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
atlfalcons831
March 9th, 2012
8:02 pm
Its already going to be a good season(Since the saints are being punished lol) But if we get mario williams..that will make all saints fans throw the paper bags over their heads again lol
cwltank
March 9th, 2012
8:07 pm
I think the penalties will hurt the Saints, so we will be South champs. On whether we should sign Mario or Nicks? Hell yea, they would be foolish not to persue every effort to sign them. Cut Ovie & Forney, if you have too, just get er done!
The Boss
March 9th, 2012
8:11 pm
@ Joe Tess Stink Hole-
Do you ever have anything positive to say? And your “act” is so tired… figure out a new schtick would you?
TD – Sign Mario! Tickets sales alone will pay for it and all the wins won’t hurt either!
kreedham
March 9th, 2012
9:04 pm
I’d rather get that Saints OL. It would subtract from them and add to us. Two wins!
mrzizzle
March 9th, 2012
9:12 pm
SIGN HIM YESTERDAY!!!
bama52
March 9th, 2012
10:17 pm
If there’s a chance sign Mario. Signing him should make Abraham want to stay.
Dunta Robinson provides cap room; Tatupu works out | Local Philadelphia News Aggregator
March 9th, 2012
10:22 pm
[...] mονе beneficial tο both parties. Thе Falcons dіd nοt reveal іf thіѕ mονе wаѕ раrt οf a master рlаn…Houston Texans defensive еnd Mario Williams οf Nеw Orleans Saints offensive guard Carl [...]
Joe's Anus
March 9th, 2012
11:27 pm
I just got bleached!
Bleached Anus
March 9th, 2012
11:34 pm
Anal Bleaching is so refreshing….just sayin
Falcon fan in Texas
March 10th, 2012
12:07 am
If the falcons are serious about winning they will pursue Williams. As much as I love Lofton and Abraham, they are expendable if this is the case. We can slide Spoon to the middle and find an OLB in the draft or FA that can fit our need. Williams automatically helps take the pressure off of Edwards, in which he can contribute more like he did with Vikings playing opposite side of Allen. It makes sense at all levels.
You say Williams hasn’t won anything. Who on the current roster has? At this point you upgrade where you can with the best players available. Our biggest issue has always been pressure on the QB. We can have a stud on the DL which will only help take pressure of the DBs.
Falcon fan in Texas
March 10th, 2012
12:08 am
Joe – Congratulations on the bleaching. Here’s to a brighter a future!
are you serious?
March 10th, 2012
6:00 am
yeah lets trade everything to draft RG3 who will be out of the league or a backup in 4 years
marko
March 10th, 2012
7:30 am
Super Mario’s going to be cashing some pretty big paychecks where ever he ends up next year. I’m kind of lukewarm about him becoming a Falcon.Last season Houston kicked our butts pretty good without him. Mario was injured. While he’s obviously an extremely gifted athlete when he’s healthy, He’s not always the most durable guy. We had the same problem with Abraham. He’s Stud when he’s healthy, and a dud when he’s not. When you go to work, a beat up pickup trucks a better option than a Ferrari sitting on blocks. Should the Falcons sign him if the price is right? Sure, but realize that we have a better chance of turning cow pies into gold than the Falcons have of signing Mario Williams at a reasonable price.
Mr. Costanza
March 10th, 2012
8:39 am
I would rather have two or three good players that play than one great player that is often injured.
Ichabod
March 10th, 2012
10:02 am
Like the man said, when he is in prime shape is is super, like in 2011 he had 5 sacks in the first 5 games, then tore his pectoral muscle and was out for the rest of the season. All players say that whatever injury they had is “healed completely” when in FA. It must have been a pretty big tear to keep him out the entire rest of the season. lol.
Atlanta Falcons Free Agency: Mario Williams Rumors, Vince Manuwai Signs And More at atlanta.hoops227.net
March 10th, 2012
11:10 am
[...] you know who it is? If you guessed Kendall Langford (who?), then you are absolutely correct. D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reports that “some in the agent community” feel the Falcons could try to sign the 3-4 [...]
jc_dawg
March 10th, 2012
11:31 am
The game is won and lost in the trenches folks….like it or not. That said….sign Williams and work on the O line. Abe and Lofton are gone.
I’m telling you…the trenches….thats where its won and lost.
terrell
March 10th, 2012
12:51 pm
Lbetter, you cant define a qb by HIS TEAMS RECORD. If that was the case, Denver wouldnt be looking for a new qb. Btw, the “iceman” usually melts when it matters most. Not a Ryan hater or anything. Just sayin.
terrell
March 10th, 2012
12:55 pm
Slide Spoon to the middle? Um, no thanks. Dent and co will be fine.
philip minutillo
March 10th, 2012
1:11 pm
I would be shocked if we got Williams. Not getting my hopes up. The Falcons had a chane for Peppers and they did not spend the money. TD just doesn’t get it. They need to buld a DEFENSE like the Ravens Period! That will then fill in the seats and bring more of a fan base.
SGT CHRIS
March 10th, 2012
1:40 pm
speaking of TEs–dallas clark is a free agent, and why not go after brandon jacobs at RB??
Smegma
March 10th, 2012
2:41 pm
Unnh Joe?? Mr. Bleached??? You’re looking for the L.G.B. board. And I apologize for any similarities to that place you may see here. But we’re trying to get better!
jalex49
March 10th, 2012
3:44 pm
Got to go after Williams and see what happens. Need to keep Lofton and work Dent into the rotation. Abrahan would be good to get back for a couple of years, but I still believe Biermann can be productive at defensive end.
Got to get offensive linemen that can protect! As far as the draft it would be nice to see Atlanta get Boykin as a corner/punt returner. Hope Atlanta goes after Ediie Royal at wideout and Carlos Rogers at corner.
Best of luck. Can’t wait to see what happens!!! Go Falcons!
Falco peregrino
March 10th, 2012
4:25 pm
It would be a crime against football not to pursue Mario. Just sign him. This team has focused too much on offense, and now to turn the corner, they must sign a stud on defense, and Mario is the man. Do what Green Bay and New England didn’t do. Focus on defense.
PlanB
March 10th, 2012
6:59 pm
My 2 cents. I had rather have Mario and Dent for the same money as Abe’s asking salary and Lofton wanting 8 mil. but I don’t want Mario if it means not having a good OL. I can see Mario making things much more difficult for Brees and would love it but we have spent alot of money on the offense and without an OL, it is wasted. Koetter needs to get the stiff out of Matt & let him play ball. Don’t take injury chance but if open, run or dump off to a RB. I think MM & MS have him playing so conservative we are stopped on many drives that shouldn’t have been stopped.
tidog
March 10th, 2012
8:10 pm
Kendall Langford can be signed for less money and he’s a Hampton University grad, hopefully the Falcons get this one right. Fear the Pirate.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 10th, 2012
9:24 pm
tidog — No reason to fear the Pirates! Maybe if he was a Bison.
R Brown
March 10th, 2012
10:38 pm
DOL – “Show Super Mario Williams the money”?
From your mouth to Arthur Blank’s ears
R Brown
March 10th, 2012
10:42 pm
AB has ALWAYS been a major player in the Free Agent arena. AB is the best owner any team could hope for not only because he let’s his football people do their thing but he is not shy about paying for it. He has made a FA splash each year he’s been here. No reason to doubt him now.
cwltank
March 10th, 2012
11:19 pm
Has anyone stopped to think about the Falcons playoff defeats. The teams they lost too either won or played in theSuperbowl. So when I read that the Falcons have a lot of needs or that Matt Ryan is a bust, it upsets me. Finally, the Falcons are changeing their approach on players and improved their coaching staff. I love the moves and after they cut and upgrade a few more players, you all will too.
cw1545
March 11th, 2012
1:16 am
I had a feeling after the season before last, that the Falcons had lost a little faith in Lofton after his subpar season that year. I don’t know if management was sold on him and they really had a lot of interest in Dent that season. He had a pretty good season this year and really took advantage of his situation. He will get a nice contract and be a good MLB for another NFL team, the Falcons have bigger needs and can adequately fill his vacancy, in my opinion.
birddroppings
March 11th, 2012
7:02 am
When you consisitently give up 30-40 points a game to the better teams you need more than one or two men and spending all your money on one guy won’t give you the defense you need for the title. Spend the money wisely on several players.
Joe
March 11th, 2012
10:30 am
I think the best we are going to get out of Abraham is behind us, Its time to move on. Like hime as a player, but he is getting long in the tooth.
Falcon 228
March 11th, 2012
10:35 am
What do we do here fans. Do we spend the money or do we go into the draft with what we have and look at the late round picks. When we look at the Giants and their defensive picks they are the best at finding these guys that can not only make the big plays but they combine that with making them in a key part of the game. And they’re not 1st round picks.They picked Lofton because he was a play maker. But he never did make that key play. Sure, he played 99% of the playes on defense last year. How many interceptions, fumble recoveries, sacks or tackles for a loss did he have last year or for that matter during his tenure here in Atlanta? They have to get better at making these late round defensive picks. Mario Williams will be a great pickup but I still prefer we look for that help in the draft and spend money on the OL.Mike Nolan will give us a better eye on our defensive choices in the later rounds of the draft. Making the tackle is great but making it after the a gain of 4 or 5 yards? AMF Lofton.
PlayBoi100%
March 11th, 2012
10:38 am
If we cut 23,33,93,72 and sign 55 back let 50 go to big sign Philip Wheeler to take 50 place,Carl Nicks the OG we need,Red Bryant a mean DT we need,Dwight Lowery a safety that can cover and hit a up grade from 28,Cedric Griffin and Will Allen are better then 23 and would cost less money. We could draft a RB to take fat boy spot. We don’t need Williams but he would be great to have…Mr.Blank listen to me we need some nasty mean players. We don’t need no more clean cut guy to fit a Good Guy Image……….It’s not working change up our d-f needs to match or 2009 o-line nasty
Disgusted
March 11th, 2012
11:35 am
As a fan of course I would like it, but if I were a cap expert (and I do not profess to really care about the busines side of thngs), the FO has to think long and hard in planning this.
It is alot of money. Mario should be far better than Haynesworth (better player and perrson), but it IS alot of $$$$$$$.
Maybe that is why they are pursuing guys who were good but comming off injury. The Tatupu sign could be great but I want to see it.
Charles
March 11th, 2012
2:35 pm
Nike, pay me, FALCONS, JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A-Ville Ranger
March 11th, 2012
3:51 pm
Trading Abraham and Lofton for a gimp and a gifted under-achiever would be 2 steps backward. Williams is a big puss and he always will be. Why would we give the soft as butter Williams 100 million but pass on giving the more productive Charles Johnson 72 million ?
cdog
March 11th, 2012
4:06 pm
WHATEVER THE FALCONS DO, PLEASE DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME SIGNING CHRIS REDMON. HE CAN’T MOVE THE TEAM PAST MIDFIELD.DRAFT OR SIGN A BACKUP BUT SAVE THE MONEY ON REDMON
Chris Eagle
March 12th, 2012
4:49 pm
Kendall Langford? I hope we do not “settle” for another Ray Edwards clone. If you want Charles Johnson/Mario Willaims, then go for it.
Richard
March 13th, 2012
9:47 am
SPEND THE $$$$$$$$$$ ON THE DEFENSE AND OFFENSIVE LINE & SEND Roddy White to the Patriots for one of their first round picks it would truely benefit both teams!!!!!!!!!!!!!