freebird310 Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 holy mother of god ........ Is It Possible The Atlanta Falcons Won't Sign A Defensive End? by Alexander Shirkey • Jul 14, 2011 8:01 AM EDT Well, that's at least what Jason La Canfora over at NFL.com seems to believe.In his article, he argues that with the team trading up to get Julio Jones, the move shows that Falcons brass has little faith in this year's free agent class. Rather than bringing in the long-speculated free agent D-end, the Falcons would refrain from signing one, electing to save money and wait from a better free agency crop.Clearly La Canfora isn't a big believer in either Ray Edwards or Charles Johnson as solutions to the Falcons' DE needs:There are few proven pass rushers on the market, prices are expected to be quite high, and those available like Ray Edwards and Charles Johnson have some question marks with them as well. There is no definite fix there, and the costs associated with striking out on a high-end free agent are significant.On one hand, it may be more prudent to hold off on a free-agent DE for a year or two. The Falcons would certainly have a good shot at signing the Texans' Mario Williams, who will be a free agent next offseason. It would also allow give someone like Kroy Biermann the opportunity to break out in 2011.But, on the other hand, with Johnson only 25 years old and Edwards 27, they both still have room to improve. They may be playing at a higher level at the end of a long term deal than next season. Besides, it's not like the Falcons need a 20.0-sack guy next year (although it would be nice).Most of all however, if the Julio Jones pick signifies anything, it's that the Falcons are in "win now" mode. They still need a guy who can provide an effective pass-rush opposite of Abraham, or spell him to allow someone like Biermann or Lawrence Sidbury come into the game.Beyond that, let's face it: John Abraham isn't getting any younger. He may not be the double-digit sack force we saw last year. I still expect a new pass-rusher in Atlanta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 I doubt Mario Williams goes anywhere. It would be great but our defense needs a LE NOW. Not in the future. This has been a long time coming. This is literally the final piece to a complete team (and a nickel) but we have the QB, WRs, RB, TE, OL, LB, DBs, and 3/4 of the DL. Yes Biermann will become something, its just a matter of time with him. But I would rather he blossom with RE or CJ than he not blossom and we have neither. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freebird310 Posted July 15, 2011 Author Share Posted July 15, 2011 I doubt Mario Williams goes anywhere. It would be great but our defense needs a LE NOW. Not in the future. This has been a long time coming. This is literally the final piece to a complete team (and a nickel) but we have the QB, WRs, RB, TE, OL, LB, DBs, and 3/4 of the DL. Yes Biermann will become something, its just a matter of time with him. But I would rather he blossom with RE or CJ than he not blossom and we have neither.Yea but Williams is UFA next year, right ? .......why not go for the gold ? ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxatlanta Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Unless you are the Raiders, teams don't usually allow all pro players to just walk. They sign them, trade them, or use the franchise tag. Mario Williams as an UFA is a pipe dream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madman88 Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 (edited) I doubt Mario Williams goes anywhere. It would be great but our defense needs a LE NOW. Not in the future. This has been a long time coming. This is literally the final piece to a complete team (and a nickel) but we have the QB, WRs, RB, TE, OL, LB, DBs, and 3/4 of the DL. Yes Biermann will become something, its just a matter of time with him. But I would rather he blossom with RE or CJ than he not blossom and we have neither.we dnt kno that yet, we just might have the guy in beerman who can get the job done... the guy could have had a lot more sacks if the middle had CONSISTENT push up the middle so the DE could get there... and one more thing... we need hlp at LB... im still not comfortablte with our LB in space...spoon:who has talent and potential but hasnt shown it yetlofton: a guy who struggles in space to begine with has knee issues and you could tell all year long. went to go see a doc not to long ago.peterson: a 35 year old LB says it all, but he cnt run like he used to, and u need that to play in space.james: a complete unknown, known for his inside thumping, but have no idea if he can play in spaceadkins: he flashes on ST, but again an unknown guy who can run....dent: a rookie LB who was knon for his down hill run stopping then his coverage ability...how can anyone feel comfortable with this unit when it comes to playing against the pass???? ive been sying this for a while now... we need to get more then just one guy who is capable of playing in space... it doesnt matter if we have the best secondary in the NFL... if our LBs dnt do a better job in coverage then our defense will have another let down.... Edited July 15, 2011 by madman88 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHEC Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 I say we should wait for Mario Williams and let Sidbury get his chance for once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 we dnt kno that yet, we just might have the guy in beerman who can get the job done... the guy could have had a lot more sacks if the middle had CONSISTENT push up the middle so the DE could get there... and one more thing... we need hlp at LB... im still not comfortablte with our LB in space...spoon:who has talent and potential but hasnt shown it yetlofton: a guy who struggles in space to begine with has knee issues and you could tell all year long. went to go see a doc not to long ago.peterson: a 35 year old LB says it all, but he cnt run like he used to, and u need that to play in space.james: a complete unknown, known for his inside thumping, but have no idea if he can play in spaceadkins: he flashes on ST, but again an unknown guy who can run....dent: a rookie LB who was knon for his down hill run stopping then his coverage ability...how can anyone feel comfortable with this unit when it comes to playing against the pass???? ive been sying this for a while now... we need to get more then just one guy who is capable of playing in space... it doesnt matter if we have the best secondary in the NFL... if our LBs dnt do a better job in coverage then our defense will have another let down....I am comfortable with Spoon and Nicholas in space. Lofton is a 2 down LB that is trying to force himself into a 3 down LB. Nicholas doesn't give up much in passing situations. Spoon was a rookie and was drafted for this reason. Lofton was the go to man for a first. O and James is no longer on the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freebird310 Posted July 15, 2011 Author Share Posted July 15, 2011 I am comfortable with Spoon and Nicholas in space. Lofton is a 2 down LB that is trying to force himself into a 3 down LB. Nicholas doesn't give up much in passing situations. Spoon was a rookie and was drafted for this reason. Lofton was the go to man for a first. O and James is no longer on the team.Yea, but if we do lose Nic, gonna be kind of thin .....I almost would rather we resign Nic than Clabo, i think we may actually need him more than Clabo ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxatlanta Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 I am comfortable with Spoon and Nicholas in space. Lofton is a 2 down LB that is trying to force himself into a 3 down LB. Nicholas doesn't give up much in passing situations. Spoon was a rookie and was drafted for this reason. Lofton was the go to man for a first. O and James is no longer on the team.Agree about Lofton being best suited as a 2 down LB. I think we're kind of stuck with him on 3rd down because when he used to come out teams figured out that they could run for the first down.Spoon has the speed, but he looked lost enough last season that it feels like we just have to wait and see if he's actually good in space or not. Love his speed and tude though. Nicholas was far and away our best coverage LB. That's why I think we bring him back as a long term starter. I believe there is an understanding between Nic and our FO. They'll allow him to see what's out there, but he ultimately wants to be here and we want him here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magic Man Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Simply put, no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Chief Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 (edited) No. His next contract will probably be more than Peppers, depending on how he does at OLB. As with Charles Johnson, players will say they are tired of losing (assuming they dont make the playoffs again) but at the end of the day it's all about the money. Edited July 15, 2011 by ya_boi_j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NFL Draft Fan 07 Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Simply put, noBingo. It's not realistic that he will hit the market and if he did he'd get more money than Peppers did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madman88 Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 (edited) I am comfortable with Spoon and Nicholas in space. Lofton is a 2 down LB that is trying to force himself into a 3 down LB. Nicholas doesn't give up much in passing situations. Spoon was a rookie and was drafted for this reason. Lofton was the go to man for a first. O and James is no longer on the team.nic is the main reason why that longest pass in the payoff game happened... and nic is not good in coverage, yea he can stay with his man, thats not hard, but he has no ball skills, and horrible hands(baltimore game) i remember when everyone including the staff was wanting play makers on the defensive side of the ball, we dnt have a single one in the LB unit... i dnt want a guy who can just run with his man, i want a guy who can take the ball away from the offense.. Edited July 15, 2011 by madman88 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 idiocy...Falcons cannot wait. Besides, John Abraham is a free agent in 2012 and will be 34yrs old.I think Falcons should sign Charles Johnson this year and then possibly make a play for Super-Mario in 2012 while letting Abe walk at twilight of his career.Also, I'm sure there will be "franchise tags" in the new CBA - there would be little doubt that the Texans would exercise the franchise tag on Mario. So, even if Falcons waited, there are no guarantees that Mario would even get to the open market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Chief Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 idiocy...Falcons cannot wait. Besides, John Abraham is a free agent in 2012 and will be 34yrs old.I think Falcons should sign Charles Johnson this year and then possibly make a play for Super-Mario in 2012 while letting Abe walk at twilight of his career.Also, I'm sure there will be "franchise tags" in the new CBA - there would be little doubt that the Texans would exercise the franchise tag on Mario. So, even if Falcons waited, there are no guarantees that Mario would even get to the open market.I'm willing to bet the Panthers keep him. No way they let their second best defensive player walk away so easily. They will throw him the money he wants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconsd56 Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Why do the falcons have to wait?They could sign Edwards or Johnson this year and then go after williams next if they desired.Besides with the trade up it would stand to reason we WOULD be interested in the FA ends as opposed to not. they know we need outside rush, especially with Abe being 34 and in the last year of his deal.If they were so disinterested in the FA period we would have stock piled draft picks not lost 2 picks this year and 2 picks next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Hoopah! Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Let's sign Andre Johnson while we're at it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serge Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 You don't sit on your hands for a year and hope a premier player at a position of need enters free agency, especially if you're not in a position to offer him the kind of contract he's going to demand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madman88 Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Why do the falcons have to wait?They could sign Edwards or Johnson this year and then go after williams next if they desired.Besides with the trade up it would stand to reason we WOULD be interested in the FA ends as opposed to not. they know we need outside rush, especially with Abe being 34 and in the last year of his deal.If they were so disinterested in the FA period we would have stock piled draft picks not lost 2 picks this year and 2 picks next.i been thinkin about this, at first i thought yea we need a DE, but think about this, if they didnt believe beerman was doing a good job, dnt u think they would have pulled him at least once during the year??? i mean they have showed there not afraid to pull a guy in the MIDDLE of a game. we talk about the pass rush as if its all about the DEs when its not... we need more push in the middle then on the outside to be honest... its been countless times i rewatched a game and see the QB step up from the pressure and abe and beerman run into each other... like i said rethinkin this one, i woulndt be surprised if we dnt go DE this year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egoprime II Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 The Atlanta Falcons Won't Sign A Defensive End? That's what Jason La Canfora believes?This is great news. If La Canfora believes it won't happen, then more than likely it will...:P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butudontseeme™ Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 I am not sure why everybody thinks Carolina values Johnson so much. 1st they used their franchise tag on someone besides him (jordan gross I believe) and 2nd they went like 3 years consecutive with peppers begging for a long term deal. What is the indication that they will keep him? Maybe they try to drive the price up if thy fear we will sign him but I'm not sure if they will make a legitimate effort to resign him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egoprime II Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 (edited) Here is the thing with Mario Williams. He is being moved from a 4-3 DE, to a 3-4 OLB.The DC behind this move is Wade Phillips. Phillips tried to do the same thing with Patrick Kerney during preseason one year. That experiment did not last long at all, it was a total misuse of Kerney's abilities. Williams is bigger faster and stronger than Kerney so maybe he will have more luck.Williams has been a force as a 4-3 DE, and he will want to be paid when his rookie deal is up. It is hard to beleive Williams wants to move to OLB since a DE with his skills, on the open market, would demand astronomical money. Edited July 16, 2011 by egoprime II Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madman88 Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 I am not sure why everybody thinks Carolina values Johnson so much. 1st they used their franchise tag on someone besides him (jordan gross I believe) and 2nd they went like 3 years consecutive with peppers begging for a long term deal. What is the indication that they will keep him? Maybe they try to drive the price up if thy fear we will sign him but I'm not sure if they will make a legitimate effort to resign him.i think gross would have been asking for more the johnson... his tag was pretty high just for one year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egoprime II Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 I am not sure why everybody thinks Carolina values Johnson so much. 1st they used their franchise tag on someone besides him (jordan gross I believe) and 2nd they went like 3 years consecutive with peppers begging for a long term deal. What is the indication that they will keep him? Maybe they try to drive the price up if thy fear we will sign him but I'm not sure if they will make a legitimate effort to resign him.There was a lot more to the Peppers deal. From what I have read, Peppers did not put out much effort a lot of times, on or off the field. A veteran like him should become a leader, and show the younger guys how to play. Instead Peppers really did not bust his butt on the field all the time, and he was very stand offish with his teammates.Johnson is a young guy still, Carolina would be very foolish not to try to keep him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintsfan#1 Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Before Wade Phillips came to Houston and switched to a 3-4D, I would agree that I can't see Mario going anywhere. Houston will get a rude awakining when they realize that Williams isn't a good fit for the 3-4 & his talent is being wasted as a OLB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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