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Falcons court free-agent RB Turner

With limited opportunities to play as LaDainian Tomlinson's backup during four seasons in San Diego, Michael Turner typically cashed in on his opportunities. The Falcons hope he cashes in on the chance they're providing him to become their starting tailback.

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. Jacksonville offensive lineman Maurice Williams also was involved in contract talks with the team.

No deals were completed Friday. Typically, teams and players who open contract talks early in free agency, agree to terms within days, but not always.

That the Falcons are trying to sign Turner (228 carries, 1,257 yards, 6 career TDs) points to the expected release of veteran starter Warrick Dunn, the team's main ball carrier and goodwill ambassador for the past six seasons. If a deal is completed, Dunn likely will be cut immediately to clear nearly $3 million in cap space and to allow him to catch on with another team.

If Turner (5-foot-10, 237 pounds) is signed, the Falcons also likely would pass on Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden in the April 26-27 draft. Atlanta has the No. 3 overall pick and nine selections overall.

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Falcons sort out free agency options

The Falcons' roster needs to be improved, and the team has plenty of money to spend on free agents. Yet, when free agency starts today, the competition will be great for a pool of talent that isn't deep.

"You go through the process year-in and year-out coveting certain players, and in the final hours, it might all be for naught," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "That's a little discouraging."

With the salary cap expected to increase from $109 to $116 million, teams have more money to re-sign their own potential free agents, shrinking the market for talent-strapped, ready-to-spend teams like Atlanta ($17 million under the cap). Other teams have more money to spend (Tampa Bay will be $44 million under the salary cap), fueling the competition for players.

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.

The Falcons want to bolster both positions, and Turner and Williams are among the top players available. The Falcons also hope to land a free safety to replace free agent Chris Crocker, and Cincinnati's Madieu Williams and the New York Giants' Gibril Wilson could be wooed.

Signing Turner or any other potential starting tailback (such as Dallas' Julius Jones) would trigger the release of veteran Warrick Dunn, whose style doesn't fit offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey's smash-mouth scheme. Adding a tailback also would signal the Falcons targeting another position with the No. 3 pick in the April draft.

"I know that we've earmarked some areas for the free-agency period," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Then we'll piggy back that into what we do in the draft."

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Falcons sign three defensive linemen

he Atlanta Falcons today signed three players, including defensive tackles Kindal Moorehead and Rashad Moore and defensive end Simon Fraser.

Moorehead, 6-2, 285 pounds, joins the Falcons after spending the previous five seasons in a Carolina Panthers uniform. In 75 career games, he has totaled 138 tackles (85 solo), nine sacks, three forced fumbles, four passes defensed and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown.

The Alabama alum has competed in all 16 games for the past two seasons and totaled the second multiple-sack game of his career in 2006 against the Falcons in the season finale. In 2004, Moorehead totaled a career-high 50 tackles while his 17-yard interception return for a touchdown against quarterback Brian Griese and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sealed a Panthers 37-20 victory.

Moore, 6-3, 325 pounds, has collared 88 career tackles (61 solo), three sacks, two passes defensed, four fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in four NFL seasons. He was originally drafted by Seattle in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft and spent two seasons with the Seahawks. In 2004, he tallied 46 stops (32 solo), two sacks and three fumble recoveries, which were all career highs.

In 2006, Moore was claimed off of waivers by the New York Jets before joining the New England Patriots last season.

Fraser, 6-6, 300 pounds, spent the last three seasons with the Cleveland Browns and compiled 54 tackles (28 solo), 4.5 sacks, four passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 48 games.

In 2006, the Ohio State graduate totaled 4.5 sacks which ranked second on the defensive unit while contributing with 36 stops, three passes defensed and a blocked extra point against Cincinnati.

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Falcons come to terms with two linemen

The Falcons made two roster moves Monday, re-signing defensive tackle Tim Anderson and signing free agent center Alex Stepanovich.

Anderson, 6-foot-3, 304 pounds, played in five games with the Falcons after signing as a free agent last November. He played four games with Buffalo, who drafted him in the third round out of Ohio State in 2004, last season.

Stepanovich, 6-4, 300 pounds, played in 12 games last season for Cincinnati, starting four. He was drafted out of Ohio State in the fourth round in 2004 by Arizona.

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Falcons sign TE Jason Rader

The Falcons continue to stockpile free agents, signing reserve tight end Jason Rader on Friday.

Rader, a three-year veteran, made one start for Miami last season. He played collegiately at Marshall.

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The Falcons signed place kicker Kevin Lovell Thursday evening to join veteran Jason Elam heading into the 2008 season.

Lovell signed with the St. Louis Rams after a career at the University of Cinicnnati, but was released in the team's first round of roster cuts last August 31. He was signed on May 7, 2007.

Lovell set school records for consecutive extra points by converting 79 in a row and finished with 73 points to lead the Bearcats in 2006. He hit two field goals in the preseason last year before being released.

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