A Potential Falcons Free Agent: John Kuhn

by Dave Choate on Jul 20, 2011 2:00 PM EDT in Falcons News

I'll forgive you if you don't exactly dance a jig for John Kuhn.

We all know championship-caliber teams are usually deep ones, and the Falcons are looking at the possibility of heading into next season down two running backs. Jason Snelling is a free agent bound to draw interest on the open market, and Jerious Norwood is a free agent who hasn't been able to stay on the field the last couple of seasons. That would leave the Falcons with some combination of Michael Turner, Jacquizz Rodgers, Gartrell Johnson and a practice squadder.

If Big Snell does depart, why not pick up Kuhn? A decent short yardage runner from Brent Grimes' alma mater of Shippensburg, Kuhn is a superb blocker and a willing special teamer. It's not a signing that would light the world on fire, I recognize, but the Falcons don't mind carrying a few backs and Kuhn is so versatile he makes Mike Smith's heart flutter. I'd say that versatility is his calling card.

Given the likely cost of signing him, I think this could be a decent value pickup for the Falcons. The only thing stopping the Falcons is a desire to return to the Packers, but I think that could be overcome.

Kuhn, or no?

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No

The only way I can stand to look at a packer right now is being drug all over the Georgia Dome.

Sorry, I’m just not there yet. I’d rather them keep Norwood, I love snelling to but at least they have a 2nd round tender on him, if he walks we get back our 2nd round pick from the trade to get JJ.

by BigFalcon84 on Jul 20, 2011 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

I'd take a 2nd for Snelling any day.

A bruiser like Kuhn would work just fine. Hell if we could do that and restructure Jerious Hipflexor™ at a low contract I’d use quizz as a back up. We’d be in great shape. I just don’t think anyone will take Snell at that price, with the new FA rules the tag may not apply anyway.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 20, 2011 2:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

2nd round tende

Can you confirm that, I don’t think that is right. If so, hell, kick his ass out the door now. Offer him a dollar, out the door and over the fence.

by Whopper Dawg on Jul 21, 2011 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions

We did place a 2nd round tender on him

But it’s most likely invalid under the new CBA. Who knows what that likes.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 21, 2011 12:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

How would you overcome

his desire to return to the Pack without over paying?

A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.

by FrozenFinger on Jul 20, 2011 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

By making the pitch that the Falcons will be the next Super Bowl winners

How could he say no to that?

I may be naive.

by Dave Choate on Jul 20, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I may be naive

Yeah, you are when you are talking to a Packer. Talking to other folks may be different.

by Whopper Dawg on Jul 21, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions

He already has a ring

he’ll probably want money seeing that CBA talks has got all the players holding on to their money

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Jul 21, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd take him but

I doubt he leaves because GB needs to spend money. I also doubt Snelling is coveted anywhere else but here.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 20, 2011 2:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Agree on

Snelling. I mean he means something to Falcons but I wonder if anybody else would put him as an important piece to add to their rosters.

A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.

by FrozenFinger on Jul 20, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

There is interest in Snelling, you would be surprised.

by BigFalcon84 on Jul 20, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

at least give us a link or something to back up this statement.

I think FF is trying to point out that it is highly unlikely that any team is gauging Snelling as their starter.

by KMarch on Jul 21, 2011 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Proof - the Snell gets attention

http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/7/14/2274403/steelers-falcons-jason-snelling-nfl-free-agency

by BigFalcon84 on Jul 21, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

SB Nation?

We read eachother’s blogs. Although I love all the SB Nation blogs they are purely speculative and not a true source for actual news. Most of the guys here do a great job of compiling the best sports material and it’s where I go to get my Falcon fix but I can’t credit it as a source that is close enough to the franchises.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 21, 2011 12:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

No disrespect Dave. This is my favorite web site.

Just not sure that any of us know anything until this CBA BS settles down.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 21, 2011 12:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Ball Hawk's right on this

You’ll need something more credible than fanblogs (not that there’s anything wrong with them; this is my favorite site) to prove that point. I’m not saying you’re wrong, if Snelling doesn’t re-sign he’ll def. end up with another team. But like I wrote above, I doubt any team would count on him as their #1.

by KMarch on Jul 21, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually

The Packers are right up against the cap, just a 60K short of it. We need to dump some salary just to sign our draft picks. Easy enough tho. Kuhn, is kinda a priority for the Pack to bring back. He’s a valuable player for us. Being versatile team player willing to do anything to help the team. If you want him you’ll have to persuade him and overpay. He likes GB alot and they’ll make a very fair offer to him.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 20, 2011 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

We are at 104M. The cap is 120M

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 20, 2011 4:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I believe we just had input from a sensible Packers fan

Welcome friend!

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Jul 20, 2011 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanx

I think the Packers will offer Kuhn in the area of 3M per season. Would Atlanta being willing to offer substantially more? I don’t see that they would but I don’t know how much they value FB’s. You tell me…

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 20, 2011 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah.

They would pay Snelling before they did that, he backs up Ovie If he goes down. He’s a versatile back for us.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 20, 2011 10:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Kuhn

$3mm, are you insane?

by Whopper Dawg on Jul 21, 2011 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, 3M

He plays alot of roles for the Packers. Starting FB, Short yardage blocker AND can be the short yardage RB, plays almost all of the ST, is a very good reciever out of the backfield, not too mention a better than average blocker on pass downs. He is a do-it-all player for the Packers. Is 3M really that much for a player with that much versatility, that functions very well on offense and ST? I don’t think so…

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 21, 2011 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions

curious?

Have you been visited by many other Packer fans? I know NorthStarr has made the rounds this offseason, hes’ a quality Packer fan and very good natured. Any others?

I will apologize in advance if I offend anyone… I am born and raise in GB, so my fandom runs very deep and I can at time be opinionated. I will do my best to stay sensible when visiting.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 20, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions

No worries.

Some folks are still a little bitter about being raped in the middle of the field by AR in that playoff game.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 20, 2011 10:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I can understand your bitterness.

In the ’09 playoffs I was at the game in Phx. (Live in Scottsdale, AZ), and while it was in AZ, I cheered unabashedly for the Pack and had to walk out to many calls from Cards fans. Was a bitter pill to swallow, tho it has been washed down by the many beers I consumed in GB this past February watching the Packers take down the Steelers in the Super Bowl.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 20, 2011 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Well one thing for sure is that I'm a Packers fan for the first game of the season.

All saints must die.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 20, 2011 11:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

All saints must die.

Isn’t that kinda like going to hell for them? LOL

Go Pack Go!

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 21, 2011 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Man you know what?

I was just thinking about how crucial that opening weekend is. Atlanta starts with four tough (three really tough) games and if the Saints take a one game lead after week 1….season could get long in a hurry. Under no circumstances could I root for the Pack. My bro-in-law is a Pack fan and enough is enough. Give him a kidney, yeah, root for Pack? Forget it.

A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.

by FrozenFinger on Jul 21, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Being raped?

If you really wanna know about that go to Windy City Gridiron, the bears site. I know it was difficult for Atlanta to endure, but how do you think it felt for Bears fans to lose in the NFCCG, to the Packers, on Soldier Field and see us take the Halas Trophy in their house?! Thats a true raping!! LOL

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 21, 2011 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I believe NorthStarr made an appearance

Most of my ill experiences have been on ESPN blogs. But then again, the average age of the readers on ESPN is probably 17. SBNation blogs have a better track record of capable readers.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Jul 21, 2011 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

he'd just be a slower snelling

a fullback who can run the ball ok

by mr92687!!! on Jul 20, 2011 2:35 PM EDT reply actions

no bueno, senor Dave

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jul 20, 2011 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

Hay dios mios!

by Dave Choate on Jul 20, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

ain't gonna happen

Pack loves Kuhn way too much to let him go. He wants to stay a packer and packers want him to stay. No way you can beat that combonation.

by RANewton on Jul 20, 2011 2:54 PM EDT reply actions

snelling aint goin anywhere

by Botchelism on Jul 20, 2011 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

Not bad

He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is

by WarWolf on Jul 20, 2011 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

No thankyou.

by Fear Me on Jul 20, 2011 3:33 PM EDT reply actions

I hope not.

Kuhn is a full back who can run the ball with moderate to average success when called upon. The only reason he was a somewhat consistent part of the Packers offense last season was due to the season ending injury of Ryan Grant. The Packers struggled all year to find someone to fill the void that Grant left. Assuming Grant comes back full strength this year, Kuhn would be 3rd or 4th on the Packers’ depth chart.

Assuming Quiz will take some type to get acclimated to the offense and begin his ankle breaking assault, do we really want Kuhn as our #2 back? I hope not.

It is true that the Falcons will throw more this season than in the past (improved WR corps, another year of experience under Matty Ice’s belt, etc.). That being said, we are still built on the run game. Thus, I think we really need to sign 2 out of 3 FA OL’s, and sign one of the two following backs: Snelling or DeAngelo Williams.

To any Packers fans who may have taken offense to the above comments: Yes, the Packers destroyed us in the playoffs. Yes, they won the Super Bowl. But they accomplished those things through a high powered PASSING offense and an excellent defense. The running game was more of an afterthought.

by grg on Jul 20, 2011 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

Why would we take offense?

You pretty much nailed it with your analysis….well other than Kuhn’s place on the depth chart in GB really. Like you said, Kuhn is a FB. He’s our best FB, a versitle player who can contribute in all phases of the offense as well as special teams. Great player and great teams are built with guys like him. That said, he’s not a feature runner and would be the third or fourth (or not making the team really) if he was to be treated as a HB.

Really I don’t see him getting out of Green Bay. He doesn’t want to go. I doubt the organization wants him to go either. He’s a fan favorite, not going to be too expensive and Ted Thompson has been on a quest to keep guys in house the last couple years.

by PackApologist on Jul 21, 2011 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd take him

by FLA_Falcon on Jul 20, 2011 5:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

No.

I think he is a fullback/short yardage only (and not just because he is white). Could contribute on special teams, but I think for the price we would have to pay for him, I think we could get more from an UDFA for less.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Jul 20, 2011 8:01 PM EDT reply actions