Falcons Trade Rumors

"Unless an 11th-hour trade materializes, disgruntled Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn will report for training camp Friday, when all players are required to check in at team headquarters in Flowery Branch. The Falcons open training camp Saturday morning. "We will do everything that is mandatory," Horn's agent, Ralph Vitolo said Thursday morning. "He'll be ready to roll. He's under contract and unless he's traded, Joe will be there, he'll work hard, be professional and compete for a starting job." Said coach Mike Smith: "I'm expecting Joe to be there. He's under contract and we anticipate him to be there. I don't anticipate anybody not being there. I anticipate our full complement of players ..."

"With less than 30 hours before the Falcons open training camp, the team has officially entered the %u2018Holdout Zone%u2019. After turning the first round upside down with the $72 million signing of quarterback Matt Ryan, the Falcons appear to be waiting for the market to settle around left tackle Sam Baker (21st overall) and second round middle linebacker Curtis Lofton. It%u2019s not big deal if they don%u2019t report with the rest of the squad between 2-5 p.m. on Friday, but it%u2019s absolutely imperative that both of the rookies are on the field at 8:30 a.m. Saturday for the first practice. Both could land starting spots, but need the action so they can earn their spots and win the ..."

"Let's dream a little. That's because none of the following ever will happen for so many reasons, but what the heck? Brett Favre wants to play again, and if you read between the lines of what his former bosses in Green Bay aren't saying, they don't want him back. They want to start fresh at quarterback with the Aaron Rodgers regime. They want Favre to keep his word after last season about retiring - at least from the Packers. So, since Favre still wants to play (and he should after a splendid 2007 despite his 38-year-old arm), he will have to do so somewhere else in the league. See where I'm going? In this wacky dream of mine, Favre would go back to the future and return to the same ..."

"Despite veteran wide receiver Joe Horn wanting to be traded, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said there is nothing doing on that front. Horn's agent has been cleared to gauge interest in Horn with other teams but, as of now, there are no takers. The Dallas Cowboys, who could be in need of a veteran wide receiver if Terry Glenn (knee) isn't medically cleared, were one of the teams queried by Horn's agent, but there hasn't been any talk between Dallas and Atlanta about a deal."

"The Cowboys hope to settle the Glenn situation by training camp in late July, so Jones said it ends any search for a veteran wide out. A source told ESPN.com that acquiring Joe Horn from the Atlanta Falcons was a possibility to fill the position if Glenn did not return. Glenn played in one regular-season game last season because of two knee surgeries. Doctors told Glenn he needs microfracture surgery, but the receiver said an MRI taken a few weeks ago revealed his knee is fine."

"With no Dorsey, Rod Coleman gone (released) and Trey Lewis injured (knee), Atlanta is going to use a defensive tackle rotation that will include Babineaux, Stanley, Rashad Moore and Kindal Moorehead. Moore (6 feet 3, 325 pounds) could be used at nose tackle in run situations unless a veteran free agent, like Grady Jackson, is added. Moorehead and Stanley could play either tackle spot."

"Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said that there have been preliminary contract discussions between the team and agents for the 11 draft picks. Negotiations are not expected to get serious for a few weeks, Dimitroff said."

"Brian Xanders, a young but experienced NFL executive assistant, has reached an agreement on a three-year contract to become the Broncos' new assistant general manager, an NFL source confirmed. After spending the past 14 years with the Atlanta Falcons as a coach, evaluator, contract negotiator and salary capologist, Xanders, 37, will give Shanahan a new perspective and voice."

"The Falcons have received permission to interview two Baltimore Ravens executives for an assistant director of player personnel position, according to a person familiar with the situation. The team is set to interview Baltimore assistant director of pro personnel Vincent Newsome and Baltimore national scout Lionel Vital."

"With the highest level of their executive branch thinned since the dismissal of general manager Ted Sundquist last month, the Broncos are hoping Brian Xanders can bolster their front office. Several league sources with knowledge of the situation say Xanders, who has spent the past 14 seasons as a coach and executive with the Atlanta Falcons, has been offered the opportunity to join Jim and Jeff Goodman as the Broncos' top three front-office assistants to Mike Shanahan, who is in charge of the organization's football operations."

"There is "a good chance" that Jeremy Shockey will be part of a trade that ends his tenure with the Giants on Saturday, according to a league source familiar with the team's situation. The Saints remain the most likely suitor for the tight end in a draft-day deal, with growing interest from the Falcons among others."

"One source also indicated that other teams have expressed an interest in Shockey, although none more than the Seahawks and Saints. The source did not say who those teams were, but one possibility is the Atlanta Falcons, who are looking to replace tight end Alge Crumpler."

"Milloy would not say whether he was seeking a new contract or more compensation, claiming he has to focus on doing what he can to help the team, not himself. With the departure of so many veterans on offense, the leadership responsibility seemingly falls to Horn, a 12-year veteran wide receiver who signed with Atlanta last summer and started most of the season, producing marginal results (27 catches, 243 yards, one TD)."

"D.J. Shockley jogged from drill to drill Monday at the Falcons' first mini-camp of 2008. At every stop he could only watch fellow quarterbacks Chris Redman and Joey Harrington take all the snaps."

"Reconstructing his team after a 4-12 season was required to change the direction of the franchise, according to Falcons owner Arthur Blank. In an interview at the NFL annual meeting with AJC Falcons beat writer Steve Wyche, Blank spoke about his inability to establish franchise stability, his hands-on involvement and whether he thinks imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick will play with the Falcons again."

"Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall flew to Oakland on Wednesday and met with Raiders managing general partner Al Davis, as well as other front-office types and coaches, in an attempt to complete a trade with Oakland. Hall arrived around noon, according to two people in the front office, and was escorted to the Raiders' year-round facility in Alameda, where he met with defensive backs coach Willie Brown and others in advance of a meeting with Davis. The Raiders didn't issue any official statement on Hall's visit, as is their custom during negotiations."

"They might be minor details, but the major player for the Raiders wants to get them straightened out. Raiders owner Al Davis was set to meet with Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall on Wednesday to expedite an agreement on a new contract so a much-discussed trade for the two-time Pro Bowl selection can be completed."

"Hall, a two-time Pro Bowler with Atlanta, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday that he is close to finalizing terms on a new contract with Oakland. The deal will set in motion an agreed upon trade in which the Falcons would receive two selections in the April 26-27 NFL draft."

"The Raiders and cornerback DeAngelo Hall have made "significant progress" toward renegotiating his contract in one of the final steps needed to complete a trade with Atlanta, a person familiar with the talks said."

"Negotiations between the Raiders and DeAngelo Hall moved forward Tuesday, though a renegotiated contract is holding up a proposed trade of the cornerback from the Atlanta Falcons to Oakland, according to people familiar with the process."

"The Raiders are on the verge of having one of the NFL's most expensive defensive backfields. Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he would fly to Oakland today to iron out details of a new contract with the Raiders."

"If proximity counts, Jason Elam is closer to becoming an Atlanta Falcon than he is a Denver Bronco. Way closer. Elam, the Broncos' kicker the past 15 seasons, is in Atlanta visiting with the Falcons."

"So with free-agent kicker Jason Elam scheduled to visit the Atlanta Falcons today and Thursday, the owner was asked whether he might get involved again, particularly if the scenario appeared likely he would be losing a player who has been splitting uprights with regularity for the franchise for the past 15 years... The Broncos mainly are focusing on the draft but remain intrigued by the potential acquisition of New York Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, though no deal appears imminent."

"The Falcons' roster overhaul could include Denver free-agent placekicker Jason Elam. Though the Brookwood High product is 38 years old - old by NFL standards - he's a relative spring chicken in comparison to Morten Andersen, 47, who has been Atlanta's field goal kicker the past two seasons."

"The trade of Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall to Oakland is nearly final as Hall and the Raiders moved closer to a new contract Monday, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The trade for the Pro Bowler could be consummated in a day or two after gaps in contract talks moved very close to being bridged."

"The Falcons' roster overhaul could include Denver free-agent placekicker Jason Elam. Though the Brookwood High product is 38 years old - old by NFL standards - he's a relative spring chicken in comparison to Morten Andersen, 47, who has been Atlanta's field goal kicker the past two seasons. Elam, who has spent all 15 of his NFL seasons with the Broncos, will visit the Falcons Wednesday. Elam is an unrestricted free agent with 1,786 career points and a share of the NFL record (63 yards) for the longest field goal."

"The Falcons could be close to trading defensive back DeAngelo Hall to the Oakland Raiders for second- and sixth-round picks in the April draft, according to a person close to the negotiations. Hall, who denied the deal was close earlier Saturday, reportedly was in Oakland on Friday to meet with Raiders officials."

"The Raiders reportedly have a trade in the works for Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall, a highly regarded cover man who also has made a name for himself as a troublemaker."

"The Oakland Raiders all but locked up Nnamdi Asomugha for next season by tendering him a one-year contract last month. Now, they are working on a trade that would add DeAngelo Hall from the Atlanta Falcons and team him with Asomugha to form one of the league's top cornerback tandems."

"The Raiders have agreed in principle to trade their 2008 second- and sixth-round draft picks to the Atlanta Falcons for two-time Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall, confirmed a source speaking anonymously because he is not authorized to speak for the team."

"It was a well-recognized fact that the two NFL franchises most in need of being deconstructed were the ones we live with daily. It is why, assuming that the DeAngelo Hall-to-Oakland rumors end up being true, our two franchises have been so hyperactive with their rosters and wallets."

"After a series of contract proposals were exchanged this week, the Broncos and kicker Jason Elam have decided to at least temporarily part ways Elam will visit the Atlanta Falcons next week. There's a good chance Elam will know Thursday night where he will be employed in 2008."

"It will be old home week for Jason Elam. Whether his trip Wednesday and Thursday to the Atlanta Falcons will be enough to lure him to the state in which he spent his formative years remains to be seen. But it will be the first free-agent visit for the Broncos' longtime kicker, whose contract talks with Denver are at a standstill."

"Say the Falcons crave Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, and why wouldn't they in the meltdown that started in the dog days of Michael Vick? Parcells could dangle the top pick and Ricky, too, in exchange for a swap in the draft order and a bonus second-round pick... And don't tell me that Jerry Jones wouldn't be willing to rethink his stated opposition to trading the 22nd and 28th picks in the first round for a guaranteed hit on McFadden."

"The Falcons could re-sign recently released quarterback Joey Harrington as soon as next week, according to a person with knowledge of the situation."

"The Falcons could be getting some help to re-stock their depleted defensive tackle position. Carolina free agent Kindal Moorehead was scheduled to meet with team officials Thursday and take a physical before the weekend, according to a person familiar with the situation ."

"Carolina free-agent defensive tackle Kindal Morehead was scheduled to visit Atlanta and is expected to sign a multi-year deal there. Carolina apparently wasn't interested in re-signing him."

"Top free-agent target Michael Turner watched the Arena Football League season debut of the Georgia Force Saturday with Falcons owner Arthur Blank, coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff. The steady backup to San Diego All-Pro tailback LaDainian Tomlinson is considered the best running back in free agency."

"The Bucs might be waiting for more players to shake out of the tree. Broncos receiver Javon Walker was released Friday. The Falcons plan to release running back Warrick Dunn as soon as they find a replacement."

"The thinking is that if Turner signs with Atlanta, former Buc Warrick Dunn will be released. If that happens, the Bucs could make a play on Dunn, whose loss has been lamented by Bucs coach Jon Gruden since it happened seven years ago. Another top-level player on the Bucs' radar is wide receiver Bryant Johnson (Cardinals)."

"The Falcons spent Friday, the first day of free agency, wooing Turner, who is considered the top running back available. Tennessee free agent tight end Ben Hartsock also met with the Falcons, and Jacksonville offensive lineman Maurice Williams was involved in contract talks with the team."

"The Chiefs have desperate needs at several positions, but their first free-agent visitor plays in a spot where they appear set. Atlanta linebacker Demorrio Williams arrived Friday to meet with Chiefs officials. If they sign Williams, 27, he could replace Napoleon Harris as a starter."

"For those players whose contracts expire, that's a good thing. They're about to cash in, even though they might not have been starters or full-time players, such as San Diego running back Michael Turner and Jacksonville offensive lineman Maurice Williams. Both could be targets of the Falcons."

"1. Alan Faneca: The guard started 153 of 158 games for Pittsburgh. Arizona, with former Steelers coaches Russ Grimm and Ken Whisenhunt, is the likely destination. No chance"

"That leads to one name that has surfaced prior to free agency that has piqued the interest of the Giants. Falcon corner back DeAngelo Hall is not a free agent, but he is on the trading block. He says the chances he'll return to Atlanta are "slim and none.""

"One year and one Super Bowl championship later, Mara is a believer in Reese's free-agent strategy. And he won't be nervous over the next few weeks if the Giants decide to take a passive approach to the market again... Reese is an aggressive GM who makes calls about almost everyone - including cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who is being shopped by the Atlanta Falcons."

"Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall spent the week attending the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis because he dreams of running a team's draft room one day. But Hall, who has made it clear he wants to play for another team in 2008, has not met with the Cowboys, nor has the team had talks with the Falcons or his agent."

"There are at least two teams picking in the Top 5 that could be potential trade partners for the Bengals. That would be the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 3 pick and Kansas City Chiefs with the No. 5 pick. The Bengals organization may have a better chance of convincing the Chiefs' Powers That Be to swap places due to the close relationship that Marvin Lewis and Herm Edwards share."

"Falcons coach Mike Smith said Saturday that he was disappointed that cornerback DeAngelo Hall feels the team has "betrayed" him by entertaining trade offers."

"Which means this off-season could see the Giants involved in free agency as well as the trade market. Already they have been tied to cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall of Atlanta and Marcus Trufant of Seattle, players who would have to be obtained via trade."