Q&A: Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton bids farewell
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) fumbles the ball as Atlanta Falcons linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) moves in with Giants offensive tackle David Diehl (66) defending in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants recovered the ball on the play. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New Orleans Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton was still putting his arms around the fact that he’s crossed rivalry lines when we chatted on Monday.
He’s following in the footsteps of Bobby Hebert, Morten Andersen, Craig “Ironhead” Heyward and Joe Horn as players who have played for both teams.
Here’s the Q&A:
Q: Are you pretty glad this process is over?
A: Oh yeah, I’m definitely excited to be done with the process and know where I’m going to be living and what team I’m going to be playing for. I’m happy.
Q: How did the meeting and the dinner go with the Saints?
A: The Saints called my agent and they were real excited that I was a free agent. They had me as the No. 1 linebacker in free agency. They had crossed me off their list because they thought there was no way the Falcons were going to let me go. But it turns out that they did and they had a chance. When I got down there coach (Sean) Payton, (defensive coordinator) Steve Spagnuolo, (assistant coach) Joe Vitt and (general manager) Mickey Loomis, all of those guys, kind of wrapped their arms around me and didn’t want to let me go. They were just happy that I was down there. We had great visits; talking about the defense, the team and the direction it was going. I was excited to be a part of it.
Q: Where did you all go out to eat?
Curtis Lofton amassed 577 tackles in four seasons with the Falcons. (Curtis Compton/CCompton@ajc.com)
A: We went out to Emeril’s.
Q: Was it pretty good?
A: Yes, I had some crawfish. I never had crawfish before so I got some of those. It was just good. I had pre-draft visit there, but we never really spent time with the coaches and all of that. Then I got drafted to the Falcons, so you kind of grow up hating the Saints. It was a very important visit for me to take just to get a feel for the coaches and the players and see how they are.
Q: Any bad after taste in your mouth because the Falcons showed you the business side of football?
A: I was one of those people (who thought I’d finish my career with the Falcons.) But there is no bad taste in my mouth. . . it is a business. The teams are going to do what’s best for them. I had to do what is best for me. A team is going to put a value on a guy and other teams put more value on a guy. That was the situation. The guy has to go to the team that wants him more. The Saints wanted me more, so that’s where I went.
Q: Have you thought about putting on the Saints uniform yet?
A: I have and I’m excited. It’s going to be a little different for me, but I think I’ll fit right in. Gold was one of my colors in high school. We used to wear the black uniforms and Atlanta stopped doing that. I always wanted to wear the black uniforms so I’m excited about it. I can’t wait to get down there.
Here back in 2010, Curtis Lofton was being interviewed by Britton Lynn, a University of Alabama student who was a finalist to become the Falcons Taco Maco Insider. Lofton was set to visit the hospital and play with kids the following day. (By D. Orlando Ledbetter/AJC)
Q: Where are you going to play?
A: I talked to (Jonathan) Vilma and I talked to Coach Spagnuolo yesterday and they said they are going to get their best players on the field. They really don’t have everything all worked out. When I talked to Vilma he said “that if you feel comfortable and you’re the better [middle linebacker], then you’ll play the [middle] and I’ll play the [weakside] or vice versa or whatever.” I just want to win. Whatever we have to do to win, that’s what I want to do.
Q: With the Saints being in trouble with the league was that a factor in your decision?
A: Not at all. I wasn’t there when the bounty stuff went down. I have no issue with that. My main thing was, I went down there and they have a winning mentality. They’ve won a lot of games over the years. I wanted to go play for a team that has a chance to win the Super Bowl and I think that’s them. They are kind of taking on the mentality that it’s “us verses them.” That’s how I feel and can’t wait to be a part of it.
Q: Do you have a better chance to win a Super Bowl with the Saints?
A: Yes. I look at it like this. When you go to a team, it would be dumb not to think that you don’t have a better chance to win a Super Bowl with that team. I feel like Atlanta and the Saints have been evenly matched. But I really feel like there is more talent with the Saints. I will say that.
Q: Did you pick a number yet?
A: Yes, I think I will be wearing No. 50.
Q: Anything in closing?
A: Yes, I would like to thank the fans, Mr. Blank and the organization for taking a chance on a guy like me. The best of luck to them. Coach (Glenn) Pires really helped me grow on the field. Coach (Mike) Smith helped me grow on the field and off the field. I’m just thankful for them and the guys that I played with over the last four years.
Q: The fans have been on your case?
A: Yeah, I did an interview with someone from New Orleans and they said what do you look forward to? I said I look forward to playing on a team that has a chance to win a Super Bowl and that has truly great fans. I guess all of the Atlanta fans took it as me taking a dig at them. It’s been crazy. You can see all of the crap on my twitter timeline. But, hey, that’s part of the game I guess.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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168 comments Add your comment
rivercard
March 26th, 2012
7:44 pm
If he was a 2 down linebacker – then the Falcons playing him 90% + of the time doesn’t say much for their judgement. Unless you can show me where this was being discussed prior to off season you are all just parroting the company line.
The third down problem on this team is primarily lack of QB pressure.
Chattanooga Chuck
March 26th, 2012
7:46 pm
I wish Lofton all the best in his personal life. He’s been a fine player for the Falcons but circumstances dictated that he move on.
Ha Ha Falcons
March 26th, 2012
7:53 pm
Prediction:
the saga continues The Saints win the Division
Matty Ice has another mediocre season with
Lofton all up in his grill when Birds meet the Saints
Who Dat
Loyal Falcon
March 26th, 2012
7:54 pm
Had a chance? Dude Dallas hasn’t been relevant in the post season in 13 years. Whatever
Loyal Falcon
March 26th, 2012
7:55 pm
Bottom line is he wanted too much money.
Loyal Falcon
March 26th, 2012
7:57 pm
If Tatupu is healthy it’s a steal
Geico Lizard Just Told Me I Saved
March 26th, 2012
8:00 pm
a bundle by not buying….Atlanta Jaguars tickets.Atlanta will win no more than six games 2012.
Loyal Falcon
March 26th, 2012
8:00 pm
I’m not saying he isn’t a good player. We have a pretty good linebacker group. Why pay a guy that much money when you have other guys who can fill that role.
SirReal
March 26th, 2012
8:01 pm
@Steven A Smith Lofton was not the best player on our D. That goes to either Weatherspoon or Grimes. Lofton was very solid but never spectacular and seemed jealous of Spoon sometimes. (watch a few D Block episodes and body/face language) With Dent and Tatupu we’ll be fine. He is trying to save face about his fans comment but we all knew what he meant. He’s just salty b/c the brass didnt want him anymore. We had nothing to do with that and from what Ive seen over the years, we thought he was a bright spot on the team. Welcome to the darkness that is New Orleans….just a matter of time before the malevolence wears off on him…I look forward to 3rd and longs against the Aints now.
Loyal Falcon
March 26th, 2012
8:02 pm
We will hold judgement until after the preseason.
rivercard
March 26th, 2012
8:04 pm
Yes Tatupu who nobody wanted after the mighty Seahawks let him go is the answer to all this mediocre defenses problems. I hope he works out but it is a long shot at best.
Crying In The ATL
March 26th, 2012
8:06 pm
Talk about the saints all you want to people, they have a super bowl ring and what does the failcants have (NOTHING). Lofton ain’t a fool he knows where he has a better chance of winning a super bowl. You and I both know, he’s tired of getting his azz kicked by the saints. What’s the record now 10 out of the last 12 the saints have won. As the old saying go if you can’t beat them, join them. Even though lofton is coming over from the HATED FAILCANTS we welcome him with open arms. After all it’s all about winning a super bowl but you people in atlanta would not know anything about that since you have never got to party with the lombardi like we did.
Who Dat Nation
March 26th, 2012
8:11 pm
Hey Failcants fans how does it feel to be one of about 6 nfl teams never to win a super bowl. I know it must be eating at your heart. Maybe one day (NOT). Atlanta is known for the worst pro sports teams in the good old U.S.A.
D-Man
March 26th, 2012
8:13 pm
He “guess” we took that as a dig at us? At least be a man and call it what it was chump. Why would we take as anything else. If it wasn’t, you just had your chance to say it wasn’t, but you did not so here’s another middle finger at you #50…GO FALCONS!!!
Wink
March 26th, 2012
8:19 pm
Enough people! Lofton is no more a traitor than Dahl. Everyone can agree the Falcons let Dahl get away. He had to find a job an landed with the Rams. The Falcons had already signed Tatupu, before Lofton inked his deal with the Saints.
The Saints are a professional organization. Even without the bounty system & all the suspensions to management, we will still face Drew Brees twice per year, with or without Lofton and their coach the same players will show up and our hands will be full trying to get a victory. Why would a player not want to play with a team that has a championship quarterback, future hall of famer, and play in our division.
Secondly, you know who took Brookings place, Lofton. Who led the team in tackles after Brookings, Lofton. Who was the middle linebacker during the 13-3 season, Lofton. Who has played in every game the last 3 years as our middle linebacker, Lofton. Who did not play at all last year, Tatupu. Who could not get on the field to play last year, Akeem Dent. Not to say these guys can’t play, but to suggest Lofton was a bust is crazy, and who know how many snaps they will take. History suggests Lofton would have been on the field, his former employer knew this, but choose to take the chance…Lofton is not at fault here.
But here is the silver lining per all the posts here, if Lofton was so bad on 3rd down and he can’t cover down field. Then our brain trust should exploit that weakness and attack Lofton down field on first & second down. Do not wait for thrid down. Also, since he is such a run stuffer, maybe we should not run the ball either, we don’t want to play to his strength. Surly the new OC can take advantage, Right???
So I am guessing we have really out smarted the Saints on this one, by allowing Lofton to sign with the Saints, we have improved our offensive line. As a result, Lofton has guaranteed himself at least 2 losses, because most of you feel he was not our best defensive player, he was OVERRATED and the REAL reason why we scored only 2 points in a playoff game…..your anger is MISPLACED.
dirty pigeons
March 26th, 2012
8:22 pm
Oh,look,another NFL player shows he has no class and run his mouth,how original.Why interview this guy? Why not interview someone who…uhhh…PLAYS for Atlanta.But what do I know?
Curt
March 26th, 2012
8:34 pm
Curtis
steven A. smith
March 26th, 2012
8:51 pm
SirReal
March 26th, 2012
8:01 pm
The one thing that concerns me about Spoon is his “coverage Skills” and he seems to often Over pursue… I Believe Grimes is a Match-up liability against outside WRs(Bigs)
zorro
March 26th, 2012
8:52 pm
Gimme a break, who has come from uga to the Falcons and started (you guessed it ) . NO ONE! and I don’t see that happening any time soon. So a word to our free S and strong S take some stress classes so you don’t blow up out their trying to help Akeem Dent (uga) finest.Oh yeah! if this guy Akeem Dent is so good why haven’t Smithy put his &ss on the field. Now that I have said that I have a question what happen to the team when R2 goes out the game guys what about a back up just saying.
ATL Fan Forever!
March 26th, 2012
8:55 pm
In response to Who Dat Nation,
You rip on the ATL not being a good sports town. Child please! Last time I checked, all you have is the Aints! Your basketball team plays in Utah and you don’t even have a baseball team. Oh I forgot, you have the Hornets but nobody goes to the games because they are just plain terrible.
Please stop drinking that swamp water – it makes you Who Dat fans sound even more stupid. Alas, it makes it soooooo easy to despise and rip on you guys!
You can have Lofton – he’s a good player but we have to make the tough decisions right now. Just like you will when you ask who in the hell is going to coach your team next year.
C
March 26th, 2012
8:57 pm
Don’t let the door hit you Mr. Lofton. Enjoy watching Julio burn you twice a year.
Blackie
March 26th, 2012
9:03 pm
It hurts to let our high drafted players walk in FA or release without getting nothing in return (i.e., Lofton, Vick, Brooking, Kerney, Boley, DHall, etc.) Bad vibes about this one.
10 of 12
March 26th, 2012
9:08 pm
Yes C and when it’s all said and done my new name will be 12 of 14 !
Mikey
March 26th, 2012
9:10 pm
Mr. SaintsFan Jr. said:
<>
More like – just goes to show you how N.O. has to over pay to get anyone to play for them. ATL offered Lofton a contract. He’s playing for the money, that’s all…………..
cfoodgumbo504
March 26th, 2012
9:36 pm
Falclowns are a joke.. Welcome Lofton to a winner…
Supes
March 26th, 2012
9:41 pm
Enjoy your very average and overpaid LB saints fans! Expect ole Curtis to make plenty of tackles five yards past the line of scrimmage…
kalfree
March 26th, 2012
9:42 pm
Scott
March 26th, 2012
6:01 pm
In Atlanta, we don’t like SAINTS and never will.
See you in Atlanta Lofton, better wear ear plugs.
GO FALCONS !
LMAO!!! When we went to your dome this past season, it was so quiet we could hear Drew making his signal calls… My 5 yo son asked me “Why is it so quiet? There’s a football game!”
Also, the black and gold took over the entire lower endzone section where we sat. You want to talk about TRUE FANS??!!! Sell out your home games with season tickets. But that’s right, you don’t go to ANY of your teams’ games, doesn’t matter the sport.
10 of 12
March 26th, 2012
9:43 pm
He is average yet the Failclowns played him98% of the snaps. What does that make the Failclowns ? 0-3 in the playoffs , thats what !
PMC
March 26th, 2012
9:51 pm
The process or whatever it is has freaking derailed.
Resigning Decoud/Biermann and not signing Grimes long term last year is already crushing.
Translation, we get through camp realize Baker still sucks and we start getting desperate, signing some one to cover for Decoud…. And another broken pass rusher.
The plan now apparently is to go 8-8 this year at best
suthernguyga
March 26th, 2012
9:55 pm
I guess he will have to learn to play dirty….
With all the suspensions i hope the Saints are a bust..
There is not many teams i hate as much as them…
JF McNamara
March 26th, 2012
10:03 pm
Reminds me of Super Bowl champion Michael Boley. Curtis Lofton was 5th in the NFL in tackles this season with 147. He may be a two down player, but he’s productive in those two downs…
Beetch Pleaase!
March 26th, 2012
10:10 pm
He could have easily stayed with the Falcons, just with less money since they didnt view him as a 3 down player. The way I look at it is if he was, there wouldnt be any doubts about it…but there was, so so long traitor. I mean, the Saints? Really? Jeezus! I would say best of luck, but I really do hope he doesnt do well in New Orleans….sorry, but hey…guess that’s part of the game though, right Lofton?
10 of 12
March 26th, 2012
10:12 pm
He knows where theres a chance for a ring and where theres not so he made his move. It’s ok to be jealous , just don’t be bitter 1
InBreesusWeTrust
March 26th, 2012
10:13 pm
For all the haters calling us the AINTS…. Just remember who has rings and who doesn’t bitch. We ain’t the AINTS no more!!!!! WHO DAT!!!! SURELY NOT THE FALCAN’TS!!!! WIN A RING AND THEN COME TALK TO ME!!!! AND BY THE WAY WE NEVER CHEATED TO WIN!!!!! DON’T BE SO DAMN IGNORANT!!!!!
shesoleo
March 26th, 2012
10:23 pm
I will miss 50 too, but the only problem I had with him was when he spoke about the fans. When asked about the comments of fans on the blogs, twitter, etc he said the fans took it as a dig against them, but he never once denide that those were his intentions, are what he meant by it.
rivercard
March 26th, 2012
10:34 pm
How can anyone have a problem wit what Lofton said? He is going to a team that has a chance to win a Super Bowl. Surely more of a chance than the team that let him go. Saying the Saints have great fans is not saying that the Falcons don’t. They are not mutually exclusive.
shesoleo
March 26th, 2012
10:43 pm
I feel it was more about the amount he was asking for, and the amount we had to pay. IMO I feel we have just as much of an opportunity as NO to win a SUPER BOWL.
saints smell like hot mayonnaise
March 26th, 2012
10:53 pm
Hey saints fans.. you have ONE super bowl and you think u own the world .. why font you look at the whole saints/falcons battles since the beginning? We own your team! And we will own you again soon enough! See ya in 2012 noleans stanks!
reality
March 26th, 2012
10:57 pm
Lofton is a good player, but he isn’t a great player, and never will be. He simply doesn’t have the speed or explosiveness to be one. He’s a solid and dependable pro that will show up week in and week out, but he will never approach the category of elite linebackers.
This is why the falcons are moving on. They drafted him in the second round hoping they got a steal, and what they got was a solid starter. They obviously like Dent a lot, and they drafted him only one round later then Lofton. They will give him a shot this year and see what he has as a starter. If he doesn’t look like he’ll be the long term answer, they will draft a linebacker in next years draft when they have a full compliment of picks.
In the long run, this won’t have a major impact, but next year is more of an uncertainty given the health of Tatupu and Dent’s inexperience (then again, they started Lofton as a rookie, so starting a second year player is actually less of a risk).
FAlcons24
March 26th, 2012
11:18 pm
How can you play for a team for 4 years and leave, but yet feel like the team you are currently with have a better team? Things don’t change overnight, so apparently that is how Lofton felt when he was in a Falcons uniform. Thanks a lot for your true colors and giving us the opportunity to play faster without you. New Orleans have to deal with him not being able to cover now.
PMC
March 26th, 2012
11:25 pm
Akeem Dent is no more capable than Curtis Lofton and he has less experience. He’s not going to be equal or better period. He’s only cheaper.
Falcon James
March 26th, 2012
11:27 pm
I don’t think we need to get all caught up in Lofton saying he is going to play for a better team with a better of change of winning a super bowl. He just got a huge payday. It really doesnt matter what he said. He doesnt believe what he said. He believes he just got paid and will say anything to make his team look good. The man may be Saint, but he aint stupid.
PMC
March 26th, 2012
11:29 pm
If lofton isn’t a great player now what does it say about the rest of the defense? Decoud Is AWFUL in coverage and Biermann is too slow to make more than one good play a season yet they were retained. Ok good luck with that. All this talk of trading down when our STARTERS were the problem in many cases #drafting a KOS this year huh
Ms. T
March 26th, 2012
11:30 pm
I love Lofton but to ask for the top pay of some of the most experienced linebackers in the NFL was a bit much. I hate to see him leave but if you feel you have to go to a team that knowingly cheats then good luck dude!!
PMC
March 26th, 2012
11:33 pm
The team isnt much better but the coach and QB have us by a longshot.
Lofton is going to stop other teams from running on them. It won’t help vs Harry Douglass but whose to say the new falcon coordinators will be any better than the old ones? They haven’t done a thing yet and the team is worse on paper than the softest team in the playoffs the last 2 years.
#the process
PMC
March 26th, 2012
11:36 pm
It’s like watching sausage crafting
Vaughn
March 26th, 2012
11:39 pm
Get him out. The guy was garbage covering over the middle. I guess he was tired of having Colston catch third and long after third and long right over him. No loss, go get Nigel Bradham in the 3rd round and we’ll forget him quicker than Vilma will be released.
tsmith
March 26th, 2012
11:54 pm
i guess now lofton will get a big bounty for putting matt ryan out.
Sid
March 27th, 2012
12:07 am
Loyal Falcon
March 26th, 2012
7:57 pm
If Tatupu is healthy it’s a steal
***********************************************
I wanted to put “if” in much much larger font size.
BIRDSFLYHIGH
March 27th, 2012
12:25 am
I love all of the s**t that Saints fans are talking on here. LMAO….. Please dont make excuses when we beat yalls *** this year. Sean Payton being gone want do! BIRDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS