Its Time To Have A Tough Discussion

[atljbo]

I want Curtis Lofton to be resigned but lets have a tough discussion.

LB's in Lofton's group is making around 7 mil a year.. TD may pull off a miracle falcon happy signing... But lets say Lofton price is 7 mil a year...

Also include the fact that it sound like Coach Nolan will ant to run more 5 DB's packages (Stephen Nicholas and Spoon are our best pass coverage LB's.. Also Adkins showing signs of life now)

Its hard to think about it but would you let him walk ?

Let me just throw this at you... But like i said i want us to sign Lofton back to a good contract that both parties would be happy.

Akeem Dent

Shrine game report

http://www.nfl.com/n...ing-shrine-week

Georgia's Akeem Dent has stood out as the top linebacker on the field this week. As a downhill player, he shows exceptional power and pop on contact. He repeatedly stoned runners in the hole during inside run drills. Although he needs some work in pass coverage, he has the potential to be an effective plugger in a 4-3 scheme.

NFL Network’s Charles Davis said to keep an eye on Georgia linebacker Akeem Dent.

“He’s a mike linebacker who’s going to play more than tackle to tackle, strong at the point of attack, and he enjoyed a really nice last year at Georgia,” Davis said.

By Todd McShay

Georgia LB Akeem Dent (6-2, 238 pounds) has a nice build. He's been great at taking on and shedding blockers. He looks like a 3-4 inside linebacker. He shows some tightness in space, but after seeing him get rid of blockers, he looks perfect for a 3-4 defense.

Georgia LB Akeem Dent has shredded this week. He is big and strong and looks the part. He has good instincts and seems to be the most NFL-ready of all these guys. Dent is not a great athlete and fits inside only in a 3-4 scheme, where he can be protected. He needs to keep playing low, but we can see him developing into a good backup or even a solid starter in a 3-4 scheme down the line.

So what are you guys thinking ?

Lofton is a must SIgn ?

Use that money on another position ?

Update: This is funny.. As i am typing this... falcoholic wrote this

Peace Out Homie: Curtis Lofton Done as a Falcon?

http://cdn2.sbnation..._large_tiny.jpg by James Rael on Jan 21, 2012 11:28 PM EST

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Remember when the 49ers sucked and Curtis Lofton was still under contract? Those were the days.

In this series, we're making the best of content purgatory rosterbating a bit, projecting whether various free agents will be back in black and red next fall.

He's built like a dump truck. He's a founding member of the infamous D Block. And he's been a cornerstone of our defense since 2008. Curtis Tremayne Lofton is an unrestricted free agent, and let's be honest, he'll likely look to secure his financial future with this next contract. Can you blame him? Heck naw!

First, before anyone freaks out, let me just say that I fully expect him to be back. But for mitts and wiggles, let's consider why he might not be back. Without further ado, I bring you the top five reasons Curtis Lofton is done as a Falcon:

(5) He's too expensive

Four of our defensive starters are free agents, and something has to give. Lofton is a huge asset and you can't replace his leadership. Unfortunately, if TD and company decide pass rush and pass defense are the biggest priorities, then Lofton may find the contract we offer him less-than-ideal. Salary cap space isn't an issue for this team, but you can't have your cake and eat it too.

(4) Akeem Dent doesn't suck

To be fair, he didn't play much middle LB this year. Nonetheless, the coaching staff had nothing but positive things to say about the kid, and he's used to playing the Mike.

(3) We'll be a 3-4 defense by 2013

As you all know, there are no plans to make the switch this year. But that doesn't mean the Falcons brass aren't looking ahead. Lofton - while extremely talented - isn't as valuable in a 3-4 scheme.

(2) He's not fast enough to excel in a Nolan-run defense

Lofton has a good motor, and when there's no one around to block him, he'll log a sack here and there. But if the Falcons plan to blitz at a higher clip, perhaps they'll look for a middle LB with a bit more speed.

(1) Dave's a St. Louis Cardinals fan - and that offends Curtis

You don't offend Curtis.

I'm not gonna lie, it'd surprise the you-know-what out of me if they don't re-sign him. None of the aforementioned rationales sway me.

Discuss!

[atljbo]

Also Dent lead the team in ST Tackles and once again... Adkins seems to finally be ready for more PT

[The Don™]

That whole using 5DBs more is what really makes me hesitant to say we should bring back Lofton at that 7 mil price. Yeah, Lofton is a thumper and excellent in run coverage, but it's a passing league now and you need fast, pass-covering type LBs that will fly all around the field. Let's face it, Lofton has just average speed and his pass coverage is lacking. He's not a Jon Beason or Patrick Willis

And Dent was balling on special teams this year. I think he had around 18 tackles on ST

[atljbo]

That whole using 5DBs more is what really makes me hesitant to say we should bring back Lofton at that 7 mil price. Yeah, Lofton is a thumper and excellent in run coverage, but it's a passing league now and you need fast, pass-covering type LBs that will fly all around the field. Let's face it, Lofton has just average speed and his pass coverage is lacking. He's not a Jon Beason or Patrick Willis

And Dent was balling on special teams this year. I think he had around 18 tackles on ST

The same for me.. I'm hesitanting also

[A-TowN.-]

We have used Nickle a lot before with BVG too.

This is a tough decision though, he was my favorite LB in 2008 draft, and then we drafted him. I was so happy. Lofton is a powerful hitter, down hill, stout MLB. I really do love the guy on our team.

With that said, is he replaceable? Definitely.

Do I want to see him go? Absolutely not. He is a cornerstone in our defense, a leader, never hurt, always giving the team his all.

I don't want to let him go in short answer. Atleast resign and trade him to get something for him, but no way we let him walk. Grimes and Abraham maybe. Definitely not Lofton.

[vdove0926]

I suggested we don't resign Lofton in my mock and ofcourse people thought it was stupid but if Dent can play the run well I say we let Curtis walk and that's more money( if we don't resign Lofton or Brent) towards guys like Carl Nicks, Robert Mathis, and possibly a guy like Griffin or Goldon.

[PapaJoe]

It's a tough situation. I also like Lofton and appreciate his contributions but I also realize his limitations. He is still average at best in pass coverage and not a stud coming thru the the A gap as a blitzer. His 2011 season was strong and showed improvement against the pass but he has a ceiling that is lower than some other MLBs in 4-3.

Personally, I hope we run a lot of Hybrid D and I prefer we move to a very hybrid 3-4 D in coming years. That may or may not happen but regardless we need LBs that can cover well and play in space... not Lofton's strengths. I could see letting him walk.

Edited January 22, 2012 by m2Falcons

[SBorBust]

he has a ceiling that is lower than some other MLBs in 4-3.

Totally agree with this

if Dent can play the run well I say we let Curtis walk

The only issue with that is you wont know what Dent can do at the position until after you let Curtis walk. The only thing the FO can do is look at his tape and project what he could be.

That whole using 5DBs more is what really makes me hesitant to say we should bring back Lofton at that 7 mil price. Yeah, Lofton is a thumper and excellent in run coverage, but it's a passing league now and you need fast, pass-covering type LBs that will fly all around the field. Let's face it, Lofton has just average speed and his pass coverage is lacking. He's not a Jon Beason or Patrick Willis

I agree but I subscribe to the philosophy that you keep the guys you developed. Taking into account that he did make more plays this season and his pass coverage did improve, I'd say resign him.

[Psychic Gibbon]

Yes, bring him back. There is a big step down between him and Dent and the nickel package was used by BVG a good deal of the time as well so it's not like Nolan doing it is a dramatic shift in philosophy. The biggest difference is that I seriously doubt Nolan will do idiotic things like having Lofton cover slot receivers.

[The Dirty Bird]

From a pure, Madden-oriented do we need him perspective: we can let him walk and use that money elsewhere because Akeem Dent, if fully healthy, can more or less effectively take over his spot.

From a real life, we are the Atlanta Falcons and Curtis Lofton is the unquestioned leader of our defense and still a young player perspective: **** f'ing no.

Let's not make the same mistake the Jets did and treat our roster like a Madden game, in the process ridding it of its leaders (LT instead of Thomas Jones, Jon Conner instead of Tony Richardson, letting Shaun Ellis walk, letting Jericho Cotchery go, etc.)

Curtis needs to be retained and the chemistry of our defense needs to remain intact if not continue to improve.

[head busta from augusta]

Lucky for us this a very deep ILB FA market which should drive the prices down a bit! Stephen Tulloch, David Hawthorne and Dan Connor are all capable replacements if Lofton is not resigned.

[blizzard_falcon]

If not re-signing Lofton gives us the cap room to sign Nicks or Williams, then you almost have to let him walk. Spoon and Nicholas are both superior in pass coverage, and Dent can probably fill the Mike when we run 4-3. That being said, I would hate to lose 5-0... but we have to look at the big picture. Dent was probably drafted knowing we might not retain Lofton this offseason...

[Psychic Gibbon]

If not re-signing Lofton gives us the cap room to sign Nicks or Williams, then you almost have to let him walk. Spoon and Nicholas are both superior in pass coverage, and Dent can probably fill the Mike when we run 4-3. That being said, I would hate to lose 5-0... but we have to look at the big picture. Dent was probably drafted knowing we might not retain Lofton this offseason...

Nicholas isn't very good against the run and Dent isn't at Lofton's level. If they let Lofton go then I wouldn't be at all surprised if the rush defense struggles mightily next season.

[ancient raptor]

Hope Lofton is back, but won't hang myself if he walks.

[blizzard_falcon]

Nicholas isn't very good against the run and Dent isn't at Lofton's level. If they let Lofton go then I wouldn't be at all surprised if the rush defense struggles mightily next season.

Nic is serviceable against the run, but I agree that he's the lesser of the three. Dent probably isn't as good as Lofton, but we really don't know yet. If we get bigger up front on the defensive line -- and I expect Nolan to bring in at least one new starter at defensive tackle, given his history of preferring to have big men at that position -- that would ease the burden on the linebackers in the run game.

Besides, our run defense hasn't exactly been stellar over the past couple of seasons. Our yards per game might be low, but our yards per attempt is very high... teams just haven't run that much on us because it was easier to pass the ball on us. Just look at the damage Jacksonville, New Orleans and New York did in the last few weeks of the season to see what a committed run game did to our lightweight front seven.

[neko]

if Dent is part of the argument why Lofton should not be re-signed then the big picture is blurred. Lofton is a huge reason for our DEF success, and Dent, while good, is not on Lofton's level. Also re: the 3-4, Nolan will find a way to use Lofton to his strengths, which is attacking downhill. Since he would be a liability in nickel packages maybe we should not be breaking the bank on him if he demands it, but otherwise he must be re-signed.

[putnam6]

if Dent is part of the argument why Lofton should not be re-signed then the big picture is blurred. Lofton is a huge reason for our DEF success, and Dent, while good, is not on Lofton's level. Also re: the 3-4, Nolan will find a way to use Lofton to his strengths, which is attacking downhill. Since he would be a liability in nickel packages maybe we should not be breaking the bank on him if he demands it, but otherwise he must be re-signed.

To me it depends on what is done up front on DL, yea it's a passing league but if the price is right for Lofton he needs to stay.