John Abraham And The Pursuit Of A New Contract

by Dave Choate on Jul 9, 2009 8:00 AM EDT in Falcons News

So word out of our good friends at Rotoworld is that John Abraham might be looking for a new contract. On its surface, this seems like a no brainer. After all, the guy's a Pro Bowl talent, doesn't make trouble and can unhinge his entire jaw to swallow a hapless quarterback. Easy peasy.

"Not so fast!" I shout. We all love Honest Abe, but there's a couple of small matters which might impede this contract-giving that I just hypothetically rushed into. First off, Abe's 31 years old, which is far from ancient. Still, he's had a history of nagging injuries and isn't a good bet to remain healthy and effective for five more years. I'd love it if it happened, but I'm a little skeptical. There's also the small matter of how much money he's going to want, and Rotoworld's pie-in-the-sky speculation is that he might want Jared Allen money, which is waaaayyyy too much for basically anybody.

Really, if Abe wants an extension, I can't quibble with that. The team could do worse things with its money than keep around one of its most effective players, increasing stockpile of defensive ends be damned. He did account for about 99.9% of our sacks last year, after all. But if it's going to cost an enormous amount of money to keep him--or if he manages to rekindle some of those unpleasant injury memories--it just shouldn't happen. Everyone has a reasonable price, even the grand high devourer of pass throwers.

Your call?

Poll

Should John Abraham get an extension if he ends up asking for one?

Yes, give the man whatever he wants

95 votes

Yes, but only if it's reasonable

415 votes

No, it won't be reasonable

25 votes

No, he won't be effective for much longer

29 votes

I want to see that unhinge the jaw trick

17 votes

581 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

His sack numbers have been consistently in the double digits.

Give the man some money.

You have opinions. Share them.

by Adam Schultz on Jul 9, 2009 8:09 AM EDT reply actions

How many years does he have left...

on his current contract? That is a very important piece to this question. Withholding my vote for now…

by TomQ on Jul 9, 2009 8:52 AM EDT reply actions

Looks like 3

If the Rotoworld contract info is correct, he signed a 6 year, $45 Million deal on 3/22/06, so that would be three more years.

by orang3b on Jul 9, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

5 yrs would be a bit much ...

3 yrs is more reasonable given his injury history/age.

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Jul 9, 2009 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

I believe

that’s why we drafted people like Sidbury and Bierman. I think we’ll pick up a DE in the draft next year especially if J. Anderson doesn’t step up. Remember, they’re building this team like New England. If a player wants to act out, then someone else is right there ready for their opportunity. We’ll trade him for picks and/or a few players. Let’s face it…he’s really really good when he’s healthy, how many times have you said to yourself “please don’t let this guy be hurt again”.

by Fear Me on Jul 9, 2009 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

My first thought is

Does he really want a new/re-done contract, or is Steve Wyche coming up with these “rumblings” because there is nothing going on right now, and it seems reasonable the he might want more money?

Either way, I’d have to say I don’t like it. It would be very stupid for the team to renegotioate his deal – right after his best season since at least 2002 – when he has three years left on this deal. I don’t know where he was in actual salary last year compared to other DE’s, but he counted the 3rd highest against the salary cap last year (see here). And his base salary last year was $6M, not $5M like the Rotoworld blurb says.

The other main point of contention would be his age. Pro Football Reference recently did a study on last year’s sack leaders in their blog. Only eight other guys have totalled 16 or more sacks after 29 (Joey Porter and James Harrison also did it last season). Going strictly by history, Abraham would be expected to get 9.5 sacks this year (they actually set the Over/Under at 8 sacks, see here). It would be a much smarter business decision to wait until after this year to see how he performs. With three years left on the deal, the team has all the leverage.

Even if Dimitroff was feeling particularly generous and wanted to reward him for the great season, re-doing a deal with three years left would set a bad precedent for the rest of the team.

by orang3b on Jul 9, 2009 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

3 years?

Why is he asking for an extension?

" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln

by tapate50 on Jul 9, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions

I don't think I believe this report.

He’s not even an every down player. I love him here, but do you see him starting 3 years from now? Do you see him even starting in 2010?

I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.

Elayne Boosler

by NaGaNole on Jul 9, 2009 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

tricky situation

I agree we should wait at least until the end of this year to re do his deal but even then I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving him too much money because of his injury history and the fact that he was pretty much a situational pass rusher. I would love to have him retire as a falcon but only if he is willing to play for a reasonable amount of money. Like orang3b I’m not sure I believe this report either tho

by FLA_Falcon on Jul 9, 2009 12:10 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I love Abe.

I really think he’s the key to our defense this year. While this just seems like rumor mill stuff, if you look at how NE handles high profile free agents, TD isn’t likely to pull a Rich McKay and go long term, high dollar for him at 31.

"When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something"

-Dick Butkus

by zooker on Jul 9, 2009 6:10 PM EDT reply actions

Not including his current contract info

Was a significant oversight. My apologies.

I love Abraham, but I agree with the prevailing sentiment. If it’s not too much money or too many years, I’m good with it, but otherwise let’s hope Sidbury can live up to his billing.

by Dave Choate on Jul 10, 2009 12:17 AM EDT reply actions

No worries, Dave...

You do a great job.

by TomQ on Jul 10, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

last year was his first great season with atl..

So I think the falcons brass will pull him in and say – “you lead this defense this year with a career making type season without injury and after this season we will renegotiate an extension for you”. The D is counting on abe bigtime this year, so if he produces another season like last year then I say we give the man 2 more years at 12 mil per, and he retires as a falcon!! Because as orange3b said it would set a very bad contract negotiating policy if the falcons renegotiated his contract with 3 years left on it.
L-Dawg

by ATLsince1972 on Jul 10, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions

I can get behind this...

Who knows if he’s truly disgruntled with his contract. Let’s see 1) what he has to offer this year (at least, and possibly next year) and 2) what the other DEs bring to the table this year before we make a major commitment. I love Abe – I have the same concerns about age and health as everyone else. I don’t think he’s the type to slack off if he isn’t happy with his contract.

by TomQ on Jul 10, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions