Sep 11, 2011; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive back Chris Hope (24) during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Fernando Medina-US PRESSWIRE

Chris Hope isn’t necessarily going to dramatically change the fortunes of the Atlanta Falcons in the 2012 season. He hasn’t really changed any teams fortunes in the last three to four years. However he does bring one thing to the table that the Falcons could use: veteran leadership.

I apologize for not writing an update on the Falcons signing Hope until this point, but I haven’t been able to figure out my own feelings on the signing up to this point. The Falcons certainly had a need at the safety position going forward. The Falcons signed Safety James Sanders to a 1 year contract for the 2011 season, but he left in free-agency during this off-season. That left the Safety depth chart for the Falcons as William Moore at strong safety, Thomas DeCoud at free safety, and….Shann Schillinger. Sure, the Falcons drafted Charles Mitchell in the 6th round in this year’s draft, but he’s absolutely not ready to be playing on a regular basis (if Moore of DeCoud were to be injured), and there is no guaranteeing that he will ever be ready to start at safety for the Atlanta Falcons. But I digress.

The point here is that the Falcons needed a safety who filled two criteria: 1) Could step in at a safety position if one of the starters were injured and 2) would bring a veteran leadership to the team. That is exactly what Chris Hope will bring to the Falcons.

Hope is extremely durable. He has started 16 games a season every season until last season, when he lost his regular starting job to Jordan Babineaux. Even in 2010 he posted 101 tackles, a sack, an interception, and 5 passes defended. Hope was never spectacular, but he was solid. He also started at FS during Super Bowl XL, where he had 3 tackles and a pass defended. That is playing football on the highest level, and hopefully his understanding of how to go about his business and tough mentality in clutch situations will rub off on the Falcons young safeties.

The Falcons seem to have a mental block once they get to the playoffs. Even though Hope is not going to be a huge defensive playmaker for the Falcons now or ever, bringing in a tough minded player who can give his Falcon teammates a perspective of someone who has played for a championship.

December 26, 2011; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank walks the field before their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE

After this past weekend’s Rookie Mini-camp during which Peter Konz, Travian Robertson, Bradie Ewing and Charles Mitchell all signed their rookie contracts, and three tryout players were signed, the Falcons 2012 Rookie Class will undergo a rookie orientation today, something the Falcons call ‘Falcons U’.

The point of the event is similar to the NFL’s rookie symposium. It is designed to impress upon the rookies the importance of being humble, adjusting to life in the NFL, and emphasize the values of the individual franchise. The Falcons invite a number of speakers within the organization and from other places to speak to the rookies. Arthur Blank, Thomas Dimitroff, and several others will speak to the rookies and field questions they may have about any life or on the field adjustments they will have to make.

The great thing about this event is that its primary focus is on off-field life. Obviously as fans we are looking out for the bottom line, which for the fans comes in the form of wins. There were a couple items such as Mr. Blank saying that “every rookie has told me the season is longer, and the game is faster.” There has also been items mentioned such as that the Falcons expect a 100% commitment during the Monday-Saturday period of the week and not simply on Sundays. But there have been other things mentioned. Seizing every opportunity, not settling for playing backup, working your hardest, putting the team before yourself.

The Falcons are also doing their part to help the players make the adjustment easy. Mr. Blank mentioned three things that were truly striking. First, every person needs to have balance in their lives, that it is important to spend time with your family, on religion, and being the best person you can be. Secondly, the Falcons organization made themselves available. Mr. Blank’s words were that “We care about you as more than just football players. We will do everything we know how to do to help you.” The third thing he mentioned was that without the fans, the NFL would simply be teams of 11 guys going out and playing Sandlot football. He emphasized that each player remember this when asked for autographs or when interacting with fans.

I think this effort made by the Falcons to be there in every capacity for each player is excellent. The Falcons clearly are asking for quality people and quality family men for their organization; I think that is only right. The realization that the players must do everything they can to help the team is obvious, but the team also must do everything they can to make help the player. Also emphasizing the importance of the fan for the team is crucial. It is something that all Falcons fans should take pride in: we have a team that really appreciates us and is doing everything to make our experience better for us. The Atlanta Falcons care about the people who are playing the game, and they care greatly for the fan that consumes their product.

Sep 17, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Peter Konz (66) blocks during the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Soldier Field. Wisconsin defeated Illinois 49-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

The Falcons had a productive draft this year, despite the fact that they traded away their 1st, 4th, and 7th round picks. Here are the newest members of the Atlanta Falcons:

Round 2- Center, Peter Konz- Wisconsin. Konz is a fine player from a Wisconsin offensive line that routinely produces NFL talent. Konz is by far the best center in the draft, and the virtue that the Falcons picked him up late in the 2nd round shows that the Falcons got very good value for him. He also fulfilled a great need for the Falcons. The NFL Network’s Mike Mayock called Konz ‘a plug and play offensive lineman who will start in Atlanta from day 1.’ Konz wasn’t a flashy pick, but he was as solid as they come.

Round 3- Offensive Tackle, Lamar Holmes- Southern Mississippi. Holmes is a huge offensive lineman, and played both left and right tackle in junior college before he transferred to Southern Miss, where he played exclusively left tackle. Holmes is a grinder, and brings nastiness and tenacity to the tackle position that the Falcons don’t get from Sam Baker. However, he is not a polished product, and could do with a lot more instruction. That’s perfect for the Falcons because they just hired Pat Hill as their new O-Line coach and he will work a lot with Holmes. At this stage he is a better pass- protector with good feet to beat the edge-rusher, and the Falcons believe the rest will come with this developmental prospect.

Round 5- Fullback, Bradie Ewing- Wisconsin. Ewing is a solid fullback in the most traditional sense of the word. He doesn’t get many carries or many receptions, and that is just fine. The fact that there isn’t much to say about his is exactly what makes him good: he punishes defensive players, and opens up holes for the runningbacks on the ground. As evidences by the huge numbers put up by Wisconsin runningbacks over the past couple years, Ewing is pretty good at his job, and will one day replace Ovie Mughelli.

Round 5- Defensive End, Jonathan Massaquoi- Troy. Massaquoi was a player who turned in great seasons, but in his final season at Troy he turned in what scouts called an ‘average’ season. He is clearly not a transcendent talent moving into the NFL. I do think that he is a good role player who the Falcons will be able to call upon in much the same way they called on Kroy Biermann to rotate in with John Abraham and Ray Edwards to keep the defensive line fresh.

Round 6- Safety, Charles Mitchell- Mississippi State. Mitchell was at one time a safety at Mississippi State before the coaching staff turned him into a safety. My personal belief is that he is better suited to being a Strong Safety in the NFL, and even then only as a backup. However, backup depth is crucial at all positions, and given the injury histories of Thomas DeCoud and William Moore, having another person who can play in a pinch makes all the difference in the world.

Round 7- Defensive Tackle, Travian Robertson- South Carolina. Robertson is another solid rotation player who will probably not provide much more than depth along their defensive line. Robertson also did not produce huge numbers during his college career, but he was better at holding the point of attack and eating up blocks, allowing the linebackers and other defenders to make the tackle. Robertson isn’t going to be a starter, but again, depth on the defensive line is essential to winning in the NFL.