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ATLANTA -- The Falcons introduced a new crop of free agent signees Monday saying the group, along with recently re-signed quarterback Chris Redman, will help provide a core of veteran leadership that will take the team to the next level.

Safety Erik Coleman, cornerback Von Hutchins, tight end Ben Hartsock and running back Michael Turner made the trip back to town after spending most of Friday and Saturday with team officials attempting to lure them to Atlanta.

Each signed with the team, making the impact of the weekend festivities one of the day's main topics.

"We targeted these four players and we're very excited about walking away with four contracts in our hand," General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said, adding many of his colleagues from across the NFL have asked how the team was able to woo high-profile players for days at a time.

Dimitroff credits the pro scouting staff and Blank, who is said to have played a significant role in drawing the players to the Falcons.

The four new additions agree.

"We definitely felt like we were back in college on the recruiting trips," said Coleman, who was signed Saturday night after spending the first four years of his career with the New York Jets. "We gained a relationship with each other along with meeting with the coaches and Mr. Blank. We saw it was a great atmosphere for us. Each one of us think we can turn this thing around."

"Atlanta just stepped up to the plate," added Turner.

The running back, who made a name for himself as LaDanian Tomlinson's backup in San Diego, mentioned the team's owner before answering any questions.

"Mr. Blank was a major reason why I decided to come here," he said. "I (also) sat down with (Head Coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey) and they came up with a plan. It fit me."

Turner is one of the biggest names to switch teams this offseason. Though he played a No. 2 role to Tomlinson, he totaled 228 carries for 1,257 yards and six touchdowns while adding 71 receiving yards. He accounted for three of San Diego’s longest 11 rushes in team history (83, 74 and 73 yards) while boasting a 5.5 yards per carry career average.

He said he's excited to have an opportunity to carry more of the load. Dimitroff said the team decided to award the job to Turner instead of looking at a deep running back class because the former Charger is more ready for instant success.

"We were very open to looking toward the draft but we felt like we had an opportunity to get a hold of a guy like Michael," said Dimitroff, who served as the chief college scout for the Patriots before taking over as Falcons general manager earlier this year. "He's very strong. He's one of the most feared runners in the league. He's got a very small target space -- he runs behind his pads very well. He's a passionate runner. Not that there aren't players in the draft that can do that, we just felt right now he was the most accomplished at doing that."

Dimitroff said Turner will be a compliment to returning tailback Jerious Norwood. The two figure to take over as main ball carriers as the team released 11-year veteran Warrick Dunn prior to Monday's briefing.

That spirit of teamwork echoed off the wood-paneled walls of the ballroom that hosted the press conference. The group of free agent additions started developing it when the landed in Atlanta Friday.

"I think it's a wonderful situation as a team," Hartsock said. "That's something exciting to be a part of. This whole trip was extremely impressive... They rolled out the red carpet. Every team wants to do great. Every team has talent. That's what's great about the NFL -- it doesn't take a huge shift to change your paradigm and make something special."

A veteran presence in the "new class of Atlanta Falcons football players," as Dimitroff put it, begins with a renewed sense of leadership. He and others will look to Redman to help provide that spark.

Redman, who re-signed with the team last week after compiling a 1-3 mark as a starter last December, said the Falcons are itching to prove they can rebound a 4-12 season.

"I think we have four guys here that are really going to help our ball club this year," he said. "I think we have a great team. I think we're all hungry to play right now."

"We want to come in here and make a change," Turner said.

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