Falcons’ fans: Please, enough with cries for Mario Williams
Mario Williams is not walking through that door. (AP photo)
Reality check request: Can we please stop the Mario Williams campaign in Atlanta?
NFL free agency officially opens Tuesday at 4 p.m., and you will be amazed by how many deals get completed by 4:01 p.m., considering teams haven’t even been allowed to negotiate. (Sarcasm.)
Yes, the Falcons will be active. Teams don’t try to create salary cap space unless they’re planning to do something, and the Falcons already have restructured Dunta Robinson’s contract. According to the latest figures, the Falcons’ 2012 payroll is at $116,002,840, which is only $5,723,709 under the cap. (This assumes cornerback Brent Grimes signs a $10.6 million one-year tender.)
Let’s make this as clear as possible: There is not nearly enough money for the Falcons to sign Williams, Houston’s defensive end, unless they gut the roster and sign several replacements for the minimum straight out of Fred Sanford’s front yard.
Sorry to kill the sports talk radio buzz (and hopefully unclog the inbox of my email). But Williams is expected to use Julius Peppers’ six-year, $84 million contract as a starting point. That’s a $14 million annual average and cap hit. Do the math. I just don’t see any way general manager Thomas Dimitroff would be willing to do that, especially given the other holes the team needs to fill.
If I’m wrong, I shall accept the appropriate flogging from readers.
I do expect the Falcons to create some more cap space, possibly by cutting and/or trading a veteran or two who currently are under contract. But this is a team that needs players on both offensive and defensive lines, as well as in the secondary.
Here’s an updated wish list of potential signees (post signings and franchise tags):
– Carl Nicks, guard, New Orleans: He’s considered one of the better interior offensive linemen in football and has a nasty streak, which the Falcons needs. Weakening the Saints is an added bonus. One problem: Nicks wants to be the highest paid guard in the NFL, which means exceeding Logan Mankins’ six-year, $51 million deal ($20 million signing bonus).
– Scott Wells, center, Green Bay: He’s a Pro Bowler and has been a starter since 2006. Green Bay may not be able to re-sign him for cap reasons, and the the concern of overcommitting to a player who recently turned 31. But Wells would be an outstanding replacement for Todd McClure (35, still unsigned) and would weaken the Packers. He’s looking for about $7 million annually.
— Kendall Langford, defensive end, Miami: He’s known for being a strong run defender. Also plays in the 3-4, which could help his cause if he Falcons switch to a hybrid front. Langford played for new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan with the Dolphins. His 2011 salary was relatively modest: $1.4 million.
– Nick Hardwick, center, San Diego: A good backup plan if the Falcons can’t get Wells. He’s 30 (turns 31 in September) and has started 108 games. According to Stats LLC (via Pro Football Weekly), he didn’t allow a sack last season and was called for only one penalty. Last year’s base salary: $3.675 million ($4.508 million cap hit after signing bonus).
– Mark Anderson, defensive end, New England: A pass-rush specialist. He had 10 sacks in the regular season and 2½ in the playoffs. The Patriots have had talks with Anderson, 29, but so far have been unable to re-sign him.
There’s a far more realistic list of candidates than Mario Williams.
By Jeff Schultz
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155 comments Add your comment
charles
March 12th, 2012
3:07 pm
Let’s trade Roddy White for a first round pick-let grimes walk(or trade),sign MW and a NFL caliber tackle! keep MT unless someone wows us with an offer.
Archie
March 12th, 2012
3:08 pm
With or without a Mario Williams signing, this article is WAY off base! First off all, there’s a difference between a team’s total players’ salary and a team’s salary cap number. The two numbers are not equal, and the total salary is almost always higher. Next, teams exceed the salary cap all the time, the NFL rules say that teams must be below the cap at 4pm tomorrow. If they’re not allowed to exceed the cap, then how does anybody sign their free agents and first round draft picks. You wouldn’t be able to do it if you weren’t allowed to temporarily exceed the cap. So as long as you’re back down under the cap by the close of preseason, you’re fine.
So just because the Falcons only have about $5.5 million or so left doesn’t mean jack. They can sign 20 players if they want to as long as they get back under the limit by the end of August. Again, they may or may not get Mario Williams, but Shultz’s reason won’t have anything to do with the decision.
GDawg
March 12th, 2012
3:14 pm
The more I read about getting him the more nervous I get, I just wish tomorrow would come and go and then see where we stand,
Joe goodmen
March 12th, 2012
3:15 pm
Caps numbers there way off Jeff’s source (PTF)also has the Cardnials 16 million “over the cap limit ” if that was true do you really think they would had Peyton Mainning in there touring around for 6 hours with the whole song and dance
Jeff please show us the roster break down so we can see how the Falcons only have 5.7 million in cap space left becasuse it really makes no sense
GDawg
March 12th, 2012
3:16 pm
I just don’t know why we are not signing Lofton if we are not going after Super Mario.
JSS
March 12th, 2012
3:17 pm
Chicago has cap space, they were a playoff team before Cutler was hurt… Shoot, if they decide to let the defense win games, Buffalo can throw huge money at him as well Denver. Who would you rather tie your rope to Peyton Manning or Matt Ryan? Even Baltimore has more cap space than the Falcons… Getting to the $17-18 million spot does nothing for you….
Treeofwoe
March 12th, 2012
3:20 pm
We’re going to more 1 back sets and a TE or Snell can be brought in to act as a FB in short yardage situations. You can’t keep a FB on your roster at 3 million for those two diminished roles. Baker’s backup took over so he’s gone. HD…can’t spend that kind of money on your 4th passing option when we have Davis, Cone, and Meier available for much less money. Signing Tatupu means Lofton’s gone. Those moves alone free up close to $6.6 million.
5 dolla obama gas
March 12th, 2012
3:21 pm
Too bad they wasted all that money on dontplay robinson and ray edwards. Then they could afford him.
Birdman of Falcatraz
March 12th, 2012
3:21 pm
My neighbor has more money than me also, but it didnt stop me from overpaying for my car. The article isnt about who has more money to pay him or our chances to compete with them, its about us not having the projected salary cap space to add 14m per year projected.
Falconsufferersince66
March 12th, 2012
3:22 pm
Snelling can’t run the ball as well as Turner. One big signing is not going to make the Falcons Super
Bowl bound. Good players can be signed for less money and the Falcons will not have all their eggs
in one basket. We don’t have ateam of All Pros to have a good football team.
Treeofwoe
March 12th, 2012
3:22 pm
Take that 6.6 from the moves above and add it to the 5.8 (PFT ..not the league…) says we have. Then add another 1.5 million we can filch from 2013. That gives us a more realistic picture of the money we have freed up. 13.9 million. Now if Grimes signs a long term deal…let’s say 7.5 a year for 4 or so. That’s more like 16.4 million to play with.
t reeder
March 12th, 2012
3:23 pm
YOU DONT KNOW WHT THEY GONNA DO!!!! JUST LIKE WE DONT!!!! SO U STOP UR CRIES!!!!!!
obuma $5 gas
March 12th, 2012
3:23 pm
too bad they wasted all that money on dontplay robinson and ray edwards.
t reeder
March 12th, 2012
3:25 pm
MARIO WILLAIMS GONNA GO TO A TEAM HE WANTS TO GO TO!!!! ITS NOT ALL BOUT THA money
GDawg
March 12th, 2012
3:27 pm
I’m sure they will make the right choice I just hope it works out for the fans.
JSS
March 12th, 2012
3:29 pm
Who would you rather be with, Ray Edwards or Julius Peppers?
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/11222940-419/mario-williams-vincent-jackson-would-upgrade-bears-immediately.html
PMC
March 12th, 2012
3:32 pm
The problem of course is that we have missed on enough players now where we are fairly desperate again thus the cries for Williams.
Could have tried to sign Peppers when we had the chance.
Too many mistakes high in the draft going back through the Anderson debacle.
PMC
March 12th, 2012
3:34 pm
My question is… if Sidbury is never going to be given an opportunity… why is he on the team???
Joe Johnson Quit On His Team Because He Know He Sucks
March 12th, 2012
3:35 pm
falcons have 12 million and just got 1 million from the cowboys and redskins…
Birdman of Falcatraz
March 12th, 2012
3:36 pm
No way you end the season with Arthur Blank saying making the playoffs is not good enough and go into this season without an upgrade on the defensive side of the ball. Losing Lofton and Abe, replacing them with cut rate players is not an upgrade. I take Arthur at his word at this point. Now if Dtroff is too inept to rearrange the roster to improve drastically, then its to for the proverbial get off the pot.
Treeofwoe
March 12th, 2012
3:44 pm
About Sidbury…statistically he gets to the quarterback at the same rate as Abraham fyi. He just needs to be given a shot, and not I didn’t pull that out of the air.
With that said mull over the following for Jeff who seems to think it’s “impossible” to think about Mario coming here:
Lets assume 5.8 million is the current cap = 5.8
Cut Baker = 2.6
Cut Ovie = 3
Pull 1.5 from 2013 = 1.5
Sign Grimesy to (7.5 mill / 4 yr) or don’t sign him and rescind offer (that’s right folks…it’s not been signed so it hasn’t been paid) = 2.5 to 10 freed up
Realistic picture of what is / can be made available in a hot hurry = 15.4 to 22.9 million
Michael
March 12th, 2012
3:47 pm
This won’t hurt our chances:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/12/league-strips-cowboys-redskins-of-millions-in-cap-space/
jay
March 12th, 2012
3:49 pm
Jeff, There is no way that cap number is correct.
jay
March 12th, 2012
3:52 pm
@JSS, are you secrectly a Falcons fan. You are more on Falcon’s blogs more than me and all you do is hate. Reminds me of the Haterz convention on the Chappelle Show. Just heard that the Falcons gained an additonal 1.5 million in cap space due to some ruling by the NFL front office. The Cowgirls will lose 10 million on there cap sapce(meaning it was added to their number). The Redskins will also have numbers added to their cap number.
jay
March 12th, 2012
3:54 pm
Just read the article on espn. Cowgirls will lose 10 million in cap space and the redskins will lose 36 million.
JSS
March 12th, 2012
4:08 pm
This is a Falcons blog? Funny, I see the name “Jeff Schultz” on the column. Oh, It is $1.6 Million… And I’m a appreciator of “pro football,” CFL or NFL it does not matter. By the way, stick to name calling other pro football team and stop worrying whether some is “Falcons fan.” People can read the links, they don’t need you to blow-by-blowing the numbers.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
March 12th, 2012
4:09 pm
The Falcants could assemble an all pro team and never win a playoff game as long as CHOKE is calling the signals.
How much more money does Art need to throw away before he cans the “Replace Vick” project……
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
March 12th, 2012
4:11 pm
All you need to know about CHOKE is that the Ravens are working on a new contract for Flacco and Sanchez just got a new extension in New York.
When is CHOKE getting that new deal? CRICKETS
That tells you all you need to know about CHOKE
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
March 12th, 2012
4:18 pm
The Eagles spent a fortune on their big free agent signings last year and they have more cap space than the Falcants….HA HA HA.
The Falcants are such LOSERS
GoooDawgs
March 12th, 2012
4:19 pm
Can we get Peyton Manning?!
JSS
March 12th, 2012
4:24 pm
“Can we get Peyton Manning?”
You can’t afford Doug Cooper Manning…
Disgusted
March 12th, 2012
4:31 pm
I didn’t expect a Mario Williams sighting anyway, but signs like Tatupu and Mularlawi, guys who did not even play in 2011 were about what we could have expected.
Since when has this team picked up a big time game changer in FA.
Oh well, if we go 9-7 or 10-6, that should be about the correct standard for Falcons football. And we have had worse.
The Smith/Dimitroff/Ryan era is about as good as we will ever have it in the ATL. Its foolish to ever expect superbowls because championships and long playoff runs are allergic to ATL.
At least the Falcons are not the Braves.
Disgusted
March 12th, 2012
4:37 pm
Nicks and Wells would be nice but they might wind up with Hardwick with the guy they got from Jacksonville as the prizes for the OL.
And it would not be bad if Vince M.(last name too hard to spell) from Jacksonville is healthy.
Why they are not replacing Sam Baker is beyond belief, he is such a bust. And Decoud was such a dumb sign. Those guys do not even belong in the Arena League.
jay
March 12th, 2012
4:41 pm
@JSS, hate hate hate, like ppl give a dang what your opinion is. You’ve written more is this blog than Shultz. Good for you Mr. All around football fan.
kingdaddy
March 12th, 2012
4:50 pm
Fix the O L first. Protecting Matty should be priority. Mario W. is not a top priority. Yes it would be nice, but please fix our Offensive Line…
5150 UOAD
March 12th, 2012
4:59 pm
Save all the money this year and we can Draft Aron Murray of the Dwags next year in the 5th round.
Falcons’ fans: Please, enough with cries for Mario Williams | football-feed.com
March 12th, 2012
5:06 pm
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hbcuclassics
March 12th, 2012
5:06 pm
Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton University
mg
March 12th, 2012
5:06 pm
there is no doubt in my mind that Ray Edwards will be another big time FA bust !
Paul in NH
March 12th, 2012
5:21 pm
“Williams is expected to use Julius Peppers’ six-year, $84 million contract as a starting point.”
Imagine how much money these guys would be getting if they had “SEC Speed” and hadn’t played in the ACC.
Nativebird
March 12th, 2012
5:34 pm
Jeff, your comments “feel” like then old Falcons, the before Thomas I’ll-deal-five-picks-to-move-up-to-nab-Julio Dimitroff Falcons. I believe TD is indeed fighting for his job, there is no more “live to fight another day”. That barn door is shut, head coach and GM is now on THE seat. 2012 will be the watershed year for these two…no more excuses, no OC / DC blaming. If TD does not fix the offensive line and the pass rush, he and his head coach are done. Mario has GOT to be in their sights, if Nicks is not. But it MUST be a big time player…impact player. Just tinkering like you’re describing aint gonna get it done. If Neither? Wow, that would be hard to explain to the boss after you let your starting MLB walk..
Peion Deion
March 12th, 2012
6:16 pm
We already have a Mario Wiliiams: his name is Ray no play Edwards! Get him to start earning that big salary he got & problem solved, remember last year he was a big coveted player, & look what we got in return??? Cmon Man!!!!!!!
PMC
March 12th, 2012
6:18 pm
Disgusted, Michael Turner was a freaking awesome FA signing but that was a few years ago. Unfortunately we have struck out a lot since then.
Jt
March 12th, 2012
6:23 pm
Jeff this is a blog. What the hell are you doing interjecting reasonableness and common sense?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
March 12th, 2012
6:26 pm
When are you Falcants LOSERS going to realize that this franchise is under the Mike Vick curse and there will be no more playoff wins until Art cuts CHOKE.
2004 was the last time this sorry franchise won a playoff game. That’s 8-9 seasons ago.
HA HA HA
"Chef" Tim Dix
March 12th, 2012
6:39 pm
The Falcons do not need him. They just signed two guys that meet the Flowery Branch Mission Statement: We value diversity. Those of all creeds and colors but especially the in-firmed. Those with a history of injuries get our highest hiring priority.
tobetoq
March 12th, 2012
6:39 pm
Hey choke go choke on your own *(&%*(&%….. Your ignorance is astounding as is your lack of any inkling of logic. Go away people dont care about your fantasies.
wendell chance
March 12th, 2012
6:46 pm
need to get off mario craze period.love to have him,but the price to high.to many holes.looks like td is being true no sacred cows.believe alot of cows are leaving.to many solid free agents this year.colston mcneil can go on and on but no need.probably fill every hole for price of mario.build both lines through free agency and just draft smart birds will be fine.
A Father
March 12th, 2012
7:00 pm
Schultz: go ahead and step on the feet of Chip Towers and write a professional article about the stories of the day regarding Georgia football.
1) Brandon Smith arrested for following to closely, tail light out, possession of marijuana and still unknown if DUI of drugs will be added. This is the second association with drugs concerning Brandon Smith as he was one of the players mentioned for failing a drug test prior to Florida game 2011 and not being punished.
2) Contracts are agreed to, I thought contracts were agreed to when everyone had signed the documents, Greg McGarity should be quiet until all parties have sign and deal is sealed. I have been told that Todd Grantham would not be agreeing to anything that did not result in a large salary increase. Per reports, this has not been offered by Georgia and I think issues remain regarding Todd Grantham. This reminds me of Frank Wren flying home an leaving Rafeal Furcal by himself only to have L.A. Dodgers then resign him, word of mouth means nothing. If Frank Wren had stayed in L.A. we would have had a shortstop that year.
3) Georgia hires a Penn State strength coach of 20 years that had to be aware of rumors at minimum regarding child molestation of kids by a coach. Now way should this guy ever be allowed to be hired and brought to Athens. Guilty by association.
4) Mark Richt takes more time off than any coach at any university with a football program.
5) If reports regarding Todd Grantham are accurate, look for 2013 defensive recruits to find other schools to play for.
Schultz, the people of Atlanta and the state of Georgia are deserving of better coverage than what Chip Towers is offering regarding Georgia football. please jump on board and help out!!
fansince74
March 12th, 2012
7:29 pm
This is a cut and paste from:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1095005-mario-williams-to-falcons-why-ex-texans-de-would-look-good-in-atlanta
One of the most common misconceptions about a Mario Williams contract is that the Falcons don’t have the money to get him and keep Curtis Lofton. Even if Mario Williams gets a signing bonus of over $30 million, the Falcons could still keep his cap hit around $7-8 million the first two years.
Considering Atlanta has just under $19 million in cap space right now, the Falcons could not just make a move for Mario, but they could get him and still keep middle linebacker Curtis Lofton.