2012 Atlanta Falcons Training Camp Roster Overview: Linebackers

The Falcons' strength the past four years has been their linebacker corps, with star players like Keith Brooking, Curtis Lofton, Sean Weatherspoon and Mike Peterson. The linebacking corps has since lost Lofton, Peterson and Brooking but in doing so, has found other gems that will compete for spots. The Falcons have one of the more talented groups in the NFL and could have multiple Pro-Bowlers on the team in 2012. 

Sean Weatherspoon

2011 Role: Starting weak-side linebacker

2012 Role: Starting weak-side linebacker

Sean Weatherspoon had a breakout year in 2011 and is only going to be much better in the 2012 season with Mike Nolan adding more leadership and responsibility to Weatherspoon's plate. 'Spoon will also be the de facto team captain for the Falcons. 

Stephen Nicholas

2011 Role: Starting strong-side linebacker

2012 Role: Starting strong-side linebacker

Stephen Nicholas is a top-notch run defender at strong-side linebacker, but under new coordinator Mike Nolan, expect Nicholas to add coverage ability to his already solid blitzing skills as well. Nicholas is set as a starter and is one of the veteran leaders in the linebacking corps.

Akeem Dent

2011 Role: Reserve middle linebacker and special teams ace

2012 Role: Competing for the starting middle linebacker job

Akeem Dent is a big reason why the Falcons were OK with letting Curtis Lofton leave for New Orleans. While Lofton was a thumper in the middle, Dent is a bit more varied, as he can cover and blitz from the middle linebacker spot and give Atlanta more versatility on defense.

Lofa Tatupu

2011 Role: Healing up at home from knee injuries

2012 Role: Competing for the starting middle linebacker job

Lofa Tatupu is one of the better linebackers of the last decade; the only issue with that is, he spent 2011 at home resting up his knee injuries. If he can bring the same kind of talent and intensity he brought to the Seahawks, Tatupu will at the very least be the super backup and could even be the starting middle linebacker.

Spencer Adkins

2011 Role: Reserve linebacker and special teams player

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve linebacker and special teams spot

Adkins has earned a spot on the roster as a special teams ace and reserve linebacker the past three years. He has performed admirably when called upon in dire need situations, but is going to be competing for his job as a reserve linebacker with another six players, and only the top two will earn the jobs.

Jerrell Harris

2011 Role: Starting linebacker for Alabama

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve linebacker and special teams spot

Harris was the starting outside linebacker next to Hightower in the Alabama defense. He will compete for the primary reserve strong-side linebacker spot with Adkins. He could also compete for a weak-side linebacker role with multiple other undrafted free agents, and even Matt Hansen.

Max Gruder

2011 Role: Starting linebacker for University of Pittsburgh

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve linebacker and special teams spot

Max Gruder is the University of Pittsburgh's old starting linebacker, and he could very well earn a spot on the roster as a reserve linebacker. The Falcons this year will be having multiple linebackers compete for just two spots, and Gruder will have to perform well to earn one of them.

Pat Schiller

2011 Role: Starting linebacker for Northern Illinois

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve linebacker and special teams spot

Pat Schiller is Northern Illinois' defensive captain from 2011. He has all the ability in the world to end up as 'Spoon's primary backup and should give Robert James a run for his money for the final linebacker spot in the defense.

Rico Council

2011 Role: Starting linebacker for Tennessee State

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve linebacker and special teams spot

Council is a thumping middle linebacker from Tennessee State who could end up as a starting middle linebacker in the NFL one day, but he doesn't look like a good fit for the Falcons past training camp and will fight an uphill battle for a roster spot.

Robert James

2011 Role: Practice squad player and special teams player

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve linebacker and special teams spot

There is a time when a team needs to understand when to just cut their losses. With Robert James, that time came before the 2010 season, and he has still somehow made his way onto not just the practice squad, but finally as a reserve on the roster.

Matt Hansen

2011 Role: Practice squad player

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve linebacker and special teams spot

Matt Hansen was a very solid player in last year's defense at safety in the preseason. Then, the Falcons moved him to his more natural and instinctual spot of linebacker. Hansen flies around the field and could very easily be the new Akeem Dent on special teams this year.