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
Magic Man
March 5th, 2010
8:50 pm
Cutter:
You are missing the point. I am not at all worrying about Blank losing his money. I am worried about him spending it wrongly, which will disallow him and TD to make the Falcons a Super Bowl contender. And, I trust TD. For the most part, I agree with all of his moves. So, if he signs a high-priced free agent, which he was, then I believe he has done his homework and is doing the right thing. But, tying all your money up in a few big name players and leaving holes at other spots on the roster, especially as far as depth is concerned, is not how you win championships. See, Patriots, New England and Colts, Indianapolis. They pay who deserves to be paid, but never overpay.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
March 5th, 2010
9:07 pm
Great move for the Falcons acquiriing Robinson. Hopefully now Houston is gone (cut or traded)…..let’s all hope anyway. However, if they can pick up a taller CB in one of the later rounds then I say go for it. It is going to be interesting to see what TD does with the 19th pick.
brick
March 5th, 2010
9:09 pm
What is everyone’s deal with Cromartie? He has been terrible the last few years. If he was so good he would have been traded for something better than a 3rd round pick in next years draft. Robinson is a good player and a good signing.
Tailback U
March 5th, 2010
9:23 pm
DOL
My question was going to be on Houston’s future and you addressed
the fact he may be the odd man out.
But to go a step further do you believe he has any trade value
at all or have the GM’s watched that commercial with him trailing
Steve Smith and about to be torched too many times ?
FranktheFalcon
March 5th, 2010
9:41 pm
Excellent job Thomas Dimitroff! Keep up the great work! Getting Peria Jerry back and Brian Williams back will help a lot! Our defense against the run was good down the stretch. Now to get more of a pass rush is our objective! GO FALCONS !!!
Hamad Meander
March 5th, 2010
10:39 pm
Cornerbacks – taller does not mean better. The bigger the CB, the less likely they are to be able to turn their hips quick, change direction quickly, and close fast. If you are 6′2″ and 210 lbs, you can’t do that quickly. Ask Taylor Mays is being 6′3 230 and run a 4.3 40 makes you a great DB. I think he’ll be a fine OLB, though…..
CL
March 5th, 2010
10:39 pm
Congratulations Dunta!!! I sure many people like myself will be rooting for you to represent CCHS and Athens and probably buy your jersey. I’ll be sure to get tickets for the season to see you shut down half the field. People that say you have and attitude don’t know you personally. Jjust wait until they see the attitude come out when you hit somebody then they will be cheering.
THWG
March 5th, 2010
10:47 pm
what a terrible move. dunta will be running the streets just like convick.
look at him. straight outta Athens gutta. just another piece of thrash from Athens, GA.
blackbee
March 5th, 2010
10:48 pm
trade Houston and J. Anderson and next year Second pick for this year second and a 4th. Go get S. Witherspoon, 1st, with the second get either C. Dunlap, Tech’s D. Thomas or mountain Cody. 3rd pick get E. Norwood or Iowa lineman Callaway. 4th get Al. Colin Peek and Jacoby Ford. 5th Florida R. Curran, 6th best O-lineman left. The Falcons can’t mess around, they have to go for all the marbles THIS YEAR before Tony G. McClure, Peterson and Turner get tooooooooo old
ron the man
March 5th, 2010
10:48 pm
Good move to get Dunta, a young player with proven track record locked up on the first day. I agree with Ryan above that we should also look at picking up Antonio Bryant. He looked like an all pro every time we played Tampa. We never stopped him and I saw him spring open on many of the top defensive backfields this year as well. I think he might make us forget Mike Jenkins and make life easier for Roddy and Gonzo.
CCHS
March 5th, 2010
10:52 pm
THWG crawl back into your little hole were u came from. Athens gutta? Have you even been to Athens? Just another ignorant fool and what is a piece of thrash? Please don’t have kids you inbred.
willie
March 5th, 2010
11:17 pm
Hearing $27 million guaranteed in Dunta Robinson’s deal. Sure hope they are right on this kid. That is a ton of guaranteed money.
Glitchy
March 5th, 2010
11:26 pm
He may be a PUNK, but he’s OUR PUNK!!
Glitchy
March 5th, 2010
11:30 pm
Hey Bird Droppings,
Brandon Marshall??? Are we trying to put a football team together or a new Posse for Buckhead?
Flo-Ri-Duh!
March 6th, 2010
12:03 am
Cromartie is an aids risk with all the partners he has been with………… Robinson has never been in trouble with the law and has never been shown to be immoral. He had a public dispute with owners over his salary last year…. but has not had the injury or immorality problems of Cromartie.
Mike
March 6th, 2010
12:19 am
Will Houston wear #22 now that Robinson will be coming in, and Robinson is # 23? Looks like Chevis is done. Also with Bolding going to Baltimore it definitely appears Mason is done there. Anyone for signing him to a one year deal to add depth to WR, that way through the draft we strengthen our O line, D line, and add an outside linebacker?
zeke
March 6th, 2010
12:28 am
Hey guys, USC, South Carolina IS DEFENSIVE BACK U.!!!!!!!!
Rod
March 6th, 2010
1:01 am
cutter, cutter, cutter. How stupid and ignorant can you be.
You wrote: “Taylor is 7mill guaranteed but not in 1st year.” Um, so you can’t read either? I had posted: “The deal includes $7 million guaranteed in the first year, the source said. That means not only is the $7 mil guaranteed – it’s PAYABLE IN THE FIRST YEAR!!!
Duh, get a clue.
Atlanta Falcons Talk » Blog Archive » Cornerback Dunta Robinson, Falcons Strike Six-Year Deal
March 6th, 2010
1:03 am
[...] the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and ESPN are reporting that it will be a six-year contract and will be signed some time this [...]
FALCONS SORRIER
March 6th, 2010
1:04 am
ONCET AGAIN, YOU FOOLS JUST TRYING TO KEEP A MAN DOWN CAUSE HE BLACK! IT IN THE BIBLE TO GO AND MULTIPLY! BESIDES, SOME OF THOSE KIDS BELONG TO MV7!
poppa falcon
March 6th, 2010
1:08 am
U can question Dimitroff all u want; it’s ur Constitutional RIGHT. But not ONE of us on this board saw the Falcons have back to back winning seasons UNTIL he came along. Period. If HE wanted to sign Dunta, than I WELCOME Mr.Robinson with open arms.
MV7 1/2
March 6th, 2010
1:08 am
ANY FOOL CAN SEE THOSE BABIES ARE MINE!
Mike Tolla
March 6th, 2010
1:26 am
Houston Texans Fan, you are a fool !! Just because he wrote a sign on his shoes and wanted a fair contract for his value, you wanted him GONE ??
No wonder your team still licking the soles of other playoff teams …
Robinson will play hard and hit like Mac truck. Falcons fans can be sure of that …
Mike Tolla
March 6th, 2010
1:31 am
THWG
“what a terrible move. dunta will be running the streets just like convick. look at him. straight outta Athens gutta. just another piece of thrash from Athens, GA.”
THWG – just another hating, burger-flipping thrash who can’t stand another man getting his million$$ … Now go back to work ..
tjhook
March 6th, 2010
1:55 am
I’m glad to have Dunta in a Falcons uniform- he can’t be any worse than what we played with last year. I’m also encouraged with the progress of Chris Owens. I want to see the Falcons go after DE Aaron Kampfmann and WR Chris Chambers. Chambers is still fast and would be a nice veteran to help offer advice to our young recievers Jenkins and White. It’s always good to bring in veterans to offer suggestions. Especially some that can challenge for your starting spot.
deyontavious
March 6th, 2010
2:41 am
i like the pick up but I thought we were looking for a big cornerback.
He’s 5′9″!!
Maybe William Moore could shift to corner to provide a more intimidating presence
Big Ray
March 6th, 2010
3:06 am
Now people can shut the hell up about signing Dominique Foxworth last year for basically the same amount of money. Do that and you couldn’t get Robinson THIS year without shelling out the same contract TWICE.
Besides, even “smurf” Grimes had more INTs than Foxworth had last year? Surprised? I’m not.
I like this move, and it’s clear these guys want to win NOW, as well as in the future. However, don’t be surprised if you see another CB coming in the draft. One of those raw ones with SIZE.
In the meantime, the dynamic changes in the first round of the draft. A pass rusher is surely coming. Will it be an OLB or a DE? Don’t rule out DT. We still don’t know that we can stay completely healthy and we suffered from it (as did our DEs) last year. Why? Because Babineaux was the only reliably good DT we had. Thomas Johnson filled in decently when JA98 wasn’t in there, stinking it up…
Cornerback Dunta Robinson, Falcons Strike Six-Year Deal | NFLaccess
March 6th, 2010
3:08 am
[...] the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and ESPN are reporting that it will be a six-year contract and will be signed some time this [...]
Barber Shop Union President
March 6th, 2010
5:00 am
We are available and ready to serve Mr. Robinson.
R.U.KIDDEN-ME???
March 6th, 2010
7:41 am
@blackbee,THAT’S AN A+ DRAFT YOU GOT THERE PODNA!! IF TD COULD PULL THAT ONE OFF WE’D BE SET TO MAKE SOME SERIOUS NOISE FOR A WHILE!!
The Real Falcon
March 6th, 2010
7:51 am
Does anyone listen to the team you follow? We don’t pick players with off-field issues (Dunlap).
That is just as important as ability.
Turner is 28 and has played less than 2 full seasons.
We are not Florida Nouth, or SEC 2.0
TD will make the right moves and picks. He does not make moves based upon desperation.
You have to have a taker for Houston/Anderson. All teams have seen the tape on them. No one is beating down his door for them.
Favre
March 6th, 2010
7:52 am
they gonna make him cut that mop off his hade?
tom
March 6th, 2010
8:19 am
Trade Grimes as quick as possible. Alot of effort with minimal results. Not a long term asset. Too small.
Falcons Sign Dunta Robinson - The Recycle Bin
March 6th, 2010
8:19 am
[...] do not know much about Robinson; everything I have read indicates that he is a number one coverage DB, which is a great need for the Falcons. The Falcons are hoping the return of defensive tackle Peria [...]
Rex in Woodstock
March 6th, 2010
8:24 am
Two points:
Dunta Robinson had 10 picks his first year and only 5 the last 2 seasons, but teams throw at him less and are more leery of throwing at a guy after he gets 10 picks as a rookie. Revis does not get all that many picks either. Dunta will help a lot.
AND
Despite what you Dawg fans and many others think, Tebow will be very successful in the NFL.
Of course he has a couple things to works on as do all rookies, especially QBs do, but truly, the more negative stuff written, the more determined he will be.
In short, Tebow is the Anti-Vick
Dunta Cred
March 6th, 2010
8:30 am
Dunta’s coming to the ATL with an attitude! It’s his way or the highway–but pay him first!
Matt Chernoff
March 6th, 2010
8:45 am
I was really hoping for Kyle Vanden Bosch. PLEASE cut Jamaal Anderson! What a waste.
Vick=Dog killing Thug
March 6th, 2010
9:00 am
Mr Blank sure does have deep pockets !
toyman6931
March 6th, 2010
9:45 am
Teachers zero. Robinson 9-10 million dollars per year. He got a raise and the teachers took a walk. Fair huh? why don’t we pay our fireman, policeman ahd soldiers these types of salaries. Why aren’t we hollering at our government officials to pay these millios to each of the above individuals. Don’t you think they do a good enough job. They all put their lives on the line daily. Many of them run for touchdowns or hit homeruns in their daily duties. Its a given that we couldn’t afford to pay the taxes that it would take to pay them. When ar e we the fans going to wake up that we are paying for the salaries of these pros one way or the other. Attendance at games, buying their product, listening to their games etc is costing you. Wake up fans. Our economy is in the dumpster. we need to spend our money more prudently in order to create an environment for our children and grandchildren. If you can’t live without pro sports, watch or attend college games Just as good if not better. I firmly believe that pro sports will destroy themselves unless they make drastic changes. When players leave teams because 15-20 million dollars a year is not enough,for them to take care of their families, we should take collections for them. We have created a bunch of selfish, uncaring athletes who are no more important to our survival than the people mentioned above. The owners are not different. they live off the monies received from attendance, parking and television. They are in it to make money. If this continues, we will be denying our children and grandchildren pro sports in the future. It has drastically change since I was a kid. Not for the better either.
No. Ga. bob
March 6th, 2010
9:52 am
I’ve been disappointed by the Falcons too many times. I would not pin any hope on JERRY. He was a fat bust when they drafted him and will never live up to the expectation that was believed in him. The Falcons need to draft for his position and think trade for Jerry.
Falcon 8211
March 6th, 2010
10:02 am
DOL, do we have any other FA coming to visit the falcons. sure would like to see lito sheppard in a falcon uniform.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 6th, 2010
10:15 am
Tailback U — Need to do some work on Houston’s trade value.
terms “were undisclosed”
Nelson S.
March 6th, 2010
10:41 am
Adam_Schefter
New Falcons CB Dunta Robinson cashed in with Atlanta. He signed a six-year, $57 million contract that includes $25.5 million in guarantees.
GusF
March 6th, 2010
10:45 am
Robinson should get some interceptions since he’s way overdue. I had as many interceptions as he did last year.
TexansFan
March 6th, 2010
11:04 am
One thing you Atlanta fans may not be getting the full scoop on is that Robinson suffered a horrific injury during the 2007 season. In a game against the Raiders, a Texans DT ran into Robinson’s knee during a tackle and tore Robinson’s ACL. The injury also caused his hamstring to be ripped completely off his bone. Robinson is a very tough player who is great at playing the run, but he has not been the same player since he suffered that injury. Perhaps he will return to form after spending a full training camp with the team (he boycotted training camp last year because he was unhappy with being tagged as a franchise player), but recognize that the Falcons are taking a risk signing a player who may never be as good as he was before he got hurt. No doubt the severity of the injury was a factor in the Texans’ decision not to re-sign him.
willie
March 6th, 2010
11:05 am
He will be 2 years removed from his very major ACL/hammy injury, which is normally how long it take to fully recover physically and also with the confidence. That is a very big deal they gave him. Let’s hope they are right.
jc_dawgs
March 6th, 2010
11:20 am
The secondary is starting to look a lot better now with Robinson. We get PJ back for next year and that will boost the pass rush considerably. Add in a 1st round DE or OLB from this years draft and this D is going to be really good.
Nolerick
March 6th, 2010
12:11 pm
I am a Nole fan and I would much rather have Robinson than “the Crow”. He has way too many legal issues.
gtgreg
March 6th, 2010
12:14 pm
Hey DOL, won’t Brian Williams be the starter alongside Dunta? Williams was doing really good last year before the injury. Then Owens/Grimes/Tye Hill will be backups and Chris Houston might be a goner. Unless I’m missing something? Nobody seems to be talking about Williams.
Benjamin
March 6th, 2010
12:29 pm
“Pay me, Rick.” (Classy.)
That said, the guy will improve our secondary. I was hoping we could land VanDen Bosch to play opposite Abraham on the D-Line, but alas, no go. I do like our cornerback setup a lot more, though, with Robinson and Williams resigning and Grimes still in the fold.