Atlanta Falcons: Lofa Tatupu out for the season
060612 FLOWERY BRANCH : Falcons linebacker Lofa Tatupu stretches for team practice at Flowery Branch on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
On a day when the Falcons’ fans received their season tickets, they also got some bitter news.
Former Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who was trying to make a comeback after sitting out last season, had pectoral surgery Tuesday that will knock him out for the 2012 season, according to head coach Mike Smith.
With the Falcons looking to replace leading tackler Curtis Lofton, Tatupu and Akeem Dent worked out with the first-team defense during the offseason.
Tatupu suffered the injury Thursday in the weight room and went to specialist Dr. James Andrews on Monday.
“We got a second opinion,” Smith said. “The second opinion confirmed the first opinion. He had a procedure done today and he will be out of the season.”
In other injury news, Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholas (big toe) and offensive tackle Lamar Holmes (foot) have been cleared for training camp as the players are set to report Wednesday. While starting defensive tackle Corey Peters (foot) has not been medically cleared.
“[Peters] will have a follow up physical in about three weeks,” Smith said. “Corey is not going to be participating in training camp. We should have some more clarity in a few weeks.”
Tatupu signed to a two-year, $3.6 million contract in March. He received a guaranteed $600,000 signing bonus and had a $1.25 million playing time escalator clause in his contract.
Tatupu, 29, a three-time Pro Bowler, didn’t play in 2011 after spending six seasons with Seattle. He was a first-team All-Pro selection after the 2007 season. He contemplated retirement, but elected to give it another try with the Falcons.
In light of the injury, the Falcons are not sure if Tatupu plans to retire.
“Lofa just had the procedure done,” Smith said. “I haven’t had a conversation with him. We just want Lofa to get as healthy as he can. Right now, I’m sure that’s probably the farthest thing from his mind.”
On Monday, the Falcons signed veteran linebacker Mike Peterson, who can play all three linebacker positions and help Dent get ready for the season.
“Mike Peterson gives us some flexibility,” Smith said. “Last year, we drafted Dent as a middle linebacker. Now, he has the opportunity to grab that position.”
Peterson, 36, was a starter in 2009 and 2010 before shifting to a reserve role last season. He received a $50,000 signing bonus and a base salary of $910,000 in 2011. He was not tendered an offer, when his contract expired on March 13.
In 2011, he started five games and played in 15 before going on injured reserve with a torn triceps that required surgery.
Lofton, who led the Falcons in tackles with 159 last season, signed with the New Orleans Saints during free agency.
His departure left a hole in the middle of the defense.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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152 comments Add your comment
Bell Bottoms
July 24th, 2012
4:49 pm
Well Damn! I just received my seasons tickets in the mail today. This is not good!
JSS
July 24th, 2012
4:50 pm
Cap hit and Jeff “Torn Pec” Fish strikes again!!! Double play!!!
Falcons Girl
July 24th, 2012
4:56 pm
Great news to start off a season that hasn’t even started yet
Runner-
July 24th, 2012
4:58 pm
Any chance we can save sone money if we cut him now?
DJ Sniper
July 24th, 2012
4:59 pm
I hate that this happened, but let’s be honest: Lofa was an insurance policy at best. It would have been nice to have him as a back up, but this injury is not going to set our team back.
I will, however, be keeping an eye on Corey Peters and when he will be medically cleared. All previous indications were that he will be ready for camp.
E-Roll
July 24th, 2012
4:59 pm
Well this is where our G.M. has excelled in recent years by picking up a cap casualty or late cut player and plugging them in and they contribute so it is time for T.D. to work his magic again. The Falcons still have a little cap room to pick up a player let go by another team right, D.O.L.?
PMC
July 24th, 2012
5:01 pm
That’s too bad. Hope you get better soon Lofa.
rodfalconi
July 24th, 2012
5:01 pm
I hope Dent is ready, the door just opened up for him, now its up to him
PMC
July 24th, 2012
5:03 pm
Razor thin at LB. Wonder what they are going to do for special teams.
mountain_jim
July 24th, 2012
5:05 pm
Dent better be good, should have kept Lofton.
mountain_jim
July 24th, 2012
5:05 pm
Yes, Razor thin. If Dent gets dinged, who plays MLB now?
VinceVanGo
July 24th, 2012
5:06 pm
Let the Buyer Beware! Previous serious medical problems usually become current medical problems. A gamble gone bad. But at least Arthur Blank has deep pockets unlike Liberty Media & the Hawks owners. We need an Arthur Blank clone for the Braves & Hawks.
EGGHEAD
July 24th, 2012
5:07 pm
I guess the weight room was a little too much.
Looks like little Tommy D...
July 24th, 2012
5:09 pm
…has his work cut out for him – and how do you get a season ending injury BEFORE training camp even starts? And a chest injury at that – what a sissy…and what a waste of $600K…and Lofton is laughing all the way to the bank, even though he has no coach…
Josh
July 24th, 2012
5:09 pm
Paging Curtis Lofton… oh wait.
buckhead benny
July 24th, 2012
5:11 pm
I guess there goes the cliche “No Pain, No Gain” D. Orlando-
Dallas Cowboys
July 24th, 2012
5:12 pm
sorry falcons better get ready for nov 4th when my cowboys come home to the site of one of thier five superbowls……………………….
Nique
July 24th, 2012
5:19 pm
We should bring in Channing Crowder as well now
section 126
July 24th, 2012
5:20 pm
Better now than during the season. We can replace him without losing anything! RISE UP!
falconsrelax
July 24th, 2012
5:23 pm
Had a great feeling about Lofa to. I think he would have really fit in with what we wanted and made an impact. Its on dent now. Im honestly not afraid because he sat on the bench for a year and his tangibles were better than loftons. Falcons have to remember that we have nolan now. I totally different scheme from what BVG brought and we still finished 12th overall in a lockout year. All dent has to do is play DT to DT. Thats all, it sucks that lofa had to get injured again. I think its the way this has happened because honestly there was no clear WINNER for the job. If dent would’ve been named the starter after training camp fans would’ve been fine. Its the way this has happened because now all eyes are on dent. I think hes fine. He has to grow up fast in coverage though. Thats going to be the problem and I think that was what lofa was for. Dent is going to get ate up in coverage the first half of the season. As far as tackling Im not worried
Linebacker Lofa Tatupu Out For Season « The Falcon Project
July 24th, 2012
5:23 pm
[...] Falcons have announced middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu is out for the season after suffering a pectoral injury in the weight room last [...]
johnm
July 24th, 2012
5:27 pm
So what. I mean really who cares. All tatupu was good for was pushing dent to be better. Well be fine. Happy to have peterson back and hoping we get crowder
Greg from Marietta
July 24th, 2012
5:29 pm
DOL – If a player is injured and can not play and is out for the season can the team salvage any of his CAP allocation to use on a replacement player?
tt44
July 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
yep…history of injuries, unfortuante..that is why I am concerned about the o tackle we drafted….history of injuries…..oh my good ness…Go Falcons!
SirReal
July 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
I hate it for him. I was looking forward to seeing if he could bounce back. I guess the Universe has other plans for him unfortunately. I guess that ESPN Analyst was right. He was a low risk “gamble” and its a good thing it happened early. Dent, let’s see what you got.
I see some people freaking out about this but IT’S EARLY…..and every team has injuries. It happens. Harsh reality. I think we’ll be fine as long as our key guys get through camp alright. Plus in Nolan’s D, the MLB is important but not the focal point. He’ll figure something out for 3rd down. The guy’s one of the best at what he does. I hope Peters can make it back in time though. We need him. Hopefully Holmes can PLEASE show some real flashes at LT that will at least make the staff add him to the mix. I still dont like Baker at LT….
Waffle House
July 24th, 2012
5:31 pm
Were is “The Hammer” Jessie Tuggle when you need him; come on hammer one more time!!!
Saints R.E.A.M.
July 24th, 2012
5:43 pm
There really aren’t any good backers for TD to pickup….just a bunch of retreads …and any player that gets cut will be seriously flawed & damaged goods…the Falcons will be patching this defense together all year. And I have a serious feeling the Falcons will be pushed around by teams that commit to the running game. Enjoy!!!
Big Crimson 75
July 24th, 2012
5:51 pm
Hello Gary Brackett & hello Channing Crowder !!
AlanFalcon
July 24th, 2012
5:51 pm
Peterson is a liability because of his age and the Falcons would not have cut him if they thought he had anything left in the tank, if you don’t understand, he is a reach. TD needs to go to work and hopefully had someone other than Peterson out there.
John
July 24th, 2012
5:52 pm
Ugh, this is really disappointing news.
John
July 24th, 2012
5:54 pm
Everyone needs to take a breath and exhale. In DC Mike Nolan’s defenses middle linebacker’s are important but not essential. It is more import for the D-line and D-backs to be above par. Akeem Dent will do fine and excel in the scheme. We could get one more just for depth.
zgoldatl
July 24th, 2012
5:55 pm
Just got my tickets in the mail. Rise Up Atlanta
Columbus
July 24th, 2012
5:55 pm
Always trades boys,
always can be a trade….
Or Keith Brooking
Really?
July 24th, 2012
5:55 pm
too bad… how about the return of Keith Brooking? Maybe in the new defensive scheme he would be an asset. Cowboys let him go I believe. Yes, not a long term strategy etc, but serviceable I think
Tom E. Gunn
July 24th, 2012
5:56 pm
Falcan’ts are losers. Loser franchise in a loser town with loser fans. Always has been. Always will be.
Just Sayin.....
July 24th, 2012
5:59 pm
I ask again…..Why so much love for Dimitroff when all he does is draft and sign players with injury prone backgrounds?
Bucky Badger
July 24th, 2012
6:01 pm
Tom G = Aints Fan Loser!
Lofa Tatupu Out For The Season « Franchise Sports Talk
July 24th, 2012
6:01 pm
[...] AJC caught up with Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith about the condition Lofa Tatupu is in “We got a second opinion. “The second opinion confirmed the first opinion. He had a procedure do… [...]
Mike Franklin
July 24th, 2012
6:05 pm
One word… starts with an ‘F’ and ends with !
kbb
July 24th, 2012
6:06 pm
ALL TD does is pick up bargain basement thrift shop players off the scrap heap. Im sure he will go sign some other broke down injured guy to fill in. We never get the big names, just good guys with huge question marks
Paddy O
July 24th, 2012
6:06 pm
If the Falcons were authenticallly counting on this guy, whoops – another bimbo move. Injuries are not typically isolated.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
6:07 pm
runner – Not that much.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
6:08 pm
E-Roll — Not that much. They are up against the cap.
Big Dude
July 24th, 2012
6:08 pm
Hey… He never was a part of the team. Had not officially made the team. Never made it to training camp… Falcons never had him; Falcons not missing anything. Just Arthur missing the $ he paid him up front.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
6:10 pm
Greg from Marietta – It won’t really matter because he won’t be in the top 51 contracts. Team is out of the $600,000 guaranteed if he never plays again.
First time Season Tix Holder
July 24th, 2012
6:18 pm
OK….I just got my season tickets and on the front is says two thousand twelve season tickets, but when I open it, there are only ten tickets. Who do I complain to?
Fred ™
July 24th, 2012
6:23 pm
Are you shi****** me? I was SO looking forward to watching that animal whips some serious ass for us. Well hopefully he will next year, but in the mean time, just damn. I see that as a serious blow.
Fred ™
July 24th, 2012
6:24 pm
LOL First time season Tix holder. I think you need to go get Arthur to give you the other 2000 tickets.
North Ave FTW
July 24th, 2012
6:25 pm
Dimitroff is the bust here…..sold the farm for a decent receiver, cant find anything in everyones trash heap, and hasnt had a B+ draft yet…….dude has got to go!
Mike Franklin
July 24th, 2012
6:26 pm
There’s a lot that comes with pride and yes, it is a sin. But if you’re a football fan, or a player, there is nothing like a little humility to smooth the field.
The Falc’s are in a tough spot now. The loss of Tatupu could be like the arrow that killed Achilles. It came from nowhere and took out a critical part of the war.
To Keith Brooking – The Falcons sent you packing after a long and distinguished career in Atlanta. In return, you showed your anger and pride in a game when there was a vengeance factor.
Time goes on.
To the Falcons organization and to Mr. Brooking, I suggest that if there is an empty slot for a LB on this team that old animosities be set aside. Let’s bring Keith home to finish his career and earn the spot that he had already earned.
Play like hell. Win. No one will care when it’s all over if we get to where we all want to be.
I’m done.
First time Season Tix Holder
July 24th, 2012
6:28 pm
Do have his number or e mail? This is a huge disappointment. No way this guy will get a new stadium if he tries to rip off fans like me.
bart
July 24th, 2012
6:30 pm
The bodies of Pro athletes are taken to level which allows incredible performances but also seems to make them as fragile as Barbie dolls. I don’t ever remember athletes in the old days having near as many season ending injuries.
BigRon
July 24th, 2012
6:32 pm
Im more concerned with corey peters injury he is a good player our starter depth can be found at MLB defensive line to me is most important position on defense.gotta get him healthy.everything else will fall into place
Lofa Tatupu out for Season with Torn Pectoral Injury | :: Sparxxrx LLC ::
July 24th, 2012
6:34 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter also reported that Falcons head coach Mike Smith told the press of the [...]
Falcons: Play 60!
July 24th, 2012
6:35 pm
“Tatupu received a guaranteed $600,000 signing bonus”
didn’t have to play a single regular season game and got 600K, I’d say that’s a sweet deal for him.
Rod "straight outta Augusta" Johnson
July 24th, 2012
6:49 pm
All I am going to say is….LB Jerrell Harris! roooooooooooooooooooooll tide!
John
July 24th, 2012
6:58 pm
first time season tix holder…there are 10 home games including pre-season and you have 10 tickets…am I missing something?
Matt from MN
July 24th, 2012
7:09 pm
Well, clearly this is ALL Matt Ryan’s fault. Right, “Choke and Gag”?
C'mon maan!
July 24th, 2012
7:10 pm
Falcons gamble and end up with a “lemon” How you gonna let our #1 tackler walk to our #1 rival the “Aints” C’mon maan..We shoulda gamble and bring in Channing Crowder instead of Mike Peterson..Mike is overrrated and old! We need younger legs out in the field..Falcons shoulda never went out and get Tapou, thats a BIG BLOW! Well lets see what we going to do with the rest of the guys..OH! and if y’all think that we shoulda bring back Brooking? He is washed up! He was good in his prime time for us to move on..
First time Season Tix Holder
July 24th, 2012
7:14 pm
John
July 24th, 2012
6:58 pm
first time season tix holder…there are 10 home games including pre-season and you have 10 tickets…am I missing something?
Yeah because it says in the front there are 2012 tickets. I’m short about 2000 tickets!
RAM265
July 24th, 2012
7:16 pm
Hey tommy “little” gun. Who typed this for you because we all know Aint’s fans can’t read or write. I’m guessing it was your nurse. But, anyway, either you are a transplant who loves N.O. so much you never went back or your in N.O. and have nothing better to do than have our paper read to you and try and defame a good town like ours. Which is it? Hit the red button so the nurse can type your answer.
RAM265
July 24th, 2012
7:23 pm
Sorry D. Led but he had it coming. Now, Bird talk. We’re going to have to make some cap room so who goes? This is not the first or last injury this year and we will need to fill more holes.
SeenThisB4
July 24th, 2012
7:24 pm
Told you all, if he was going to Dr James Andrews, that he was gone for the season. LOL! Bet y’all wish y’all had kept Lofton! LOL!
Ed Jones
July 24th, 2012
7:25 pm
I knew that guy was made from glass…the Heart of the Defense will not be strong this year. Look towards a 9-7 campaign this year.
robertussen
July 24th, 2012
7:25 pm
we still need to sign another lb and possibly a dt
tom
July 24th, 2012
7:47 pm
It seems every season some player rips a pec in the weight room. Are the trainers from each team not paying attention and advising these guys.
JSS
July 24th, 2012
7:52 pm
tom
July 24th, 2012
7:47 pm
“It seems every season some player rips a pec in the weight room. Are the trainers from each team not paying attention and advising these guys.”
Thus “Jeff (Torn Pec) Fish!” He’s a legend!
to real
July 24th, 2012
8:08 pm
This is no shock but we are thin @LB dent has to play all 16 plus games @ a high level and we still need to sign crowder peterson is a better weak and strong side back up LB to bad for lofa his career is now ova go ahead and cut em cuz we dont need anymore side line cheerleaders
GT GRAD
July 24th, 2012
8:09 pm
Keith Brooking!
No doubt he is a much better MLB than Tatupu or Peterson. I would love to see him playing for the Falcons again.
ben
July 24th, 2012
8:47 pm
E J HENDERSON
mars
July 24th, 2012
8:50 pm
Probably would prefer having Mike Peterson anyway. I was always happy with his play, which makes him a rarity on the defenses of the past few seasons.
Atlanta Falcons: Lofa Tatupu out for the season - Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Atlanta Informer
July 24th, 2012
8:52 pm
[...] sitting out last season, had pectoral surgery Tuesday that will … Full News here – Atlanta – Bing News ← Beyond The Forecast with David Chandley: Did the rain help the drought? [...]
Falcons/Hawks Fan
July 24th, 2012
9:12 pm
Shouldn’t the strength and conditioning coach who was resigned during the offseason face the questions on this injury? Why did this injury even happen to start with?
Very
July 24th, 2012
9:22 pm
It is time for a Kurt Warner story at the Linebacker position.
Very
July 24th, 2012
9:23 pm
Recruiting at Krogers and Publix NOW
Jay
July 24th, 2012
9:37 pm
Great signing Dmitroff! That sure worked out well! Shoulda just paid Lofton.
JSS
July 24th, 2012
9:39 pm
Falcons/Hawks Fan
July 24th, 2012
9:12 pm
“Shouldn’t the strength and conditioning coach who was resigned during the offseason face the questions on this injury? Why did this injury even happen to start with?”
Again, “Jeff (Torn Pec) Fish!”
C’mon where’s that winner who post the NY Times article lauding his greatness?
Rick
July 24th, 2012
9:43 pm
Thanks for clearing up that salary cap info DLED, looks like some people on here were wrong again! This is a young mans leauge now so its Dent’s job. No more talke of “stepping up” you get paid to play and Dent is a player! Simple! UGA produces pro players and the leauge is full of GaDawgs. It is now his job to the be the “next”. Come on Dent the Rise Up Nation is behind you, go and do what you have done your whole life, be the difference!
Just Sayin.....
July 24th, 2012
9:44 pm
How can the Eagles have more talent than they can use and Dimitroff keeps signing crap?
nfcchampsliveinga
July 24th, 2012
9:54 pm
Akeem Dent is another CL50, but more athletic. I see him making some mistakes early, but becoming more solid down the stretch. Dent was a hitter at UGA and I expect the same in the NFL. Next man up!
FAlcons24
July 24th, 2012
10:01 pm
We will be just fine with Dent and even a Channing Crowder. I feel really bad for Lofa, because he is a model player and good all around guy. Dent was more than likely to start anyway. All that love Curtis Lofton, he was a fat and slow tackler. Your MLB need to be a thumper and that he wasn’t. Why you all think he did not make the Pro Bowl year after year. Patrick Willis and Jonathan Vilma had more impact plays. Let him sta in New Orleans and run behind some TE’s.
Greg
July 24th, 2012
10:02 pm
JSS is right on it: this kind of injury should NEVER, NEVER happen. It’s unbelievable that a long-term pro would do this to himself. Lifting Safely 101 is a college-level weight room requirement. The pros are expected to be way beyond that. This is among the most bone-headed things I’ve ever heard of. Smitty needs to find out how the hell Lofa got into his lifting regime and who authorized it.
Who Me?
July 24th, 2012
10:25 pm
Should have signed Lofton, now we’re putting a linebacker corps together with string…
JSS
July 24th, 2012
10:27 pm
He’s had torn pecs in season… He’s had ‘em now in the pre-season (Tatapu), and he’s never had to answer for it…
vuduchld
July 24th, 2012
10:35 pm
Who cares? Lofa Tatupu flamed out two seasons ago. These “Turkey birds” just plain stink, they’ll be “one and done”, like year.
Mikefalcon63
July 24th, 2012
10:38 pm
The Falcons are not going to be missing Curtis Lofton this season… Ask the random Aints fans who comment on every Falcons article if they ever worried when playing us because we had Lofton. The answer would be NO. So why freak out b/c now we have no has been middle linebacker named Tatupu? Dent will be fine at MLB. He is ready, and I would not bet against this Shiller kid they brought in to camp.
The Real Falcon
July 24th, 2012
10:44 pm
Not surprised, no one comes back from that in season. Now a position of strength is one of weekness.
Just got my season tickets today as well!
Just Sayin.....
July 24th, 2012
10:47 pm
So what happens to this regime if Tampa, Carolina & the Saints get hot this season?
Saints R.E.A.M.
July 24th, 2012
10:57 pm
Mike falcon, fool yourself if you want. If losing a past probowl player won’t hurt the team then why was he signed in the first place….seems you think anyone can do his job, huh? With Nolan’s 3/4 defense you will need backers!!!
nfcchampsliveinga
July 24th, 2012
11:02 pm
Atlanta isnt concerned with everyone else in the division. People forget that Atlanta had the 12th best dedfense in the NFL and the best D in the NFC South. The only difference from last year and this year is Dent playing MLB and the addition of AS22 in the secondary. Its going to take more than a Tatupu injury for this D to take a step back.
Todd A.
July 24th, 2012
11:11 pm
Way to go Dimitroff.
papa bear
July 24th, 2012
11:12 pm
with everyone else improving in the NFC South the Falcon did little of nothing,to improve a team that can’t beat teams with winning records,so here we go again,we have a mediocre head coach,a good qb ,but certainly not great,good receivers but inconsistent against better teams,and nothing seems to point to this team getting of the field on third down against good teams any better then last year.This team scares no one,it will be a fight for third in the NFC South with Tampa bay,—— (1)Panthers,(2) Saints,(3)Bucs,(4) Falcons at 7-9 or 6-10.
nfcchampsliveinga
July 24th, 2012
11:28 pm
@papa bear, 7-9 or 6-10, I do not think so. This team has been consistently viable at the end of the regular season. Again unless, hit by the injury bug, I dont see that happening. Plan A to have Tatupu in as a reserve failed, on to plan B, bring by MP53 for insurance. The team did the best they could with the draft and free agency. People underrate team chemistry, which the Falcons have on both sides of the ball. The Saints have to build chemstry on D that was already an eye soar. Carolina is transitioning from a 4-3 to a 3-4 D, growing pains there. Lastly Tampa cant stop the run or pass, and a rookie safety and LB will patch all those holes up. The truth is our rival teams made huge changes because they had to. Personally, Ill take Atlantas D minus Tatupu over any other D in the NFC South.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:32 pm
papa bear — The Falcons made 17 moves. Hired new coordinators, a new offensive line coach and a new defensive back coachs. They like their talent and are putting the onus on the coaches to improve. They are counting on the coaching to improve their mostly young talent. (They don’t think it’s fair to say they did “nothing to improve.”)
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:34 pm
Just Sayin…… — Nothing. Look at the previous 42 seasons before 2008.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:35 pm
Who Me? — They drafted Akeem Dent in the third round just for this scenario.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:37 pm
Very — Keep an eye on Max Gruder for your Kurt Warner story.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:38 pm
robertussen – They have worked out tight end Daniel Graham.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:39 pm
SeenThisB4 — They drafted Akeem Dent to take Lofton’s spot (check knees).
papa bear
July 24th, 2012
11:39 pm
For those who see a the injury a a back up lb being thoughts for worry,how do you people sleep at night,if you serious think this team is a super bowl contender,when you have a tackle shy qb in Ryan and a back up behind him who likely couldn’t make a practice squad with the other 31 teams in Redman,if Ryans goes down the first game,this team is playing the season for the first pick in the draft
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:41 pm
RAM265 — There is no cap room moves to make. Akeem Dent was drafted for this spot. Lofa was a luxury item that didn’t work out.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:42 pm
C’mon maan!– Again, when they drafted Dent you knew they weren’t overpaying for Lofton. Lofa was a luxury item. A cheap one at $600,000 guaranteed (spread out over two years).
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:43 pm
Falcons: Play 60! – Yeah, that’s a good deal for Lofa, but it doesn’t kill you on the cap.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:46 pm
First time Season Tix Holder – There are only 10 games! What’s your point? You thought you get the 10 road games, too?
papa bear
July 24th, 2012
11:49 pm
Sorry D.Orlando,if wishing and hope,were DNA strains for championship,I alone would have had the Falcons at least 5 rings on there fingers by now.
JSS
July 24th, 2012
11:59 pm
!t’s “dead money!” Dude, you’re taking a hit on a player who will not see the field? His guarantee counts against the cap eventually! When other dead money contracts leave the books. Where was anyone wrong? They (the Falcons) are “against the cap.” You’re still paying dead money to folks like Jenkins, Ovie, Jamal Anderson, and Chauncey Davis… And what happens if Dent or Peterson goes down? You push the figure back a year or two, but it eventually comes home to roost… What don’t you get about that fact?
Let’s see, you’re also bringing in another veteran at a single year minimum (if he sticks), there’s a loophole there (that doesn’t count, not a top 51 contract)… Oh, and he ended last year on the IR too!! Tatapu was two years, not the loophole…
myrak43
July 25th, 2012
12:09 am
could we bring in one of E.J. Henderson, James Farrior, or Keith Brookings. Farrior and Brookings are a little long in the tooth, but would be good to help bring Dent along. Henderson and Dent would be a good one two punch. with Henderson on 1st downs, Dent on 3rd downs and they split time on 2nd down situations.
Imjustsayin
July 25th, 2012
12:41 am
How many times do we have to get burned before Dimitroff stops choosing guys who have a history of injuries or are coming off of an injury. (see Pereia Jerry, Ray Edwards, Lamar Holmes, Sam Baker, Tatupu, .. and the list goes on). He seems to be infatuated with these type of guys.
P B Orr
July 25th, 2012
12:56 am
D-Led, can Dent get it done as a starter? How fast is he? Does he hit hard? He seems to be a good tackler.
Connor
July 25th, 2012
1:25 am
JSS, i dont think you understand the new cap rules… lol
2012 IDP Sleeper: Akeem Dent – MLB, Atlanta Falcons | IDP Manor
July 25th, 2012
1:55 am
[...] Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu will miss the entire 2012 NFL season [...]
Atlanta Falcons: Lofa Tatupu out for the season | football-feed.com
July 25th, 2012
4:44 am
[...] to Original Content From Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog): read more Related Articles Share About Author [...]
JSS
July 25th, 2012
4:52 am
Connor, that is the new cap rule… The one intended to keep more vets playing instead of being dumped…. Dead money did not go away… Have you looked at the 2012 Falcons salaries? Do you understand “hard cap implications?” This isn’t the NBA with amnesty clauses, the new CBA punishes you for throwing bonus and guarantee money around unless you “account” for it in “ledger pain…” Contract termination is a fact of life. The difference is ledger and the “cap,” it is a reporting matter…
You have to decide when you want to feel the pain… The Steelers decided to do it this year… Spend less time in “like think” and visit the sites and blogs of the rest of the league like Steelers Depot (the Math of Khan blog from February)… There is whole lot less name calling, and whole lot more explaining and understanding…
JSS
July 25th, 2012
5:19 am
Point…
Signing a player with a history of injuries was as Ledbetter put it: “a luxury.”
Further point…
When you do that and it fails, you’re limited to signing someone for one season like Peterson or Hayden and Sanders last year… It is a calculated risk for team with questionable defensive depth… Look at Hayden, spent his entire time here hurt… Peterson tore his pec, and you had count on Robert James in the playoff game… Moore gets himself nicked up in Met Life and Sanders in on the field… That was a war of attriction! You’re setting yourself up for that type of scenario again but in your linebacking corp… $600,000 may be cheap on the ledger, but it is expensive in depth… Pssssst, all of that OTA and mini-camp indoctrination was wasted too…
THE INFAMOUS DK
July 25th, 2012
8:34 am
Actually this will work.. Dent is good. I think he will come right along like Spoon did.. Watch. He was an animal at UGA. This kid aint a pushover by any stretch of the imagination.
Statick
July 25th, 2012
8:37 am
D-Led said: — They drafted Akeem Dent to take Lofton’s spot (check knees).
Of course they did. How come nobody remembers this besides me? Lofton’s knees were getting worse every season. It’s especially noticeable as the season progresses and in pass coverage. It’s only a matter of time before he’s out of the league.
THE INFAMOUS DK
July 25th, 2012
8:41 am
Lofton is mud in my eyes.. This dude needed to lose weight here but goes to NO and loses weight and comes in camp in top form.. I cant wait till we abuse him over the middle with Quizz of all people..
Falcon Lover
July 25th, 2012
8:43 am
Call Jessie Tuggle!!!
Big Mike
July 25th, 2012
8:46 am
In light of this setback, now is not the time to discuss the efficacy of Mr. Dimitroff’s personnel decisions. To do so would be an insult to Falcon fans.
Mikefalcon63
July 25th, 2012
9:00 am
Saints R.E.A.M.
True or False – The Aints feared playing against a pro bowler in Curtis Lofton. (The answer is FALSE). Do I think anyone can replace a run stuffing linebacker with bad knees? No, but I do think there are enough linebackers out there who can. Lofton is not your Vilma. Plain and simple. He may not even make it through the season. The guy has had 3 knee procedures at a young age. Statistics don’t lie… He WILL have at least 3 more before his career is over.
Saints R.E.A.M.
July 25th, 2012
9:16 am
Mikefalcon, Adrian Peterson has had multiple knee procedures at a young age too. Would you take him instead of Turner?? Sure, you may lose a step over time but medical technology goes a long way to piecing players back together. Take Willis McGahee for example….his knee was tattered….and he’s had a long career.
Point is, Lofton is now motivated to stick it to the Falcons…he’s in shape and ready to go.
Point is also, that you have young players, in new coaching schemes on BOTH sides of the ball. And now you have lost a key experienced player that could give you some options at LB. If you say it won’t matter, then fine…we can wait and see the games. Can we agree that a 4-4 start would equal a failure for improving your team???
observer
July 25th, 2012
9:18 am
If the Falcons have to play Dent and Peterson at MLB their defense is in serious trouble.
Atlanta Falcons Ill-fated Gamble on Lofa Tatupu Over Before it Started | Daily World News
July 25th, 2012
9:22 am
[...] will miss the entire 2012 season because of a pectoral muscle injury that required surgery. This latest [...]
Saints R.E.A.M.
July 25th, 2012
9:41 am
“Now it’s clear that Atlanta’s failure to adequately prepare for Lofton’s departure now will come back to haunt the franchise.” – Robert Neely -
Just Sayin.....
July 25th, 2012
10:07 am
@Ledbetter……
We don’t even have to go back 42 years. Lets go back to 1998 (Superbowl), 2002 (Playoff win), 2004 (Championship game). I’m quite sure the Saints were not comparing the past when they won their 1st Superbowl.
Now the problem being is not with the Falcons past in comparison, it is the present and future that is in comparison. You need look no further than in Baltimore. In the same 2008 – Present the Ravens have made it to 2 championship games, 5 playoffs, and zero 1 & dones. The Falcons have 3 straight 1 & dones.
Now if you call this 2008 Falcons regime employment secure if they don’t get it done this year, then you are very delusional or bias.
Just Sayin.....
July 25th, 2012
10:08 am
That’s 5 playoff wins not playoffs.
Just Sayin.....
July 25th, 2012
10:16 am
Its clear that Dimitroff is no Ossie Newsome. That’s why Newsome is a top tier talent assessment man. Now we see why New England wasn’t losing any sleep when Dimitroff walked.
Matthew
July 25th, 2012
10:20 am
My good money is on Jerrell Harris from Alabama. I think the guy makes a big impact on special teams and climbs the ladder like Dent.
For some reason, those Alabama linebackers are just playmakers.
Just Sayin.....
July 25th, 2012
10:21 am
So what’s the plan for the aging veterans? Gonzalez says this is his last year. Remember that 2nd round pick that was given away for him. That same draft could have landed Pettigrew – the tight end of the future.
Abe last seen his greatest days…….Turner has been burned out.
Those wasted picks for Gonzalez, Julio and injury prone playerss will come back home to roost.
Hamad Meander
July 25th, 2012
10:48 am
That’s a real shame about Tatupo, but I guess it wasn’t unexpected. I like Matthew’s idea about Jerrill Harris moving into that role. The dude was lost on Alabama’s three deep linebacker depth chart, but has more physical talent than the average linebacker that was drafted. He can be groomed into the middle linebacker position.
Remember – we aren’t going to have a probowler at every position, but we can at least have solid players with some upside.
North FLA Falcon
July 25th, 2012
10:58 am
There is NO EXCUSE for a professional to rip his pec. This was a guy who was out of shape and trying too hard to get HUGE instead of lifting SMART. A tough situation since we are already thin at LB. Dent now has a golden opportunity so he needs to step it up.
TDnoclue
July 25th, 2012
11:11 am
Typical TD move. He loves injury prone players. TD has no clue!!
Real falcon fan
July 25th, 2012
11:20 am
All you tech nerds that are screaming to bring back Keith brooking. We don’t need any more nerds on the team. Brooking was a loser at tech (never could beat uga). Hines ward was his man in his last home game. He could not cover his mouth then and he surely can not cover anyone now. You do not hear every uga fan scream for Hines ward every time a falcon receiver is injured. Although, Hines is much more nfl ready than brooking., all the dawg fans are not hollering for him.
You nerds need to just think back to brookings last game w the falcons, he cost us the playoff game. Too slow 4 years ago, too slow now! NO MORE NERDS!
Ivan
July 25th, 2012
11:25 am
Lofton and the Saints will be laughing their way to the playoffs.
The injury bug is already hitting the Falcons. Combine that with new coordinators and practically no change on the weak O-line more than likely means an 8-8 season at best.
JAYCOOL
July 25th, 2012
11:36 am
Ivan the Saints wont be laughing when it’s 3rd and 20 and the pass goes to the TE for a first down.
Just Sayin.....
July 25th, 2012
11:42 am
The big question will be this…………………
If the Falcons don’t get it done for the 5h straight season will they finally call out Dimitroff? Smith? Ryan?
If not then how long will Blank be patient? Its time for answers not excuses.
JAYCOOL
July 25th, 2012
11:43 am
But I guess you will be able to stop the run, oh wait it’s a “passing league”. Lets see Lofton didn’t stop L. McCoy you guys play the eagles this year. He didn’t stop the Giants, you play them as well. In that Giants game he was ran over by Brandon Jacobs, who is now with San Fran, well darn you got them too. You better hope that he stepped his game up.
JAYCOOL
July 25th, 2012
11:48 am
It took Peyton Manning with all types of weapons how many years to win. They are not giving up on the core talent of this football team. But if Smith doesn’t win a playoff game and if the Falcons lose it in embarrassing fashion he gets the axe. TD is not going anywhere.
Panthers’ center promises Super Bowl win | AJC Sports Talk
July 25th, 2012
11:52 am
[...] Falcons linebacker Tatupu out for season [...]
Ivan
July 25th, 2012
12:18 pm
@JAYCOOL
Funny how you assume I’m a Saints fan. An aggravated Falcons fan, yes. Not a Saints fan. Chill.
As it stands now, Lofton/Saints got the better deal when the Falcons let him walk.
Just Sayin.....
July 25th, 2012
12:23 pm
I thought Falcons fans loved Lofton before he signed with the Saints.
Now they say he is garbage.
Atlanta Falcons LB Lofa Tatupu Will Miss Entire 2012 Season with Torn Pectoral Muscle | The Week In Football
July 25th, 2012
12:25 pm
[...] http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2012/07/24/atlanta-falcons-lofa-tatupu-out-for-the-season/... [...]
Ivan
July 25th, 2012
1:24 pm
@Just Sayin…
I thought Lofton was a fine LB. Still do, actually, even if he is with the Saints. The other fans just have sour grapes now that he’s with a rival.
thejama
July 25th, 2012
1:35 pm
Could have been a 3 down FA starter with a much bigger cap footprint. Great that we got Peterson who knows the team and is a locker room leader. Have faith that TD will find another training camp cap casualty.
Ghost
July 25th, 2012
4:07 pm
Wow. Didn’t see that one coming the day that picked him up!
Tommy Maddox
July 25th, 2012
4:22 pm
Y’all correct me if needed:
Hasn’t New England regularly gone after aged or previously injured players over the past few years and has gotten the last bit of everything those players had to get them into Superbowls? Maybe that’s where Dimitrov is coming from.
Sadly, the busted/elder guys we get cannot snap back. I really wanted to see Tatupu play.
The Reader
July 25th, 2012
4:24 pm
Injury proned players in this team. How could this happen? In a weight room? Before the season? Don’t they have well paid physicall coaches/trainers? Here we go again: No accountability, and being really well paid. I will never forget coach Mike smiling bg time when shaking hand with NYG coach after losing their playoff game last season. What was to smile about? 3 years in playoffs, and ZERO win! Hope Arthur is going to show the door to all of them, when the time comes.
Shady
July 25th, 2012
4:32 pm
I hate it for Lofa but this is not a huge loss, Dent may have ended up the starter any way.
JSS
July 25th, 2012
4:58 pm
NO, they went after disgruntled, players labeled malcontents (see Corey Dillon), or talented but downright dirty players (see Rodney Harrison)…
Atlanta Falcons: Lofa Tatupu to be released | Atlanta Falcons
July 25th, 2012
6:13 pm
[...] Tatupu, a former Pro Bowler, who was trying to make a comeback after sitting out last season, had pectoral surgery Tuesday. The surgery will not allow him to play this season. [...]
Saints R.E.A.M.
July 25th, 2012
6:24 pm
Maybe TD should take a page from the Saints/Loomis…..they have struck gold by taking chances on YOUNG players. Like Marcus Colston, didn’t play much of his senior year with a hurt leg (dropped like a rock in the draft). Or Jimmy Graham, played 1 season of college football and was really just a raw athlete(another gamble), Pierre Thomas, Lance Moore, Thomas Morstead……oh…you get the point. A bunch of talent from all over the draft & from free agency & undrafted players…….but the key is that they were YOUNG. Set us up for years!!!
J-Rod
July 29th, 2012
5:14 pm
Will Lofa still be at training camp to sign autographs for fans? Because I’ll be there on Thursday and REALLY want his autograph!