NFL free agency: All gassed up, but no place to go
Curtis Lofton, the Falcons' leading tackler over the past four seasons, appears headed to free agency. (Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com)Arthur Blank’s charter plane – affectionately called Falcons One -- is gassed up with jet fuel and ready to go.Under general manager Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons have identified their free agent targets and hit them.In 2008, Falcons One swooped in and picked up Michael Turner, the top free agent running back on the market, and signed him.In 2010, the main target was Dunta Robinson and that was done rather quickly.Last season, after the lockout, they flirted with defensive end Charles Johnson before the bidding got out of hand. The Falcons then went after and signed Ray Edwards.However, barring a flurry of cuts and contract restructures, the team will not be a major player in free agency when the league’s new business year begins at 4 p.m. today.Falcons One might just be sitting on the runway, gassed up with no place to go.Although fans are clamoring for the Falcons to get involved in the Mario Williams sweepstakes, the team has just enough room under the $120.6 million salary cap for the 2012 rookie class and perhaps a minor tweak or two.The Falcons have been busy getting ready for the start of the NFL’s new business year, but likely will be shifting their focus to the NFL draft, which will be held April 26-28 in New York.Dunta Robinson, after a trip on Falcons One, signed with the Falcons on March 6, 20010. (D. Orlando Ledbetter, dledbetter@ajc.com )
Also, it appears that the Falcons will watch as some of their key players like defensive end John Abraham, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, center Todd McClure and wide receiver Harry Douglas head to free agency.
The Falcons have already completed some key moves.
On Saturday, the Falcons agreed to terms with linebacker Lofa Tatupu, 29, a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro, move that basically signaled Lofton is headed to the open market.
In addition to securing Tatupu, with a two-year deal, the Falcons re-negotiated cornerback Dunta Robinson’s contract, signed offensive guard Vince Manuwai and re-signed three veterans — defensive end Kroy Biermann, safety Thomas DeCoud and running back Jason Snelling — over the past week.
“They have a great quarterback and a running back,” said Manuwai, who sat out last season after playing eight seasons in Jacksonville. “As an [offensive] lineman, this is a good situation.”
Manuwai is set to compete for the starting right guard spot.
On Friday, the Falcons worked out Tatupu, who’s 6-foot, 250 pounds. The former Seattle linebacker did not play last season because of injury problems.
He will compete with second-year man Akeem Dent for the starting spot. The Falcons could use Dent in running situations and Tatupu on third downs.
The Falcons were ranked 29th in the NFL in third-down defense last season. Tatupu has 10 career interceptions.
Tatupu has a history of knee and concussion problems. He did not play in the league last season, reportedly because of his knee problems.
Robinson re-negotiated his contract with the team to provide them with $1.55 million in salary-cap space in 2012. On Jan. 25, Robinson’s cap-value number for 2012 was $7.55 million. He cap number is now $6 million.
Manuwai, 6-foot-2, 335 pounds, played left guard in 111 games and started in 105.
Manuwai was a solid run blocker, who helped to power the Jaguars’ run game for running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew.
He suffered a torn tendon in his ankle during the lockout and wasn’t ready to play when it ended.
Last season, the Falcons mainly used Garrett Reynolds and Joe Hawley at right guard. Also, Mike Johnson, who missed most of last season with a foot injury, will compete for the spot.
Manuwai played under current Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter for four seasons from 2007-10 when Koetter served as the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator.
“It’s awesome because I know the offense already,” Manuwai said. “They just wanted to see me work out and make sure that I had no problems. They made the first offer, and that was it. I didn’t want to worry about looking somewhere else. To me, it wasn’t about the money.”
Prospective Free Agents
John Abraham, DE
Kirk Chambers, OL
Harry Douglas, WR
Kelvin Hayden, CB
Reggie Kelly, TE
Curtis Lofton, LB
Todd McClure,OL
Mike Peterson, LB
Chris Redman, QB
Brett Romberg, OL
James Sanders, S
Eric Weems, WR
Joe Zelenka, LS
Vance Walker, DT — restricted
Players Re-signed
Kroy Biermann, DE – 4 years, potentially $12 million.
Thomas DeCoud, FS – 5- years, potentially $21 million
Brent Grimes, CB – Franchise tag – 1 year, $10.281 million
Jason Snelling, RB – 3 years, $ 4 million.
Vance Walker, DT — $1.26 million
Antone Smith, RB – $540,000
Michael Palmer, TE – $540,000
New players
Manuwai, Vince, RG – Undisclosed
Tatupu, Lofa LB – 2 years.
Potential targets
Carl Nicks, guard, New Orleans — Our buddy Mike Tripplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune has an update on Nicks.
Scott Wells, center, Green Bay — Here’s a story by Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on Wells likely leaving the Packers.
Kendall Langford, defensive end, Miami
Nick Hardwick, center, San Diego –Re-signed with the Chargers.
Mark Anderson, defensive end, New England
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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188 comments Add your comment
1998
March 13th, 2012
8:53 am
Are you kidding me….??? Another embarrassing flop, I mean complete and utter collapse in the playoffs, and we are not going to go after the key pieces we need to get better…?!? I find it hard to believe that Arthur is going to sit back and watch his team do nothing in free agency but sign 2 injury riddled players who didn’t even play last year…? Unbelievable. Then again, this is what this team has done my entire life in this city: show flashes of potential and tease you, then embarrassingly collapse on the big stage.
AlanFalcon
March 13th, 2012
8:53 am
Relax boys, by 4pm you will know who we kept and whom we let test the free market, think about it, do you really want a $12million DE, on a snap count for the season, do you want a MLB who makes tackles 5 to 10 yards down field and does not have ability to cover passes over the middle, do you really want a WR that has yet to regain his speed for the slot, com’on guys wake up and let the brain truss do their job, 4 consecutive seasons lead to future sucess and a Super Bowl.
JesusHChristo
March 13th, 2012
8:54 am
From Mr. PatY:
” I have a tough time seeing the Falcons sit totally still when it has been made so clear by owner Arthur Blank that they have to win big next season. “
Mikey
March 13th, 2012
8:59 am
Anxious to see what is done for defensive end. No doubt that Abe provided a big force on the D-Line last year. Even if the injury-prone subs work out at other need positions, we still have a void at DE. The draft looks a little weak at that position by pick #55 (but might be possible) so that will be the next challenge for our Falcons. I’m anxious to see what they do. Balancing the salary cap is a critical skill and I still feel that we have the best in the business managing this for our Falcons.
It is nice to see that our Falcons are contenders and it makes these moves very interesting to watch. I’m more enthused this year than ever before. However, I agree wholeheartedly with marco’s great comment above that we don’t necessarily need new checkers just because we lost a few checker games to the super bowl winners. I look forward to seeing better orchestration of our emmense talent.
Wabe
March 13th, 2012
8:59 am
I have confidence in Mike Nolan. I’m just having a hard to grasping the logic behind this…
Going into 2011, we made moves thinking we were ‘one peice away’.
That turned out to be false.
Coming into 2012, it’s evident we have multiple needs. But, the problem essentially becomes compounded when you lose your best DE + MLB + a very capable slot receiver to FA. So now, ‘one player away’ turns into ‘multiple needs + talent downgrade’.
I’m willing to wait and see what this front office has in store for us. I’m hopeful they know what they’re doing. But, I’m just struggling to understand how an upgrade in coordinators (and I’ll give Dirk Koetter the benefit of the doubt for the sake of argument) with a reduction in talent equates to rings…
No 1st rounder.
Lose Abe, Douglas, and Lofton.
Replace them with bargain purchase signings and hope Mike Nolan can turn rags to riches?
Hope these guys know what they’re doing.
It’s true you won’t win/lose playoff games in the offseason, but you can win/lose fan interest. And after the last two playoff debacles, I’m pretty sure the businessman behind this operation, Arthur Blank, knows that.
We’ll see. Many of our concerns should be answered in the coming hours and days to come.
jay
March 13th, 2012
9:04 am
There is no way they are counting on the draft, Tatupu and Manwhoever to improve our team while letting Abe and Lofton go.
DC Dirty Bird
March 13th, 2012
9:06 am
Any truth to the rumor that Abraham was at Flowery Branch yesterday, possible for negotiations? Someone said they saw a tweet that said he was there.
Treeofwoe
March 13th, 2012
9:08 am
LAWL you and Schultz (said just like in Hogan’s Heroes) crack me up. Money can be made pretty quickly if need be to get who we want whether it’s Mario or no.
Current (supposedly reported cap) = 5.8 mill
Pull from 2013 = 1.5 mill
Cut Baker = 2.6
Cut Ovie = 3
Sign Grimes long term for (7.5/yr for 4 yr or so) or rescind tag = 2.5 to 10.281 mill
Money rolled back to clubs from Dallas / Redskins = 1.6 mill
Voila new cap money to play with = 17 to 24.5 million in a hot hurry
Really….Dunta restructured his contract so we could sign no one else HAHAHAHA…ok….
JesusHChristo
March 13th, 2012
9:09 am
Look – Fact is, losing HD is not as big a concern as the others. Our offense does not take THAT big a step back losing him – we have some really good receivers on this team. Cone, Meier etc. It’s not like HD was holding it all together or anything…
WTF
March 13th, 2012
9:10 am
The falcons are so stupid way are they so scared to bring in talent this is the problem with all atl teams they are scared of talent you let Abraham go he was our only pass rusher and dont go get mario williams you let hd go and you dont have a get replacement well i hope TD and MS belive some players they drafted are ready to step up if not td and MS your out the door. ATL teams stop runing from talented players p****
JesusHChristo
March 13th, 2012
9:11 am
I agree with Treeofwoe – Money can he opened up pretty quick. I repeat fans: DOL is doing his job by keeping up readers on our toes and coming back to read his stuff.
He started off acting like we were going to be big spenders – now he is acting all doom and gloom. Why are you all acting so surprised? This is a blog, btw. A blog is more for opinion than anything else…
Treeofwoe
March 13th, 2012
9:15 am
Exactly JesusH – the article above flies directly in the face of the edict Mr. Blank made at the end of the year press conference. Status quo changes weren’t just expected in coaching. They were also expected in personnel. Does no one remember Arthur’s face at the end of the season?! Moves will be made and not just in the draft…belieee dat!
Kramer
March 13th, 2012
9:17 am
Anyone on here, including DOL, think they might go after Mincey in Jax? Might be able to get him at a good price and he is cooming off a productive year.
Treeofwoe
March 13th, 2012
9:28 am
It’s possible Kramer. They might opt for a LT and a more reasonable DT / DE rather than throw all their money at Mario. 2 for 1 it. We’ll see. Either way I’m excited to see what’s coming down the road today.
GDawg
March 13th, 2012
9:31 am
Kramer I see them going after Anderson in NE before Mincey.
Chubbyboy
March 13th, 2012
9:32 am
D-LED: The drafy is in April not March…just a minor correction…
JesusHChristo
March 13th, 2012
9:33 am
That’s right. Mario Williams is not the ONLY DE out there. Just because we don’t go after “the best” doesn’t mean we’re sitting idle.
Besides – EVERYTHING YOU HAVE HEARD IS PURE SPECULATION. Teams CANNOT talk to players, it’s collusion – So reporters can ONLY speculate. We fans can’t live off every word – we have to use our own brains sometimes, as hard as that may be for some of you. Just like when you watch that KONY2012 video….You have to read between the lines to see what is REALLY going on…
I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!!
March 13th, 2012
9:34 am
WTF!!!
CONservative Johnson
March 13th, 2012
9:37 am
Why not tell Grimes and his agent to go out and find a deal/trade? We’ve seen what we can do with decent CB play. We need pass rush more . . .
Chop Buster
March 13th, 2012
9:40 am
JesusH – You are exactly right. Sometimes us fans forget we’re dealing with speculation from the media and they know as much as we do about what a team will do.
Kramer
March 13th, 2012
9:40 am
GDawg, is Anderson more affordable with more upside then Mincey?
nobody
March 13th, 2012
9:43 am
I think we can all agree this was a huge fail by the AJC reporters. Every single article leading up to last week said the Falcons would have 30 million in the cap and then after Grimes was tagged it went to 20 and we’ve only made a few signings since then….WTF happened? AJC doing an awful job at keeping the fans informed.
Kramer
March 13th, 2012
9:43 am
Treeofwoe, I am looking forward to 4:00 as well. Should be interesting. I can not see us sitting on our hands if we intend to let Lofton go. Then again, you just never know with the crazy economics of the NFL.
Rafael
March 13th, 2012
9:45 am
This is great… now LIBERTY CHEAPIA also owns the Falcons.
It’s not enough that the BRAVES ownership operates on a “dime” budget (that’s right, one thin dime – one tenth of a dollar).
THANK YOU for taking all the wind out my sails.
Instead of the Falcons signing an impact game-changing free agent to IMPROVE our EARLY-EXIT playoff team, they try to sell us on the fact that oft-injured Lofa Tatupu and Vince Manuwai will lead us to the promised land.
I did not see ANY other NFL teams rushing to sign Tatupu or Manuwai. No, other NLF teams that WANT to win are chasing Mario Williams and Carl Nicks.
Arthur, don’t you think that Williams and Nicks are a TRUE way to IMPROVE this team?????!!!!! We’ve needed a pass rush since the Wright Bros. flew their plane at Kitty Hawk. How much more beatings can Matt Ryan take with our horrible offensive line????!!!!! Think about it.
Thomas… you think you can improve through the draft with NO 1st Round pick???!!!! All the Falcons with get in the draft is BACKUPS and DEPTH.
This is the SAME team as last year minus Lofton and Michael Turner going downhill each year.
Oh ok, you’re right… Lofa Tatupu and Vince Manuwai make us Super Bowl contenders.
Arthur Blank must be on Liberty CHEAPIA’s Board of Directors. Now our Falcons are run like the Braves…. CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP. The results will prove out… another depressing end to a mediocre season.
Some team will step up and sign Mario Williams and Carl Nicks. Our Falcons sign players from the MASH unit because they are (and I quote Frank Wren) “AFFORDABLE.”
Another NO Super Bowl wasted year for our Falcons.
Dan
March 13th, 2012
9:52 am
Rams release 28yr 320pds center Jason Brown. I will take him!
Get me McNeill when he is released and our OL will be set.
Report had Tavon Williams in for a workout 2 days ago? Why would they be looking at another DB unless maybe they are thinking abour recinding the tag for Grimes and going after Mario
Falcons will have to make some cuts to get rid of some dead weight and contracts with the guys in their 30’s like and guys that havent produce even if we drafted them high like Peria, Baker, Mclure
GDawg
March 13th, 2012
9:55 am
@ Kramer, Anderson and Mincey are the same age Anderson has better sack numbers overall I can see him with a better upside. And we have enough players from Jax
MR. ATL
March 13th, 2012
9:55 am
Only Free Agent I can understand walking is Abe. As much love as I have for Abe, he’s just getting older. We could have possibly signed him to a one-year deal but it all depends on what he wants.
The money we threw at DeCoud was absurd. No way is he worth what we gave him. I don’t care who’s scheme it’s in.
Only crisis I see are losing Lofton and Douglas. If you think neither of these are impact players, then you haven’t been watching the games. Who saved us when Julio was hurt (Douglas). Who was top 5 in almost all LB categories last year Lofton. And we sign a 30 year old package marked FRAGILE!!!!
I’m not convinced.
Pete E. Tong
March 13th, 2012
9:58 am
Why is everyone giving DOL crap about previous articles with regards to how much we money had?
When you rely on a source that cannot think for himself (DOL) you get whatever tidbits he can copy and paste. Garbage in, garbage out. Blame yourselves, not DOL – he’s found his niche (a payday that doesn’t require any real thinking), good for him.
Kramer
March 13th, 2012
10:00 am
GDawg, I agree with the enough Jax players already. Question is, does Sith and TD?
Kramer
March 13th, 2012
10:03 am
Damn Pete, that was pretty harsh! I wonder how many team beat writers are going through the same agony this morning with their information they have compiled from “reliable sources”? I know if I was a GM or front office person I would not be showing my hand before 4:00 pm to any journalist. DOL is in that damned if he does and damned if he don’t situation.
RUDEDAWG
March 13th, 2012
10:14 am
I don’t get it! Im still at a loss for resigning of Decoud and Beirman. And you still haven’t cut Baker,but won’t resign Douglass or Lofton.Tagged Grimes! Please let the shrimp go. Take that 10 mill and get some real football players. And if the falcons dont think Ryan’s contract does’t need reworked your crazy.Blank said he wanted some players with some B@@ls! I dont see them yet,and the money is gone! I’m sick of the teasing!
Sedgrid
March 13th, 2012
10:14 am
D-Led can not write an article show Mario the money and come back and say that Falcon officials state that there is no money. He deserves the heat he is taking. Although he has the right to express his opinion on who the falcons should sign, the job of the beat writter is to reflect the pulse of the team. Fans should have been warned after the Grimes Franchise Tag that the team is broke.
Ultimately Blank is responsible, You dont have a press conference and ask for major changes if you don’t have the money to sign free agents.
Curlygreg
March 13th, 2012
10:16 am
You are going to lose Harry Douglas for sure. Someone will pay #2 money for him, and as our #3, we can’t afford him. Ovie is a year away from being back at full speed, and he is too expensive, so he is gone. Abe isn’t going to be able to play enough snaps to justify his $, so he is gone. Add in a couple of restructured contracts and there is enough money to plug in solid new pieces. The sky is not falling. Every team goes through this.
Kramer
March 13th, 2012
10:19 am
Curlygreg, great post. There are some people who just like the turmoil and like to bitch. Just the way of the world.
Pete E. Tong
March 13th, 2012
10:20 am
We tentatively resigned Harry Douglas last night, Curlygreg. Get with the program.
Kramer
March 13th, 2012
10:22 am
Pete, what does tentatively mean? NFL Network still shows him as the number 4 available F/A WR.
Greg Mendel
March 13th, 2012
10:28 am
All I expect is an actual pass rush and more protection for Ryan. FAs, draft picks, trades, new schemes — I don’t care how they make it happen. Big Names didn’t work for the Eagles last year.
PMC
March 13th, 2012
10:28 am
If Lofton goes to Tampa he’ll have at least 2 amazing games a year and they will both be against Atlanta.
He will Chris Draft this team and Lofa’s knees will fall apart about game 2 of the preseason…. and TD will go on about how he doesn’t regret making this move.
Pete E. Tong
March 13th, 2012
10:30 am
Pete, what does tentatively mean?
Verbal agreement, pending a physical contract and signature. Fox 5 broke the story and said he will sign a new contract today.
Source: http://boards.atlantafalcons.com/topic/3943852-harry-douglas-to-stay-a-falcon/
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 13th, 2012
10:31 am
Sedgrid – Situations are fluid in the NFL. Championship teams aren’t built through free agency.
Kramer
March 13th, 2012
10:32 am
Channel 5 trumped the NFL network. Go figure.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 13th, 2012
10:32 am
Kramer — Yesterday Schultz was talking the heat. Today is my day. Like the Braves, we have deep rotation.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 13th, 2012
10:33 am
Pete E. Tong — I think I should thank you for those remarks. . . . . Back to thinking position!
Kramer
March 13th, 2012
10:34 am
You best have thick skin to DOL. I don’t envy your situation. Sort of like being a politician, one day you are a public favorite and the next you are scum. Except you don’t make a habit of lying to us. Keep up the good work.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 13th, 2012
10:34 am
nobody — Situations change. They are called updates.
SawThat1nce
March 13th, 2012
10:36 am
If the Falcons do not strengthen their OLine, they have failed, in the off-season.
They desparately need to improve their pass rush also.
Pete E. Tong
March 13th, 2012
10:36 am
Someone’s gotta give you heck, DOL. You we love you; someone’s just gotta take the flack for the displeasure over the salary cap issues. That person, unfortunately, appears to be you.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 13th, 2012
10:38 am
Just heard from Douglas’ agent. Reports that Douglas has agreed to a deal with the Falcons are “not true.”
Kobie
March 13th, 2012
10:41 am
I am like everyone DLed, if the Falcons are not going to be major players in free agency why put a list of potential targets up? No need in raising fans hopes and then dashing them. Just say from the jump no money, I was surprised that you wrote about the different scenarios to begin with and was wondering how the Falcons would pull it off anyway.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 13th, 2012
10:41 am
Peter E. Tong — I’m fine with that. Yesterday, it was Schultz. Tomorrow, it’s Bradley’s turn.