SB Nation Atlanta - James Sanders Signs With Atlanta Falcons, Will Compete For Starting Jobhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2011-08-31T15:32:35-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21594432011-08-31T15:32:35-04:002011-08-31T15:32:35-04:00James Sanders To Compete For Atlanta Falcons Starting Spot, According To Report
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<p>Most <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> fans were pleased with the acquisition of former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> safety <span>James Sanders</span>, even though he'd been expected to provide a utility backup role throughout the secondary. Now it seems he's in line to push to start, as <a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2011/8/31/2396095/ajc-james-sanders-competing-for-a-starting-job">Thomas Dimitroff told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a>. [Tweet since deleted, but Falcons fans are discussing the report at the link.]</p>
<p>Sanders has played both strong safety and free safety, and I agree with Dave Choate that <span>Thomas DeCoud</span>'s free safety position could be a likelier fit than <span>William Moore</span>'s strong safety spot. DeCoud has made at least a couple of visible mistakes this preseason -- not that you'd base such a thing strictly on preseason performance. Moore adds value as a run defender and over-the-middle enforcer, meaning his own middlin' pass coverage isn't all that noticeable.</p>
<p>At minimum, this is a little bit of tough talk meant to put some fire into DeCoud and Moore, and that really can't be a bad thing. From what we've heard, if Sanders has to step up, Falcons fans have reason to be confident he can handle just about anything.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more Falcons, head to <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://thefalcoholic.com/">Falcons blog The Falcoholic</a>. For more New England, visit <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://patspulpit.com/">Patriots blog Pats Pulpit</a> and <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://boston.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Boston</a>.</i></span></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/8/31/2396349/james-sanders-falcons-patriotsJason Kirk2011-08-31T08:22:43-04:002011-08-31T08:22:43-04:00James Sanders Signs One-year Atlanta Falcons Contract, According To Report
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<p>Recently released safety <span>James Sanders</span> signed a one-year deal to play for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a> Tuesday night, <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/AdamSchefter/statuses/108724331294625792">Adam Schefter reported</a>, with <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/archerqb16/status/108865477564055552">Falcons radio announcer Dave Archer confirming</a>. Flowery Branch was Sanders' first stop after being cut earlier this week. He was scheduled to stop by the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chiefs</a> next -- both the Falcons and Chiefs have ties to New England's front office.</p>
<p>He was once named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in a game he didn't even start. With three interceptions last year, he reached eight for his career. And he has a solid reputation off the field, once taking less money to stay in New England. People like to hear that kind of thing.</p>
<p>Yes, but could he challenge for the nickel spot?</p>
<p>Sanders has only been listed as a safety during his NFL career, even though he's played both strong safety and free safety. He's started 50 games in that span, appearing in 84. At Fresno State, he made his mark as a strong safety. It looks like this is a move to provide a challenge to the team's two starting safeties, along with some versatile veteran depth and a special teams presence.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more Falcons, head to <a href="http://thefalcoholic.com/" style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Falcons blog The Falcoholic</a>. For more New England, visit <a href="http://patspulpit.com">Patriots blog Pats Pulpit</a> and <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com">SB Nation Boston</a>.</i></span></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/8/31/2395411/james-sanders-atlanta-falcons-contractJason Kirk2011-08-29T20:28:10-04:002011-08-29T20:28:10-04:00James Sanders Meeting With Atlanta Falcons After Patriots Cut, According To Report
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<p>Recently cut Patriots safety is coming in for a visit with the Atlanta Falcons, according to a report.</p> <p>Longtime <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> safety <span>James Sanders</span> will meet with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> on Tuesday, <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2011/8/29/2391542/james-sanders-cut-by-patriots">according to Adam Schefter</a>. <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2011/8/29/2391542/james-sanders-cut-by-patriots">Sanders was cut Monday</a>, a move that caught Pats fans -- and Sanders himself -- off guard.</p>
<p>I don't know a whole lot about Sanders, but <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/TheFalcoholic/status/108260178280972288">The Falcoholic's Dave Choate has been all about him</a> all day long. Atlanta definitely has room for a little veteran presence in its secondary, though I don't think Sanders would be able to challenge for a starting spot with <span>William Moore</span> and <span>Thomas DeCoud</span> in place.</p>
<p>Sanders has 301 tackles in his six NFL years since leaving Fresno State. He was a fourth-round pick who's earned praise from <a href="http://www.patriots.com/mediacenter/index.cfm?ac=videonewsdetail&pcid=42&pid=38089">Bill Belichick for his leadership and intelligence</a>. General manager Thomas Dimitroff was a part of New England's front office during Sanders' early years -- <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/MikeReiss">ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss says</a> he seems to remember Dimitroff being high on the two-time All-WAC defender.</p>
<p><i>For more Falcons, head to <a href="http://thefalcoholic.com">The Falcoholic</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/8/29/2392408/james-sanders-falcons-patriots-cutJason Kirk