Peace Out Homie: Chris Redman Done as a Falcon?

by James Rael on Feb 13, 2012 12:35 AM EST

In this series, we're putting our couch GM skills to good use, taking a stab at whether certain key free agents will be back in red and black next fall. The franchise will probably surprise us, but it's the off-season, and this is what we do during the off-season.

Rojo Hombre - as he's affectionately known - might be the best backup QB in the league. But he's 34, and that means we need to move on, or something like that.

In any case, here are the top five reasons he's done as a Falcon:

(5) Need to groom a long-term replacement

Koetter intends to establish a new system. New terminology, new schemes, et cetera. Given Redman's age, if the team wants a long-term backup who can fill in capably if needed, then it makes sense to acquire and groom that person now.

(4) $

Redman doesn't make a lot of money (he made 2.3 million last year), but if we can pay someone the league minimum to do the same job, then it may allow the franchise to make some other needed moves.

(3) Versatility

Redman took less than five percent of our snaps last year. It might be a stretch, but if we could acquire an athletic QB with a decent arm, then perhaps we could give opposing defenses some interesting looks in the coming years. Then again, the last time we had a player who fit that description on the roster, things didn't play out so well.

(2) We don't need a "veteran" QB on the roster anymore

Ryan is certainly a work in progress, but he will be a fifth year QB this year. Having a vet holding the proverbial clipboard seemed necessary two or three years ago. But that's no longer the case.

(1) He's a commodity

As I stated above, he's pretty good. He's not a starter, but there are far worse backups in this league. He will complete at least sixty percent of his passes and despite his mediocre touchdown to interception ratio, he's been surprisingly efficient over the years. Other teams will give him a look.

So there you have it!

I think the determining factor here is his contract. Two million dollars in savings doesn't seem like a deal breaker, and maybe it isn't under normal circumstances. But given the number of free agents the team will look to resign, I see us going in a different direction.

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Comments

I'd keep him

He’s our security blanket. We were lucky with Ryan and injury last year, especially given the state of our O-line. What happens if the Falcons are on fire next season, then Matty Ice sustains some kind of injury that might keep him out of, say, four games. No Redman and we might just see our season go up in smoke. With Redman, he might grab a couple of wins in those four games and keep the ship sailing until Captain Ryan is back at the wheel. Easy to say we can develop a young guy, but how’s that worked out with JPW so far? Young QBs who can start in a pinch don’t necessarily grow on trees.

by dom on Feb 13, 2012 1:04 AM EST reply actions

He's not the best backup in the league (Matt Flynn would claim that honor)

But I think if we can bring him back for a couple of years cheaply then we could bring in a young QB (JPW’s doesn’t look promising) for him to work with. Even though young quality QB’s are rare, look at what Houston had in TJ Yates, a 5th rounder, looking pretty good for a rookie leading the Texans to their first ever playoff win. Maybe Kellen Moore is that late round surprise that can be a trade asset in the future

Atlanta sports have singlehandedly crushed my soul.

by Beachy Keen on Feb 13, 2012 1:36 AM EST reply actions

Oh yeah

I should add I’m all for developing a young QB to take over as back-up, maybe on the practice squad in the spot JPW is occupying – since a lot of teams seem to carry their third QB there these days. I just want to keep Redman around while we develop that young QB.

by dom on Feb 13, 2012 2:03 AM EST reply actions

The change of scheme makes this a perfect time to bring in a young guy.

by mr92687!!! on Feb 13, 2012 7:24 AM EST reply actions

Long Term Replacement

Good idea, we just don’t have one.

by Whopper Dawg on Feb 13, 2012 8:19 AM EST reply actions

Replace Chris Redman

This guy is pretty much washed up. He looked old and tired in relief duty this off season. If he is willing to drop from 2.3 mill to league minimum and you go out and get a real 3rd string prospect at QB to groom for 1 yr then OK. JPW is not IMO a 2nd string QB in this league. The Falcons bringing this kid from the practice squad however when they found out the Vikings and Musgrave were getting ready to snatch him tells us that for some reason the Falcons like the kid. But then again who the hell knows why Robert James is still in a Falcons uni. Yes I know some will say James was a beast in college but that was college. Where did the beast go when he got to the NFL? Hell he’s taking steroids or HGH so he should at least be able to make a freakin roster.
If we’re gonna give somebody 2.3 mill I would rather have David Garrad, Jason Camobell or Chad Henne as a backup over Redman any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

by Kushion on Feb 13, 2012 9:33 AM EST reply actions

I think they may bring him back

But it’s not a lock. What scares me is the thought of going into the season with JPW as the #2.

by Dave Choate on Feb 13, 2012 9:47 AM EST reply actions

Yeah

That’s a scary thought right there.

by BigFalcon84 on Feb 13, 2012 10:17 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Redman Was Solid..But

Personally Id Like To Get Us A Dual Threat Guy As Back-Up. The More We Mix It Up, The Better It Will Be. I Love It When The D Never Knows Whos Gettin The Ball. Id Cut JPW Way Before Redman Tho. But We Are Next To Last In Salary Cap Going Into The Season. Hopefully Some Of The Big Ballers On The Team Will Show Their Team Spirit A Little And Help Out With That… Hopefully

by falcons825 on Feb 13, 2012 11:44 AM EST reply actions

Way too many capitals...

but after I got past that, I agree about JPW. I’m not sold on dual threat guys, though. They’re usually one dimensional (run is 2nd checkdown) and I’m still waiting for MV to win a Superbowl.

by drmondo667 on Feb 13, 2012 9:41 PM EST up reply actions

I REALLY hope we we re-sign Redman

This season was a case study in what happens when you do have a quality backup (Texans), and when you don’t (Colts, Jags, et al.).

by GritsBlitz on Feb 13, 2012 12:46 PM EST reply actions

And you think Redman is a quality back up?

This is the best time to release Redman. New OC, new system he can no longer use his “knowledge of the offense” as ammo to stay. I say draft a late rounder and bring him along.

by pierre02 on Feb 13, 2012 1:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I would like that as well,

but there are two big questions that come with that course of action. First, do you trust that late-rounder enough to start the regular season with him as the primary backup? In other words, are you really willing to turn the offense over to a late-round rookie QB if Ryan goes down? Second, do you really want to create another hole that we would have to fill with one of our already-too-precious draft picks?

I agree that getting young talent fo fill the backup role is a good thing – maybe even a necessary thing – but I’m not convinced that it’s a good idea to let the veteran walk away just yet.

by GritsBlitz on Feb 13, 2012 2:57 PM EST up reply actions

What?

Texans had a late-round rookie as their backup. We can easily get one of those in the draft, if that’s all you think we need. Why pay millions for an experienced backup?

by bischoje on Feb 13, 2012 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

David Garrard is out there as a free agent

He knows Koetter’s system and is available. Be a great help to teach the system, has been a starter, and is a good clubhouse guy from what I’ve read. He wasn’t happy with the front office in Miami so I doubt they make any attempt to resign him. It’d be a logical fit. Just depends on what money he’d want and will he get any starting offers anywhere.

Technically the glass is always full. 1/2 air. 1/2 water.

by dr3dd1ne on Feb 13, 2012 3:00 PM EST reply actions

If he wants less money than Redman, I would be very interested

I thought Garrard was cut in Jacksonville too soon. He could be a great asset in Atlanta. I think we pay Redman too much, as I look around the league and see guys like Vince Young, Jon Kitna, and Kyle Orton are better quarterbacks. I think cutting Redman is a good move as it allows us to either bring in a young guy, or a cheaper quarterback. It is important to have a serviceable quarterback, but I think one can be had for cheaper.

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

by sportsfan4life2012 on Feb 13, 2012 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

There is a good reason why the QB's

you named are better than Redman:

Orton – $8.8MM last year
Young – $4MM last year
Kitna – $3.2MM last year, and he isn’t as durable as Redman

If you think Redman is paid too much, so be it but he is not is the pay range of those guys, especially Orton and Young.

by mwalex on Feb 13, 2012 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

If we're considering cutting Ovie to save $3M...

…then there’s no way we can pay over $2M to a backup, even at QB. If Redman returns, it should be at a lower cost. Otherwise, we’re fine rolling the dice with a couple of younger guys as backups.

by bischoje on Feb 13, 2012 4:55 PM EST reply actions

You want a QB on the cheap

There is:

Josh McCown – $810,000 for last season and has experience
JP Losman – $630,000 with Seattle last season
Josh Johson at TB – young and not a lot of stats but only $596,833 last season
Caleb Hanie, CHI – $1.2MM but probably going up
An oldie – David Carr – $860,000 last season

by mwalex on Feb 13, 2012 7:56 PM EST reply actions