Should The Falcons Re-Sign Rod Coleman?

by Dave Choate on Apr 3, 2008 2:04 AM EDT in Falcons News

Like an enormous puppy left in a tiny basket outside your doorstep, Rod Coleman is just begging to be picked up and brought into your home. I mean, look at him! He's one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the entire league. Why doesn't he have a job?

It seems to be the nebulous nature of his health that have scared teams away, which isn't quite fair. As his market price goes down, teams have to consider signing him as a low-risk, high-reward project. If he's healthy, Coleman's still an above average defensive tackle who at his worst provides you with a worthy starter. The question I'm posing is whether or not we want to consider bringing Coleman back, ala Joey Joe Joe.

The argument against doing it is pretty obvious. The Falcons need an aging, hurt fan favorite like Dimitroff needs another vat of hair gel. Drafting someone like Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis--neither of them a true nose tackle--would make Coleman a backup, and Jon Babineaux is perfectly capable of filling that role. Even if he was cheap, he may not be the right fit for this team in that scenario.

However, if the Falcons choose to go for a defensive tackle later in the draft, then Coleman might be worth it for a million or two. If--big if--he's healthy, he provides considerable value and boosts Jamaal Anderson's ability to get over his godawful rookie season by drawing more attention. Coleman is a legit sack threat, and if Trey Lewis returns healthy fairly early in the season he can chew up the running game like Pacman with teeth. In this scenario, and for the right price, I believe Coleman makes a lot of sense.

Of course, this largely depends on the draft. Given that the entire future of this franchise seems to, as well, this is nothing new.

Thoughts?

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If we did sign him back on, I wouldn't be so bent on his initial release. The reasoning as to why he isn't on a team yet may have more to do with the fact that teams are trying to see how low his price will go more so that the injury issues. Like you said, even at his worst, he is still a serviceable starter and a force that opposing teams have to account for, period. At his best, he demands a double team.

I say we do it. Sign him for cheap and still draft Dorsey or Ellis. I mean why not? Coleman could easily smooth the transition of either rookie into a full time starting position next year. The rook could serve as the primary backup while Coleman gets to do what he does best this year. Maybe he goes off and has a killer year, allowing us to use him as trade bait for next years draft. We win. Maybe he has a mediocre year and we let him go at the end of the season. He teaches a thing or two to the new guy, they get some good experience playing the back up role, and are ready to rock next year. We still win.

This would also promote better play from Abraham, Babineaux, and Anderson. Or in the very least allow a linebacker to come through every once in a while. I really don't see a problem with this at all and think it would definitely be a very smart strategic move to increase overall depth on the defensive line. Seriously, we all know how easy it is for these guys to get hurt in the shower, or going down stairs, haha.

by Jesse @ The Falcoholic on Apr 3, 2008 8:53 AM EDT reply actions

Depends on the Draft

If the Falcons draft an Offensive Lineman (Jake Long) with the third pick, I say sign Coleman for a year at a reasonable cost, draft Pat Sims,Frank Okam, or Marcus Harrison as a run suffing nose tackle and have a potential strong defensive middle of Babineaux, Trey Lewis, Coleman and the Drafted run stuffer. That combination should create enough double teams to free up Abraham and Jamal Anderson for double digit sacks. Coleman was not in the lineup enough last season to draw the double teams that might have given Anderson the one-on-one opportunities to obtain the sacks his potential protraited. The Falcons have a number of serviceable Defensive Tackles now but no disrupter. Either Coleman, Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis can be the disrupter that draws double teams allowing the DEs to have one-on-one blocking and potentially lead to sacks.

Richie

by richie on Apr 3, 2008 11:16 AM EDT reply actions