Dunta Robinson agrees to terms with Falcons
Dunta Robinson set to meet with the Falcons today. (By John Wilcox/The Houston Chronicle).
Former Houston Texans’ cornerback Dunta Robinson, a native of Athens, agreed to terms on a six-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, according to his agent Jason Chayut.
The terms of the deal were undisclosed. The Falcons are expected to make an official announcement on Saturday.
By signing Robinson, the Falcons are hoping to improve their pass defense which ranked 28th in the league last season, giving up 241.9 yards per game. The Falcons also re-signed cornerback Brian Williams to a one-year contract on Thursday.
At the NFL scouting combine last Thursday, Falcons head coach Mike Smith said that the pass defense would be improved.
“We did not play the pass as well as we’d like,” Smith said. “It’s something that we definitely have to address. Statistically we were not close to where we need to be or want to be. I think that’s twofold. One, we address the pass rush and number two, is that we improve our secondary play. Those are areas that we definitely will want to address.”
The Falcons are hoping the return of defensive tackle Peria Jerry will help improve their pass rush. The signing of Robinson clearly is designed to improve the coverage.
“That’s very important for us,” said Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, when asked if the pass defense suffered because the rush or because of lacking coverage. “So we get Peria back and he’s healing up well and he’ll continue to solidify our defensive line. At that point, if we feel comfortable with that, we will have to seriously look at . . . there are other positions on defense as well.”
Robinson’s deal in expected to be lucrative. He turned down a contract with $23 million in guarantees last season before Houston placed the franchise tag him. Last season, he made $9.957 million after not participating in the offseason program because of the dispute over his contract.
Last season, he covered the opponent’s best receiver and played on both the right and left sides of the field.
Robinson played at Clarke Central High before going onto star at the University of South Carolina. He was the 10th player selected in the 2004 draft by the Texans.
Robinson was an immediate starter in the NFL at right cornerback, making all 16 starts as rookie.
Robinson turns 27 in April and would have to now be considered the Falcons’ No. 1 cornerback.
The Falcons finished last season with rookie Christopher Owens and second-year player Brent Grimes starting at cornerback. Chevis Jackson played in the slot. Other cornerbacks on the roster include Chris Houston, who started on the right side for most of the last three seasons, and Tye Hill, another former first round pick.
The Texans elected to let Robinson enter free agency this year. He would have commanded near $12 million for next season if they’d slapped the franchise tag on him again.
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204 comments Add your comment
Isproab
March 5th, 2010
9:44 am
Fact check… Robinson turns 28 in April. Still young but that is according to NFL.com. This is a good move, a lot of us on the Falcons message board have been talking about him b/c he was on of the only true free agents at CB. Now we can look very hard at OLB or DE in round 1.
GT Fan
March 5th, 2010
9:46 am
Slowcoma agree 100%. U to KIDDEN-Me. Just say No to Cromartie !!!!!
McBubba
March 5th, 2010
9:48 am
If Mr. Blank is willing to spend the money, this is def. an upgrade, and hopefully they can focus on OLB in round 1.
mark
March 5th, 2010
9:51 am
Now that we nailed down the secondary, I say either draft Kendall or Witherspoon, possible Hernandez… We may be able to trade doen 4-6 spots, still draft Gresham (TE from OK) and pick up a second round pick….
truth
March 5th, 2010
9:52 am
Saintsxliv…..our team seemed to hold our own last season with your beloved WR(with what some called a very bad secondary). Those 2 games could have easily when the other way. Neither team owned the other. Good try! And congrats on the superbowl win.
dirtyyo11……..da problem is a college student who has kids by different women in COLLEGE show the man dosen’t make wise ADULT decisions. DUH!!
Floyd the Barber
March 5th, 2010
9:53 am
Mr. Robinson needs a haircut.
bravefalconhawk
March 5th, 2010
10:11 am
I hope the Falcons make more moves…I know one thing though, Jets pass D is gonna be tough.
GT Falcon
March 5th, 2010
10:13 am
Stay away from Cromartie…I wouldnt want any player who has fathered 7 kids from 6 different women. What an idiot. Not to mention it has to ware him out off the field. Couldn’t imagine the drama he has to put up with.
JSin
March 5th, 2010
10:21 am
I am a little concerned over the fact that Dunta is 5 ft. 10 in. Lets sign Dansby or Kampman. Then draft could pick could be the best available…would love to add a play maker like Spiller or Dez Bryant.
JSin
March 5th, 2010
10:23 am
A lot of bad press out there about Witherspoon’s behavior at the combine…real loud mouth..potentially disruptive in the club house..to the point where multiple NFL execs said they would not draft him
Magic Man
March 5th, 2010
10:23 am
come on:
The Falcons have money to spend the Braves do not. The Braves are cash-strapped, that is why Frank Wren has to get creative in order to build a winner – see Wagner, Billy and Glaus, Troy. And, in the not so distant past, the Falcons were signing nobody when the Braves were signing an All-Star at every position – see Galarraga, Andres and Sheffield, Gary. Theses things happen, quit crying.
Magic Man
March 5th, 2010
10:25 am
DOL:
Any idea on contract terms – money, length, guaranteed? So, does that mean we are focusing on DE or OLB at #19? Or, are we now in the position to take best player available, say DT Brian Price?
bigstack19
March 5th, 2010
10:26 am
I am glad we didn’t go after Cromartie. On the field he has had one good season and that was 2007. Off the field he is a world class idiot. Robinson got to cover Andre Johnson everyday in practice so he has that in his favor.
ignition
March 5th, 2010
10:26 am
7 Kids by 6 Baby Mommas = Uuck.. Garbage of a Man…
toph
March 5th, 2010
10:27 am
Any new updates here?
Magic Man
March 5th, 2010
10:28 am
Cromartie had a very subpar year last year, so did Dunta Robinson. Cromartie has made the Pro Bowl, so has Dunta Robinson. Cromartie is supremely physically gifted, so is Dunta Robinson. Dunta Robinson has less off-field baggage and Cromartie is taller. I actually think Dunta is the better cover man and Cromartie is a better playmaker. However, he is a playmaker because he gambles in order to get interceptions, which also means he gets burned deep quite a bit. Gamblers like Cromartie and Asante Samuel are very susceptible to WRs with good double moves. Dunta will probably be cheaper and has higher character for the most part. As long as TD makes the contract “fiscally responsible,” I am all for it.
coachx
March 5th, 2010
10:32 am
Isproab,
Dunta only turns 27 in April………….not 28.
coachx
March 5th, 2010
10:34 am
Give Dunta Robinson a front loaded contract since there is no salary cap this year. It will not matter if the contract is “top heavy” in the first year as far as the cap is concerned.
travis
March 5th, 2010
10:35 am
I think it make sense to get robinson and not cromatie because td want system specific type player and cromatie is very good with man coverage but weak on zone coverage we all know the falcons play both type of defense so robinson can do both go td and mike smith do your things go falcons!!!
ryan
March 5th, 2010
10:38 am
I hope the Falcons go after KVB and draft Spoon and there is your Defence.
blord
March 5th, 2010
10:41 am
Hope Robinson plays better then he did last year but I really think a change is what he needs to get back into form. I would love for us to get Dansby but I don’t we fork out the money required for him. He is a difference maker on D and we need one of those.
coachx
March 5th, 2010
10:43 am
Isproab,
My bad………you were correct………..he does turn 28 in April.
Thats what I get for believing another website before checking the facts.
cutter
March 5th, 2010
10:55 am
I love how some people in here are so concerned about Mr. Blanks money. It’s not your freaking money. Mr. Blank is a billionaire and I’ll bet he did not get there by throwing money away. From time to time you have to spend money to make money. So to all of you couch accountants out there give it a break. Manage your money and let the billionaires manage theirs. Some of you have so much confidence in this organization but as soon as an opportunity arises to sign a good free agent you want to count Mr. Blanks money like it’s your own. I understand comments about character and on-field abilities but I don’t understand why some of you are so concerned about getting somebody for a cheap price when not a dime of it is coming out of your pocket. Balance your check book, get your affairs in order and enjoy the fact that Atlanta FINALLY has an owner and GM that are willing to do what it takes to try to be winners. Make no mistake about it couch accountants this organization is going to have to spend some money to compete with the other 31 teams in this league.
Isproab
March 5th, 2010
10:59 am
coachx,
Am I missing something? According to the link http://www.nfl.com/players/duntarobinson/profile?id=ROB407958 his B-day is 4/11/1982. That means he turns 28 in April of 2010.
Isproab
March 5th, 2010
11:00 am
Coachx, I see your latest comments. I was wondering if I could add this morning.
Credit Falcons for trying to fix problem, pursuing Robinson | Jeff Schultz
March 5th, 2010
11:02 am
[...] D. Orlando Ledbetter reports free agent cornerback Dunta Robinson is close to finalizing a deal with the team. Robinson — who starred at Clark Central High School but somehow got out of [...]
BigTimeTECHFan
March 5th, 2010
11:16 am
We need to draft Tebow to back up Ryan, then in a couple of years turn offense over to Tebow.
toph
March 5th, 2010
11:22 am
BigTechguy, that’s hilarious. Awful suggestion, but hilariou.
JeanE
March 5th, 2010
11:30 am
This is so exciting, I hope Robinson signs here! And I agree, Chris Houston would be odd man out. He’s had his chance and was awful!!! Owens already looks better in a limited role last season and I love Grimey’s heart and hustle. Go Birds!!
cutter
March 5th, 2010
11:31 am
Last year the buzz word was hybrid players because Mr. Dimitroff mentioned the words in an interview so everybody and his momma was talking about how guys could play linebacker and DE or safety and corner. This year the buzz words are fiscally responsible so some of you will not be able to conjure up a single thought about Atlanta Falcon football without using the words fiscally responsible.
Astro
March 5th, 2010
11:45 am
I think the Dunta deal is fantastic.
I read AJC.com instead of subscribing to the paper, because I need to be more fiscally responsible.
Magic Man
March 5th, 2010
12:13 pm
Cutter:
We want the Falcons to be fiscally responsible because when you overpay for one guy and he doesn’t perform, it screws your whole team. Obviously, if we don’t have a scalary cap this year, then he can spend all he wants. But, normally if you pay one guy a boatload of money, then you have less to fill other holes. There is a reason why Tom Brady and Peyton Manning take less money than they could technically demand. They want their organization to bring in as many good players as possible. Not sign one really good guy and bring in a bunch of scrubs because he can’t pay as much money for good guys that other suitors will. That is why people worry about money.
Commander Shepard
March 5th, 2010
12:30 pm
Now we can focus on DE/LB 1st round and grab Dennis Pitta later to tutor under Gonzo. In my mind he was far and away the most impressive TE to me at the combine.
cutter
March 5th, 2010
12:38 pm
Magic Man-
Well if you trust the people in charge of the organization and you trust in Mr. Blank’s ability to manage and spend his own money and Mr. Dimitroff’s ability to evaluate talent, you should not worry. No one has more to loose if they do throw money away on bums and experience salary cap issues because of it than Mr. Dimitroff and Mr. Blank. However either way it’s never good for one to worry (as you put it) about someone elses money. If you have ever made any significant amounts of money in your lifetime you will be able to attest to the potential pitfalls of any large investments. Let these guys do their jobs and bring in the talent and you be the fan. Leave the money concerns to the professionals. I believe this organization gets it and wants to win the right way so relax and count your money and make sure you are being fiscally responsible because I have no doubt the leaders of the Atlanta Falcons organization will be.
cutter
March 5th, 2010
12:44 pm
I even use this years buzz words.
Rod
March 5th, 2010
12:46 pm
They can sign Dunta to a big 4 or 5 year deal with most of the money payable in the first year (uncapped). That way Dunta gets the money he wants and our cap position isn’t hurt for the 3-4 years after this coming one.
Steve Smith
March 5th, 2010
12:47 pm
Bring back DeAngelo Hall!! He’s matured and is ready to win!
Bring back DeAngelo Hall!! He’s matured and is ready to win!
Bring back DeAngelo Hall!! He’s matured and is ready to win!
Bring back DeAngelo Hall!! He’s matured and is ready to win!
Bring back DeAngelo Hall!! He’s matured and is ready to win!
Commander Shepard
March 5th, 2010
12:49 pm
Steve Smith-
Please assassinate yourself. Even if you are joking. That thug will never wear a Falcons jersey again.
cutter
March 5th, 2010
12:49 pm
LOL!!!
cutter
March 5th, 2010
12:53 pm
Rod-
It’s obvious to me you gave no more thought to that idea than the time it took for you to type it.
MeAngelo
March 5th, 2010
12:58 pm
What you talkin’ bout Commando?
Rod
March 5th, 2010
12:59 pm
@cutter – what the he11’s your problem?
Explain why your highness thinks it’s a stupid idea….
PTCdirtybirtd
March 5th, 2010
1:14 pm
No way the Falcons would go after Cromarti. 7 kids with like 4 different women, had gotten accused of hitting someone over the head with a champagne bottle at a club after the denver game. Constantly in trouble. Surprisingly hasn’t gotten the attention of Goddell yet. Not at all the kind of player that Dimitrioff and Smith want in Atlanta.
Evander Holyfield
March 5th, 2010
1:22 pm
Me likes Cromo. He got good taste in woman.
cutter
March 5th, 2010
1:36 pm
Rod
If you throw all of the money at the guy at one time what is his incentive to show up for years 2 through 5??? For the organization it’s about production and a guy who’s already gotten his money up front may not be as productive going forward. Look he’s gonna command a big deal because of the state of free agency this year and his status as the best corner available in free agency but you don’t give it all to the guy up front. If Atlanta did not think they could sign Robinson without experiencing salary cap issues he would not be in Atlanta as we speak. The deal is not done and may not get done but your idea is to just throw money at the guy to perserve the salary cap and I’m saying Atlanta can sign Robinson to a nice contract without incurring any additional unecessary risk such as what you have stated. It is solely your choice to call yourself stupid and I will not agree nor disagree with your opinion.
Walter
March 5th, 2010
1:48 pm
Dirty011,
Please re-read my original post. Is says MORE than 2 woman not 2! But he has 7 kids and he is NOT supporting them. Antonio Cromartie is a serial impregnator. The 7 kids are living in five states and he’s only 25! How good of a Dad can he possibly be? Don’t believe me, here’s a link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Cromartie
Rod
March 5th, 2010
2:03 pm
cutter – get real. As you say, it’s Blank’s money so let him do what he wants (it’s none of your damn business). Secondly, Duante is young enough he’s going to be thinking about his next contract too. To say he’ll just piss around for 4-5 years only shows how slack and pathetic your integrity is (better to be stupid than to have no integrity), implying that’s what you’d be doing. Also, under my plan we’re in even better shape for most of that contract than under a conventional contract.
You cite me for throwing money at the guy? He’s going to get at least $8-12 mil a year anyway – so you DON’T consider that throwing money at a guy. Yeah, you’ve got a perverse sense of balance there.
And, you think you’re God’s gift to the blog and not stupid? Yeah, well you might want to proof your comments before you post, Einstein:
“No one has more to loose” – to loose? How about more TO LOSE. And no, that wasn’t a typo you made, it was stupidity. HAHAHAHAHA.
what
March 5th, 2010
2:05 pm
wait……..I thought he had 42 kids with 48 different women??? :O
Evander Holyfield
March 5th, 2010
2:16 pm
@what – no dog, dats me.
ryan
March 5th, 2010
2:31 pm
I think now that got there CB i think the Falcons will draft Spoon or Graham and maybe go get somebody like Antonio Bryant from Tampa and also D. Ryans