Atlanta Falcons: Show Super Mario Williams the money?
Mario Williams (90) has posted 53 sacks over his first six seasons with the Houston Texans. (Dave Einsel, Associated Press)
We’ve heard the rumor that the Falcons are going to pursue Houston Texans defensive stud Mario Williams.
There is no way the Falcons can comment on it because that would be considered tampering and a hefty fine would be in order. The Falcons would end up in Commissioner Roger Goodell’s doghouse along with the New Orleans Saints if they commented on Super Mario.
But the rumor is starting to grow legs. At least three people with ties to the NFL Network have floated this scenario. All – Steve Wyche, Bucky Brooks and Jason LaConfaro – are our pals and highly respected members of the NFL media community. Here’s some of the speculation.
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With the negotiations for defensive end John Abraham and middle linebacker Curtis Lofton in holding patterns, the Falcons have to do something. They can’t lose arguably their two top defenders and not replace them with someone of similar or greater stature.
We have to look to some of general manager Thomas Dimitroff’s recent comments for guidance. In an exclusive interview with the AJC on Jan. 10 he provided some hints.
Q: Can this defense, as constructed, compete for the Super Bowl title?
A: “. . . Obviously, there are still areas that we can improve upon. We need to continue to pressure the quarterback. . . . With that said, I love the tenacity of this defense. I’m encouraged by the direction of this defense. Like I’ve said since the very beginning in 2008, we will always continue to look to see where we can upgrade our talent across the depth chart and specifically on the defensive side of the ball.”
The following day at the “Come to Jesus” press conference with Arthur Blank, Dimitroff was very clear about a few things.
“We know that we need to get better in many, many areas,” Dimitroff said. “It is my job to
John Abraham has 53.5 sacks in his first six seasons in the NFL with the New York Jets before the Falcons acquired him in a trade. (Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com)
make sure that I step back with Coach [Mike] Smith and obviously, Mr. Blank, and look at all aspects of the football operations and determine where we need to make changes and where we need to adjust going forward.”
Dimitroff noted that there would be no “sacred cows”on the roster. “I don’t care where we drafted them or how we acquired them in free agency,” Dimitroff said.
Now, finally at the NFL Scouting combine, Dimitroff gave us some more insight to the team’s offseason modus operandi after their third exit from the playoffs in four seasons. He knows they must get better and may have come to the realization that “hey, maybe the Cardinals, Packers and New York Giants were just better teams.” The Packers and Giants did go on to win the Super Bowl. The Cardinals were a miraculous Santonio Holmes catch away from winning?
Q: How do you all rate the quality of pass rushers in this draft?
A: The edge pass rushers are something that we covet. They are not always easy to come across. There is a good group of guys that get up the field and turn the corner athletically and burst to the quarterback. We are all searching for that and they come in all different kind of packages. They don’t all have to be 6-4 and 270 pounds or 265. They at times can be 6-1, 6-1 ½ 230 pounds. It depends on the system that you are playing and there are certain systems out there that allow some to rush out of a wide-tackle nine and be very productive. Those same players might not be very productive in another system.
Free agency is set to start at 4 p.m. on Tuesday and the Falcons almost have to make a major move or two.
After turning over the coaching staff, they must upgrade the talent. While they have the fifth-most regular-season wins in the league over the last four years, they can see that the Carolina Panthers, the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers are going to be factors in the NFC.
Other teams projected to be in the Super Mario sweepstakes are Chicago, Green Bay, Seattle, Dallas and Tennessee. In addition to the Super Mario chatter, some in the agent community believe the Falcons could also make a play for Miami defensive end Kendall Langford. He played for new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Here’s Langford’s bio.
Last season, before the Falcons signed defensive end Ray Edwards, they went after Charles Johnson, but the bidding got out of hand as Johnson received a six-year, $72 million deal. The bidding for Williams is expected to be reach the $100 to $110 million range and average more than $14 to $16 million per year.
Blank said the Falcons want to win rings and seems to know that he has to upgrade his talent after three playoff losses.
Should the Falcons go all Jerry Maguire and “Show Mario the money?” Will they blink at the sticker price? Could he be the perfect replacement for Abraham?
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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191 comments Add your comment
bigboo220
March 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
I think we made key upgrades on the coaching staff that will make everybody look better this year.
Jason La Canfora
March 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
Oh yeah….You misspelled my name……You’re a professional how?
By the way, Steve Wyche says hi.
True Falcon Fan
March 9th, 2012
2:09 pm
ALL, Atlanta Falcon Fans —- we will soon see if Mr. Arthur Blank can play in the same arena with the likes of the Jerry Joness’, types among the 31 other NFL —- if Mckay and Dimitroff try to make the play for Super Mario —- this will be very interesting to watch indeed, once IF they succeed how the coaches make it melt together in the locker room. In big D as in Cowboys the big difference here is the team lives and breaths Super Bowl goal every year, big difference from ATL — So the point is these Cowboys PLAYERS welcome any time when Jones brings in the BEST players for the team!
JSS – NO implosion happens in the Dallas Cowboy locker room!
Joe knows the shoot!
March 9th, 2012
2:10 pm
After the Lays WOW potato chips anal bleaching has become common place! Cmon DOB get with the times!
TJ
March 9th, 2012
2:19 pm
Per CBS Sports: Falcons hovering, hope to land Mario Williams
Ichabod
March 9th, 2012
2:22 pm
Wow, super Mario sure got expensive in a hurry… from 81M last season to 100M-110M! Enough to give Smitty epigastric distress. Anyway, Ryan likes the way the D plays, and really would like Nicks.
Just seems that super salaries suddenly result in less than super results, some how. Go for the OL.
ATrueFalconsFan
March 9th, 2012
2:25 pm
Trade Matty Ice. Just kidding but he has no playoff wins and Joe Flacco has what, 6 playoff wins.
Atlanta Falcons: Show Super Mario Williams the money? | NFL Online News
March 9th, 2012
2:28 pm
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged Atlanta, Falcons, Mario, Money, show, Super, Williams. Bookmark the permalink. ← 2012 free agents by team (ProFootballWeekly.com) [...]
Terrell
March 9th, 2012
2:31 pm
ATrueFalconsFan
Well he’s credited with 6 wins but how many has he truly played a big part in?
Mike
March 9th, 2012
2:41 pm
FYI for the Dunta haters http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/54853/dunta-robinson-gives-falcons-cap-space
Sid
March 9th, 2012
2:44 pm
So if Orson Charles drops a few spaces would the Falcons take him @ 55………………??
Bird Dawg Country
March 9th, 2012
2:51 pm
They need to do something after the Edwards bust of last year.
Abraham is as good as gone. Even if he is actually on team, he has become an average rusher against good teams.
Signing free agents to big contracts is always dicey on how they react after they get the “big money”, i.e. Edwards. Although I believe the Falcons didn’t use good judgement on his injury issues before signing.
It is funny how many people thought Williams was a bust after taking a while to become the player he has become. Even the best need time, especially ones on expansion teams.
Best Interest
March 9th, 2012
2:52 pm
If Mario Williams comes to Atlanta he will end up playing like Montel Williams. Mario stay in Texas.
ATrueFalconsFan
March 9th, 2012
2:53 pm
A don’t know when we are going to figure out Dunta is not an excellent DB. I talked to him a couple times at Training Camp and sounds like a very good intelligent guy but he is not the very best in the world at his position.
Joe Tess Fish House
March 9th, 2012
2:55 pm
4 get Marino Wiliams. Payton Manning is talking 2 the Broncos if that is the case than the Flacons need 2 trade for Teabow! How awesome would that be?
Mr Blanks PLEEEZZZ trade 4 Time Teabow now!
Bird Dawg Country
March 9th, 2012
2:55 pm
If Falcons had full compliment of draft picks I would use one on O. Charles (3rd round or possibly 2nd if had to). But they don’t have luxury of a full draft, so wait till next year to pursue a tight end.
Greg Mendel
March 9th, 2012
2:56 pm
If the buzz is legit, the Falcons may be getting ready to make a big move or two. I’d prefer something that gave Ryan two or three more seconds in the pocket, but getting Mario might — might — give us a pass rush. Is a Mario/Nicks coup possible? For that matter, is a Peria Jerry-for-anybody-or-anything possible?
Left Coast Dawg
March 9th, 2012
3:03 pm
What is a “Scared Cow”?
welikebaseball2
March 9th, 2012
3:11 pm
@Mike: I was just about to post that. Dunta, the apparent goat around here, seems to sense the urgency of the upcoming season. Now, let’s be real, he’s not losing or letting money go. He’s just agreed to have some of the payment deferred. Still, it’s a move with the team’s current state in mind and I can appreciate that. For those who haven’t heard…this from ESPN: “Earlier this week, he signed off on some tweaks to his contract that will save the Falcons $1.75 million in cap space this year. Robinson waived a $3 million option bonus that was about to come due and also agreed to lower his base salary for this year by $1 million.”
Big Dude
March 9th, 2012
3:20 pm
It’s harder to defend against 4 guys rushing the QB as opposed to one. If he demands all that money, he’s only thinking of himself and is not a team player. Just my opinion.
True Falcon Fan
March 9th, 2012
3:21 pm
@Mike —- great post! Most on these bloggers don’t understand the type talent DR is for that matter how any of our DB’s can or should be with a awesome front DL four, handling the line, QB hurries, Sacks & tackling RB’s. The bottom-line is DB’s are not paid to tackle RB’s running the ball out of the backfield.
Bravesfan79
March 9th, 2012
3:26 pm
this article didnt say enough about what position he plays, and whos place he would take on the defense. Does he play the same position as Abraham? I thought so, but you made no mention of it. Also…. what have the critisims been off him in Texas, where alot werent happy he was made such a high draft pick.
True Falcon Fan
March 9th, 2012
3:28 pm
I promise you one thing if your son is Mario Williams i.e., “SUPER MARIO” you want him to make all the $$$$$$$$$$$$$ he can get —- his NFL career is way to short to be mindful of money fairness to “ANYBODY”! —- If you’ve never played the NFL game, i challenge you to find ex-player and ask him about money/pay fairness…. Just my opinion.
Nativebird
March 9th, 2012
3:42 pm
And now some discussion that will actually have an impact on this teams chances next year: offensive line.
fansince74
March 9th, 2012
3:43 pm
I would love to get him but don’t sell the farm to do it. A 100 million dollar contract is is too much for a DE. We need an offensive line. The Falcons scored 2 points in their play-off game: TWO ! and we think a DE will fix things.
Dean Wormer
March 9th, 2012
3:49 pm
Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life.
Fill the obvious needs please.
Mike
March 9th, 2012
4:00 pm
@ fansince74, as a Falcons fan who lives in NY and attended the playoff game I can tell you that the Giants DEnds had a LOT to do with us only scoring 2 points. I’m not saying we don’t need OLine help, but I am saying that if there’s a position to spend 100 million on besides QB it’s DEnd.
The Falconator
March 9th, 2012
4:22 pm
Most of us would agree with the fact that you win with defense in the NFL. Having said that, the urgent need for the Falcons is to keep Ryan upright in the pocket with time to throw and keep the running backs from being slam dunked at the line of scrimmage. Two solid O-line guys are needed on the left side. No question about that. $14MM is an awful lot for one guy unless he’s a major game-changer. However you look at it, Nolan has a big challenge ahead of him. Before going all in on Williams, let’s see what Nolan can do with Sid and the Beerman.
CJ
March 9th, 2012
4:23 pm
We’re not going after Mario Williams…… We still haven’t done anything with Harry Douglas or Todd McClure!!!
Epic Falcons Fan!!
March 9th, 2012
4:34 pm
I think we should sign Mario or Robert Mathis,sign Lofton, and sign Carl Nicks to boost our O-Line. I have heard rumors about trading Dunta and Michael Turner.
JSS
March 9th, 2012
4:45 pm
“JSS – NO implosion happens in the Dallas Cowboy locker room”
No, they usually happen at bars at airports when Jerry Jones has a few too many shot glasses sitting around…
@ Left Coast Dawg…
See Pg. 2 at 11:34AM…
@ DC Dirty Bird…
It was an auto-correct error; but it actually works, they run “scared” when the big horses are on the block then they end up over paying for marginal talents!
J.J.M.
March 9th, 2012
4:45 pm
colts signed mathis…
joewhite
March 9th, 2012
5:14 pm
I have my super mairo poster in falcon gear already make it happen now falcons.
Greg from Marietta
March 9th, 2012
5:27 pm
I agree that ‘Super Mario’ is a great DE and that the Falcons would be a better team with him, but no player is worth $100-$110 million.
Epic Falcons Fan!!
March 9th, 2012
5:30 pm
Ok what do you guys think about michael turner for a Lamichael James or a Trent Richardson
Epic Falcons Fan!!
March 9th, 2012
5:33 pm
Maybe they could sign Desean Jackson!!! He would fit well with Dirk Koetter’s new four verticals scheme
MaxxFalcon
March 9th, 2012
5:34 pm
DOL- 1st of all, we should throw the house at Mario Williams. He would instantly make our Defense much better and could be a real monster in Nolan’s D. 2nd, to a comment you posted here- Falcons really still think Sam Baker is the answer at LT? Maybe a healthy Sam Baker can block, but I wouldn’t know since he’s never been healthy at any level. It’s time for him to go. Reynolds should be in competition with Clabo for RT, Hawley is not more than a backup C, and Mike Johnson should get his shot at RG, but I just can’t agree with Baker being our guy at LT. Healthy or not, I saw him get abused constantly last year, just way over-matched against the good DEs. How healthy was he week 1 when Peppers was tossing him around like a rag doll?
Atlanta Falcons: Dunta Robinson provides cap room | Atlanta Falcons
March 9th, 2012
5:38 pm
[...] Atlanta Falcons: Show Super Mario Williams the money? [...]
Epic Falcons Fan!!
March 9th, 2012
5:50 pm
I still think Lamichael could be coming to the “A”
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 9th, 2012
6:07 pm
Sid and Epic Falcons Fan!! – David Wilson or Lamichael? All I saw James do was run the speed sweep out of the speed. He was awesome. However, Wilson has some major wiggle.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 9th, 2012
6:09 pm
Epic Falcons Fan!! — As far as your “Turner for James/Richardson” question. I saw, proven vs. unproven.
Atlanta Falcons: Show Super Mario Williams the money? | football-feed.com
March 9th, 2012
6:14 pm
[...] to Original Content From Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog): read more Related Articles Share About Author [...]
True Falcon Fan
March 9th, 2012
6:17 pm
Then you must know the real story about the fall-out between Jerry & Jimmy right after#2 SB win……………………Man it was crazy around here, all Jerry wanted to do was sit with da boys “The coaches” drink a little whiskey and share some BS together…Jimmy looked right at him in the eyes and said “You are Not welcome or wanted at this “F”ing table” — “this table is for coaches” not owners! Then all hell broke loose, the rest is history….and ALL da love was gone forever Jimmy & Jerry……………..I’m proud of you JSS sometimes you do know what da hell your talkin’ about….right-on man……. ask DLed, my bet is he knows this story to be “TRUE” —- Like the — True Falcon Fan
Quint in ATL
March 9th, 2012
6:40 pm
I have seen a few guys over the last few days talking about cutting Ovie…seriously? I mean, I know it is hard to quantify what he does because he doesn’t gain yards or score touchdowns like a running back, but I though his going down to injury this year was a huge blow to the Falcons offense. Is there someone better or at least comparable to his production and protection?
Firsttimer
March 9th, 2012
6:50 pm
Let’s slow down here Falcon fans. I am reading these comments and some of you sound like a kid on Christmas that wants a Ferrari just because it is a Ferrari. Let’s think about the team needs. Our defense was among the top ten under the tutorlege of BVG. Think how much better they should be this season. Before we mortgage the farm on one player why not give some of this young talent we already have an opportunity to play. I think Sidbury could be a beast playing DE/LB in Nolan’s scheme. I think Clay Matthews can also be a factor. Why draft these guys if you are never going to give them an opportunity to prove themselves? Re-sign Lofton; Dent is not the defensive play caller and Lofton is the best MLB we have had since Tuggle. Spend your FA money on improving your OL and pick up a stud nose tackle. This is not basketball where one player can carry a team to the championship. Build a team, that should be TD’s approach.
Firsttimer
March 9th, 2012
6:52 pm
Enter your comments here
JSS
March 9th, 2012
6:54 pm
Mark Ingram is twice the back that Richardson is (blocker and inside runner); but people are still living under the pipe dream that a college running back not named Adrian Peterson or Barry Sanders (what’s that? They’ve failed to do it too) is going to walk on football field and carry you to Super Bowl and win. It has only happened once in the last 12 seasons (Jamal Lewis in 2000 for Baltimore)… It is one of the great myths in the modern NFL…
Firsttimer
March 9th, 2012
6:54 pm
Sorry…that should be Cliff Matthews and kudos to Quint in ATL’s post.
Teenwolf
March 9th, 2012
7:11 pm
Great article Led. While I won’t be going to get anything bleached, I would love to see Williams in a Falcons jersey. If it comes down to paying Lofton 7-8 million a season for a two down linebacker, go ahead and spend the money for Williams.
Firsttimer
March 9th, 2012
7:42 pm
Bounty
WANTED
Seenthisb4 and hiramsaint