side of the defensive line, what have the Falcons done to address the second most significant problem up front?
Indeed, depth remains a considerable issue.
A significant injury to Abraham or Patrick Kerney will make Chauncey Davis an emergency starter once again. Is there any reason to believe he will have improved much over a substandard rookie year?
"No doubt that Chauncey, (Jonathan) Babineaux and (Darrell) Shropshire are going to be significantly better," head coach Jim Mora said. "Those guys have all worked very hard to get stronger, faster and better during the offseason.
"Obviously, we hope that our starters, Pat and Abraham, stay healthy, but if something happens, these younger guys will step in and do a good job for us. There's a pretty significant growth curve in that second year. At least that's always been my experience."
-- This offseason has been particularly busy for the Falcons' charity efforts. Jim Mora's charity golf tournament, which benefited Special Olympics, raised $500,000 for the second consecutive year. The head coach and his wife, Shannon, last month debuted their Count on Me family foundation.
The Keith Brooking Children's Foundation recently held his third annual Tailgate Kickoff, at a hangar in the Newnan-Coweta County Airport, to benefit foster kids and the organizations that support them.
DeAngelo Hall, whose older brother Kevin was killed in a random drive-by shooting in 1994, launched his foundation, which seeks to educate teen-agers and young adults about ways to eliminate violence. Hall's first All-Pro Football Camps and MVP Sessions took place this weekend in Virginia.
Warrick Dunn's Homes for the Holidays program, which makes the initial down payment and completely furnishes new homes for single mothers, is nationally recognized.
Allen Rossum continues to raise awareness about youth obesity and how related problems can be solved. Rod Coleman, Kevin Mathis and Ed Hartwell work to identify at-risk youth and to raise awareness in communities in which the kids live.
Patrick Kerney, whose older brother Thomas was killed in the line of duty as a police officer, raises scholarship funding for children who have lost a parent who made a living in law enforcement.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--S Keion Carpenter (not tendered June 1).
--QB Ty Detmer (not tendered June 1).
--S Antuan Edwards (not tendered June 1).
--DE Erik Flowers (not tendered June 1).
--S Ronnie Heard (not tendered June 1).
--PK Todd Peterson (not tendered June 1).
--DE Constantin Ritzmann (not tendered as ERFA).
--LB Artie Ulmer (not tendered June 1).
--WR Dez White (not tendered June 1).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--G/C Ben Claxton.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--TE Dwayne Blakley: ERFA; $425,000/1 yr.
--WR Brian Finneran: UFA; $8M/4 yrs, $3M SB.
--C Austin King: ERFA; $500,000/1 yr.
--DT Antwan Lake: RFA; terms unknown, had been tendered at $721,600.
--DB Omare Lowe: Not tendered as RFA; terms unknown.
--FB Fred McCrary: Potential UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--WR Jerome Pathon: UFA; terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--DE John Abraham: Franchise FA Jets/trade; $45M/6 yrs, $18M guaranteed.
--S Chris Crocker: Trade Browns.
--OT Wayne Gandy: Trade Saints.
--S Lawyer Milloy: FA Bills; $6.01M/3 yrs, $2.5M SB; 2006 cap: $1.643M.
PLAYERS LOST
--S Kevin McCadam: UFA Panthers; terms unknown.
--S Bryan Scott: Traded Falcons.
--OT Kevin Shaffer: UFA Browns; 6 yrs, terms unknown.
--DE Brady Smith (released; failed physical/toe).
--OT Barry Stokes: UFA Lions; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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