The Falcons have released guard Vince Manuwai.
After sitting out the entire 2011-12 football season with an injury, Manuwai signed with the Falcons in March. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He started 105 of the 111 games he played in.
It looks as though rookie Peter Konz is definitely the favorite to win the right guard position.
This post is written with a caveat: anything coaches and players say about a minicamp session should be positive. Also, because I was unable to attend any of the public sessions, I’ve compiled these five points using articles from those who’ve actually attended the sessions.
The Falcons have signed four of the six rookies from the 2012 NFL Draft class: guard/center Peter Konz, fullback Bradie Ewing, safety Charles Mitchell, and defensive tackle Travian Robertson.
Konz, formerly of Wisconsin, was selected in the second round (55th overall). Ewing, also from Wisconson, was drafted to replace recently released Ovie Mughelli. Ewing was selected in the fifth round (157th overall). Mitchell was the Falcons’ sixth round draft pick (192nd overall). He played college football at Mississippi State. Lastly, Robertson was the Falcons’ final pick in the seventh round (249th overall). Last season, Robertson was a defensive tackle for South Carolina.
Tackle Lamar Holmes of Southern Mississippi and defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi of Troy remain unsigned.
The members of the 2012 Atlanta Falcons rookie class have selected their jersey numbers:
G/C Peter Konz: 66
OT Lamar Holmes: 76
FB Bradie Ewing: 36
DE Jonathan Massaquoi: 96
S Charles Mitchell: 26
DT Travian Robertson: 92
Also of note: running back Jacquizz Rodgers has selected his new number after tweeting he’ll give #22 to Asante Samuel. Rodgers will now wear #32.
With the 91st overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Falcons selected Lamar Holmes, offensive tackle from Southern Mississippi. Originally slated to pick at 84, the Falcons instead opted to trade down and acquired a fifth-rounder from the Baltimore Ravens.
Holmes is 6-foot-5 and weighs 323 pounds. The selection makes sense, but Holmes will need some grooming before he’s a starter; he wasn’t rated highly.
Both the Falcons’ selections have been offensive linemen (Peter Konz was the first selection). Boring picks, yes, but it’s imperative to build up the offensive line. Quarterback Matt Ryan was under duress a lot last season, and the Falcons have addressed the problem spots at left tackle and right guard.
With the 55th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Falcons selected Peter Konz, center out of Wisconsin.
Konz, at 6-foot-5, 314 pounds, was regarded as the best center in the draft. He also has the versatility to play guard. Likely, he’s the successor for current center Todd McClure, who will retire after this season. There is a chance Konz will be the starter at right guard this season, however.
Although his durability concerns are probably what caused him to drop a bit, the Falcons could potentially go from one mainstay at center to another without skipping a beat.
Konz wasn’t a sexy pick, but he was certainly an important pick.
Also of note: former Falcons tight end Alge Crumper announced the selection.
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