Stephen Nicholas agrees to 5-year, $17.5 million deal
Here, Stephen Nicholas (54) is flying over the top of the pile of Falcons as they stop the 49ers' Frank Gore (21) in the first quarter. Johnny Crawford / jcrawford@ajc.com
UPDATE: Q&A WITH STEPHEN NICHOLAS (below story):
FLOWERY BRANCH — Linebacker Stephen Nicholas has agreed to a five-year contract to stay with the Falcons on Wednesday, according to Nicholas and his agent C.J. Laboy.
“He’s staying in ATL,” Laboy wrote in an email to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
We asked Nicholas in a text if the deal was done, he replied, “Yes.”
WSB Channel 2’s Zach Klein is reporting that the deal is worth $17.5 million, according to an NFL Source.
Nicholas elected not to sign a tender offer before the lockout started because he wanted a long-term deal.
Nicholas, who was a fourth round pick in 2007 out of South Florida, has been a valuable member of the defense. He has started 25 games over the past two seasons and has played in 65 games over his career.
Here’s an interview Nicholas did during the lockout with the AJC.
Last season, Nicholas finished with 87 tackles, including a season-high and career-high 13 tackles against San Francisco on Oct. 3. He also had an interception against Cleveland on Oct. 10.
In 2009, he started 14 games and had 82 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two passes defensed.
In 2008, he played in all 16 games and was a standout on special teams.
As a rookie, Nicholas finished with 37 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery in 13 games.
HERE’S AN EXCLUSIVE Q & A WITH NICHOLAS:
Q: How does it feel to get your deal done?
A: I’m just excited and ready to play football, that’s the main thing.
Q: Are you happy with your decision not to sign your tender before the lockout?
A: There was only so much that could be done during the lockout anyway. I was going to test free agency anyway. I had a feeling we were going to get locked out and I wanted to go from there. It worked out for the good.
Q: What other teams contacted you?
A: You have to call my agent for that. But it came down to Tampa Bay. The linebacker coach called me and a few other people. Tampa was trying to get me that way. I played ball there (in college at South Florida.) I just didn’t want to wait too long. Atlanta stepped up to the plate and we got things done.
Q: What did they tell you about your role. They had you and Spoon (Sean Weatherspoon) stacked on the strongside last year. Is he moving over to weakside?
A: Probably so, I’m pretty sure he’ll end up moving that way. We’ll see when we get in camp. I know I’m going to be on the field. That was pretty clear that they wanted me on the field. I’m just excited and ready to get back to football.
Q: How tough was it during the lockout considering that you might have to leave?
A: Just not knowing where I was going to be was driving me crazy. It would have been different going to a different environment.
After the interview Nicholas thanked the Falcons and general manager Thomas Dimitroff for his new deal.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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65 comments Add your comment
cwltank
July 27th, 2011
9:40 pm
Brooking was a good player, but he did not make the big plays. So on a scale of 1-10, he was an 7.
GT GRAD
July 27th, 2011
9:52 pm
Brooking was a MUCH better player than many of the Brooking-haters on these blogs make out.
He had ALL of the intagibles you would want a LB to bring AND he also had the size and speed to be a factor on each and every play……….opposing teams developed offensive game plans to deal with this man each and every week!
He deserves to be recognized and honored by the Falcons when he decides to retire.
CWag
July 27th, 2011
10:03 pm
Sign Grimes, Clabo, and Dahl…and if the Falcons have enough room…providing they cut a few players, they don’t need…we’ll be okay!
CWag
July 27th, 2011
10:09 pm
we don’t need a defensive end…progression from the players from last year will be enough…you never know!…one of these unsigned FA…or a few…are probably a diamond-in-the-rough!
CWag
July 27th, 2011
10:12 pm
Remember…a average defense WILL FEED, on a good offense!
CWag
July 27th, 2011
10:16 pm
Emmitt Thomas bragged on Grimes when he was interm coach…please…coaches see potential!
tjhook
July 27th, 2011
10:22 pm
SO-O-O happy to see Nicholas sign with the Birds!! Very underrated. He can play both OLBs well, can cover one on one, hit with impact and was our leading tackler in a number of games. With better play up front, his skills will emerge for everyone to see. Good player.
Stevie B
July 27th, 2011
11:20 pm
Great news. Nicholas will play up to his abilities. The main thing is we keep that LB corps in tact. The more they play together, the better they are going to get. Would love to see a good DE to bring pressure. I am worried Abe is running out of fuel. The other big signing will be a shut down corner on both sides. We need to be sure opponents won’t even consider going deep on us.
DR. FALCON
July 28th, 2011
12:33 am
WE’D BETTER SIGN CLABO, DAHL, AND BLALOCK! WHILE I’M HAPPY WE SIGNED NICHOLAS LONG-TERM, 3/5THS OF OUR O-LINE ARE FA’S! NOT GOOD! WE OPEN THE SEASON AGAINST JULIUS PEPERS, FOLLOWED BY TRENT COLE AND CO. THERE IS ALSO A DWIGHT FREENEY & ROBERT MATHIS SIGHTING IN WEEK 9. IN ADDITION TO THE D-LINEMEN IN THE NFC SOUTH, KEEPING OUR O-LINE INTACT, SHOULD BE PRIORITY! OTHERWISE, WITH OUR SCHEDULE, KISS ANOTHER DIVISION TITLE BYE-BYE!!! DIMITROFF, GET OFF YOUR ASS AND GET THESE LINEMEN SIGNED!!!!!!
VDeuce
July 28th, 2011
9:09 am
Keith Brooking NEVER SHOULD’VE BEEN DRAFTED IN THE TOP HALF OF THE 1st round by the Falcons. I don’t recall ONE BIG PLAY he ever made while he was here. Yes he had plenty of tackles, but those numbers were inflated by him being on some horrific teams. AND HE MADE ALL OF HIS TACKLES 7+ YARDS DOWNFIELD!!! GOOD linebackers make plays AT OR BEHIND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. He even dissed the Falcons AND THEIR FANS after he left. Keith Brooking is nothing but an OVERHYPED OVERRATED OVERPAID BUM. He should NEVER be allowed in our Ring Of Honor, that is blatant disrespect to the GOOD/GREAT players who are there. You Brooking apologists need to STOP IT, there is plenty of REAL TALENT from Georgia that you can root for. I’m almost ashamed to admit that Brooking is from here!
VDeuce
July 28th, 2011
9:19 am
If Dimitroff doesn’t take a DE then I could definitely see him signing a starting caliber CB (NOT ASOMUGHA, just a starter) so that Grimes can move to the slot. What people seem to forget is that Brian Williams was hurt in the playoff game vs GB & Aaron Rodgers basically lit up Chris Owens, not Dunta or Grimes. I don’t want them to cut Jenkins either, he would make a great slot receiver & he is making only 3.5 million this season. I don’t have a problem with the Nicholas signing, he’s young & already made more plays than Brooking ever did in his ENTIRE CAREER & at 17.5 million I’ll take him.
Adam
July 28th, 2011
9:32 am
I was as big a Brooking fan as anyone, but when he showed his tail during the Dallas game, that is the image that is burned in my mind. He could have and should have shown a lot more respect and class in that situation to the organization and the fans that had stuck by him and paid him handsomely for many years. IMHO, he burned that bridge. I do not think he should in any way, shape, or form be inducted into the Falcons Hall of fame. Anyone who would so easily want to show up his former team reveals a tremendous lack of depth to his character.
Adam
July 28th, 2011
9:33 am
On the flip-side….Love the fact we’re bringing back Nicholas
Big Jilm
July 28th, 2011
9:38 am
We just let our “Brooking” goto Jacksonville. Go Bills! Sign Clabo!
cwltank
July 28th, 2011
9:41 am
Brooking was not the best Lb in hi class & Falcons never should have selected him. He had the size but he never really stood out to be the best. He was a Falcon so I am grateful for his contributions. Spikes was better & few more players, I just have memory lapse because, I was so disappointed on draft day. lol