The Falcons wasted no time dipping their toes into the free agent market, signing free-agent cornerback Dunta Robinson to a six-year, $57 million contract on Saturday.

Robinson, an Athens, Ga., native, made an immediate splash telling AJC beatwriter D. Orlando Ledbetter that he was “the best cornerback in the National Football League.”

What a way to make a first impression, Mr. Robinson.

The 28-year-old former South Carolina Gamecock had 13 interceptions, four sacks and 333 tackles in his first four seasons with the Houston Texans.

He hopes to fill a void in the Atlanta secondary, which finished 28th in the league against the pass last season.

In other offseason news, Chris Redman will continue to back up Matt Ryan at quarterback. He signed a two-year, $5.6 million deal. CB Brian Williams will try to battle back from knee surgery in an Atlanta uniform after signing a one-year, $1.6 million deal.

Atlanta also inked CB Brent Grimes and long snapper Joe Zelenka to contracts. Grimes lead the team with six interceptions last season.

The Falcons parted ways with WR James Swinton, who was on the practice squad last season, and traded Chris Houston to Detroit for a 2010 sixth-round pick. The teams also swapped fifth-round picks under the deal.

Houston struggled at times last season, recording one INT in 12 games. He has three interceptions and one forced fumble in 44 career games with the Falcons.

-- PHIL FOLEY
NFL Blog Blitz powered by SportsFanLive.com