Ed Jasper to pick Raiders, Jets, or Broncos by Monday

**BoKnowsFootball** · 03-19-2005, 06:45 AM

PRO FOOTBALL: Falcons sign safety, pursue linebacker
Ken Sugiura - Staff
Saturday, March 19, 2005

The Falcons added a piece to their defense Friday and are trying to add another.

The team signed safety Ronnie Heard from the San Francisco 49ers to a one-year contract and are competing with the Seattle Seahawks to land linebacker Edgerton Hartwell of the Baltimore Ravens, considered by many the best linebacker in the free agency market.

"We're in negotiating stages with two teams," said Hartwell's agent, Harold Lewis. "I hope something gets resolved very, very quickly. I know where he wants to go and would like to play."

Hartwell visited the Falcons earlier this month and recently completed a visit with the Seattle Seahawks. Hartwell also visited the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs, but they have signed other linebackers.

Upgrading the defense has been a priority for the Falcons in free agency. Hartwell, a physical run-stuffer who has started for the Ravens for the past three seasons, likely would be the team's biggest purchase in a mostly quiet free agency period.

Heard will compete for one of the starting safety spots. He started 15 games for the 49ers last season.

Defensive tackle Ed Jasper, one of the main cogs of the Falcons' NFC South title season, likely will choose among the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders and New York Jets by Monday. The Falcons are not bidding for Jasper.

The Falcons had also pursued Philadelphia linebacker Keith Adams, a Westlake High grad, but he agreed to re-sign with the Eagles on Friday.

http://www.ajc.com/saturday/content/...1f09d00f0.html

I would take him. Hes a solid DT and a 3 man rotation of him, Sapp, and Washington is ok with me.

**Raidermeister** · 03-19-2005, 07:13 AM

He hasn't played full seasons the last couple years and missed 4 games last year w/ a knee injury. Supposedly also hinted towards retirement this offseason.

He's younger then both Saap and Washington but sounds like a bit of a risk (we're bound to sign one this offseason

). Since Parella's done it makes sense to sign another experienced tackle to add to the rotation.

**Venom72** · 03-19-2005, 07:16 AM

Man, to we need ANOTHER lineman, right now we hav: Sapp, Brayton, Washington, Kelly, Irons, Hamilton, Sands, and now Burgess i think we're pretty shored up at this area LINEBACKERS!!!!!!! that should now be our main focus

**Mr.Murder** · 03-19-2005, 07:17 AM

Oakland's already stacked at End. Jasper will be a Jet. The Broncs can't make any payouts with the cap, and New York needs to replace a DT.

We'll give him a ballpark range for what we can afford, a fair market price for his position as a contributor/rotation spot. It will probably be more than Shanny can pony up for and most likely sends Jasper to NYJ.

**Napo** · 03-19-2005, 08:27 AM

I think he will end up in Oakland. Its seems we are going after alot of D-linemen could this mean a change in our D to a 4-3?? I hope so

**RaiderInNY** · 03-19-2005, 08:29 AM

Wait and see...

**Robadidas70** · 03-19-2005, 09:04 AM

we don't really need him, so He will Become a Raider

**KERRYISTHEMAN** · 03-19-2005, 09:09 AM

I didnt even know we had spoke to the guy

**oakraider** · 03-19-2005, 09:22 AM

why didnt the raiders offer hartwell a jerry porter kind of deal, low base salary but a huge bonus. just imagine our defense..
brayton sapp ted. burgess (rotation. kelly,hamilton)
Sam williams danny clark ed hartwell

pretty awesome front 7, on paper

**Sevendust** · 03-19-2005, 09:27 AM

I think he was a good player...but I hope we dont sign him. I would rather us go after Albert Means in the draft.

**punisher** · 03-19-2005, 09:59 AM

I wonder what the purpose of this signing wouldbe? I will wait and see what happens. With interest.

**raidertilldeath** · 03-19-2005, 10:11 AM

It might happen, with Big Ted at age ~36 we need another NT if we run 3-4. As for the LB's I think Norv will pick them in the 2nd and 3rd of the draft.