Peace Out Homie: John Abraham Done as a Falcon?

by James Rael on Jan 23, 2012 10:10 PM EST

In this series, we're ~~pandering useless and irrelevant dialogue~~ taking a hard look at some key free agents, opining about who will and will not return.

Oh Abe! We hardly knew you.

Abe's been an above-average fixture along our defensive front. When he sent out that farewell tweet following the loss to New York, my heart just sank. Part of me - the financially unsavvy part - hoped he'd play out his career in Atlanta. But that'd necessitate a pay cut and a modified role, both of which aren't likely to float his figurative boat.

But alas, it appears that we've seen Abe play his last snap as a Falcon. Here are the top five reasons he won't be a Falcon next fall:

(5) $

His last contract. Our budget. The two aren't likely to mix.

(4) Diminishing returns

He's still above-average, but as this article points out, his successes this year came against lackluster teams.

(3) Contract length

He'll likely look for 3 years. Given how we had to limit his snaps the past couple of years, one has to wonder where he'll be in 3 years.

(2) Injuries

He's not as resilient as he once was; the Falcons brass may look for someone who can better withstand the rigors of a 16 game season.

(1) Smitty won't let him wear two-sizes-too-small shoulder pads anymore

Saaaaaaaaaad.

There you have it. As always, I'm curious what y'all think.

Discuss!

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Comments

sad

thats how it goes in this league… you cant pay them all.. but i rather have 5-0 and brent grimes return if that was what it cost us to do so

by ColossalChicken on Jan 23, 2012 10:19 PM EST reply actions

not unexpected

and of the big name guys, I think he is one that I want to lose instead of Lofton…on another hand, never heard Lofton called “5-0” before…someone should come up with a good police themed nickname…“One Time” or something like that…

by mocamro on Jan 23, 2012 10:24 PM EST reply actions

His nickname is "The Police"

by FLA_Falcon on Jan 23, 2012 11:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

And there goes

the ONLY pass rush the Falcons have had since he joined the team. The only one. He is the ONLY impact player we have on D. Many times, it looked like he was the only guy playing on our DLine.

I think it would be in HIS best interest to leave the Falcons as TD does NOT have the ability to find a complementary pass rusher and accordingly his stats are going down and thus reducing his market value. But to think the Falcons wouldn’t try to get this guy back is unbelievable.

Remember last year when TD allowed Dahl to walk, and it was no big deal because of TD’s draft picks? How did them apples turn out??

I am telling you right now, this will be worse, much worse.

Put him on a team with a counter part, and watch those stats rise.

by Whopper Dawg on Jan 23, 2012 10:26 PM EST reply actions

I agree

Lofton may be the QB of the defense but Abe is the heart and soul…and pass rush. We need to make it happen

by FLA_Falcon on Jan 23, 2012 11:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Nothing has been done yet

So save the drama for the day he isn’t signed and goes to another team.

by The DW on Jan 24, 2012 9:41 AM EST up reply actions

UH

The column was written and asked for opinion, and you say wait until he is gone until you give opinion. Nice job.

by Whopper Dawg on Jan 24, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

That's not what I said

I said “save the drama” – but knowing your previous posts about how horrifyingly stupid you think TD is, I don’t know why I bothered.

by The DW on Jan 24, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

I'll

squirt with ya. You said save the drama until he is gone to another team. Most of the blogs and comments on this site are about opinion and speculation on future events, you know, things that haven’t happened yet. You want to wait until things happen, that is fine, but that is not the norm on this site.

If you want to term my opinion “drama”, that is fine with me. If I disturb your sensibilities, so be it.

by Whopper Dawg on Jan 24, 2012 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

No way he comes back

And I feel like he knows it too considering his tweet. We cannot lose Lofton, he runs our D. And the fact that Abraham was our only pass rusher can only attributed to BVG. It’s not hard for an o-lineman to stop a 3/4 man front with no blitz, dropping lineman into zone, and not disguising anything. Opposing teams knew they didn’t need to worry about anyone except the lineman…bring the blitz and the pass rush will come. Which btw, Nolan LOVES the blitz. We will do just fine without JA55.

by dirtybirds233 on Jan 24, 2012 12:36 AM EST via mobile reply actions

He's gone, unfortunately

A real help to the team post 2006, and his 16 sack year in 2008 was a huge factor of why we ended up 11-5. Love you Abe, hope you get paid handomsley and go get 50 sacks a season somewhere, but you’re done here I think.

Follow @HarrisonN17

by Turner_The_Burner on Jan 24, 2012 1:56 AM EST reply actions

As it always happens...

the Redskins have another great player at the end of his career.

by BlueFender on Jan 24, 2012 7:25 AM EST reply actions

55 is a mama's boy like myself..

He’s from sc like myself as well..he’s not gonna venture 2 far from home I think plus he’s familiar with our staff of course..dumb sounding as it is ..I think he may b willing2 give us a discount price 2 stay another 2yrs or so..well I’m hoping atleast.he is the only force on our line

Been a falcons fan since the big starter jackets was in style

by turnj35 on Jan 24, 2012 8:16 AM EST via mobile reply actions

55 is a mama's boy like myself..

Been a falcons fan since the big starter jackets was in style

by turnj35 on Jan 24, 2012 8:16 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I'm so tired

of everyone always pointing out how old Abe is. He is our best and may I add only true pass rusher on the team, Never mind he is always having to try and defend against two and three blockers, but still produce. The only thing Abe needs is someone productive at the other end position and just watch how he thrives just saying!!!!!!!!!!!

by SheSoLeo on Jan 24, 2012 9:41 AM EST reply actions

If we could get Mario Williams,

then I guess I might be ok with losing Abe. I know it wont happen, but imagine the two of them together as bookends.

by SmokeyBell on Jan 24, 2012 11:12 AM EST reply actions

I like Abe as much as anyone

But,I think his FA market price will be a really bad value.We can get better value with that same money.

From the point of view of Falcons management,being that the future is now,they can no longer afford to overpay for meaningless empty stats against the the teams in the bottom two thirds of the league,while disappearing against the run and pass against playoff caliber Olines.

by dawg1060 on Jan 24, 2012 11:25 AM EST reply actions

Shooting stars...

… burn hot and bright but have short lives. This guy shined very brightly but in this game, he’s beginning to burn out I think. The human body can do just so much.

I recall one game… I forget which it was, our opponents were driving for a late score with little time left on the clock. I saw #55 struggle in his attack and then, had trouble getting back to his feet. He wasn’t inured… he just looked tired.

If you are good enough to make it in this league, then you should not squander the money because someday… maybe sooner than later, you’re gonna be in the stands watching and need that cash for a good seat and a cold beer.

"There's nothing wrong with Florida that a rise in ocean level wouldn't cure."

by Redoubt on Jan 24, 2012 12:54 PM EST reply actions