Falcons Game Changing Move: Signing Of CB Dunta Robinson

by Dave Choate on Apr 25, 2010 8:00 AM EDT in Press Releases

Sponsored Post: This post is presented by Sprint. Bringing you the first wireless 4G network from a national carrier. Only on the Now Network.

A sponsored post immediately after the draft, you say? Yes, but it's a pertinent one.

With the selection of cornerback Dominique Franks, it's worth re-visiting one of the biggest moves of the Atlanta Falcons' off-season. I am, of course, referring to:

Game Changing Move #1: Free Agent Signing of Cornerback Dunta Robinson

With all the love going around for our youngest cornerbacks and the selection of Franks, it's easy to forget that that Dunta might be our most critical piece in 2010.

The Robinson signing was a frequently discussed move earlier in the off-season, and it's not clear whether his largish contract makes sense given his declining production over the last few seasons. However, the Falcons are surrounding him with talent on defense and he's out of Houston, where he was an unhappy bear.

More importantly, his signing gives the Falcons the hope that he'll turn into a top-flight cornerback once again, and the all-important perception that we have one. If that forces a few balls thrown by a hesitant quarterback away from his side of the field and toward the grabby hands of Brent Grimes and Chris Owens, it will be worth at least a chunk of the money the team is ponying up for him. And if he returns to form? Well, we got ourselves a secondary!

Frankly, whether you agree with it or not, you have to agree it has a substantial effect on the fortunes of the Falcons in the years ahead. If he's successful, we'll have one of the deeper cornerbacking corps in the league. If he's a bust, we'll have to hope our young guys develop very quickly and get rid of him. With a team that still doesn't have the league's finest pass rush, his fortunes will go a long way toward determining what kind of pass defense we have.

And that, friends, is why this was a game-changing move.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I promise not to say the 5 letter F word

Great for defense but our offense went way downhill compared to what the will be facing next year in tampa and new orleans

by Funballad on Apr 25, 2010 8:16 AM EDT reply actions

WOW

1) How does our offense get any worse by not drafting starters?
2) We now have Harry Douglas back
3) End of Ryans Sophmore slump – expect big things
4) Just because Tampa drafted 2 WR’s doesnt mean they will be good picks and/or they will suddenly become an offensive powerhouse
5) I missed where the draft=success

go hard or go home

by TO falcon on Apr 25, 2010 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Please explain

how you came to that conclusion. ATL addressed the preceived holes with the draft and two FA signings immediately after the draft. They’ll probably pick up a few other guys as FA’s because there were some good players that went undrafted.

Exactly whom did TB and NO draft that rocketed their offenses so far ahead of ours?

by mwalex on Apr 25, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe Funballad meant that our offense didn’t draft the same level of talent that the defenses of our divisional rivals got. (Hawley vs. McCoy being the obvious example.) Not saying it’s true, but that’s the way I understood the post.

by wiesengrund on Apr 25, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Not fair

comparing a 1st and 4th round picks…

go hard or go home

by TO falcon on Apr 25, 2010 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Snakebit by the end of the CBA

While the lack of cap and the ability to keep RFA with under 6 years of service is good in some ways, the negative is that this was a very thin Free Agent pool which drove up the price of young, top talent.

I still believe that this was the best move we could have made this off season. Its just a shame that our front office had their hands tied in a lot of ways.

by Leon07 on Apr 25, 2010 8:16 AM EDT reply actions

Very good point

I remember when Charles Woodson went from the Raiders to the Green Bay Packers, and the move was hardly mentioned by anyone.
Now, the Packers have Defensive Player of the Year as their starting CB.
In a couple years, I feel like this move will make TD look like a genius

"That's my teammate, man... That's my quarterback"

by TurnerTheBurner on Apr 25, 2010 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

TD already looks like a genius if you ask me

I remember thinking, “So not only are we going to start a rookie QB, the crux of our running game is going to be LT’s backup!?” And then I learned not to question TD.

by ArthurDank on Apr 27, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I feel ya brother

by FLA_Falcon on Apr 27, 2010 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

More Aggressive

In this offseason we have improved on every level of defense. Obviously with William Moore and Coleman coming off injury.Deccoud coming into his own at the end of the season.The additions of Shan Shillinger and the FA Giordano giving us depth.Also means the end of Eric Brock as a Falcon.
At corner Dunta Robinson by end of this season will be the greatest acquisition in the league.Chris Owens and Chevis Jackson definitely making a difference. Brent Grimes showing his athleticism and grit.Totally changes our defense and our hesitation to effectively blitz more.Also gives us more of an ability to be creative and aggressive.If we just eliminate half of the defensive interference calls by Houston alone .Saves a couple of games last year.Let alone checks Brees,Moore and Freeman in our division.Gives Abraham,Jerry,Babineaux and Sidbury/Bierremann time to disrupt.More sacks for sure.
Last with the addition of Cory Peters and Dan Klecko.Who gets bumped ? I like Thomas Johnson and Vance Walker. But can’t keep everybody ,somebody got to go.Especially, like every offseason we pickup an ex Jacksonville player. Like Mr Henderson,that would most definitely mean the end for someone on the roster.Between Klecko or Jamal Andersen ,yeah . . . . thats the ticket.We will not end the season ranked less than 15 in pass defense.With a less challenging schedule and a favorable bye week.This will the best footall season of all.

by flyinhigh on Apr 27, 2010 6:35 PM EDT reply actions