The Atlanta Falcons have had quite the roster shuffle this past week. They made numerous moves, whether it was waiving injured players or signing outside veterans at positions you wouldn't necessarily expect.
The timing of it is odd; the team is about to take the field tomorrow night against the Denver Broncos. You would figure they would've constructed their roster already, allowing these newcomers to adjust before being thrown out to the wolves.
The overall idea is a concerning one as it seems like the front office has waited until the last minute to fill out the roster.
Ian Cunningham's last-minute signings proves the Falcons are panicking
For those who follow the Falcons closely, it has been hard to track who is and isn't on this roster each day. Moves have been made nearly every day; moves that should've been made before training camp started.
Look at all the additions and subtractions they have made since August 4th (so roughly 10 days):
- Signed DT Marlon Tuipulotu
- Placed OLB DeAngelo Malone on reserve/PUP list
- Placed Jalon Walker on IR
- Claimed DB Keidron Smith off waivers
- Released Troy Andersen
- Signed WR Kristian Wilkerson
- Waived LS Phil Florenzo
- Waived/injured OL Jack Nelson
- Signed DE Cameron Sample
- Activated Jawaan Taylor off active/PUP list
- Signed TE Nick Muse
- Waived/injured WR Le'Meke Brockington
- Waived/injured LB Malik Verdon
- Signed RB Trey Sermon
- Signed OG Jaelan Roberts
Some of these moves were reactions to unfortunate circumstances (e.g., Jalon Walker going on the IR with a corresponding move). But many of them are last-minute moves that could've been made a long time ago.
Why was DeAngelo Malone just barely placed on the PUP list? Why was Troy Andersen barely released? Why were Cameron Sample and Nick Muse just signed? You get the point...
The corresponding moves to the subtractions are the issue. Obviously, you have to replace each player who is moved off the active roster. Considering the timing, it isn't fair to the new player; how are they supposed to be prepared to play in a career-defining preseason game in less than a week? Why couldn't they have been signed a month ago?
There are undoubtedly other factors that play into the timing. But you don't see many teams making a flood of moves in early August. This gives the impression that Ian Cunningham is panicking to put together a full roster of players who can compete for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Every team needs good depth, which is found early in the offseason. The Dirty Birds have shockingly waited until days before their preseason kicks off to fill out the best possible roster and the injury bug has them scrambling.
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