Boley, McIntyre, Davis offered tenders

Linebacker Michael Boley, fullback/special teamer Corey McIntyre, defensive tackle Chauncey Davis and punter Michael Koenen were all extended tenders by the Atlanta Falcons, according to rotoworld.com.

These tenders basically protect the Falcons and allow them more time to get these free agents under longterm contracts. Rotoworld.com speculates Boley could be under contract by mid-summer.

Also worth noting: The Falcons had contacted free agent place-kicker Josh Brown this morning about a visit, but Brown has just signed with the St. Louis Rams. Guess the Falcons will have to look elsewhere for a viable kicking option.

Friday afternoon free agent report

Much has happened during the 13 hours since the NFL free agency period officially began. Here's what we know now:

- The Falcons have re-signed quarterback Chris Redman. They will also receive visits from Texans CB Von Hutchins, Titans TE Ben Hartsock and Jets S Erik Coleman. Reports out of Seattle suggest the Seahawks will not sign former TE Alge Crumpler.

- The Eagles and CB Asante Samuel could be close to a deal.

- The Bills have signed Giants LB Kawika Mitchell. Also, the Bills have brought in Jacksonville DT Marcus Stroud for a visit and they're also one of two teams in the running for Jacksonville WR Earnest Wilford. Buffalo will also meet with Tennessee TE Ben Troupe.

- The Jaguars have claimed backup QB Cleo Lemon and WR Troy Williamson. NFL Network's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Jags have also signed WR Jerry Porter.

- Rams PK Jeff Wilkins will retire.

- Dallas has traded DT Nick Ferguson to Miami in exchange for two sixth-round picks. The Dolphins are also expected to offer Cardinals LB Calvin Pace a contract.

- WR Devery Henderson will visit the Bucs today, per FoxSports.com. The Bucs also have scheduled visits with RB Mewelde Moore and DE Marques Douglas.

- The Boston Globe reports Patriots CB Randall Gay will visit the Bucs.

- Former Falcons DT Rod Coleman will visit the Panthers.

- Former Panthers DT Kris Jenkins has been traded to the Jets. Jenkins signed a five-year, $35 million contract, according to ESPN.

- Bengals DB Madieu Williams has reached an agreement with the Vikings, per the Cincinnati Enquirer.

- Cleveland and QB Derek Anderson have finally agreed to terms on a multi-year deal that would most definitely push back the Brady Quinn era. Speaking of the Browns, Pats WR Donte Stallworth is expected to visit.

Final early free agency report

While I'm winding down, the free agency period is starting to heat up. Here are the latest updates:

- The Falcons, ESPN reports, have contacted San Diego RB Michael Turner and PK Josh Brown. The two could visit Atlanta today.

- The Falcons, also per ESPN, could be looking to re-sign QB Chris Redman.

- The Jets and Carolina are apparently working on a deal to send DT Kris Jenkins to New York.

- The Redskins hang on to backup QB Todd Collins.

- Bengals DE Justin Smith will meet with the 49ers.

That's all until later this afternoon. Check in throughout the day for more updates beginning at noon.

3 a.m. free agency update

- San Francisco signed former Panthers running back DeSean Foster to a cheap two-year contract.

- The Niners also signed former Lions QB J.T. O'Sullivan and are rumored to be interested in released WR Isaac Bruce.

- OT Chris Bober was released by the Kansas City Chiefs.

- Texans WR Jerome Mathis was not tendered, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Former Perry star signs with Niners

Perry product Dontarrious Thomas has signed with the San Francisco 49ers early this morning. Thomas played with the Vikings last season.

Another free agency update

2:15 a.m.

- The Minneapolis Star-Tribune is reporting that Randy Moss and the Patriots have all but signed a deal. It appears, no surprise, that Moss is going nowhere.

- DE Corey Simon will meet with the Packers on Monday.

- The Browns re-signed S Nick Sorensen.

- WR Jerry Porter and QB Cleo Lemon will meet with Jacksonville.

- CB Asante Samuel will meet with the Eagles today.

- DT Brian Young and LB Mark Simoneau have re-signed witht the Saints.

- C Jeff Faine has signed with Tampa Bay.

- The terms of the Packers-Browns deal for Corey Williams were released: The Packers will get a second round pick from the Browns.

Falcons LB Williams on the move

Scout.com is reporting that Falcons OLB Demorrio Williams has set up visits with the Bucs, Chiefs and Bears.

More FA news

Here's what I'm hearing at this hour:

- The Jets are going to give Steelers guard Alan Faneca an offer worth around $8 million a year.

- The Eagles have the inside track in getting Patriots CB Asante Samuel

- The Dolphins have agreed to terms with guard Justin Smiley.

- Jevon Kearse is going to get a look from his former team, the Tennessee Titans.

- The Panthers have set up a meeting with DT Tyler Brayton.

- The Saints have contacted the Giants about TE Jeremy Shockey.

- The trade to send LB Jonathan Vilma from the Jets to the Saints is official.

Vilma to Saints, Williams to Browns

It seems the first moves in free agency concern one of Atlanta's division foes. Several media outlets are reporting the Saints are close to a deal with the New York Jets that would send linebacker Jonathan Vilma to New Orleans.

Also, Packers defensive tackle Corey Williams looks to be headed to Cleveland in a trade.

NFL free agency starts tonight!

OK, so I guess I'm a bit of a dork for getting excited for the NFL free agency period, which starts tonight at 12:01 a.m. But the Falcons could be in the mix of teams looking to make an early move once p.m. turns to a.m.

Here are some things to look for:

- Cornerback DeAngelo Hall has made it very clear that he wants out of Atlanta. Along with free agency, tonight marks the first night trades can be made between teams, as well. The Giants and Redskins are interested in the Pro Bowl corner, and a team like the Bills could look to strike a deal if the price is right.

- Linebacker Michael Boley is an unrestricted free agent and could be on his way out of town, as well, if the Falcons don't ink him before this evening. There are a lot of teams that would fall all over each other for Boley's services, so keep an eye out on this front.

I'll be scouring the net tonight for the latest and most up-to-date moves and rumors, so check back frequently to see what the Falcons and the other NFL teams do during the early period.

Clock to free agency period ticking down

My excitement grows as the clock ticks down to free agency. The period begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday morning -- or Thursday night if you want to look at it that way. There will likely be a frenzy once the period begins, and the Falcons could be one of the teams trying to make a late-night move.

Of course, free agency has lost some of its luster since so many good players who were expected to hit the market have been franchise tagged in recent weeks.

So who do you think the Falcons will go after at the start of the period? Will they even make an early move? And how upset would you be if a big name isn't picked up within the first few days?

Coach Belichick, your lack of class is showing

Perhaps it was of little surprise that, as one second still remained on the clock during Super Bowl XLII, New England head coach Bill Belichick made for the locker room. After all, Belichick does absolutely nothing by the book and, when it comes to losing, he's not exactly the poster child for sportsmanship.

But as the Patriots failed to convert a fourth-and-20 with the final seconds ticking away in the New York Giants' 17-14 win, Belichick made his way to midfield to meet with Giants coach Tom Coughlin not knowing that there was still a second on the clock. After shaking hands for a brief moment, the referee informed both coaches that there was still one tick left on the clock. Coughlin retreated to his sideline; Belichick decided he wasn't going to wait it out. A brief camera shot showed Belichick walking toward the locker room while the Giants were setting up for the final kneel to make their win official.

And people wonder why the Patriots are so polarizing? People wonder how anyone can possibly hate or root against the Patriots? This is exactly why. Belichick, regardless of reports that he actually has a soul and a personality off the field, is about as classless as any figure in sports. When Randy Moss left the field early a few years ago, everyone jumped all over him. When Dennis Rodman did the same thing, everyone threw a fit. With everything that happened Sunday night about to sink in, it'd be nice to see the media target Belichick the same way.

In a time when everyone is screaming for accountability, it'd be nice to see Belichick have to answer for why he felt it necessary to snub the better team Sunday night. His Patriots were obviously outplayed and outclassed in Super Bowl XLII, and a little humility would be refreshing. Instead, we get the same old story from Belichick and the same old story from those who are responsible for reporting things of this nature. Bill Belichick is not untouchable and he's not exempt from showing some class. Apparently, he doesn't realize that. But, really, what do we expect from the guy who sparked one controversy earlier this season and is about to be uncovered in the sequel, Spygate II?