The Free Agency Crown Jewel For The Atlanta Falcons
by Dave Choate on Jun 29, 2011 5:30 PM EDT
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PrintSunburnt and relaxed, I return to The Falcoholic. You may clap any time you like.
So we've got ourselves a bit of a sponsored post here, but one that shouldn't require too much heavy lifting from your collective brains. All I want to know is who you consider to be the crown jewel of this particular free agent class...for the Falcons.
That means that while you may believe that Terrell Owens is the class of this class—perhaps you've had a few drinks or something—he may not be for the Falcons. We're talking scheme fit, need and talent, all rolled up into one delicious free agent dumpling.
My pick is still Ray Edwards. You can be wary of his personality quirks—he does have a few—but at 26 years old, he's the most productive end in this free agent class besides Charles Johnson. What makes him the prize? I think the Falcons are much more likely to be able to get him than Johnson, for one thing. He's also got the better (longer?) track record and would make sense both as a complement to John Abraham and his eventual replacement.
I recognize he's likely to be expensive, but the Falcons can absorb one big-time free agent. Edwards remains the one that I most fervently hope they'll chase.
So that's my pick. Let's discuss yours.
Oh, and in the spirit of staying on top of my earlier FanPost, let's all get along. Thanks, ladies and gentlemen.
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CHARLES JOHNSON - Because he doesn't have Edwards' personality quirks.
Johnson is also a better compliment to Abraham because Johnson is primarily a left defensive. While Abraham moves around, he takes more snaps from the right side. In addition, signing Johnson hurts a divisional opponent.
Collegepark4life
That guy really gets after the QB.
"I'm about rings now"
~Arthur Blank
by CollegePark4Life on Jun 29, 2011 7:54 PM EDT reply actions
Charles Johnson
Sorry Dave I’m not convinced that Edwards who is a left end has what it takes to play right end, which in a 4-3 scheme is your most electrifying of the two end positions so I can’t see him one day replacing Abraham.Your right end has to be your best pass rusher and he’s hardly a good pass rusher from the left end position. Not to mention there’s a reason why he’s being pushed out of Minnesota by backup Brian Robinson (who?….exactly….). Johnson on the other hand is already proven to be a good enough pass rusher with the needed skill sets because he was played at right end already for the Panthers. He’s also a guy they move around quite a bit so playing left end is no problem for him until Abraham leaves or in case Abe gets hurt. Johnson is more athletic, more skilled, and in my opinion more suited for Abraham’s eventual replacement. Not to mention he’s a UGA Dawg, and he’d be another GA boy we could bring back home (shoutout to Dante). That’s just my little opinion: Johnson over Edwards please Dimitroff.
"I don't want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be
Kobe Bryant"
-Kobe Bryant
under the new cba they'd both be unrestricted free agents.
if we don’t sign edwards we could still see him twice a year, it’s been believed the panthers and bucs could be interested in him. if the panthers can’t resign johnson i believe they’ll sign edwards.
thanks
I was wondering if either of them played right side more than left. And if thats the case (Edwards playing left side) than why get him? I dont know though, I hope our guys can get it done. If you look at us, we have had a tough go at it the past couple years. We had DB issues than got that settled with DR and Grimey (I think nickle will fix itself with who we have), and we had LB issues that got settled with Spoon (and we need to resign Nicholas) and we had an anemic pass rush because if they stuffed Abe and slowed Bierman than our rush was stuffed and we got Peters in the draft than got Jerry back from his injury. If Peters continues to grow (2nd year now…a rookie in the middle of the line is a hard thing to expect anyone to handle…Suh aside) and Jerry keeps getting better than I think we got it going on.
I could be wrong, but I hope I am not.
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
That's a more than fair argument
I can’t see the Falcons getting Johnson, which is primarily why Edwards is my pick. I think he’s either going to be reeled back in by the Panthers under one of the tags that come out of the new CBA or just priced out of the team’s range.
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by Dave Choate on Jun 29, 2011 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree.
I’m not sure that CJ even walks away from Charlotte. He’s on record multiple times saying he likes it there. Also, the Panthers have more money to throw at him as well, should they want.
I’m not familiar enough with the work of Edwards and Johnson to have a preference, and I know that they’re very closely ranked by PFF as well. If either of them winds up with ATL, I’m sure we’ll all be happy.
yes
either/or would be nice. i agree though, if you bring in ray edwards you’ll still have to replace john abraham when he leaves rather than killing 2 birds with one stone by signing charles johnson.
I don't...
think he will leave Carolina either but if he is willing I definitely would want CJ. If this were not the last year of Abraham’s contract then it would be a coin toss for me as I don’t think one year is enough for Dent to take over as a starter (if he even has the skills to be a starter…we shall see). I think CJ is better suited to take over for Abe as well…maybe the willingness to leave Carolina and the price tag could come down a little with the prospect of coming to a SB contending team…who knows and I’m just speculating.
I do know one thing…we need a DE for THIS year but the long term for this positions is a “crap shoot” at this particular point in time (come on 7 or 11…errrr…TD and FA)…
I always turn to the sports pages first, which records people's accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man's failures.
--Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States.
by Blood_Talon on Jun 30, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Dent is a linebacker
I don’t think he’ll take over from Abe. Unless I’m reading it wrong and that’s not what you meant. The Panthers already used their franchise tag on Ryan Kalil so Johnson might get out of Carolina.
Tyson Clabo, Harvey Edwards & Justin Blalock...
in that order. While I suspect the intended object might be free agents not currently on our roster, I’ll submit there are a few of our own boys who (or is it “whom”?…my 5th grade grammar teacher was usually high…or was that me?) need to be nailed down just as urgently.
"And this here's the TV. Two hours a day, either educational or football, so you don't ruin your appreciation of the finer things." - H.I.
by 4thabirds on Jun 29, 2011 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
LOL
Maybe I’ve been hangin with my 5th grade grammar teacher too much—not exactly sure where that came from
"And this here's the TV. Two hours a day, either educational or football, so you don't ruin your appreciation of the finer things." - H.I.
Actually...
in my mind I was trying to weigh the value of potential FA’s, a list which included “Harvey” Dahl—obviously all this thought overloaded my circuits, thus “Harvey Edwards” was born.
"And this here's the TV. Two hours a day, either educational or football, so you don't ruin your appreciation of the finer things." - H.I.
""Harvey Edwards" was born."
awwww, look at the little guy!…………….. he’s gonna make one hell of a saxophone player………….
lmao ion care who ya are daz funny rite thur………………
by mr92687!!! on Jun 29, 2011 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
lol, rec'd
"It's called Thanksgiving for a reason. If I can give and people thank me for it, that's kind of the thing that makes me feel great inside." - Dunta
lmao
the funny thing is i’ve never seen the names harvey and edwards joined together as one. you can’t even find that name in a movie script lol. i’m just joking we all know what you meant bro.
in all seriousness
dahl and clabo will ask for big money, blalock will also ask for big money but not as much as the nasty boys would. obviously you want some type of continuity and you want to fill other needs at the same time. if i were the gm (lets all give thanks to GOD that i’m not) i’d feel we’re more than prepared for life without dahl and clabo so i’d let them walk, resign blalock and use the extra cap on filling out my roster.
One of the worst burn rates…. Gotta laugh, we all already knew this about Hall.
DeAngelo Hall(notes), Washington Redskins: 70.7% 70 burns on 99 targets, 1,055 yards, 9 TD, 16 passes defensed
Hall is the Forrest Gump of cornerbacks — he’ll have multi-pick games based on a mystical “right-place/right-time” ability, but he’ll also run around in circles and get torched by scrubs. Washington seems the perfect spot for this talented but wildly inconsistent player.
eh..
If Hall had half of Grimes heart and love for the game, he would be the best in the league. Instead, he just wants to show off when he does good and when he gets torched its someone else’s fault. Remember when we played him at Oakland and our rookie burned him and Hall went after him in the tunnel? Now thats funny!
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
thats the game
and that might be the burn. For some reason though I thought it was a rookie?
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
and...
I cant watch it due to licensing junk. I guess it is not meant to be showed in Iraq?
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
nah
I am tired of blaming the owners and the players. I say lets blame the cheerleaders!
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
Yeah...
they should distracting the visiting team during the game…“Replacements” style. Come on ladies do your part…lol
I always turn to the sports pages first, which records people's accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man's failures.
--Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States.
by Blood_Talon on Jun 30, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Its way too tough to tell...
Charles Johnson would be the prefect choice. He had 11.5 sacks on a 2-14 team! Enough said, this kid is a monster. Also from Hawkinsville, Georgia (my last name is Hawkins so its a fun coincidence! / hes a hometown hero we’d love to have! HOWEVER, and it does pain me to say this.. I think he will be just expensive enough IF!!!!!!!!!! he hits the open FA market to the point that we wont be able to sign him. Ray Edwards is another high candidate but he has character issues (somewhat) so TD MIGHT hesitate on him. Anyway, I rant… I think ultimate goal (not currently on the team) should be Charles Johnson (big surprise I know). However, our FIRST priority should be getting our Falcons to buy into the “Play for less money, and more Championships” mentality to keep our team in-tact.
by falcolicmsudawg33 on Jun 29, 2011 8:50 PM EDT reply actions
it just might be OSI
although my choice is CJ. The talking heads seem to think that there will be a FA frenzie when the lockout ends so CJ and Edwards both just might be too expensive for us depending on how much the team is willing to shell out.
I like OSI but the knock on him is that he’s ( not as good against the run ) careful how I say that just in case, lol.
If this scenario plays out the Beerman could possible still get a lot of early snaps which could rest Abe some and also allow OSI to play more on passing downs. Smitty seems to be the best at using multiple players anyway and afterall the Falcons defense is the most complex right? Sounds complex to me but I bet Smitty could make this work.
there's been some speculation
that the glut of FAs on the market might help to keep prices down. It will be a buyer’s market.
My dream FA
Would have to be…Namdi. Imagine 3 solid corners wit up n coming Moore, And chip on his shoulders DeCoud. Abraham and Bierman that need to just wrap up and they will have the standout stats they want. I still like Peterson, wit Lofton, Witherspoon, and Nicholas. If we can keep scoring average like last year top 5, wit the offense and all their stallions…Rodgers, Douglas, and meirer could all be pleasant surprises next year. Believe in ATL they have all the right parts to be great
Somebody finally said it.
Thanx Blizz300. I agree with you 100%.
I think we should be going after Nahmdi A. BIGTIME! He is by far, THE elite defensive FA this season.
Also, Think of it this way.
We get RE or CJ and when their on the field then KB wont be. If we get NA, when he’s on the field gues who won’t be? CHRIS OWENS!!!!!
The talent disparity between CJ or RE versus KB is not that much greater, those 2 are a little better than KB. NOW, the talent GAP between NA and CO is MASSIVELY HUGE!!
Besides, we also have to beat teams like GB, PHI, and NO to get to the SB. ALL of those teams will spread you out and their WR will kill you. WE need another great CB in order to compete with those teams. Our defensive line can contain most teams enough, they are above average, but our nickel back is NOT. We could move Grimes to Nickel and with BG , DR and NA on the field. along with Decoud and Moore, this team would be hard to throw Against, and how many power running teams will we face in the NFC to get to the SB? NONE probably!
I mean NA can single handedly eliminate one side of the field for 80% of the plays in a game. Can RE or CJ do that??? NO.NO.NO.
THAT IS WHY NA IS BY FAR THE BIGGEST DREAM FA WE COULD GET THIS YEAR.
Agreed or not????
@Chi, @Ind,@Det SIMPLY AWESOME !! . All are within 3.5 hours of me.I'll probably be supporting the birds from the sidelines of all 3 of those this year. I am getting so excited about the first game of the season, everybody I work with are Bears and Colts fans. It's gonna be sooo sweeet this year, taking all their money!! bwaaha haha haha
No it would be Grimes or Robinson not on the field
Only in nickel situations would it be Owens not on the field for Asomugha. Given that Grimes is a Pro Bowler I doubt he would want to resign to be a nickel back. So we’d lose Grimes and gain Asomugha.
we wouldn't lose anyone
If you really break it down, I would put Grimes and NA at the CB spots and put DR at the Nickel spot. WHo cares about the salary, once the season starts, you got what you got, so you put them where they best fit. Besides, when we play in the NFC ( GB,NO, Phi, etc ), we will play a lot more Nickel situations, therefore keeping all 3 on the field more than not.The reason I put Grimes at the other CB slot is because he has already proven he can play opposite another great corner and he can handle getting targeted a lot as well. Just saying, it could work. Yes, ideally, you would put NA and DR at the CB positions and BG at the Nickel, I think that would work just as well too. the luxury we would have of having those 3 guys would be awesome.
I truly think Ray Edwards is overrated, he had a lot of help on that D-line with the Williams boys and Allen. I don’t think he is any better than KB. If we get a DE, I want CJ without a doubt, but something tells me that our FO is intrigued by RE. I just think the biggest UPGRADE in talent our defense could get would be to sign NA, not a DE. There is not an elite DE out there in FA. Yes there are a couple of really good ones, but not an Abe or Freeney type DE. But there is a shutdown CB out there. I say we go get him.
@Chi, @Ind,@Det SIMPLY AWESOME !! . All are within 3.5 hours of me.I'll probably be supporting the birds from the sidelines of all 3 of those this year. I am getting so excited about the first game of the season, everybody I work with are Bears and Colts fans. It's gonna be sooo sweeet this year, taking all their money!! bwaaha haha haha
Ray Edwards
Was much better than Jared Allen last season by PFF metrics. And Charles Johnson was the best 4-3 DE in the league. They were the 3rd and 2nd best pass rushers in the league, respectively.
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/03/16/pass-rushing-productivity-3/
Over the past 3 years they are 11th and 8th
Charles Johnson
PFF ranked him as the 2nd best pass rusher in the NFL. He also had less help than Ray Edwards.
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