Two days ago, Atlanta Falcons fans were looking at the team charging into its regular season with a dime package of Dunta Robinson, Brent Grimes, Thomas DeCoud, William Moore, Chris Owens and Dominique Franks. In two quick moves, the team has upgraded at least part of that set, and maybe even more.
NFL.com's Jason La Canfora reports the Falcons have signed former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kelvin Hayden. While that's not quite a game-changer, a healthy Hayden will provide a much more assuring presence at nickel than would either of the other two options. Not saying he's better at this point in his career and after suffering several injuries, but he's definitely more of a known commodity.
Add that move to the decision to bring in New England Patriots cut James Sanders, who will at least push the team's starting safeties and likely see the field one way or another, and this is about as overhauled as a secondary is going to get in late August.
Hayden and Sanders are like in that both come from winning franchises and both are veterans who still have significant time left in their careers, though the caveat with Hayden is his injury concerns.
Also, Hayden is rated an 85 on Madden 12. Just thought you should know that.
For more on Hayden, head to Falcons blog The Falcoholic and Colts blog Stampede Blue, plus SB Nation Indiana.