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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
242 comments Add your comment
Mr. Thomas Anthony Jones, SR
February 7th, 2012
6:34 am
Schultz has never been a coach. Douglas and Peterson love the game of Football. Pay them. Snelling is a good runningback.
D T
February 7th, 2012
7:47 am
I am just wondering how Curtis Lofton is a 3rd down Linebacker? He had 87 tackles and 147 combined tackles last season. Sean Weatherspoon had 82 tackles and 115 combined tackles, and he played a lot of snaps. I’m just saying that is a lot of tackles Lofton had for 3rd down linebacker who didn’t play the other downs
Pete E. Tong
February 7th, 2012
7:58 am
Re-sign Lofton and Douglas; decline on the rest.
Use the added space and go after Robert Mathis, Michael Griffin, Andre Carter, and/or Terrell Thomas (HUGE DISCOUNT) during Free Agency. I doubt we can afford both Mathis and Griffin together but we can get either with Terrell Thomas. If we can get Andre Carter at a good deal, take him until we can draft a quality DE.
Falconsufferersince66
February 7th, 2012
8:00 am
I like Snelling, but he is not as good a back as Turner. I think Bierman will play better with a different
DC The dbs need to be looked at very carefully. the two young guys, Franks and Walls.for sure. I’m not sure Grimes is as good as he’s been madeout to be. O-line help is essential also the D-line is the same.
Why not, get some weight off Bierman and try him at linebacker. I believe he is a real tough guy
and would be a great help to the defense.
nique
February 7th, 2012
8:08 am
I disagree with this post, you either re-sign & trade Grimes, or let him walk. He’s a heck of a player but if we move to a man to man scheme, which I believe the plan is to do, his play will drop significantly! He’s a zone cb. You let McClure walk, its time to cultivate the O-Line for the next few years, keeping a 35 year old who hasn’t played great to start with around doesn’t make since, especially with a new O-Line coach coming in! You have to keep Lofton, i believe you have to keep Douglass as well. Keep Abe, everyone else can walk & be replaced! Franks can step in for Weems & return kicks, or we can give him a shot at the # 2 cb position, his size makes him an attractive option as a # 2 press cb & his play came along towards the end of the year. Weems is not that good, he was a prow bowler 2 years ago yes, but i saw just as much spark & explosion from Franks in the return game this preseason as i saw from Weems all year! If Koy can be kept cheaply, i keep him as well
Rosy Palmer
February 7th, 2012
8:26 am
Douglas is a pathetic # 3 receiver, do not resign him.
You can use Abe’s $7 million to find a faster,stronger,and younger DE free agent.
Grimes would be nickel player for about 20 other teams,he starts for pathetic Falcons secondary…
Pete E. Tong
February 7th, 2012
8:31 am
Didn’t realize Jason Jones was a FA either. That’s another option.
Frontman
February 7th, 2012
8:45 am
Have you noticed how everyone saying “You gotta keep Lofton” gives zero evidence to back that up? Somebody please tell me how the guy is a playmaker. Make your case. I see nothing from the guy that a guy like Chase Blackburn can’t give you. If you’re not gonna play like Patrick Willis, I’m not gonna pay you.
Pete E. Tong
February 7th, 2012
8:53 am
“Have you noticed how everyone saying “You gotta keep Lofton” gives zero evidence to back that up? Somebody please tell me how the guy is a playmaker. ”
Did you watch any games last season? I’d say ranking 5th in tackles at 25 is a good piece of evidence that his best years are still ahead of him.
Formul8or
February 7th, 2012
9:29 am
Lofton is a surefire tackler. He will wrap up anyone that gets close.
Outside of that….interceptions come from tips, he doesn’t force fumbles, he doesn’t get sacks….he isn’t an impact guy like Weatherspoon is and can be
James
February 7th, 2012
9:33 am
Snelling is a beast and to get rid of him would be a freaking disaster.If anything get rid of Turner and keep Snelling.
huff
February 7th, 2012
9:42 am
McClure is a good field general but struggles against even decent nose tackles. The middle of the falcons line has been a problem for years but was severely exposed when our only decent OG left in free agency (Dahl). IMO, Ryan’s development has been stunted somewhat by the fact that he is always dealing with preasure up the middle (in his face, falling at his legs), and rarely has any room to step up when the ends converge. Compare the protection Drew Brees typically gets in the middle (would love to sign Hicks in free agency but New Orleans will never let that happen). McClure couldn’t move anyone all year in short yardage and the two failed sneaks in New York together with the third-and-one where Todd was litterally knocked onto his butt in the backfield solidified the painful conclusion: We need a new center. Period. McCLure is a good guy but not the answer. Keep him around if you can sign him for nothing but otherwise move on.
PS. I love Spoon but I still wish the Steelers hadn’t taken Pouncy right in front of us in the draft a couple of years ago.
Falcon Hardy
February 7th, 2012
9:55 am
Let’m all go. we need to sign people with desire and for the love of the game. I never saw that in any of our players except the fear in Ryans eyes.
Falconite
February 7th, 2012
10:20 am
Falcons need to re-vamp the whole team. Ryan can’t win a play-off game and our D can’t get any pressure.
matt
February 7th, 2012
10:35 am
With as many draft picks as they gave up they better make sure they handle their business through FA.
Joe 12-Pack
February 7th, 2012
10:40 am
Todd McClure definitely needs to be resigned. Securing the offensive line is important
I bet the Falcons staff are kicking themselves for letting Harvey Dahl go. That 2010 O-Line had great chemistry and they let a big piece go. The 2011 line struggled to rebuild.
dmr
February 7th, 2012
10:41 am
The Falcons have to decide if they want to try to be an elite team or do they want to keep patching the holes and remain average. After never having back to back winning seasons, the Falcons have had four winning seasons in a row. With that kind of track record, the Falcons could make the case for taking a step back, unloading some talent and regroup through the draft.
I think Julio Jones was brought in for a reason. I think Roddy White and Michael Turner have trade value. I think Baker needs to go. I think you have to let Abraham walk, as much as I would hate that. I think you have to build both lines of scrimmage from scratch and find some real talent for the secondary.
Dimitroff and the scouts have really missed in the draft on the lines of scrimmage and may need some consulting help or someone who really knows what they are looking at when watching these guys coming out of college.
The Falcons do not have to go into FULL rebuilding mode, but looking at other teams in our division and the quarterbacks they possess, if we cannot get pressure with our front four, we will never go beyond ONE GAME in the playoffs.
Gamer
February 7th, 2012
10:45 am
SAD TO SAY AND SAD TO SEE ANY OF THESE THREE PLAYERS NOT STAYING A FALCONS BECAUSE OF SALARY CAP….THE FALCONS NEED TO FIND WAYS TO KEEP GRIMES, LOFTON AND McCLURE..
DUNTAY, EDWARDS AND MATT RYAN SHOULD BE WILLING TO RE-NEGOTIATE THEIR CONTRACTS.
YES, MATT RYAN SHOULD GIVE UP SOME OF HIS MONEY!
YOU FALCONS SPORT WRITERS ALONG WITH COACH MIKE SMITH CAN CONTINUE THIS CHARADE ABOUT MATT RYAN PROGRESSION AS A QUARTERBACK IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO SO….BUT TO ANY PERSON WITH A FOOTBALL IQ CAN SEE MATT RYAN HAVEN’T PROGRESS TO THE VALUE OF HIS CONTRACT…
RYAN’S ARM IS PATHETIC…SO PATHETIC THAT HE IS AFRAID TO THROW TO HIS RECEIVERS ON THE RUN OR TO PUT THE BALL IN TIGHT WINDOWS…
IF MATT RYAN IS SERIOUS ABOUT GOING TO THE NEXT LEVEL THEN HE MUST GET STRONGER PHYSICALLY. PERIOD.
COACH SMITTY ARGUMENT OF RYAN PROGRESSION BASED ON RYAN’S BREAKING JEFF GEORGE RECORD IS PATHETIC……MOST OF RYAN’S THROWS WERE CAUGHT BECAUSE HIS RECEIVERS ADJUSTED THEIR ROUTES TO SOME HORRIBLY THROWN BALLS, ESPECIALLY JULIO JONES AND RODDY.
WE ALL KNOW HOW CEREBRAL RYAN IS AS A QUARTERBACK BUT DEFENSIVE PLAYERS ARE SO FAST, QUICK AND INTELLIGENT IN TODAY’S GAME THAT A QUARTERBACK MUST BE ABLE TO PUT SOME HEAT ON THEIR PASSES….RYAN HAVEN’T DONE THAT CONSISTENTLY.
GRIMES, LOFTON, ABRAHAM, TURNER AND McCLURE SHOULD BE KEEPERS FOR FALCONS.
Gamer
February 7th, 2012
10:50 am
KEEP TURNER IF HE IS WILLING TO GET INTO FOOTBALL SHAPE
Clean out
February 7th, 2012
11:01 am
Clean house on this mediocre roster and start over. the falcons will not be winning any playoff games with this group. Dimitroff gave away too much to get julio jones–good, not great receiver that will haunt ATL for years. Brilliant.
PMC
February 7th, 2012
11:02 am
Douglas was fantastic when he was used. He was the reason the Falcons came back in the first Saints game this season. He was great up the middle where Ryan is at his best consequently. He was never used well by Mike Mularkey.
PMC
February 7th, 2012
11:03 am
I should say used enough rather than used well.
JeanE
February 7th, 2012
11:14 am
I agree totally on Grimey, we HAVE to keep him or we’re toast in the backfield! I disagree on DeCoud, I think he’s pretty bad. Lofton is solid, Abe is good but too old so only stays if he takes a pay cut. Don’t know where we gonna get a pass rush from, though, without Abe. I also like Snelling and think we should let Turner go and do a RB by committee, meaning Rogers and Snelling and whoever else. Can’t wait to see what the new coordinators do with this group. Anything has to be an improvement over how boring and vanilla we’ve been.
JeanE
February 7th, 2012
11:15 am
Oh yeah, got to give Harry D a chance!! I really think he can be a great offensive complement but they never utilized him except when Julio was hurt.
TEAMPLAYER
February 7th, 2012
11:25 am
Some of you people adding comments should first of all get a copy of “Football for Dummies” because your comments don’t make any since… getting rid of Robinson will be a mistake…when he played for Houston the corners played in a cover scheme not the 10 yards off a reciever like they did here…Nolan is going to change that thjis year look for a vase improvment from the corners…get the book its cheap..
Pete E. Tong
February 7th, 2012
11:33 am
Clean out the roster? Are you stupid? This is one of the most potent offenses in all of football (7th in points, 10th in total yards, and 8th in passing yards). Our weakness lies in our defense which is only a few pieces from being complete. Our defense allows nearly 237 passing yards per game, 20th in the NFL. This comes from a weak secondary and lousy pass rush.
There are PLENTY of great additions that can be made through Free Agency that won’t break the bank and will address these issues. I’ve already identified quite a few.
Terrell Thomas would be a great addition, with or without Grimes, and the fact that he’s coming off of an injury and will probably be the odd man out in NYG means that he’s probably going to be a bargain. Rashean Mathis, likewise, is coming off an injury and could potentially be another bargain.
Carlos Rogers is another possibility; SF is going to struggle to resign both him and Goldson after their performances this season. He could be the odd man out.
Michael Griffin would be great if we let DeCoud walk. He’s indicated that he’s leaving Tennessee.
Robert Mathis is another possible odd man out in Indianapolis. I’d much rather drop Abraham and shell out more money to get this hometown guy that’s one of the best DE’s in the league. They have room to snag him and I’d make this my top priority. If not, Andre Carter is coming off of a Pro Bowl season and an injury – another potential bargain.
Sonny Sundown
February 7th, 2012
11:48 am
You’re right Teamplayer… robinson is a hell’ve corner but not in the Falcons sorry ass scheme…Dahl was a nasty, mean player that fired up the rest of the O-line and thats what you want on a team…but you people keep bitching about we ( like you’re calling the shots) don’t need this or that on this team…keep that attitude and we will remain on every teams “highlite” reel getting our asses kicked…
JONESBORO SLIM
February 7th, 2012
11:59 am
Grimes will be coming back but if he becomes a FA I don’t see many teams coming after him because of his height…but if he does walk that will only mean more cap space
ASHCAN!!!!!!
February 7th, 2012
12:03 pm
Year in and year out i see and hear the same old story.Falcons lose season over then the fans get on a blog fussen about who what when and where.And then someone always comment and say what i’ve been hearing since 1980,WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR!!! Pathetic,a sorry team and divided fans.
Frontman
February 7th, 2012
12:04 pm
Lofton is not that surefire a tackler. How’d you like his miss on Arian Foster against Houston and his failure to stop Jacobs on 4th and 1 against the Giants? If you think they should pay him $5-6 mil a year, you’re crazy. You can get someone to do the same job for a whole lot less money. I’d rather have Chase Blackburn than Lofton, and he would be a WHOLE lot cheaper.
Optimus Grimes is the man; pay him and try to find some way to get some sort of contribution from Money on the other side. Van Gorder sure couldn’t get Robinson to do anything…
Pete E. Tong
February 7th, 2012
12:11 pm
Chase Blackburn would be a lot cheaper than Lofton because Chase Blackburn is not as good as Lofton. He was also recently re-signed, so we’d have to give up SOMETHING to get him over. Just a stupid proposition through and through. I swear, one interception and everyone thinks Blackburn is God-tier, as if they’ve forgotten about the previous 6 years.
DC Dirty Bird
February 7th, 2012
12:20 pm
I can’t see us paying Grimes the same amount of money as Robinson when we don’t even know if his style of play fits in with Nolan’s defense. Lofton is a must keep. Tackling machines at MLB don’t just grow on trees. I read a comment that Lofton can’t run and a comment that Lofton is always making tackles from behind running backs. Which one is it? If he can’t run he can’t tackle a RB from behind. Here’s my breakdown.
Grimes – Let him walk if he demands more than 5 million.
Lofton – Keep him but not if there’s a bidding war. He’s a top five 4-3 MLB.
Abraham – Keep at a nominal rate. I doubt he wants to leave.
Decoud – Resign for depth. He is not a starter at FS.
Douglas – Resign at #3 WR money. If he takes the money and runs to another team….there are FA’s out there that can replace him.
Everyone else must go.
Rosy Palmer
February 7th, 2012
12:43 pm
Dmitroff needs to check out who the free agants are and if any player is better than the Falcon player (Abe,H.Douglas,Grimes,Weems,etc.) at the SAME positions for the SAME money then let the former Falcons go. Abe’s got to go.
Rosy Palmer
February 7th, 2012
12:44 pm
Abe’s getting Jared Allen money and not getting even half the sacks Allen did (22 to 9.5).
Rosy Palmer
February 7th, 2012
12:45 pm
Tom Jackson called out Abraham’s poor play on ESPN right before the Falcons played the Giants. And what did Abe do ? Zero sacks AGAIN. Falcons lost.
Rosy Palmer
February 7th, 2012
12:47 pm
I’d rather have Snelling at $2 million than Turner at $6 million. Then take the $4 million difference and sign a top free agent lineman to block for Matt Ryan. Snelling is a 100 yard back with 25 carries.
Rosy Palmer
February 7th, 2012
12:49 pm
Dunta just sucks. He plays 10 yards off receivers then can’t tackle them when they catch it.
Jimmy Crack
February 7th, 2012
12:49 pm
“…Brent Grimes has proven to be the best cornerback on Falcons’ roster.”
How wonderful for us (sarc), and how expensive that sounds. I guess with a $60 million contract coming his way that means only ONE free agent offensive linemen instead of TWO.
I will expect another year of happy feet and 5-yard dump passes from Ryan. Sigh.
Paul
February 7th, 2012
12:56 pm
Given McClure’s age I would be very surprised it anyone snapped him up in the open market. Might be an idea to go through the draft first, if say Ben Jones falls to the 3rd he might be a nice pick. If we can’t get a C in the draft then we could go back for Todd at a later date. Slightly gamble in that someone might sigh him up but i’m betting his age and the rep of the o-line last year is enough to put off any suitors.
DC Dirty Bird
February 7th, 2012
1:15 pm
Rosy,
Robinson is a better corner in bump and run coverage. He prefers the opportunity to be physical.
With Hawley onboard, I’d be surprised if we offer McClure starters money to stay.
One of the things we have to do (even us online GM’s) is project how the FA’s will perform in the new defensive and offensive systems. Can we really trust Grimes to play man coverage 75% of the time given his height? Does Nolan’s 4-3 system require the MLB to drop into coverage much? Does Douglas have enough wiggle to run the WR screens like Welker?
Pete E. Tong
February 7th, 2012
1:17 pm
“Dmitroff needs to check out who the free agants are and if any player is better than the Falcon player (Abe,H.Douglas,Grimes,Weems,etc.) at the SAME positions for the SAME money then let the former Falcons go. ”
Good job, captain obvious! Now hush, the adults are talking.
same old stuff
February 7th, 2012
1:22 pm
in atlanta–things never change. They will overpay for some new “name” players, then barely make teh playoffs and go out in round 1. They just don’t get it.
JONESBORO SLIM
February 7th, 2012
1:30 pm
I see Ricky Williams is retiring…thanks DC Dirty Bird for bringing that to the attention about Robinson..hes good corner whose use to playing in “tight coverage”
falconfanriseup
February 7th, 2012
1:49 pm
Am i the only one that watched Grimes play this year? Grimes when targeted only had like 4-5 completed on him when the ball came his way ALL YEAR. And Grimes had no problem with taller WR’s this year Sidney Rice i think had like 3catches in the game and one the jump balls against him. Calvin Johnson caught 1 ball coming his way and he also won the jump ball with him. Grimes is a no brainer keeper. he will want top dollar because he is worth top dollar
Pete E. Tong
February 7th, 2012
1:57 pm
No one is disputing Grime’s play; the rub involves what it costs to keep him.
Tmar09
February 7th, 2012
1:58 pm
Trade Turner for picks while he’s worth something (sorry its just business), keep Abe at reduced price, Edwards and Grimes you keep (no brainer considering cost of cutting them), resign Snelling (good hands, good blocker, QUALITY
JONESBORO SLIM
February 7th, 2012
2:00 pm
@ falconfanriseup
I dont think no one wants Grimes to go but if he does go to another team for more money…so be it but if the Falcons can put together a good pass rush its will a no brainer for the corners…can you dig it?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 7th, 2012
2:03 pm
When is CHOKE getting that new contract?
NEVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
HA HA HA
david
February 7th, 2012
2:06 pm
Vick got 3 hots and a cot.
Matt
February 7th, 2012
2:31 pm
If you are a Grimes fan, check out http://www.footballcamps.com, he will be hosting a camp for kids ages 7-18 this summer.