Falcons place two on 2ndround tenders

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Falcons have placed second-round tenders on safety Ricardo Allen and guard Ben Garland, who are restricted free agents.

Thanks to the $2.9 million tenders, another team signing either player would have to give the Falcons a second-round draft pick. The free agency period begins Wednesday.

Allen started 15 games and had 54 tackles with one interception last season. He has started 46 of 47 games with six interceptions in three seasons.

Garland made his first three starts of his career last season as a fill-in for injured Andy Levitre. He also has seen spot duty at defensive tackle and has four career tackles.

Sherman making adjustments

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Richard Sherman spent seven years tormenting the San Francisco 49ers with his lockdown coverage, colorful trash talk and celebratory turkey eating at midfield.

Now he has decided to join the enemy, signing a three-year contract with the 49ers almost immediately after being let go by the Seattle Seahawks last Friday.

“It’s a little odd to put on a different jersey. I’m sure it will take some getting used to for me,” Sherman said Monday. “I’ve spent a lot of time wearing a red jersey in the Bay, so I’m sure I’ll be able to figure it out.”

The former Stanford star has returned to the Bay Area since he wanted to stay on the West Coast to be close to his parents in Los Angeles and his soon-to-be wife’s family in Seattle.

Getting the chance to stay in the NFC West and play the Seahawks twice each year was an added bonus.

“It definitely had a part of it,” he said. “I’d love to get to play in that stadium again in different colors. I’m going to try my best to ruin their day. I do want a chance to show what I can do out there.”

Sherman, who turns 30 later this month, is coming off an Achilles’ tendon injury that cost him half of the 2017 season. Sherman also had a cleanup surgery on his opposite ankle during the offseason. That led to Seattle’s decision that he wasn’t worth his $13 million salary for 2018.

Miami considers releasing Suh

MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins appear ready to move on without their defensive anchor.

Miami is discussing releasing five-time Pro Bowl tackle Ndamukong Suh when the NFL’s new year begins Wednesday, a person familiar with the situation said Monday. The person said nothing has been finalized, and confirmed the conversations to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins have not commented.

The Dolphins are also expected to release veteran linebacker Lawrence Timmons, the person said.

Suh’s release is anticipated unless he agrees to a significant contract restructuring, which is unlikely. He signed a $114 million, six-year deal with the Dolphins when he joined them in 2015, and his base salary this year would be $17 million.

“Stay tuned,” Suh said in a video posted on Twitter. “There will be some exciting news going on.”