Falcons’ fixes (part 3): Sign Grimes, Lofton; balk on Abe
Brent Grimes has proven to be the best cornerback on Falcons' roster. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
(This is the third in a series of blogs in which I’ll focus on some high-profile Falcons’ veterans and their respective uncertain future with the team.)
The Falcons might try to find some solace in the fact that they lost in the playoffs two straight years to the ultimate Super Bowl champion.But that somewhat falls into the lipstick-on-a-pig category. That defense would carry more weight if the team had played like a legitimate contender in the playoffs and not lost by lopsided scores of 48-21 (Green Bay) and 24-2 (New York).
In this corner in the past few weeks, we’ve focused on a few possible ways the Falcons can fix their roster. We debated the future of running back Michael Turner and whether his salary ($5 million) and his age (30) next season and signs of wear merited him being brought back.
We also focused on five high-profile acquisitions (two draft, three free agency) the front office has made and what direction to go with them. (Conclusions: Cut tackle Sam Baker and fullback Ovie Mughelli; keep Ray Edwards and Dunta Robinson; stall and assess defensive tackle Peria Jerry.)
Today’s topic is free agents. How the Falcons view their own free agents is the first step to setting their offseason strategy (free agency and draft). General manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith will prioritize their 17 players who are on the verge of hitting the open market. We’ll find out what their priorities are soon enough. Here’s mine:
• 1. Sign cornerback Brent Grimes: He is team’s best cornerback (Robinson’s salary notwithstanding). If it comes to this then the team must put the “franchise” tag on him. (That would guarantee Grimes a one-year contract at the average of the top five salaries cornerbacks in the league.) That’s the only leverage the Falcons have in negotiations. There’s also a chance Grimes’ age (29 in July) could dissuade some bidders from breaking the bank for him.
• 2. Sign middle linebacker Curtis Lofton: This will be an interesting decision because Mike Nolan’s defense seems to place more emphasis on defensive backs than linebackers. Lofton is solid. But as our Darryl Ledbetter pointed out, Lofton plays on third down and the Falcons’ third-down defense ranked only 29th. So if the team now considers him a first- and second-down player, that will factor into negotiations. Still he would be a huge loss.
• 3. Sign center Todd McClure: He’s wearing down and turns 35 in two weeks. But he can still play and the team doesn’t have a replacement, so it’s better to build around him next season. The offensive line is the biggest issue on the team but that’s not because of McClure.
That’s it for the top priorities. Here’s the next level down.
• Defensive end John Abraham: He is the Falcons’ best pass rusher but he’s strictly a situational player now. Keep him at a moderate price.
• Free safety Thomas DeCoud: He’s not good enough to be a starter (we’ve seen that) but he could be a solid depth guy in nickle- and dime- situations. Again, keep him if you can but he’s not worth blowing the budget over.
• Wide receiver Harry Douglas: He’s finally showing signs of getting back to full strength, but the fact remains he’s only the No. 3 receiver so he can only be paid like that. If other teams want to pay Douglas like a starter, the Falcons can’t match. Otherwise, he’s a keeper.
• Wide receiver Eric Weems: I put him on the same level as Douglas, the difference being that Weems returns kicks. It might come down to keeping only one or the other.
Bottom tier: Frankly, I don’t care what they do with these guys:
• Defensive end Kroy Biermann: He slid this season and isn’t the impact pass-rusher he used to be.
• Running back Jason Snelling: If Turner is released then I suppose Snelling’s role could increase. But otherwise, he’s a non-factor in this offense.
• Linebacker Mike Peterson: I love talking to this guy. Every player should have his passion for the game. I’m just not sure if he has anything left in the tank.
• Others: Kirk Chambers (tackle), Kelvin Hayden (cornerback), Reggie Kelly (tight end), Chris Redman (quarterback), Brett Romberg (guard-center), James Sanders (safety), Joe Zelenka (long snapper).
– PART 1: Michael Turner might have to be let go
– PART 2: Fixing 5 mistakes starts with Sam Baker
By Jeff Schultz
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242 comments Add your comment
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
1:46 pm
So that means get rid of Abe,Grimes,Turner,and Weems. Too bad they can’t get rid of Ryan…
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
1:48 pm
Cam Newton as a rookie was a better passer than Ryan (in his 4th year). And Falcons play Panthers twice next year (every year). And you know they gonna lose both games to Saints. That’s 4 losses written in ink !
PlanB
February 6th, 2012
1:50 pm
When Turner was out a few games 2 years ago, Snelling showed his worth running & better in the passing game. Then after injury MM decided to use Turner up & not utilize Snelling even tho he had proven himself. Then we draft Quizz & he isn’t used. I think we need to let Turner go, hopefully a trade. Use Snelling & Quizz.
Blalock & Clabo got $6 & $5 million contracts. How much does a good OL cost? Apparently 30 or 40 million. I don’t know but we need one and Baker isn’t part of it. Wish I knew more about Hawley & Johnson.
With most teams going with TE for blocking, let Ovie sign a more reasonable contract or find a new team that might pay him.
We have to pay D. Rob. (still under contract) so let’s hope a new scheme is the answer. He’s not a cover corner but not a bad one either. We have to give Grimes the money. Just because we had him for less while he was learning the position doesn’t mean we let him go and try another $10 million experiment to replace him. Owens and Franks didn’t show any glaring mistakes later on in the season. Maybe that will help in the nickel. Sanders seems OK. Others think DeCoud a bust. Jury still out here. Price, etc.
Free up some money and get proven DL. Abes money could help going toward that. Hope we keep Kroy & try some 3-4.
Like to keep HD but only with 3rd WR money. Couldn’t someone else return punts & KO besides Weems. Maybe Franks. That would be money saved. I think (hope) Kerry Meier will be implemented and be good with DK @ OC.
I wish I knew more about contracts and guarenteed money and how they affect the cap..
Anyway that’s my take.
NE receivers got the drops at the end. Like Roddy and Julio
February 6th, 2012
1:57 pm
2 point safety, Welkers drop, and Manningham catch were the game clinchers.
Last drives (by both teams) would have been run differently with 2 less points for NY.
Welker’s drop on NE’s next to last possession was THE drive killer, and gave NY the opportunity to win with only a field goal. And eat a lot of clock, which led to NE having to let NY score a TD.
Manningham’s catch was reminiscent of Tyree, pushing NY downfield for the winning score. It was a perfectly placed pass by Manning.
Luck and skill is a great combination.
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:00 pm
Solution is let Abe,Grimes,Turner,Edwards,weems,H.Douglas go. Use their money for 2 OL,DE,DB. And for heaven’s sake please throw the ball to Tony Gonzalez,Roddy White,and Julio Jones more.
MV is not coming back to Atlanta jackoffs
February 6th, 2012
2:02 pm
Rosy Palmer, is that why Scam Newton beat the Falcons this year?
Oh wait, He didn’t, did he?
Ryan and the Falcons beat Scam twice
PlanB
February 6th, 2012
2:02 pm
Rosy @ 1:44 pm – agree with all. The part about Grimes losing a jump ball tho was on a play where he didn’t have position. He was blocked out. CB is a very difficult position to play and sometimes even the best get burned. Remember, you’re trying to cover someone that is usually tall & fast that knows where they are going and you don’t. I’ll put him up against anyone on a verticle jump even giving up the height difference.
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:03 pm
I say Brady’s int to start 4th qtr hurt most. It turned the tide of the game. Giants defense saw Brady was not invincible and they played harder all 4th qtr.
Hernandez 1st down drop on last drive on 3rd down was costly big time !
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:04 pm
Copeche Plan B, but it all starts with Grimes being 5′10″ covering 6′4″ receivers IMO.
Joe Tess Fish House
February 6th, 2012
2:05 pm
Get rid of that looser Perrier Jerry.
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:06 pm
that’s true MV. That’s because Cam had one weapon (S.Smith). When he gets another WR,TE,etc. he will put up 4 or 5 tds every game. Plus the Panther defense doesn’t exactly bring back memories of Steel Curtain either…
rollo lawson
February 6th, 2012
2:07 pm
They should let Grimes walk if he wants too much. Go ahead and start Franks alongside Robinson. Baker, Ovie, Redmon, and McClure should either be cut or not re-signed. John Abraham can still play. He gets chipped and double-teamed because he is the only pass rushig threat. Everyone else is single blocked.
Columbus
February 6th, 2012
2:08 pm
You jokers say dump Grimes? Have we not learned that if we get rid of a young corner because he commands a significantly higher salary on the free market, we SUCK and then after we get torched a year we go out and pay a significant salary to fill that hole i.e. Robinson. let me explain something that is HUGE. This has turned into a pass happy league like never before. Corner backs are going to COST accordingly. If you got a good corner you better keep him! Because you are going to have to PAY EITHER WAY! We let Foxworth go and he was playing EXCEPTIONAL then we get burned and go sign Robinson and luckily Grimes played well. You have got to PAY BIG MONEY FOR A GOOD CORNER. Keep Grimes. KEEP HIM. KEEP HIM. Did I say I would KEEP HIM?!
Let Abraham go and Brees and Newton and Rogers and half the qb’s in the league will eat our defense up. You KEEP him too if you can until you have a replacement. Can you imagine what Brees will do to us twice every year? Thats enough to not make the playoffs and NEVER win the division. Lose Abraham and Grimes? WOW. The new DC will have an even BIGGER job to do.
Cut Turner? And who is going to replace him? You want Snelling gone too? WOW. Why not just not have a team in 2012? Without your 2 best defensive players against the pass and a left with 100 lb Jaquizz?
You cant draft a corner and expect good things any time soon. You can expect BAD things if he plays his first year maybe 2 years. If there is a good one in free agency, you will have to PAY again and HOPE he works out or you pay BIG money.
Keep Grimes. He hasnt hit his peak yet. You might as well because you will be paying somebody BIG!
Columbus
February 6th, 2012
2:10 pm
Panthers offense is NOT the problem geniuses. Newton’s weapons were NOT the problem Einsteins. Their DEFENSE was ATROCIOUS……
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:11 pm
Ever since M.Bradley stopped me from blogging his posts I don’t even read his drivel any more. He talks about Ga Tech,poor defense in Super Bowl (defense was outstanding for both teams),etc.
I’m sticking with Jeff & DOB. The great bloggers !
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 6th, 2012
2:12 pm
Still no new contract for CHOKE?
HA HA HA
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:12 pm
Retarded Columbus, Brees,Rodgers,etc. ATE UP Falcons defense WITH Abraham. What were you watching ?
rollo lawson
February 6th, 2012
2:13 pm
Why give Gonzalez $7 million for one year, but “balk” on Abraham? Without Tony, we still have Roddy and Julio. Without Abe, we have nothing in terms of pass rush. Making decisions with the “heart” instead of “head” will be the death of this franchise. Same goes for McClure. His time should be up.
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:14 pm
I saw Abraham get manhandled by one Giants offensive lineman. No chipping, no double teaming at all. Abe is done.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 6th, 2012
2:14 pm
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
1:48 pm
Cam Newton as a rookie was a better passer than Ryan (in his 4th year). And Falcons play Panthers twice next year (every year). And you know they gonna lose both games to Saints. That’s 4 losses written in ink !
___________________________________________________
That’s why Flacco is already getting a new deal in Baltimore.
Why hasn’t Art given CHOKE a new deal?
Because he SUCKS and Art will cut him…………………
HA HA HA
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:15 pm
It should be pretty easy to find any defensive end to get 5 sacks next year. That’s all Abraham gave Falcons…
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:16 pm
Because Ryan never hardly threw ball to Gonzalez. That’s not Gonzalez fault. Ryan always threw to Roddy primarily.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 6th, 2012
2:18 pm
When Turner carries the ball 20 or more times Falcants are 28-2
When CHOKE throws 40 or more times they are 4-11.
I wonder who is the problem……………….
HA HA HA
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:19 pm
Any blogs about Georgia Tech are like “How To Watch Paint Dry” blogs. Unreadable…
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
2:19 pm
The Falcons traded Jamal Lewis to get Reggie Kelly back in the day. SMH
rollo lawson
February 6th, 2012
2:20 pm
9.5 sacks, with no help/push from the DTs. I don’t know who is dumber, our fans, front office, or local sportswriters.
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:20 pm
The problem is Turner runs well against the sorry teams. Check his numbers against the 49ers,Bears,Saints,Packers,Giants,Ravens,Steelers,Patriots. Under 50 yards a game.
Hollywould
February 6th, 2012
2:22 pm
Man, you folks who want to get rid of Grimes are nuts. Best athelete on the team. Name me some
6′4″ corners. Name some 6′2″ corners. You can’t/ every team in the NFL has 5′ somethings as corners.
Maybe Woodson or a couple others
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:24 pm
9.5 sacks is so much better than 5 sacks. I’m sorry. Jared Allen had 22,Demarcus Ware had 19,Jason Babin had 18.
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:25 pm
And every team gets beat for tds by Calvin Johnson,A.J. Green,and Hakeem Nicks TOO.
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:27 pm
Here’s 2011 sack list. Abraham is number 18 on list. But he’s top 5 paid money.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/defense/sort/sacks/seasontype/2
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:33 pm
Turner’s yardage in 2011.
Tampa Bay 11 carries for 20 yards
Green Bay 16 for 56
Houston 14 for 44
Jax 19 for 61
Minnesota 19 for 60
Saints 11 for 39
chuck
February 6th, 2012
2:37 pm
After watching the final few weeks of the playoffs leading up to the Super Bowl I have decided that we need a possession receiver in addition to Gonzales. Roddy had a terrible year as evident by his league leading 16 drops. He can’t be counted on to make a third down catch. He cost us FOUR first downs against the Giants that would have at least allowed us to run 12 more plays. I believe he will be the most overpaid player currently under contract when we cut Baker.
SC
February 6th, 2012
2:40 pm
Everyone on here is missing the point. Coaches have too place players in schemes that will better the team and the players. The falcons have been running the wrong schemes and using the wrong places too perform these schemes. For example, DR is bump and run corner back but the falcons have been using him in zone coverage?????. But we as fans, blame DR???/. Now they have a pair of coaches that will use players with their natural abilities and then they will win. Manning lost his first two playoff game and now he has two RINGS. Ryan lost his first three … He will win three RINGS. The coaches were the problems guys
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:41 pm
Brees versus Falcons 2011 :
43 for 322 yards
39 for 307 yards
A.Rodgers versus Falcons 2011 :
39 for 396 yards.
Yep, old Abe really made a difference !!!
Rosy Palmer
February 6th, 2012
2:44 pm
Put the $7 million on a younger,faster defensive end. Abe is worth about $1 million max.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
2:49 pm
“Panthers offense is NOT the problem geniuses. Newton’s weapons were NOT the problem Einsteins. Their DEFENSE was ATROCIOUS……”
Haters gonna hate.
The same people who think the Panthers lost games because of their quarterback will bend over backwards to absolve the Falcons’ quarterback of any blame for scoring zero offensive points against the Giants.
Facts should dictate opinions, not the other way around.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 6th, 2012
2:51 pm
Still no new contract for CHOKE?
This is an outrage……………….
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 6th, 2012
2:53 pm
How can a quarterback in the playoffs be outscored by it’s defense?
I guess that’s why he won’t get a new contract………………..
Vick got his………….
Flacco is getting his……………….
HA HA HA
Nerehere
February 6th, 2012
2:58 pm
Now that we’ve all witnessed what may go down as one of the greatest super bowl game we’ve seen so far, I think it’s safe to say that after looking at all the Falcons games this year, including their 1 and done, IMHO, I’ve come to the conclusion that overall, the Falcons aren’t as bad as some other non-playoff teams, but weren’t as good as the local media were hyping them to be. Once again, the Atlanta fans have been duped, and will continue to be thought of as ignorant non-football viewers that don’t know anything about the game of professional football and have no idea what is takes to win regular and playoff football. I think that is an insult to the fans. First of all, Atlanta is a diverse city with the current population at least, maybe even half, from some other city, who’ve had decent football or Super bowl caliber teams. The good ole boys-would rather have a dumb down version of what that fan is, and that will just “be glad to be there” at the dome with little, if any expectations for an emerging and impatient populace, that would prefer higher expectations of their professional teams- whether football, basketball, etc. Meanwhile, there seems to be, an eerily predictor-of who will win a future super bowl game; that is- any team that beats the Falcons in the first round or bye (if the Falcons ever get a future playoff berth). Last year, it was Green Bay, this year- NY Giants. Another predictor-may be a myth, but it’s also eerie, as well. Research shows that no NFL team that has a mascot that has wings ever won a super bowl. We can dream, but when it comes down to it-and it’s not like the Falcons never were at the big dance (1998). Then, we lost that one to the Broncos, whereby, their off- the- field moral misgivings, were seen as the main culprit (revisit that history) to their untimely implosion on the field which-at that time, seemed to be a curse on this Falcons’ organization. With Mr. Blank as the new owner of this current team-hopefully, that trend will not continue-but first-can we even make it to the dance?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 6th, 2012
3:03 pm
CHOKE is a total FAILURE.
The Dude has more stars surrounding him than any Falcans qb ever had, yet he continues to CHOKE in the playoffs.
He needs to be but before 2012 gets worse than it will be.
He has stars at every elite position.
All his LOSER supporters are always quick to blame Turner and Mularkey, but look at Mularkey now. He is a head coach, so apparently someone saw that the problem was not Mularkey.
The bottom line is that this Dude just plain SUCKS
BigTimeC
February 6th, 2012
3:06 pm
Jeff, isn’t it the last 3 superbowl winners that beat the falcons in first game of playoffs. maybe I am mistaken, but I thought the saints beat us in the first round there superbowl year
panic fan
February 6th, 2012
3:08 pm
Think front office will be looking at this years team thru $$$ colored glasses if we only are resigning 8-10 players they all must be cost driven remember no cows TD HAS TOUGH DECISIONS TO MAKE FOR 2012 ROSTER
Falcons
Rec: 10-6, 2nd NFC South
Falcons 2011 Salaries
Rk Player Salary (US$)
1 Matt Ryan $11,250,000
2 John Abraham $8,000,000
3 Tony Gonzalez $5,750,000
4 Dunta Robinson $5,500,000
5 Michael Turner $5,000,000
6 Roddy White $4,000,000
7 Jonathan Babineaux $3,500,000
8 Ovie Mughelli $3,000,000
9 Brent Grimes $2,610,000
10 Chris Redman $2,550,000
11 Todd McClure $1,700,000
12 Eric Weems $1,200,000
13 Sam Baker $1,012,500
14 Joe Zelenka $865,000
15 Peria Jerry $695,000
16 Curtis Lofton $602,000
17 Kroy Biermann $555,000
18 Harry Douglas $555,000
19 Thomas DeCoud $550,000
20 Spencer Adkins $480,000
21 William Moore $480,000
22 Christopher Owens $480,000
23 Garrett Reynolds $480,000
24 Lawrence Sidbury $480,000
25 Vance Walker $480,000
26 Dominique Franks $405,000
27 Joe Hawley $405,000
28 Mike Johnson $405,000
29 Kerry Meier $405,000
30 Michael Palmer $405,000
31 Corey Peters $405,000
32 Shann Schillinger $405,000
33 Antone Smith $405,000
34 Sean Weatherspoon $405,000
NFL Team Payrolls
Rk Player Salary (US$)
1 Raiders $84,950,000
2 Vikings $84,234,438
3 Texans $80,954,000
4 Steelers $80,154,000
5 Chargers $72,027,400
6 Jets $69,870,300
7 Lions $69,480,725
8 Cowboys $69,273,750
9 Eagles $66,940,500
10 Falcons $65,419,500
11 Dolphins $65,231,250
12 Titans $65,147,750
13 Chiefs $65,112,500
14 Packers $64,423,500
15 49ers $62,315,250
16 Colts $61,545,000
17 Rams $61,545,000
18 Giants $61,232,500
19 Cardinals $60,455,000
20 Bears $59,746,250
21 Panthers $59,369,617
22 Broncos $56,866,250
23 Patriots $53,131,000
24 Redskins $49,732,000
25 Saints $49,447,500
26 Jaguars $49,205,600
27 Buccaneers $48,208,508
28 Browns $42,614,165
29 Bengals $42,342,500
30 Bills $42,282,500
31 Seahawks $36,355,000
32 Ravens ?
Ron Roberts
February 6th, 2012
3:09 pm
I could argue that Jason Snelling is A. more valuable and B. better than Turner. Snelling punches a hole harder and more decisively than Turner, and seems to get more yardage out of a run because of it. He also has better hands coming out of the backfield for an additional QB pass target.
I’d also cut Eric Weems last September if I could.
Kickoff returns have been snuffed out with kickoffs moved up. I can’t even RECALL a memorable Eric Weems return this season. It’s not his fault; the league just tweaked their rules and made him unnecessary. Anybody can take a knee in the end zone. That’s why you chose to keep Harry Douglas if it comes down to one or the other.
R.U. Serious
February 6th, 2012
3:17 pm
Wow. let your best DE and CB go. You don’t have salary cap space to make a big splash in “not so Free” Agency if you do. You guys obviously aren’t aware of your team’s sitiuatuion. You say Brent is too small and gets dominated…that’s very rare…he plays his heart out, never causes problems, and has been on the end of amazing defensive plays that saved you a game or two. I’ve wintessed him basically shutdown Calvin Johnson and he’s like a smurf compared to that guy.
You say let Abe walk? Yes he will demand a salary worth his play. You claim he’s a situational pass rusher…is that b/c he chooses to be or b/c of the way your DC made it. You say he’s too old…yet he’s the only one getting pressure to the QB.
You say he lost a step/or gets man-handled. This guy is probably held more than any other DE in the league & never gets a call thrown his way. This is one example…the ref even had a BS expalanation.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d82575ab0/Brees-scrambles-for-9
You say he’s injury proned, but he played through injury the entire season except 1 game and still registered more sacks then the rest of your line.
Sorry, but you don’t have a lot of options out there for DE or CB that can come in take these guys’ places immediately.
R.U. Serious
February 6th, 2012
3:28 pm
Man, Rosy, you must see the team through your rose colored glasses. 9.5 sacks vs 5 is a big diff…particularly when no one else is putting up more than 5.Jared Allen had a great year and is a very good DE. Babin had a good year as well. Ware is a pass rushing LB all he does is run at the QB…pretty easy. JA55 play according to the scheme you put him in…dropping in coverage, defending the run, etc. He hasn’t played with a legitimate end on the other side of him since he’s been here.
he may not be the best in the league, but sure isn’t the worst.
joe white
February 6th, 2012
3:35 pm
Enter your comments here
joe white
February 6th, 2012
3:36 pm
Just please sign grimes, lofton and abe at the right price, But with robert mathis who is from atlanta a free agent i would go with him and please dont resign decould, just like on madden 2012 the boy cant cover himself if he tried
Bob
February 6th, 2012
3:49 pm
These players are only symptoms of the real problem. Get a real head coach that is a winner, and send that loser Tommy D back to New England. Many think that Bernie Marcus was the brain at Home Dept…I’m beginning to agree.
rollo lawson
February 6th, 2012
3:49 pm
Do not re-sign Thomas Decouldn’t!!! Michael Griffin is available in Tennessee.