The Falcoholic - Complete Atlanta Falcons Free Agency 2013 CoverageFalcons News, Analysis & Tomfoolery For and By Fanshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/21944/falcoholic-fave.jpg2013-05-06T15:36:09-04:00http://www.thefalcoholic.com/rss/stream/38594392013-05-06T15:36:09-04:002013-05-06T15:36:09-04:00We Must Stop Hunting For The Predator
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<figcaption>Grant Halverson</figcaption>
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<p>The beloved veteran pass rusher is not returning to the Atlanta Falcons. </p> <p><span></span>For the longest time, a large portion of the fanbase has held on to the idea that John Abraham would return to the Falcons. That sentiment is understandable, but the writing is on the wall.</p>
<p>When the Falcons signed <span>Osi Umenyiora</span>, everyone either exalted or despaired for a few short minutes. Then many of you turned your attention back to John Abraham. When the Falcons drafted two pass rushers, there was more of that despair, followed by a bit of hope that Abe would be back. It's time, at last, to let go of that desire.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Y yall keep tweeting me like I did it I got cut stop asking to come back plz</p>
— John Abraham(Mr.100) (@johnabraham55) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnabraham55/status/331489815512092673">May 6, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
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<p>Abe has been such a beloved member of the Falcons for so long that it's virtually impossible to discuss the future of the Falcons' pass rush without returning to the simple fact that he <i>was</i> the Falcons' pass rush for so long. That future is coming—the Falcons just invested two picks in pass rushers, after all—but the past is gone.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2400037/uspw_6721314.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Uspw_6721314_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2400037/uspw_6721314_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1364674012562"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo Credit: </i><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;"><i>Josh D. Weiss-USA TODAY Sports</i></span></p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/47575/falcons-dont-need-to-take-step-back">As Pat Yasinskas wrote this morning</a>, the Falcons signaled their intent when they let Abe go in the first place. The uncertainty many of us felt was more a product of not really wanting to let go of Abraham, and being unsure how the draft would unfold. Now that the team has taken two pass-rushing defensive ends in addition to adding Osi, and they're reportedly quite high on both Malliciah Goodman and Stansly Maponga. The chances of them adding a part-time pass rusher over the age of 35 has plummeted.</p>
<p>It's a shame because most of us get attached, even though we know roster turnover is a part of life. It's a shame because Abraham did a lot for this franchise, and while you can't say he wasn't compensated for that, no one likes to be cut out of the blue and then be unable to find a job. Looking at this coldly from the perspective of the team, however, it makes sense to go with multiple young players at defensive end, where so few supposed upgrades have worked and adding athleticism and multiple options may just be the best bet.</p>
<p>I'll certainly miss the Predator, and I wish him well no matter where he lands. For our part, it's time to start getting ready for Goodman, Maponga, Osi and the rest to (hopefully) wreak havoc.</p>
<p>Your thoughts on Abraham?</p>
<h3>Related Links</h3>
<h4>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/3/29/4159166/debating-whether-the-falcons-are-done-in-2013-nfl-free-agency">Are the Falcons done in free agency? NO!<br></a><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/3/27/4151550/3-concerns-the-falcons-must-address-in-the-2013-nfl-draft" target="_blank"><br><br></a><a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/3/27/4132512/2013-nfl-free-agency-falcons-sign-osi-umenyiora-to-year-pact" target="_blank">Osi Umenyiora signs with Falcons</a>
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https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/5/6/4133038/2013-nfl-free-agency-john-abraham-returns-to-falconsDave Choate2013-04-10T16:26:48-04:002013-04-10T16:26:48-04:00The Single Biggest Need On The Falcons Roster
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>Share your thoughts with us. </p> <p>We've spent plenty of time hashing out where the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a>' biggest needs are, but we haven't spent quite as much time winnowing and distilling down to the <i>purest</i> of needs.</p>
<p>That's where I want to turn our attention to this afternoon. I want to poll all of you and see which position you feel is the single biggest need as the Falcons prepare for the draft and tail end of free agency. I polled fans on Twitter earlier and came up with this rough list:</p>
<ul>
<li>Cornerback</li>
<li>Defensive end</li>
<li>Linebacker</li>
<li>Tight end</li>
<li>Offensive line</li>
<li>Wide receiver<br>
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<li>Punt returner<br>
</li>
</ul>
<p>I tend to view linebacker as the largest need, given weaknesses at starting spots and depth, even if you believe <span>Brian Banks</span> and Patrick Schiller can be solid, which I do. But I'm sure you've got an opinion to share, so please do so in the comments!</p>
<h3>Related Links</h3>
<h4><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/9/4205040/matt-ryan-contract-projections">Matt Ryan's contract<br></a></h4>
<h4><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/10/4206120/2013-nfl-draft-breaking-down-the-falcon-fullbacks">Breaking down Falcons fullback<br></a></h4>
<h4><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/10/4206790/nfl-draft-pick-number-30-atlanta-falcons">The history of the #30 pick</a></h4>
https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/10/4210244/2013-nfl-free-agency-the-single-biggest-need-on-the-atlanta-falconsDave Choate2013-04-07T15:00:05-04:002013-04-07T15:00:05-04:00John Abraham's Heart In Atlanta
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>I know I've spent a lot of time on <span>John Abraham</span> of late. Part of this is simple fondness for the man, one of the best <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Falcons</a> of his era and the nasty defensive end who put the Falcons' pass rush on his back. I thought the Falcons were right to cut ties at $4.5 million, but I'd be lying if I said the thought of bringing him back on a lesser contract to be a rotational pass rusher didn't appeal to me.</p>
<p>Abe put up a couple of interesting Tweets today, indicating that he'd like to return but the Falcons certainly hvaen't got anything in place with him:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I really planned on retiring a falcon I loved and still do love this place so plz stop asking me to come back I signed a 3yr bs deal jus so</p>
— John Abraham(Mr.100) (@johnabraham55) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnabraham55/status/320804121114464256">April 7, 2013</a>
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<p>I cud finish my career here I played 1yr hs, 6yr nyj, 7yrs atl my heart is here but god works in strange ways so im riding his wave</p>
— John Abraham(Mr.100) (@johnabraham55) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnabraham55/status/320804645972877312">April 7, 2013</a>
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<p>A reunion looks more and more likely as time passes. The Falcons don't need Abe to be a full-time starter any more, with <span>Osi Umenyiora</span> on board, and Abe still clearly would love to play in Atlanta. I'm sure he'll be able to latch on with a half-dozen other teams, but I get the sense that he's figuring out exactly what he wants to do. If he's going to sign anywhere, I'm willing to bet it will be after the draft.</p>
<p>What say you?</p>
<h3>Related Link</h3>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/5/4189242/falcons-never-say-never-to-john-abraham-return">Could John Abraham return? </a></p>
https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/7/4193956/john-abraham-could-returnDave Choate2013-04-07T08:00:07-04:002013-04-07T08:00:07-04:00The Falcons And The Axe
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>Where we ask if anyone's safe. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> surprised many when they released <span>Tyson Clabo</span>. The next question, sparked mainly by the dearth of news at this moment, has to be whether the Falcons will be letting go of anyone else.</p>
<p>Obviously there will be more than a few cuts between now and September. The Falcons could let go of underachievers, overpriced veterans or rookies who just don't have quite enough talent to make it. What I'm more interested in is whether there's any chance the Falcons let go of a veteran in the very near future.</p>
<p>The answer to that question is likely no, but it's not a lock. If the Falcons are chasing more cap savings, they could conceivably part ways with a player or two, though they'd have to be looking at landing a big fish or two to justify that. </p>
<p>If it's going to happen, I would imagine it would be somewhere other than the offensive line. With <span>Todd McClure</span> retiring and Tyson Clabo released, the Falcons need more depth there, not less. But i suppose you can't rule anything out. </p>
<p>Let's open the floodgates. Is anyone else getting cut? </p>
<h3>Related Links</h3>
<h4>
<a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/5/4189242/falcons-never-say-never-to-john-abraham-return" target="_blank">Never say never to John Abraham returning<br><br></a><a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/4/4182512/2013-nfl-free-agency-falcons-plan-to-release-tyson-clabo" target="_blank">Falcons axe Clabo</a>
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https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/7/4191268/2013-nfl-free-agency-is-anyone-else-getting-the-axeDave Choate2013-04-06T12:07:28-04:002013-04-06T12:07:28-04:00How Will The Falcons Use Their Cap Space?
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<figcaption>Scott Cunningham</figcaption>
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<p>It's a debate!</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> saved roughly $4.5 million by cutting <span>Tyson Clabo</span>, which according to many estimates leaves them with somewhere between $6.5-8 million in cap space. The question is, what are they going to do with it?</p>
<p>As I see it, there's four possible ways the Falcons could use their newfound space, and quite a few combinations out of those possibilities. Let's take a quick walk through them.</p>
<h3>Free Agency</h3>
<p>Most of the big name free agents have been thinned out, but there's still useful players on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/british-open">the open</a> market. The Falcons could shore up their secondary with <span>Antoine Winfield</span> or <span>Usama Young</span>, bolster the pass rush with <span>John Abraham</span> or <span>Dwight Freeney</span> or add depth at key positions for relative cheap. The Falcons are no longer in any danger of not being able to sign their rookie class, so they have a little money to play with on the open market.</p>
<h3>A Trade</h3>
<p>Unlikely, perhaps, but I can't help but suspect that the Falcons didn't free up this much cash to take Thomas Dimitroff's family out to dinner.</p>
<p>The only trade candidate of any note this off-season has been <span>Darrelle Revis</span>. The Falcons would obviously drastically improve their secondary with a healthy Revis, but this would likely be expensive in terms of both picks and money. The Falcons could also see if teams are eager to offload any talented pass rushers, but I kind of doubt it.</p>
<h3>Matt Ryan's Extension</h3>
<p>The Falcons want to get an extension done with Ryan. By freeing up cap space, they could conceivably structure the contract in a way that creates a huge impact in year one and frees up a little space in 2014. I'm not sure that they'd cut Clabo just to do that, but you know, perhaps.</p>
<h3>Stand Pat</h3>
<p>The Falcons could choose not to use the money on anything immediate, see about re-structuring a few contracts with an eye on helping out in the next couple of years or just throw lots of nice birthday parties. This strikes me as a farfetched possibility. </p>
<p>Where do you think the Falcons will use those dollars? </p>
<h3>Related Links</h3>
<h4>
<a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/5/4189242/falcons-never-say-never-to-john-abraham-return" target="_blank">Could John Abraham return? <br><br></a><a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/3/12/4095398/atlanta-falcons-nfl-free-agency-2013" target="_blank">Free agency roundup</a>
</h4>
https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/6/4188464/what-are-the-falcons-going-to-do-with-the-tyson-clabo-cap-savingsDave Choate2013-04-05T22:56:25-04:002013-04-05T22:56:25-04:00Could John Abraham Return?
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<figcaption>Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
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<p>The veteran is still beloved in Atlanta.</p> <p>This is old news in a way, but since <a href="http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/atlanta-falcons/2013/apr/05/dimitroff-speaks-banks-signing-not-charity-case/" target="_blank">D. Orlando Ledbetter</a> just had a fresh conversation with Thomas Dimitroff, we have reason to break it out again.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> have not ruled out bringing <span>John Abraham</span> back, and an unusually candid Comrade keeps refusing to do so. Here's the latest quote: </p>
<blockquote>
<p> "We never say never… there is a lot on the horizon. We have some decisions to make across the organization, but we never say never as far as acquiring or bringing people back."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Personally, I feel like this is becoming likelier by the day. No one is snapping up Abe, the Falcons still need pass rush help and they now have more than enough money to get the job done. Abraham might actually be the third or fourth defensive end in the rotation now, with <span>Osi Umenyiora</span> on board and <span>Kroy Biermann</span> and <span>Jonathan Massaquoi</span> sure to take on plenty of snaps. But he's still a useful player, and age hasn't dimmed his drive. I'd welcome him back if the Falcons can fit him under the cap. </p>
<p>Do you think Abraham will return to Atlanta? </p>
https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/5/4189242/falcons-never-say-never-to-john-abraham-returnDave Choate2013-04-04T13:08:23-04:002013-04-04T13:08:23-04:00Savings, New Starters Follow Clabo Release
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<figcaption>Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Now that Clabo's gone, what's happening? </p> <p>To say <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> fans are concerned about <span>Tyson Clabo's</span> release would be to understate the anxiety by a degree or two. I'll freely cop to being nervous about how this will play out, because the Falcons are now going younger and cheaper on the right side of the line while simultaneously introducing an element of the unknown.</p>
<p>Clabo's release, which has been designated as a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/football/falcons-to-cut-ties-with-clabo/nXCX3/">June 1st cut</a>, does the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Frees up $4.5 million in cap space</li>
<li>Creates a vacuum at right tackle that could be filled by <span>Lamar Holmes</span>, <span>Mike Johnson</span>, <span>Garrett Reynolds</span> or a draft pick</li>
<li>Makes the right side of the line quite young</li>
</ul>
<p>It's fair to say we don't know how this move is going to work out, because Holmes and Johnson are mostly potential and Reynolds has been very good, but in limited opportunities. The best case scenario is that things are as good or better than a year ago. The worst case scenario is a right side of the line in disarray, which is bad news for every position player on the roster. Fun!</p>
<p>Here's how I project the line shaking out in 2013:</p>
<p><b>LT: <span>Sam Baker</span><br>LG: <span>Justin Blalock</span><br>C: <span>Peter Konz</span><br>RG: Garrett Reynolds<br>RT: Lamar Holmes</b></p>
<p>As for those savings? I fully expect the Falcons to go make a reasonably big splash with them, potentially signing one of the best remaining free agents or exploring a trade, if the market's right. Be ready for that in the weeks ahead.</p>
<p>Your thoughts on the aftermath?</p>
<h3>Related Link</h3>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/4/4182512/2013-nfl-free-agency-falcons-plan-to-release-tyson-clabo">Tyson Clabo released</a></p>
https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/4/4182950/the-aftermath-of-the-tyson-clabo-releaseDave Choate2013-04-04T09:50:06-04:002013-04-04T09:50:06-04:00Report: Falcons Release Clabo
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<figcaption>Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In the twist of the Falcons' off-season, Tyson Clabo is out of the picture in Atlanta. </p> <iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dpDDuGk9MYg?list=PLUXSZMIiUfFRF-xk_6Wbo63fvc1BZRTmo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><span>Tyson Clabo</span> has been a starter for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a> since 2008. He will not be any more.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>The Falcons have released veteran OT Tyson Clabo today.</p>
— Atlanta_Falcons (@Atlanta_Falcons) <a href="https://twitter.com/Atlanta_Falcons/status/319834807091748866">April 4, 2013</a>
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<p>Let us not mince words: This is a risk. Clabo had his ups and downs, but he was mostly a rock solid starting NFL right tackle, and a damn durable one. He started all 16 games each season from 2008 on, and last year he struggled a bit in run-blocking but continued to be one of the team's most solid linemen. The Falcons have earned quite a bit of trust with the way they've built this roster, and I always preach patience. On the surface, though, this move would set my nerves jangling.</p>
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<p>The impetus behind this move is two-fold. It saves the Falcons money, which would seem to signal another signing in the works. It also opens up a clear path for <span>Lamar Holmes</span> to start at right tackle. Everyone who thought it was bizarre that the Falcons would tackle a guy who wouldn't sniff the starting lineup for a couple of years in the third round back in April of 2012 now may have an entirely different complaint, which is that a 2012 third-round pick with no starting experience is going to be thrust into the starting lineup.</p>
<p>The alternative has <span>Joe Hawley</span>, <span>Garrett Reynolds</span>, <span>Mike Johnson</span> and Holmes fighting for the right guard and right tackle starting spots, but I think Holmes has the leg up. The Falcons have talked about getting young at a host of positions, and this would certainly accomplish that. It just damn well better work out.</p>
<p>Your reaction to the move?</p>
<h3>Related Links</h3>
<h4><a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/3/4177406/thomas-dimitroff-the-unfair-scrutiny-round-3" target="_blank">Thomas Dimitroff under scrutiny<br></a></h4>
<h4><a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/4/4181228/3-nfl-2013-falcon-free-agents-select-their-new-jersey-numbers" target="_blank">3 Falcons select new jersey numbers</a></h4>
<h4><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/1/7/3843882/which-ol-positions-are-most-important-to-a-quarterbacks-success-a">A breakdown of Ryan's protection</a></h4>
https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/4/4/4182512/2013-nfl-free-agency-falcons-plan-to-release-tyson-claboDave Choate