Atlanta Falcons miss out on Derrick Morgan – What Now?
Sep 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) is chased by Tennessee Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Tennessee won the game 26-10. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
After watching the pass rusher market thin out over the past few days, many Atlanta Falcons fans pinned their hopes on former Tennessee Titans OLB Derrick Morgan as the impact signing our defense needed. Unfortunately, that dream is now over as, per Vaughan McClure, Morgan’s agent has suggested he is out of the Falcons plans.
So there goes Orakpo, guys. And Derrick Morgan's agent confirms out of Falcons plan. Falcons have Clayborn, Schofield,rookie rusher coming.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) March 13, 2015
This is disappointing for several reasons, especially because of how few edge rushers remain available for Atlanta to pursue.
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What looked an absolutely stacked pass rushing market was affected by several teams bringing back potential free agents, and as such the Atlanta Falcons never really had a shot at the Justin Houston’s, Jason Pierre Paul’s or Jerry Hughes’ of the world. Throw in the shock retirement of 27 year old Jason Worilds, and what was once a promising group had been slashed before the Falcons could even open the chequebook. Despite the signing of Adrian Clayborn and O’Brien Schofield, the pass rush is still one of the most glaring weaknesses of this team, and certainly needs to be addressed for Dan Quinn’s defense to have any sustained success in 2015. Where now can the Atlanta Falcons turn to fix the dire pass rush situation?