FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Today's Early Bird Report includes a report that Dontari Poe will sign with the Carolina Panthers and the sad news that Saints owner Tom Benson has passed away.
Enjoy!
FALCONS HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
ESPN: Dontari Poe leaves Falcons, reaches deal with Panthers
After signing a one-year deal with the Falcons last offseason, defensive tackle Dontari Poe has reportedly reached a three-year agreement with an NFC South rival, the Carolina Panthers.
The news was first reported in a tweet by Kimberly A. Martin of The Washington Post and later confirmed by other outlets, including ESPN’s Vaughn McClure.
Among the top defensive tackles in the game, Poe will be a nice addition for the Panthers along their defensive line, replacing Star Lotulelei, who left in free agency and signed with the Buffalo Bills.
During his season in Atlanta, Poe started all 16 games and registered 39 tackles, 10 quarterback hits four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Here are more articles for Falcons fans:
BIGGEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE NFL
NFL.com: Saints owner Tom Benson passes away at 90
Amid the news from the second day of free agency was the passing of beloved Saints owner of Tom Benson, who was 90 years old.
Benson, owner of both the Saints and the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans, was a central figure in helping the city recover after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Falcons owner Arthur Blank issued a statement on the passing of his fellow league owner calling him a "pillar" of the NFL and a "champion of his beloved New Orleans his entire life."
NFL.com's Judy Battista wrote a detailed account of Benson’s life and the impact he had on his community, which I recommend you check out.
Here are some more articles from around the league:
- The Ringer: Underpaid QBs will define the NFL offseason
- ESPN: 10 free agents who landed in the perfect spot
- CBS Sports: Raiders add Nelson, cut Crabtree
