Falcons agree to terms with running back Jason Snelling
Atlanta Falcons running back Jason Snelling (44) runs into the end zone past Arizona Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson for the first of two touchdowns during 2nd quarter action for a 17-7 lead at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (Curtis Compton/Ccompton@ajc.com)
Running back Jason Snelling, who tested the free agency waters last season before returning to the Falcons, agreed to terms with the team on a three-year, $4 million contract Thursday.
Snelling, 5-11, 234 pounds, was originally selected by the Falcons in the seventh round (244th overall) of the 2007 NFL draft.
Last season, Snelling rushed for 151 yards on 44 carries. He also added 26 receptions for 179 yards and one touchdown.
In five seasons with the Falcons, Snelling has totaled 1,192 yards on 300 carries with seven touchdowns while adding 107 catches for 827 yards and five touchdowns.
Snelling is the fourth player the Falcons have re-signed or tagged in order to keep them from becoming free agents on Tuesday.
The Falcons placed the franchise tag on cornerback Brent Grimes on Monday.
Starting free safety Thomas DeCoud signed a five-year, $21 million contract, tight end Michael Palmer and running back Antone Smith signed their exclusive rights contracts on Tuesday. On Wednesday, defensive end Kroy Biermann signed a three-year, $12 million contract.
Negotiations with defensive end John Abraham, the team’s sack leader, are in a holding pattern. Negotiations with middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, the team’s leading tackler, were termed “amicable,” but no deal has been reached.
Here are the rest of the Falcons’ prospective free agents: offensive tackle Kirk Chambers, wide receiver Harry Douglas, cornerback Kelvin Hayden, tight end Reggie Kelly, center Todd McClure, linebacker Mike Peterson, quarterback Chris Redman, offensive guard/center Brett Romberg, wide receiver Eric Weems and long snapper Joe Zelenka.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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117 comments Add your comment
Big Crimson 75
March 8th, 2012
1:28 pm
Abe, Loftin & HD are really the only key Players left.
If Abe’s asking price is outta site, then we should go after someone like Mark Anderson — much cheaper & a guarantee 8+ sacks a season – unlike Ray Edwards. Also, Andre Carter could be had short term to replace Abe.
Loftin is still a mystery to me. If he wants top 5 ILB $$ — bye bye!! The guy is a very good 2 down backer — that’s it!!
HD is nothing special. He’s a #3 receiver — nothing more – nothing less. We can find someone else to put up the pedestrian #’s he has produced the last 2 years.
Remember Falcon fans — with Peyton getting released yesterday — it should be noted Peyton lost his first 3 Playoff Games!!
There’s still hope for Matty Ice!!
jay
March 8th, 2012
1:30 pm
Ok I’m going to update my numbers. I guess DLED doesn’t have the right figure for Decoud at the 21 mill since that’s the only place I’ve seen that number.
Grimes 10 mill
Decoud 1.5 mill
Biermann 4 mill
Snelling 1.33 mill
Smith ???
Palmer ???
@silverman – we have to assume that he will sign it if a longterm contract is not agreed upon. Also without knowing the bonus amounts in these deals we can only assume cap hit based on length of contract and total dollars. So with the update on Deound the number drops to $16.83 mill not including Smith and Palmer’s deals.
FalconFan
March 8th, 2012
1:35 pm
@jay
Smith and Palmer deals are probably baseline minimum salary amounts. I can see them getting paid more than 1/2 million. Whatever they got paid last year will be the same or a little less. They just happy to make somebody roster.
dirty 4 life
March 8th, 2012
1:38 pm
Good. Snelling is better than fat boy Turner anyway.
Loserville USA
March 8th, 2012
1:45 pm
Good news….A Snelling/Rodgers backfield does much more, especially if we are trying to be EXPLOSIVE.
And take the bucks to where they belong — O-LINE and D-LINE.
Jimmy Crack
March 8th, 2012
1:46 pm
One of the good guys gets inked. Jason is one of the few players I can actually say got short changed with his contract. A true team player who runs with attitude whenever called upon.
JSS
March 8th, 2012
1:49 pm
You have got to be kidding TFF? You SIGNED DeCoud (a classic under-performer), Snelling (coming off a broken jaw), Bierman (he’s a back-up), Palmer (only in Atlanta would some folks think he’s Jimmy Graham or Adrian Hernandez like talent-level), and you Grimes out on an island hating being franchised? Where have you improved? You still have 4PM on the 12th stirring you in the face… Like I said: “You’re giddy!”
Brick
March 8th, 2012
1:55 pm
Love the signing of Snelling. Good solid player that helps our team in multiple ways. I believe DeCoud was resigned bc of the safety draft class. It is terrible. Kroy biermann, I don’t quite understand. He is a decent player but he can easily be replaced with a mid round pick. We will make a push to sign Mario Williams. We have plenty of money. We had at least 30 million to spend entering the offseason.
DC Dirty Bird
March 8th, 2012
2:12 pm
JSS, if you’re going to be a hater, at least do it with football acumen. Decoud’s contract is back-up money at safety. The high dollar amount is based on incentives and roster bonuses 2 years from now. No one in Atl thinks Palmer is anything but a blocking TE. Grimes will be okay once he gets his long term contract. Lastly, who said we’ve improved? I think Falcon fans are pleased that so far we have been able to resign role players at nominal contracts. Okay, prepare to hate on 3….1,2,……3!
ronhen24
March 8th, 2012
2:14 pm
Turner is slow getting off the ball and the best thing right now is to trade him and get back in the first round. Some of those holes he have opened for him the average back would have already been at the second level. Maybe even cut him and free up some money for Nicks and Mario. They will make atleast 2 big splashes this year. Arthur Blanks just have to go into his pockets with some hope that this will pan out. I think that we will be okay go hard in free agency, because Arthur Blanks wants to win.
Gamer
March 8th, 2012
2:15 pm
GREAT TO GET SNELLING BACK……HOPEFULLY DIRK CAN STRATEGIZE ILLUSTRATIVE OFFENSIVE SETS FOR SNELLING…..SNELLING RUNS HARD WITH DETERMINATION TO SCORE….AND HE CAN CATCH THE BALL…
rm
March 8th, 2012
2:31 pm
I don’t understand what the heck the falcons are doing. $4 million a year for Beirmann, who’s best at special teams and is a backup DE? Decoud at over $4 million a year? Seriously? Adam Schefter don’t know what he’s talking about when he say Falcons fans will be glad to have Decoud back. Personally, I think he should have been gone long ago. He is soft and terrible in coverage! How many tackles do we watch him come up and whiff on? Wow, this team seems to be going backward!
yeswecan
March 8th, 2012
2:33 pm
Orlando where did you get your information about what snelling signed for. The terms of his contract is not disclosed. This kid is smart. Keep doing you Snelling. Glad to have you back.
JSS
March 8th, 2012
2:42 pm
DC…
You don’t have to prepare for the hate, you are confusing what I think of Ijonathan, UGABugKiller, and TTF with every blogger. That is not my problem, don’t ever make it personal and we’ll never have an issue on that front. Palmer has never been a “blocking TE.” That is why they went out and got Kelly. Oh go back in the blogs when you have time to waste, people (segment of Falcon bloggers) think he is a better than average receiver.
I’m going to say this clearly. I just don’t like DeCoud (Back-up money or not)… I don’t want him any part him in my defensive backfield… I’ve been consistant in that point (and don’t act like it is something new)… He cannot read routes or formations tendencies or get over his desire to jump routes. Go look at the Giants and you can Gilbride setting him up for Hicks play right in front of him and BAM they ran the route twice in successive down and distance scenarios before he hit it… You are not suppose to do that to your secondary’s quarterback… Go back and watch and listen to what Troy Aikmen said about that play. It is DeCoud, and people think Nolan is work some “horse whisperer magic” on him. The sad thing, it has rubbed off on Moore in his coverage reads. That is not a matter of lack of pass rush (causing sustained coverage time), it is not a matter of coverage, that sir is “basic football accruement.” Enjoy
JSS
March 8th, 2012
3:00 pm
” it should be noted Peyton lost his first 3 Playoff Games!! There’s still hope for Matty Ice!!”
So did Ken O’Brien, go and look at how many playoff games he finally ended up winning…
Veedub
March 8th, 2012
3:02 pm
Good news, I like Snelling.. Seems like he got low-balled though???? Think he’s more valuable to the team that that price-tag suggests!!! O well, welcome back!!
Bird Dawg Country
March 8th, 2012
3:10 pm
Good….Snelling has had some very good runs when replacing Turner on the field. And did not cost much as far as todays market goes.
I wondered why there were so many reports after the season ended that he was one of the players not expected back. I thought he proved his value enough to pursue re-signing.
jay
March 8th, 2012
3:10 pm
@Veedub, he was able to shop around last year and I’m thinking he didn’t get any real offers because he ended up back here on a one year contract. So I think he made a smart decision by taking a more long term deal that will make him a millionare 4 times over and not make him a target to be cut in future years.
Bird Dawg Country
March 8th, 2012
3:11 pm
Now spend some money on O-Line
Bird Dawg Country
March 8th, 2012
3:15 pm
Isn’t it funny how some people think $1 million per year is nothing?! What warped minds. Back to your $7 per hour jobs….lol
little joe
March 8th, 2012
3:24 pm
Chub Rock is right…folks that want rid of Turner are crazy. Watching a mid-season DVRed game a few nights ago they flashed up typical RB numbers such as avg YPC, YPG, carries per game, TDs per season, etc.. The chart indicated MT was second in each and every category for the entire four years since he got here….only AP was better, he was first in each category for the four year running totals. There is nothing wrong with MT nor MR2 that an improved O-line won’t fix
DC Dirty Bird
March 8th, 2012
3:30 pm
JSS,
Its never personal. Kelly was brought in because the #2 TE Justin Peele was lost for the season in training camp. Not because of Palmer. There may be some who are “high” on him, but I’m sure there are other “do you watch the games” statements that are posted by these individuals.
I won’t disagree with you regarding Decoud’s tendency to attempt to jump routes and get burned. I will say this, Nolan’s defense isn’t a read and react defense which may enable Moore and Decoud to be more agressive.
True Falcon Fan
March 8th, 2012
3:39 pm
@JSS — hey i never said i was impressed with all resigns so far. I for one happen to concur with you assessment of DeCoud.
My issue is with your commit of implying the Falcons will “implode” several days ago come 12th March “implosion” — i don’t get that that statement/commit at all. My interpretation of implosion is very bad turn of events of which causes disarray in the organization. I would appreciate a sensible response? Thank U
JSS
March 8th, 2012
3:46 pm
DeCoud doesn’t to be more aggressive, he needs to learn basic tendencies. He went to CAL not UGA, he ought have it figured out by now… Moore just needs to stay on the field. I’m not as crazy bout him as some; but I’ve never questioned his athletic ability, only his durability.
We’ll disagree on Palmer. There have been multiple bloggers pushing him for the past two seasons for bigger role in the passing game. His blocking has never impressed me.
Hugo
March 8th, 2012
3:47 pm
Why? Rather take a draft pick than resign him.
He is straight GARBAGE. Sorry.
JSS
March 8th, 2012
3:55 pm
If read before you comment some time you’d understand what “Roster implosion” meant. Ledbetter answered a question that I posed about the top level of the Falcons UFAs and some players with actual salary cap implications like Baker, Abraham, Snelling, McClure, Lofton, and Douglas on deadline to make offers at 4PM on the 12th due to contracts signed by players on other teams in KC and Cleveland. As Ledbetter said: “It could be ugly.” Of course you ran off on one of your tangents. Snelling was always a wildcard, his injury muddied the water to his value. Grimes on the other hand, who knows, they could have saved them self a lot of misery last year…
Choke has to go
March 8th, 2012
3:56 pm
Ok let now cut Matty ICE and sign Manning:)
Dan
March 8th, 2012
3:56 pm
DLED question do we have enough under the salary cap to get Mario Williams, Ben Grubbs and McNeill if he is relesed by the Chargers if we dont resign Lofton and release Sam Baker and if Ryan restructures his deal?
kingdaddy
March 8th, 2012
3:56 pm
Congragulations Mr. Snelling, glad you’re a Falcon this year.
One thing Atlanta has always screwed up is they always keep their F.As too long. Sometimes you have to trade a good or even great player before they are used up. Smart teams see a player Peaking and that is when you deal for the future of the club. What are we going to get for Turner or Abe? Both great players we could have got #1s for, but it’s too late. For the future of a team, you have to do this or you grow old with few options, which is where Atlanta is now. You need veterans, but football is a young mans game.
True Falcon Fan
March 8th, 2012
3:59 pm
Your point is well deserved DeCoud does not read quickly enough! He’s made Dunta look horrid at times the past two seasons. However Dunta is another issue all together. DeCoud may mature and might improve this season, we shall see.
JSS
March 8th, 2012
4:00 pm
by an actionExplode is external destruction by blast, implode is inside force that cause demolition.
True Falcon Fan
March 8th, 2012
4:02 pm
@JSS – Thank U for clearing that point up for me. I agree with U!
kingdaddy
March 8th, 2012
4:19 pm
Go ahead and lockup Grimes for 3more years so we can trade him while he’s still got value. Then trade him in 1or2 yrs. Give new line coach this year, a chance to move Baker from L.T. to R.T. or inside. Give coach a chance to fix him. Find new L.T. and 1Guard. Work deal with Abe to stay at lower rate or find younger FA. Ask Nolan what he wants and listen to him. Above all else, protect RYAN …
kingdaddy
March 8th, 2012
4:37 pm
This is going to be a very interesting year with new O and D coordinator. We don’t know what we have until we see them on the field against another team using new schemes.
kingdaddy
March 8th, 2012
4:42 pm
It could get ugly but I doubt it. Probably going to be a fun year to be a Falcon Fan.
Falcons4life
March 8th, 2012
4:51 pm
what about HD and lofton??????????
Bruce
March 8th, 2012
4:53 pm
4 Million a yr for Biermann & 4,2 Million a yr for DeCoud. What are TD & AB smoking? A lot of money for a spot player and a db that blows it when he is in coverage. Not expecting much from the Falcons this yr if this is what they are doing in the off season. Disappointed in NW GA.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 8th, 2012
5:15 pm
Falcons4life — Nothing to report at this time on C-Lo and HD83.
PlanB
March 8th, 2012
5:21 pm
Jonathan @ 10:51am – you said Turner sometimes only gets 5 yards. Why do we need a punter??? Get rid of Bosher.
Are you kidding? Many times Turner is stopped for no gain and we need money for OL & DL help. We have good RB’s in Snelling and Quizz. One of the positions where we can get rid of our #1 and still be OK at that position.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 8th, 2012
5:21 pm
Dan — They have to set the salary cap first. You scenario doesn’t work. They are not working restructuring Ryan (Per TD on 790 The Zone). Sam Baker is not getting released (Per Smitty at combine). Lofton is up in the air.
PlanB
March 8th, 2012
5:22 pm
Bruce – looks like Nolan might have a plan for Biermann.
thejama
March 8th, 2012
5:37 pm
I really like this move. Snelling has been a rock since being drafted. He does it all…blocking fullback, pass protection, catches out of the backfield, runs hard between the tackles, and oh yeah Special Teams!! Love this move TD, if Turner goes down we still have a power running game.
Now lets get Lofton inked and pray we can get Harry as well…going to be an exciting week leading up to FA. Go Falcons!
JTH
March 8th, 2012
5:56 pm
Now get some linemen. Good ones.
PlanB
March 8th, 2012
5:59 pm
Just read Chub Rock at 11:29am. A complete jerk. Turner get 1000 yds against crap teams and 340 against the good teams and chub rock is self appointed more knowledgeable about football than anyone. These are usually the guys that know nothing. Turner was MM #1 RB. Then why is MM gone? Snelling is only 10 lbs lighter than Turner and can catch and play FB. And did you miss Jamal Anderson? The true best RB for the Falcons ever before injuries. How about Riggs and William Andrews?
coloradofalconsfan
March 8th, 2012
6:38 pm
Oh I like Snelling. I we see more of him in the offense and plays like that TD he scored on a pass vs Saints where he bullied those bounty hunters.
coloradofalconsfan
March 8th, 2012
6:38 pm
* I hope we see…
hbcuclassics
March 8th, 2012
6:46 pm
HBCU Classic Sports
2012 Draft Preview: Corey Berry, DE, Howard
http://hbcuclassics.com/hbcu_showcase
falconfiend
March 8th, 2012
7:23 pm
Im ready for the falcons first round draft pick Mario Williams. Then our defensive end search is over.
falcons relax
March 8th, 2012
7:41 pm
Some of you falcons fan don’t understand and have a very low football I.Q. Chub Rock made a great point about fans crying over finneran but then wanting turner cut who just finished 3rd in rushing and has 12 TDs. SLOWING DOWN????? Have some of you forgotten the bad play of the o-line and the lost of Ovie, one of the best FBs in the league???
And for anybody who wants to say turner just turned 30. Why is 30 the average for when RBs slow down? It isn’t just because 30 is a magic number. ITS BECAUSE BY 30 RBs HAVE USUALLY GOTTEN OVER 2000 CARRIES. Do the math. Turner didn’t start until he was 26. HE WAS ALREADY A BIG RB BACKING UP L.T. Turners body is way freshier than other RBs who turn 30 based on his playing time. I’ll give up on turner when the FACTS AND STATS start showing hes wearing. But hes fine. Steven Jackson is doing fine with more carries on the worse team. Turner has a good 2 years of top quality production left in him.
BTW, its official, on the nfl network jason la caforna said he expects Atlanta to make a strong push for mario williams. I truly belive SMitty, TD, and Blank already have the plan to go get him. Put that with Mike Nolan addition and a healthy Ray Edwards to redeem himself, with Sid and Biermann as backups. Should be a fun season ahead of us. Hope we get him
Sid
March 8th, 2012
7:58 pm
My god we stole him…………………..