In Uncapped Year, Atlanta Falcon Free Agency Will Be Quiet
by Dave Choate on Feb 14, 2010 8:00 AM EST
in Falcons News
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PrintAt some point in the near future, I'll be taking an in-depth look at what free agency in an uncapped year is going to look like for the Atlanta Falcons. In the meantime, brace yourself to yawn.
That's the message from Pro Football Talk, which takes a brief look at the list of upcoming free agents and asks a question frequently posed by drunken college students:
"That's it?"
It's a justifiable position, too. With an uncapped year a near-certainty at this point, the Falcons have a ton of guys as restricted free agents who otherwise would've been major concerns. With the team having exclusive negotiating rights with Harvey Dahl and Tyson Clabo, they'll be able to lock up both offensive linemen if they want. Michael Koenen, Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling are also all restricted, and if the Falcons are inclined to they could keep the running back depth chart intact. It's a boost they wouldn't have had if they current CBA had been extended, and probably stands as the lone advantage of that eventuality.
So the big names left on the list are Chris Redman, who the Falcons will almost certainly bring back for a season or two, Brian Williams, who may not return, and Marty Booker. Yes, Marty Booker is one of the biggest unrestricted free agents this team is going to have to deal with. That's...something.
Obviously, this means we won't have a lot of free positions to fill, which is a blessing and a curse. The Falcons weren't very likely to wade into the depths of free agency, keeping in mind that big-time transactions this year could damage the bottom line in subsequent years if a new CBA is negotiated, and this just cuts that likelihood further. Julius Peppers probably isn't walking through that door, people.
Frankly, I'd like to see the team find a taker for Norwood, unless they can sign him for cheap. I'd rather see them dump Williams and Booker and go young at both positions. And I'd like to see us win a Super Bowl. I'm pretty flexible about how they get to that last one, but I'm also pretty confident it won't be through free agency.
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i think
if we look at how the Hawks have become successful, developing the talent already on the roster and making smart free agent signings. We already have tons of young talent. Im thankful we are no longer in the position where we feel we have to make a splash in free agency
If peeing your pants is the coolest, consider me Miles Davis
I agree
I agree all around. Its time we look to youth. The players that were once consider young are now vets. We are going to demand major leadership from Ryan this and if he can’t bring it in his third year (a big year for NFLers) than we have a bit of a problem.
And Norwood, who has been a favourite player of mine for some time just never developed. Part of that is our fault for signing Turner. But Turner is better. Send Norwood somewhere where they could use him.
if we can sign norwood to a
reasonable contract, lets do it. The problem is we don’t use him how we should. The way NO uses Reggie Bush, or the Browns use Josh Cribbs. We have to give him the ball in space and let him create. We can use him in screens, dump passes, shovel passes, and short routes. The runningbacks aren’t the problem. If you’re saying get rid of Norwood because of injuries I could see your point.
I don't see Norwood going anywhere
There are two reasons:
1. He was injured last year, and I can’t see many teams being so desperate for a running back that they would take a guy who is a bit of an unknown quantity. I think you guys are demonstrating that thinking. He has played very well the past few years as a change of pace back, but with the injury bringing down his production in one season, everyone is ready to sign off on him.
2. We need that change of pace. If he can get healthy, then he’s extremely useful. Yes we have Jason Snelling, but he’s basically a slower Turner who can catch pretty well. I think we need that scat back to complement Turner.
Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!
by phoenix falcoholic on Feb 14, 2010 12:37 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
See ... I want to think you're right
In a perfect world, you would be.
Founder and Proud Member of the JASON SNELLING AIN'T ALL THAT AND A BAG O' CHIPS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
You're right, it's only one season
But it was an atrocious season. He was injured off and on all year, and when he did play he averaged 3.3 yards per carry. You’re probably right in that we couldn’t get a lot for him, but the coaching staff is as much to blame for that for refusing to give him more than 100 carries even when he was perfectly healthy.
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its alot the coaches fault
No need in having him if were not goin 2 use him properly. Mularky sucks!!!!!!!!! Our offense is way to predictable. Norwood in the category as westbrook and bush he needs some screen passes. I don’t kno how he will comeback next year but if we release him I don’t think we can find a equal or better replacement. Keep williams release houstin and coleman. We need a outside linebacker. And need d ends. We need to do a injury recovery post. How r these guys recovering? Jerry? Douglas? Turner? Williams? Moore? Norwood? Keonon?
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Feb 14, 2010 3:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
ya
pretty sure we need to draft mardy gilyard. he could take over for norwood on returns, he could be our dominant number 2 wide out and take some presure off roddy. that also means less of a chance the norwood to get hurt.
by JJWatt1stfalconspick on Feb 14, 2010 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
Are you Mardy?????
Do you really want to play here that bad? I can understand why you would. We are the best team ever, SAINTS SUCK, GO FALCONS.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Feb 16, 2010 8:48 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I have a feeling
That he went on the field when he was still injured. We were desperate for running backs when Turner and Norwood went down (See: Aaron Stecker) and I feel that he played injured a lot of the time. I’m not sure that he has really lost a step and can’t be a useful back for us.
I agree that he hasn’t been used yet to his potential. To successfully set up a screen, you need linemen that can move, and I don’t think our line can do that. Even then, he was always just sent up the gut, which he doesn’t do very well.
I think the most infuriating thing that I remember from the offseason is a quote from Mularkey saying that this was the thinnest playbook he’s ever had. And it showed.
Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!
by phoenix falcoholic on Feb 14, 2010 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
I wanna say
I heard it from one of the announcers during the game, but a google search isn’t giving me any results.
Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!
by phoenix falcoholic on Feb 14, 2010 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
I remember that.
It was on J. Mikes blog at the beginning of the season. Didn’t really make much sense why they would do that. Seems like Ryan did better with more in the book.
"at least your roof only leaks when it rains."
by Ball Hawk on Feb 14, 2010 6:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
yeah i remember hearing that too.
but I forgot what game that was.
by brotherbrown on Feb 15, 2010 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
If he's smart,
He will try to go somewhere else. I like him but he would be doing better for himself with a team that will use him more. We could use som comp. draft picks.
"at least your roof only leaks when it rains."
by Ball Hawk on Feb 14, 2010 6:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Useful?
He can’t stay on his feet. When was the last good production season? 2007, maybe. I would rather see us pick up McCluster.
"at least your roof only leaks when it rains."
by Ball Hawk on Feb 14, 2010 3:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Nah
Norwood was very good in 2008, too. This past season was his only “bad” year. And if you think Norwood is fragile, wait until McCluster starts taking NFL hits – he is 40 pounds lighter than Norwood.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
as would i
we can find another change of pace back in the later rounds of the draft, for less money. It’e nice being under the cap, and i can think of better uses for the money we’ll save. we have plenty of running backs. use the money for some defensive ends that can take pressure off of abraham. thats what this team realy needs. plus i really feel like the Comrade tends to overpay for guys we resign, look at Mike Jenkins. Is he worth 5mil a year? simply put, no. Go with youth and speed and cheapness. Pay whoever is worth paying and make the rest earn it, thats how a good company works
If peeing your pants is the coolest, consider me Miles Davis
I don't really think he was overpaid badly
It looks high right now because he just signed that extension, but 2-3 years down the road he’ll be passed by tons of other guys re-upping their deals. In 2009 he was the 26th highest paid WR by Total Salary (including his Signing Bonus), but just the #45 WR by his Base Salary (behind world-beaters like Josh Reed and Sam Hurd). Base Salaries (per Rotoworld): 2009 $1.5M; 2010 $2.25M; 2011 $3.5M; 2012 $4.25M – doesn’t seem unreasonable to me.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
For what he provides, it's very reasonable indeed
I do wonder if 2012 Michael Jenkins is going to be worth $4.25 million in scratch, though.
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by Dave Choate on Feb 15, 2010 11:17 AM EST up reply actions
we should make an attempt to sign julius peppers
by baltimorebeatdown on Feb 14, 2010 3:54 PM EST reply actions
Because of the money
he’ll demand, I truly doubt the they will even look his way.
It seems he's selfish.
I was listening to a radio thing he was doing and he really sounded like a baby. Not sure if you want that on your team.
"at least your roof only leaks when it rains."
by Ball Hawk on Feb 14, 2010 6:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
The one thing I ask
is that our FA pick-ups or drafts do not have a long history of injuries (i.e. Baker, Jerry, Moore, Abe, Norwood). And for the majoirty listed to be starters is ridiculous. They/re good when healthy but…
hmm ...
consider this hypo:
Norwood leaves
TD goes to sign his replacement
Two RBs to choose from
Cost is not an issue
One RB has much more upside than the other, but the former has a few more injuries in his past than the latter
You draft the latter?
Founder and Proud Member of the JASON SNELLING AIN'T ALL THAT AND A BAG O' CHIPS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
You've already seen what happens when we draft the latter.
While they weren’t RBs, I think the point remains valid.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
Keep Norwood and Williams
I’m assuming re-signing Clabo and Dahl is a given. But, I’d like to see us retain Norwood, Williams and Redman. Like others have mentioned, we haven’t been using Norwood like we should. If we do, he could be an even more valuable weapon.
Also, as someone said, I thought Williams was one of our better corners, if not our best one.
And I feel a lot more comfortable with Redman as our back up than I would with anyone else right now. At least until Wilson has a couple more years under him.
Quality TE'S in free agent market.
Ben Watson
Tony Scheffler
Owen Daniels
Bo Scaife
Tony's replacement was a co-ed last year
Founder and Proud Member of the JASON SNELLING AIN'T ALL THAT AND A BAG O' CHIPS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Owen Daniels
The Texans should make sure he stays there. I used him in Fantasy Football for two seasons and he was very reliable for points on my team. But with Gonzalez and Peele, I’m not sure if the Falcons will need him but if he was acquired, definitely an upgrade.
by brotherbrown on Feb 15, 2010 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
coy wire starting Olb???
Keep snelling only keep norwood if mularkeys gonna use hime properly. Should get osi!!!! But not over pay him. Resighn williams. Draft corner 1st. Running back in later rounds. Round 3 pick linebacker.
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Feb 16, 2010 5:54 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Best bet.
Drafting defense.
We need a vocal leader that can inspire our D.
We need a high production pass rusher.
We need someone that can impact immediatly.
We need a guy who won’t take plays off.
One name in the draft makes sense.
Sean Weatherspoon OLB, MIZZOU
Rule #1: Double tap.
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