All is quiet on free agency front
All is quiet on the free agency front.
Over the first weekend, the Falcons lost three starters – Keith Brooking to Dallas, Michael Boley to New York Giants and Domonique Foxworth to Baltimore.
Safety Lawyer Milloy and defensive end Chauncey Davis are still out there.
The Falcons are clearly taking a low-key approach to free agency.
GM Thomas Dimitroff told us at the combine that the Falcons would not be major players in free agency. They are clearly not going after any top of the line free agents.
We’ll just keep working the phones and see what’s shaking this week.
Eagles’ tight end L.J. Smith’s name keeps coming up, but his agent Brian Mackler hasn’t confirmed anything on him. Mackler was busy getting Foxworth’s deal done. He also has former UGA and Cleveland Browns safety Sean Jones, who had a quiet weekend in the free agency game.
A couple of other names to keep an eye on are Colts linebacker Freddy Keiaho and Buffalo linebacker Angelo Crowell.
It’s been all quiet on the Derrick Brooks’ front, too.
Agent Drew Rosehaus in Miami has Jacksonville defensive end Paul Spicer, who has connections to the staff.
Are you a little disappointed that the Falcons have not make any moves in free agency?
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137 comments Add your comment
Big Tee from the West Side
March 2nd, 2009
12:20 pm
No I’m not bothered by it but I would like to see us get a Sean Jones, Jermaine Phillips, Gerald Sensabaugh, Bertrand Berry, or Paul Spicer because we do need help at those positions. As far as linebackers I’m cool on whatever they decide but personally I would love to see them give Stephen Nicholas a serious look because he’s a bonafide beast.
Susette
March 2nd, 2009
12:20 pm
Foxworth NO NO NO NO Brookings should have been gone he can’t tackle no-one!!!! Lets just see what we get during the DRAFT!!!!!!!
Susette
March 2nd, 2009
12:21 pm
Enter your comments here
Marcos
March 2nd, 2009
12:25 pm
Yes all the nfc east we face nex yeaer are makin big signings,we lost 4 startes i am from mexico city and i really belive in the TD all the way but we need a lot of help in the secondary,what about trades,peppers still in reach,lj smith.there are a lot of cb in the maket and we really need one,i would like sean jones or darren sharper
drew
March 2nd, 2009
12:25 pm
yes, very dissapointed. every other team in the league is at least tessting the market while we are sitting on our hands. how is our horrible defense gonna get better?
robdawg08
March 2nd, 2009
12:27 pm
My point is that if this is truly a rebuilding forfeiting the next two years then trade M.Turner,R.White,M.Jenkins,and other veterans too.
The Falcons would have been 7-9 without those 5 players last year. They will be 6-10 next year if they don’t replace them. Maybe a lot of you can handle that okay but it will just make my blood boil when ESPN says every week “Back to the same old losing Falcons as they got hammered by the Panthers 41-14.”
JeanE
March 2nd, 2009
12:29 pm
Not at all! We are doing it the right way, staying away from all of those overpriced too old past their prime players we don’t need or want to break the bank for! I’m not worried at all about the 3 we lost, it would’ve been nice to keep Fox but he priced out of our range. We’ll draft smartly (I hope!) and plug in our holes the right way. Dan Snyder is an idiot! And Good luck with Brooking in Dallas, I think Wade Phillips is remembering the Keith of 5 yrs ago, not the guy who who is today. His best days as so far in the rearview mirror you can’t see them!
robdawg08
March 2nd, 2009
12:35 pm
Face it for next year, the Redskins,Giants,and Cowboys will all make the playoffs and only Carolina and maybe the Saints will come out of our division. Brooking on the Falcons defense with average to poor players around him on defense ain’t so good. Add him to a team like the Cowboys that have a top defense and he will shine. Just watch.
robdawg08
March 2nd, 2009
12:39 pm
Brooking led the team in tackles several years. I’m not that disappointed that he’s gone because he has lost a step. I’m disappointed that many of you are calling him a bad player after his great career (pro bowls) with the Falcons. One bad year after 10 good years and he sucks ? I guess ya’ll will bad mouth Chipper Jones in about 3 years too ?
Falcons' Biggest Fan in Canada
March 2nd, 2009
12:41 pm
After the stellar job Dimitroff and Company have done so far with the offense, one must have faith that they know what they’re doing. I keep thinking about his time with the Patriots, where players who were relatively unknown came in and contributed to the team as a whole. Seems like the same thing is going on here. Sure, it would be exciting to have Haynesworth or Derrick Brooks dressed up in a Falcons uniform, but if the team sucked it wouldn’t be fun for long. Better to have no-name cogs working as part of a bigger, successful machine, than a few big gears spinning with nowhere to go.
JM
March 2nd, 2009
12:42 pm
If I were Dimitroff, my two priorities right now would be to re-sign Chauncey Davis and bring in a veteran safety (as a Georgia fan I’m partial to Sean Jones or Jermaine Phillips but a guy like Gerald Sensabaugh would do). Re-signing Davis would kill two birds with one stone – we’d solidify defensive end while allowing Jamaal Anderson to move to defensive tackle, where I think he could thrive. If Davis is too pricey to bring back, Paul Spicer would be a serviceable short-term stopgap.
Boley and Brooking weren’t terrible losses. It’s clear Stephen Nicholas is going to take over a starting spot in ‘09, which made both of those guys expendable. I was glad to see we kept Coy Wire, though, because he’s a low-cost solution who outplayed both Brooking and Boley last season. With Curtis Lofton anchoring the middle we’re pretty solid at linebacker, although we could stand to add a little depth in the draft.
Foxworth was the only guy I was really sad to see go, because I felt if he could have been retained we would have been well set at corner next year with Chris Houston and Chevis Jackson being a year older and Von Hutchins coming back from injury. We’re still okay there, but Foxworth was our best player at that position last year.
darrell starks
March 2nd, 2009
12:46 pm
DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE LETS GET GO TD, GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
singndablues
March 2nd, 2009
12:58 pm
If any of these moves have been based on financial problems then I would be concerned. Got to wonder about the financial health of the franchise. We’ve taken some financial hits the last couple of years and the economy tanking can’t be helping. Blanks a rich guy but everyone ones wealth has been losing value lately.
So Orlando, what is the financial state of the franchise and is it having any impact on acquiring players?
Clayton
March 2nd, 2009
1:10 pm
I believe the main reason our dirty birds aren’t making a lot of noise in free agency is simply the Mike Vick situation. Remember if/when he gets released all the guaranteed money he is still due hits the salary cap the next two years. If he is traded, it wouldn’t be as bad, but if they don’t plan for that, and they go over the cap, they have to start releasing other good players. Unfortunately, this is what has to be done. Good work by the Falcons GM on this one.
CMass
March 2nd, 2009
1:10 pm
we should go after a TE, CB, and SS through free agency and fill the rst of the spots in the draft, although we do need a DT we still have abraham that can always put pressure on the QB, we should try and get lj smith at tight it could help out matt ryan even though he made out last year with justine peele, at CB we try ang get someone like mccalister, mcfadden, or dre bly, we need some veteran talent at the position with chris houston as the starter who is only a second year pro, and at SS there are a few descent players on the market that we should pick up, I know TD wants to do it through the draft but we need to make some pickups
tbhawksfans
March 2nd, 2009
1:23 pm
TD will piçk up at least a couple of FA contributors. I see him waiting till the market settles down, then grabbing a couple of guys at reasonable price; young, mid-level guys. After he does that, he”ll likely find two or three starter quality guys in the draft and matbe a couple to develop.
It seems like that would field a good, competitive team while still maintaining “the process”.
Brooking really wasn’t very valuable to the Falcons next year, deffinately not beyond. Boley had a really bad year, was a FA and the Falcons determined that they didn’t want him. Milloy (see Brooking). Foxworth played well. I guess TD thinks that the young guys can finish growing into the role, or this could be one of the holes he’ll fill in FA.
Mort Merkel
March 2nd, 2009
1:33 pm
I’m only disappointed that Foxworth is gone. Wish we could have re-signed him.
Mort Merkel
March 2nd, 2009
1:35 pm
Did Billy Knight become the Texans’ GM? Nobody understands why they paid big bucks for Orlovsky, who nobody even wanted. The Cassell-Vrabel trade to KC was Belichick doing Pioli a favor.
Mac
March 2nd, 2009
1:39 pm
Darryl, man, get a new picture for your blog. The one you’re using now makes it look like you’re afraid somebody’s about to slap you upside the head.
dredd_one
March 2nd, 2009
1:42 pm
TC do YOUR homework.
If we have a “net loss” of talent in free agency whether they are UFAs or no, and they are given a high enough weight due to salary signed to, etc. We will receive compensatory picks for next year. A simple search on ESPN or NFL.com will take you to articles explaining the process.
GATORZONE
March 2nd, 2009
1:52 pm
Hawksfan you make great points. I am disappointed about Fox too, but just like TD found him last year he has other plans in mind or he would not have let him go.
JG
March 2nd, 2009
1:55 pm
I have heard a lot people say they don’t think drafting is the only solution. But, As I watch Pittsburgh, and the Patriots I would say they are doing something right ( A couple of Championships in that group).
Redskins, Oakland, Dallas, & the Jet’s continue to pay big money for high priced Free agents and haven’t had much so show for it. Dallas- the Last time they won was when the drafted Aikman, Smith and Irving. Not T.O., TANK, and Pacman as free agents.. Redskins- The list of FA’s is too long to comment, For the Jet’s Farve didn’t work out too well did he?
Come on people, have faith in TD and MS. Everything we have done in the past has not worked, so maybe it is time to try something different!
ShamusThacker
March 2nd, 2009
2:02 pm
I believe the Falcons have offers on the table for Vick’s rights. Even if he’d XXXXXXXXXX, there are owners (Jerry Jones, Al Davis) who’d covet him, FOR SURE. Everything I’ve read on the matter indicates lukewarm interest at best. BAAAAAAAAALONEY!!! When it gets down to cases, the Falcons will receive a king’s ransom for MV. Do you honestly believe SOME owners are gonna just sit around waiting for the Falcs to cut him? THEN hope he doesn’t sign with another team? NO WAY that happens. It could end up being similar to the Minnesota/Dallas-Walker trade. Whether you love or hate him, MV is a phenomenal football talent. QB, “Wildcat” RB, Receiver, Returner, and STADIUM FILLER; yeah, he’s gonna be mighty popular when trading time comes. Jerry and Al with make sure of it.
Call me crazy. Wait and see….
NiteOwl
March 2nd, 2009
2:11 pm
I appreciate RobDawg08 and ATLSouthside balancing things out a bit, but I’m drinking the TD Kool-Aid like most everybody else here. We’re not really “RE-building” so much as we’re building on last year. We’re making sure we stay good (or great) for years to come.
I’m also going to stick my neck out and say that I think we’re actually better as a defense right now, having subtracted Boley, Brooking, Milloy, and Foxworth. Get Chevis Jackson or Von Hutchins ready to take the other CB spot by Game 1, and get DeCoud or Fudge ready to take the safety spot.
A lot of coaching, learning, and improving goes on between now and throughout the OTAs, training camp, and pre-season.
For example, did anyone think our offensive line would perform the way it did last year? That was coaching, pure and simple. Did anyone think our D-line would be as decent as it was? That Babineaux would step up? That they would use Abe the way they did (resting him and keeping him fresh) and have it work out the way it did?
Remember everyone was so obsessed with what we were going to do at DT last year, and that TD was crazy for not drafting one. Who wants Glenn Dorsey now?
So that bump on your head is not the sky falling. It’s TD sneaking up on you while you were looking the other way.
This Gets Old
March 2nd, 2009
2:15 pm
How do you know how “tough” the schedule next season will be? When teams last season saw Atlanta Falcons on the schedule how many of them do you think had a sleepless minute over that? Answer? None (well their fans didn’t anyway)
It’s Dimitroff’s head on the chopping block people. Don’t you think he’s done his homework? The money is in reality a non-issue. Michael Vick isn’t owned REAL money, it’s just an accounting number. Does anybody really think that a guy like Haynesworth is going to get $100M? He’ll get the $41M and probably no more than that.
The reason you have to be careful about signing anybody now is because ‘10 is an uncapped year, ‘11 is a lockout year (which most of you will call a strike and side with the owners) and from then on out there is no more salary cap. If the owners succeed in getting the players a lower percentage the salary cap is gone forever.
Reno 911
March 2nd, 2009
2:22 pm
Look at the Patriots over the last few years, then think of how TD is guiding this process: Win in November and December, not in the February-March headlines. No doubt, Turner was a huge addition, and without him, the Falcons probably win 4 or 5 fewer games last year. However, for the most part, long-term winners aren’t built through FA. Is it easy to fill the vacancies left by the departures of Brooking, Boley, Milloy, and Foxworth? No. But can anyone honestly say that re-signing any of those players would be worth the money that other teams are paying them (or in Milloy’s case, keeping him and paying him what his contract was worth)? In a salary-capped league, teams can’t pay more than players are worth and succeed in the long-term. It will always comes back to haunt them. For these players, the market wanted to pay them more than they were worth, and TD was smart to let them go. Will the Falcons win 11 games again next year? I’d say no. The smart over-under would probably be 9 wins. But is our division getting stronger? Not really. The Saints kept a couple of keys players, but their defense isn’t that much better. The Bucs have committed to rebuilding, and are probably a six-win team next year. The Panthers are relatively strong again, but are they really that good? They kept Peppers, who will play unhappy, and their -line is still intact to head a strong young running game, but their QB is a little suspect. The Falcons aren’t built to win the Super Bowl next year, but they are built to get a wild-card or win a mediocre division. Their being built to contend for the NFC/SB in 2-3 years. Let’s see what two or three FA’s the Falcons sign to help out at either Safety, O-line, and OLB. The rest will come through the draft, and in 2010-2012 will be solid.
AtlfanAllDay
March 2nd, 2009
2:29 pm
One Quick observation about free agent splash…….Who has Pittsburg drafted…..what about New England………and how about Arizona…..or the Colts……..These are teams that have been successful for a long time and I dont see any of them making major moves right now……Seems to me that T.D. is getting it right……
AtlfanAllDay
March 2nd, 2009
2:30 pm
well Arizona went to the Superbowl this year but you get my drift
Wendall
March 2nd, 2009
2:35 pm
I am not surprised at all. Look at what the Patriots are doing they just traded away a quaterback and a defensive end. by doing so they were able to gain cap space and pick up additional draft picks. i feel that thats the blueprint that Thomas Dimitroff is trying to instill here, have a good draft and pick up midlevel players. its the system not the players.
Reality Time
March 2nd, 2009
2:37 pm
I don’t believe we could have kept Foxworth. I think his move was a lifestyle choice more so than money. If the offer had been from anyone other than the Ravens I think ihewould have resigned with the Falcons. But as it is, with the Ravens, he is basically going back home.
Mac
March 2nd, 2009
2:37 pm
Reno, you’re being generous with the Bucs, I think. Those guys look to be in the tank big time next year. After that, who knows? Or, heck, their new guys might be another Dimitroff and Smith. That’s what makes it all fun.
garcia
March 2nd, 2009
2:40 pm
Keeping it simple is the key. Here are my suggestions for signings:
Leigh Bodden. A six-foot CB with good man-to-man coverage.
Mike Wright. A backup DT for NE for the past four seasons. A good quality player at an even better price.
Suggested trade: Explore a trade for John Henderson. I hear that they might be willing to move him.
Reno 911
March 2nd, 2009
2:41 pm
Right on, Wendall. It’s a team game, all 53 players have to make key contributions. This ain’t the NBA, where 8 guys play, and of those 8, you can make it deep into the playoffs if 3 of them are good enough. Let Dallas and the like collect as many big names among their top 15 players as they like, because the lack of quality and depth among the other 38 will undo them. Like I said at the beginning of FA, I’d rather have five Coy Wires and some cap space than one Albert Haynesworth. Haynesworth’s a good player, but he’s only one good player for about 40 snaps a game.
Joe
March 2nd, 2009
2:42 pm
No big deal, defense was offensive anyway
Brent S.
March 2nd, 2009
2:50 pm
Well, I’m sort scratching my head, but I do believe in TD. However, I will say, that I don’t feel too comfortable with a depleted Defense, with John Abraham being the ONLY consistent player we have. Jamal Anderson has yet to impress me. Grady Jackson is up and down. Our LB corp now is young and inexperienced. They only veteran we have in the secondary is Erik Coleman. With Foxworth gone, Chris Houston is the only cover corner we have, and that isn’t saying much. Milloy had to help cover his guy half the time last year. That late 4th qtr. TD that Chicago made last season proved to me that Houston is NOT a quality starter. He’s at BEST a so-so back up. I agree with several people that have said you won’t get a revamped defense in the draft. It will take a year or two for young draft picks to get seasoned. By my perspective, we need another QUALITY DE to help out Abraham. Possibly another good DT. At least 2 LB. A saftey and 2 CB. So that’s that’s 6 players in all. If we don’t hit the FA market for at least 2 players, then we will be lucky to have 8 win’s next year. By having a young defense, that will put too much pressure on the offense and Matt Ryan to put up a lot of points to stay close to other teams. Again, I believe in TD and Mike Smith, but at first glance, I’m a bit hesitant to “feel good” about being “quiet” in the FA market this year.
D Money
March 2nd, 2009
2:50 pm
Everybody that’s in a panic needs to calm down. It hasn’t even been a week. Negotiations take time and the more time that goes by the less we would have to pay for talented players we need. Plus, the Falcons is a team the players aren’t dreading to play for.
SouthernFalconsFan
March 2nd, 2009
2:52 pm
Sean Jones and Antonio Crowell are the answers both will thrive in our system and in our city, TD is doing the right thing by waiting to drop their prices but he needs to get in gear before someone jumps in a steals them. MARK MY WORDS SEAN JONES(as an atlanta falcon) WILL BE A PRO BOWLER NEXT YEAR!
scotty
March 2nd, 2009
3:00 pm
at some point we falcon fans have to lose the 3 lil pigs mentality of rebuilding and put up something strong…forever rebuilding is the reason for NEVER having back to back winning seasons..falcon fans have become so complacent that i think now we expect it..sitting around not doing anything is not how turner got there last year..there are holes that desperately need to be filled and players out there to fill them..but we are just watching them pass by..a 1st round drafted,d-end who goes a year and a half without a sack..how fast do you think he would’ve been shipped out of pittsburg, baltimore, there will be no sneaking up on anyone next year..so if when the playoffs roll around and they are on the outside looking in, we can always fall back on “its ok we are rebuilding”
falcon21
March 2nd, 2009
3:00 pm
Tapate50, if you are teacher save it for your students. We all know who DOL is writing about.
t larry
March 2nd, 2009
3:05 pm
relax impatient fans.i dont think DT and MIKEY have been at the beach all winter.you gotta think they have a rabbit or two up there sleave. id say they did a pretty good job last year. i will just wait a see.
hawesg
March 2nd, 2009
3:11 pm
Hey, I’m not panicking, but if you’ve been a lifelong Falcon fan, how can you not be a pessimist? Nichols and Wire as OLB ain’t that impressive, but maybe they can hold down the fort. Nic Harris MIGHT still be around in the 4th round as a SS/OLB tweener.
But they need to address CB, and I don’t see a lot of top notch CBs in the draft. Houston would be a nickel back on a good team, so while I see their desire to add via low priced mid-level FAs, Foxworth’s departure clearly hurt and they need to address it. Hutchins and Houston defending Smith, Bryant or anybody on the Saints? No thanks.
As for the Patriots, they DID sign a bunch of high profile FAs and trade for high profile players in the past. Randy Moss? Wes Welker? Adalius Thomas?
FalconDawg
March 2nd, 2009
3:12 pm
I agree with TD. I don’t think we should go with short term deals for guys that want alot of money. Going young in the draft seems to work out. We are blessed to have a GM that can see true talent in young players, and build them to a NFL mold. I also agree we can’t pick up every team need in the draft. So far he’s earned my trust
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 2nd, 2009
3:12 pm
Got the laptop fired up. Cell phone is charged. Ready to write some stories. But the Falcons have slipped into the real cold Patriots zone. Looks like the plan is NOT TO WASTE ANY OF MR. BLANK’S MONEY!!! That’s my take.
MAC: Come on MAC. The photographer didn’t have much to work with. He did his best!!!
chc4
March 2nd, 2009
3:22 pm
I’m perfectly happy w/ the organization not overpaying in FA. But it begs the question… why did they jack up season tickets prices? To raise them in this economy and then be frugal is a slap in the face. That’s what ticks me off.
Reno 911
March 2nd, 2009
3:34 pm
HawesG: agree, the Patriots have made some ‘big name’ additions in the past. If there were any team wanting to give away a hall-of-fame talent like the Raiders did Randy Moss, then I’d be up for it. And let’s get real about who Wes Welker was before he was the Patriot’s #3 receiver and caught 112 passes while everyone was covering Moss. Welker was a practice-squad player for the Chargers and Dolphins, had one year as a regular, full-time player for the Dolphins in ‘06. If I recall, I think the Dolphins cut him, THEN he signed with the Patriots and blew up. I’m not saying the Patriots have never been active in acquiring proven players. They have. But they’re not the Redskins, and neither are the Falcons, thank goodness.
PMC
March 2nd, 2009
3:57 pm
They ARE building to win next year and in the future.
Foxworth and Boley got ridiculously overpaid. Boley couldn’t see the field because he over ran too many plays. Thus the reason Coy Wire beat him out for the starting job.
Foxworth is a decent corner but he’s fairly replaceable and no better than Von Hutchins. There are better safeties at this point out there than Lawyer right now and they’ll probably be there still in a few weeks.
They will find guys they can win with next year, but next year will be tougher than this year. They probably will not win 11 games, but like this year they will compete in every game. If the breaks fall our way this year they could have won 14. I’m hoping for 9-7 or better and getting into the playoffs. The problem is that they still don’t quite have enough playmakers to win in the playoffs…. that’s coming… thanks to TD and our Coaching Staff.
That's how you do it
March 2nd, 2009
4:08 pm
TD comes from New England and they don’t overpay for FAs ever. They build from the draft, sign blue-collar, high character FAs who are not going to mess up the salary cap. It’s a great formula that has worked and will work here. Keep up the great work TD and continue to build a class organization that is in it for the long run.
Steve
March 2nd, 2009
4:25 pm
None of these losses were really awful, especially if it portends bigger things in FA. I imagine Grady will remain an option if we can’t find a younger DT. Re-signing Davis would be huge. Going after Tony Gonzalez or even LJ Smith would be a lot better than burning the 1st rounder on Pettigrew (its a shame Gresham from OU went back to school, he’d be perfect). I would have liked to seen Gibril Wilson, but there’s plenty of safeties out there. Adding a Shawn Springs type to bridge the gap at CB would be good as well.
dledbetter
March 2nd, 2009
4:38 pm
LET’S COUNT UP THE MONEY:
– BOLEY, 5 YEARS, $25 million, $11 million guaranteed
– FOXY,4 years, $28 million, $16.5 guaranteed
– BROOKING 3 years, $ 6 million, $2.5 million
Grand total: 12 years, $59 million, $30 million guaranteed.
SOMEONE ASKED YESTERDAY IF Crowell was in town visiting. He was not. No visitors to Flowery Branch have been confirmed.
dledbetter
March 2nd, 2009
4:43 pm
Our good buddy Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times Picayune is reporting that the Saints have made a contract offer to cornerback Ron Bartell. Tripp reports that Bartell is also considering an offer to return to St. Louis.
http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-4/1235975408305390.xml&coll=1