Falcon DE situation from PY

[MagnusXXIII]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/22712/panthers-dont-let-charles-johnson-escape

The Carolina Panthers, who’ve been kicked around the NFC South the past couple seasons, started kicking back Tuesday. Not only did the Panthers help themselves by re-signing defensive end Charles Johnson, they also hit the Atlanta Falcons where it hurts most.

The Panthers took some potential kick out of the Atlanta pass rush. By all indications, the Falcons were very much in the mix for Johnson (so were the Denver Broncos, but they’re not in the NFC South). We’ve known for months the Falcons would almost certainly pursue a pass-rusher as soon as free agency opened.

They did and it didn’t work out. Where does Atlanta go from here?

Well, let’s not completely rule out Minnesota free agent Ray Edwards. His name was creating as much buzz in Atlanta as Johnson’s in recent months. Although there have been some reports the Falcons really aren’t interested in Edwards, I’m not buying that.

But the Panthers could end up costing Atlanta a shot at Edwards as well as Johnson. The deal the Panthers gave Johnson (six years, $76 million with $32 million guaranteed) is probably something Edwards and his agent will point to. Is Edwards, who has never had more than 8.5 sacks in a season, really worth that kind of money?

I’m not so sure. I’d let the market sort itself out and if the Falcons can get Edwards to sign a deal cheaper than Johnson’s, go for it. If not, it’s time to look elsewhere, but where is that?

There’s not a lot else out there. Tennessee’s Jason Babin is available and he had 12.5 sacks last season. But Babin never had more than five sacks in any previous season. More importantly, he’s 31 and could end up beating John Abraham to retirement.

I’m looking at the other alternatives and not seeing anything overwhelming. Yeah, Green Bay’s Cullen Jenkins is out there, but he’s as much defensive tackle as defensive end and doesn’t bring much of a threat off the edge.

There’s one intriguing possibility out there that might not cost all that much, but it comes with some risk. That’s Mathias Kiwanuka. He’s spent a star-crossed career with the New York Giants. He’s coming off a neck injury last season and had a major leg injury in 2007.

But, when healthy, Kiwanuka’s been a pretty decent player, even though the Giants shuffled him between defensive end and linebacker. I think back to Kiwanuka coming out of college. He was athletic, quick and smart and looked like he could be a big-time pass rusher.

He’s never had more than eight sacks in a season, but I think there’s still potential in him. I’m not sure about the medical stuff, but the Falcons have team doctors. I’d have them take a look at Kiwanuka (or at least his medical records, since time is of the essence) and see what they say. If they think Kiwanuka’s healthy, I say the Falcons should take a chance.

Atlanta can probably get Kiwanuka with a one- or two-year deal at a reasonable rate. If he doesn’t work out, not much harm will be done. If he does work out, the Falcons could end up with the pass-rusher they were looking for at a much lower price.

[Ga_spider]

I say let our young guys get the reps.

[pren226]

try to get kiwi cheap this year and get in the running for super mario next year

[SSL810HIO]

its already been said we are not interested in ray edwards or jason babin. i doubt we do anything but sign our own players this FA.

[phattywankenobi]

72M is too much for a LDE especially since in Johnson's case he was only productive once. Smart move to pass on that and let the desperate Panthers over pay although he's clearly their blindside pass rusher and has more value there than here at that price. Nice breakdown of what is left. Edwards needs to understand the Falcons are looking for a complement to Abe so he's not getting the 72M here although something tells me he wants as much if not more than Johnson.

I suppose if the Falcons don't fix the biggest glaring weakness my hope is since Bierman is in a contract year he will push harder than any year in the past which is saying a lot for Bierman who has come a long way. I've been wishing for the dual threat bookend pass rushers since Kerney and Abe when PK uncharacteristacally went down in week 9.

I guess the consolation prize would be Johnson ends up a one year wonder and now the Panthers are stuck with the tab for a while.

[maxatlanta]

Kiwi is not worth the risk unless he comes real cheap. A player with 2 serious injuries who just seems like one of those guys that never quite lives up to their promise.

[phattywankenobi]

Isn't D Led (AJC) the same source I saw many people quoting as saying Devine was signed by the Falcons who is now saying the Falcons are not interested in Edwards? Of course that blog has been edited now without so much as the word "update" injected.

[HairyArabFalconFan]

Im prepared to give BEERman one more shot at it , I still think he has allot of upside, and people are forgetting that Jerry is going to be 100% this year and also has allot of upside. If our DT rotation of Jerry, Peters , And Babs gets the pressure they should be I see Kroy Having a much better statistical year.

I think we should try and get a DB though one like Ike Taylor or Jonathan Joseph, I also wouldn't mind a Zach miller coming in to eventually replace Gonzo.

[pren226]

Im prepared to give BEERman one more shot at it , I still think he has allot of upside, and people are forgetting that Jerry is going to be 100% this year and also has allot of upside. If our DT rotation of Jerry, Peters , And Babs gets the pressure they should be I see Kroy Having a much better statistical year.

I think we should try and get a DB though one like Ike Taylor or Jonathan Joseph, I also wouldn't mind a Zach miller coming in to eventually replace Gonzo.

didn't todd heap get released today? you never know if you can get someone cheap because he has the injury stigma on him but heap is a beast when he's on the field.

[CHOCTHEFALCONFAN™]

I say let our young guys get the reps.

If we don't sign Ray....I agree with this^