The selection of Georgia RB Thomas Brown in the sixth round came with thoughts that he could be a possible kickoff return man. The interesting thing about that is RB Jerious Norwood was one of the best kickoff returners in the NFL last season averaging 25.3 yards per return.

Norwood, one of the fastest players in the NFL, is always a hair away from taking a return the distance, so possibly taking him off of kick-returning duties likely remain in the discussion phase only. However, with Norwood expected to have a much larger role on offense, despite the acquisition of Michael Turner, reducing his risk of injury is a reason why his special teams' role could reduce.

Norwood's durability has been a minor issue, which is why he's not Atlanta's every-down back.

Brown, meanwhile, has the shiftiness, vision and speed to be a very good kickoff man. To make the roster, Brown will have to beat out No. 3 running back Jason Snelling, a big, short-yardage back, who took advantage of the few opportunities given him last season.

Brown's ability to return kicks could give him an edge over Snelling, whose use on special teams is more so that of a blocker.

FRANCHISE PLAYER
None.

TRANSITION PLAYER
None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--PK Morten Andersen is a reliable geriatric kicker that still has some leg left but the signing of Jason Elam takes him out of the picture.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--FS Erik Coleman: UFA Jets; $10M/4 yrs, $2.5M guaranteed.

--K Jason Elam: UFA Broncos; $9M/4 yrs, $3.3M SB.

--DE Simon Fraser: Not tendered as RFA by Browns; terms unknown.

--TE Ben Hartsock: UFA Titans; $9M/4 yrs, $2.5M guaranteed.

--CB Von Hutchins: UFA Texans; $9M/4 yrs, $2.5M.

--FB Corey McIntyre: RFA; $927,000/1 yr.

--DT Rashad Moore: Not tendered as RFA by Patriots; terms unknown.

--DT Kindal Moorehead: UFA Panthers; terms unknown.

--C Alex Stepanovich: UFA Bengals; terms unknown.

--RB Michael Turner: UFA Chargers; $34.5M/6 yrs, $15M guaranteed.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--DT Tim Anderson: UFA; terms unknown.

--LB Michael Boley: RFA; $2.017M/1 yr.

--OL Tyson Clabo: ERFA; terms unknown.

--DE Chauncey Davis: RFA; $927,000/1 yr.

--QB Joey Harrington: FA, had been released by Falcons; $1M/1 yr, $300,000 SB.

--P Michael Koenen: RFA' $1.47M/1 yr.

--QB Chris Redman: UFA; $4M/2 yrs, $2.75M SB.

--NT Montavious Stanley: ERFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

--TE Courtney Anderson: UFA Bills; terms unknown.

--TE Dwayne Blakley: UFA Titans; 1 yr, terms unknown.

--DT Rod Coleman (released).

--S Chris Crocker: UFA Dolphins; 1.15M/1 yr, $300,000 SB.

--TE Alge Crumpler (released).

--RB Warrick Dunn (released).

--WR Jamin Elliott (released).

--OT Wayne Gandy (released).

--CB DeAngelo Hall (traded Raiders).

--QB Byron Leftwich (released).

--S Omare Lowe: UFA Seahawks; $605,000/1 yr.

--CB Lewis Sanders (released).

--LB Marcus Wilkins (released).

--OLB Demorrio Williams: UFA Chiefs; $16M/5 yrs, $5.5M guaranteed.

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