Atlanta Falcons sign Bear Pascoe

Sep 30, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Giants tight end Bear Pascoe (86) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.The Eagles defeated The Giants 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Giants tight end Bear Pascoe, per Jay Adams of atlantafalcons.com.  Earlier today, the team was reportedly working out Pascoe, so the veteran TE must have performed well, as this deal was reached quickly.

Pascoe was a sixth round pick of the 49ers in 2009, but made his NFL debut with New York later that season, where he spent his career up until now. With the G-Men, he played mostly as a blocking tight end, and was second on the depth chart behind Jake Ballard, Martellus Bennett and last season, Brandon Myers. In his career, he has 38 total catches.

With Tony Gonzalez retired, we knew the Falcons would have a new tight end for 2014, and Pascoe will be there, but probably not the starter. He’s a capable NFL tight end, and at 6-5, can create interesting red zone mismatches, but for an offense that been heavy on a receiving TE for Matt Ryan’s whole career, I doubt the Falcons see Pascoe as a 40 or 50-catch guy.

By signing a veteran blocking tight end, this is a needed attempt for the Falcons to get tougher on the line. We know about the skills on the outside with Julio Jones and Roddy White, but what good is that when Matt Ryan is scrambling for his life? If you’re worried the Falcons are trying to stretch Pascoe into a receiving tight end, don’t be. They have the pass catchers already, now they’re working on the protection.