Myths Surrounding The Offseason.

[Creative]

Myth: John Abraham's production is steadily declining, his best days are far behind him.

Truth: Abe's last season was as good as any in his career. He's been a top ten pass rusher in the NFL for the last five years, something nobody else can claim. There is no reason we aren't throwing money at him.

Myth: Brent Grimes is overrated.

Truth: Grimes has been a top five cornerback in the NFL over the past two seasons. Ignore his height, passion for the game, dropped INTs (as dumb as this argument is..), the truth is he HAS been elite. I'm not saying he will be the player he was pre-injury.. but you can't take anything away from the player we've seen.

Myth: Roddy White is replaceable.

Truth: White is thrown to, by far, more than any player in the NFL. This inflates his drops, so the whole 'he can't catch' theory s a bit off. He also lead the league in first down receptions, again. If you think getting rid of one of our best players for a mid-level pick is a good idea, well.. I don't know.

Myth: Micheal Turner could yield a day one pick.

Truth: Turner has essentially no value. We would be hard pressed to get a 6th for him, and rightfully so.

Feel free to add your own. :P

[Dharma Initiative]

Wow, did you watch Abraham during the 2011 season or did you just finish watching 2010?

[Creative]

Wow, did you watch Abraham during the 2011 season or did you just finish watching 2010?

I watched the one who bailed out our pathetic pass rush again and again. Are you trying to say Abe wasn't near the top of the league in nearly every category used to judge a pass rusher? Because that's just untrue.

Edited February 16, 2012 by Creative

[1989Fan]

i also disagree on Abe. saying he was the best we had is true, but that is not saying alot. He got 1/3 of his sacks in the TB blowout. He was very inconsistent, especially against top teams. He was a good overall RE for this team, but you have to wonder how the future years will go.

I am not opposed to bringin him back at the appropriate rate though. His likelyhood of injury will increase with age, and his play will possibly decline. He shouldnt be paid like a top pass rusher anymore IMO. He got 10M+ for last season, so he can give a little back on a new deal if he wants to stay (which I think he will want to)

[Creative]

i also disagree on Abe. saying he was the best we had was true, but that is not saying alot. He got 1/3 of his sacks in the TB blowout. He was very inconsistent, especially against top teams.

I am not opposed to bringin him back at the appropriate rate though. His likelyhood of injury will increase with age, and his play will possibly decline. He shouldnt be paid like a top pass rusher anymore IMO. He got 10M+ for last season, so he can give a little back on a new deal if he wants to stay (which I think he will want to)

Sacks aren't a good way to solely judge his effectiveness.. he was constantly at the QB with pressures, hits, hurries, etc. That's like using INTs to judge a CB, it's not practical.

[1989Fan]

i understand football, trust me. I know sacks arent the only way, but I dont have hurries and hits #'s in front of me.

His play as a whole has been peaks and valleys this year. While it wasnt quite feast or famine, it was far from consistently great. He did disappear in whole games this season. Now I understand that he gets more attention usually.

I am not judging Abe against others, saying he is easily replaceable. I am judging Abe of 2011 vs Abe of the 4 seasons prior, and his play as a whole has declined.

[Dharma Initiative]

I watched the one who bailed out our pathetic pass rush again and again. Are you trying to say Abe wasn't near the top of the league in nearly every category used to judge a pass rusher? Because that's just untrue.

abe was irrelevant all of last season. He didn't even have pressures like he used to. His sacks came from garbage teams for the most part. 3.5 of them came from Jacksonville where their QB looked terrified to play in the NFL and just gave us sacks.

[TheDirtyWordII]

Roddy's high level of targets also inflates his catches.

[delaigle]

i also disagree on Abe. saying he was the best we had was true, but that is not saying alot. He got 1/3 of his sacks in the TB blowout. He was very inconsistent, especially against top teams. I am not opposed to bringin him back at the appropriate rate though. His likelyhood of injury will increase with age, and his play will possibly decline. He shouldnt be paid like a top pass rusher anymore IMO. He got 10M+ for last season, so he can give a little back on a new deal if he wants to stay (which I think he will want to)

That is a very true statement!

However it is also a very generic statement and applies equally to every single DE in the NFL.

Added You may be in for a big dissapointment with Noaln's defense

He has stated (this year) that he would rather have 4 or 5 players each with 4 sacks than 1 player with 10-15 sacks

Edited February 16, 2012 by delaigle

[1989Fan]

not necessairly true to all. Look at Abe in the past, like when he killed Jake Long in that MIA game.

There are plenty of DE's who showed up against the good teams as well, and didnt just feast on 3-4 teams throughout the season for his numbers.

I will also add my own myth, just to show deserved respect tot he poster and his topic, haha.

myth: Lofton is easily replacable with Dent, and the team will offer him $5M or less per or tell him to hit the road, because he is a 2 down LB.

truth:

Lofton is a 3 down LB, playing in over 99% of the teams defensive snaps, which would also bite into the "Lofton has bummed knees" theory around here.

Lofton actually played the pass OK, and is improving. He had better pass protection than Nicholas actually. This team knows the value of a high character leader, especially one who is both a physical meance AND a cerebral leader.

ATL will do what they can to keep Lofton, and he will be the teams top major re-sign this offseason. There may be a couple smaller deals done first because they are less complex, but Lofton wont be let go without a MAJOR attempt to retain him

[hardenmj]

Abrahams production is declining - there is no way around that truth...we should still try to bring him back for another year, but im certainly not going to pay the guy like a top 5 or top 10 DE

[Creative]

Dharma that was one of dumbest things I've read in my entire life.

TDW - Doesn't change the fact that he's realllly good

89 - the numbers for total pressures are online. Try profootballfocus, Abe is right near the top.

[Creative]

Abrahams production is declining - there is no way around that truth...we should still try to bring him back for another year, but im certainly not going to pay the guy like a top 5 or top 10 DE

You didn't back up what you said at all. Lol. How is it declining? He still is top 5 for pressure etc, why would you not pay him that money?

[Creative]

not necessairly true to all. Look at Abe in the past, like when he killed Jake Long in that MIA game.

There are plenty of DE's who showed up against the good teams as well, and didnt just feast on 3-4 teams throughout the season for his numbers.

I will also add my own myth, just to show deserved respect tot he poster and his topic, haha.

myth: Lofton is easily replacable with Dent, and the team will offer him $5M or less per or tell him to hit the road, because he is a 2 down LB.

truth:

Lofton is a 3 down LB, playing in over 99% of the teams defensive snaps, which would also bite into the "Lofton has bummed knees" theory around here.

Lofton actually played the pass OK, and is improving. He had better pass protection than Nicholas actually. This team knows the value of a high character leader, especially one who is both a physical meance AND a cerebral leader.

ATL will do what they can to keep Lofton, and he will be the teams top major re-sign this offseason. There may be a couple smaller deals done first because they are less complex, but Lofton wont be let go without a MAJOR attempt to retain him

I agree about Lofton. I'm not 100% sure on Dent's intended purpose in the future, but I dot think we'd let Lofton go without putting up a fight.

[Trouble]

Abrahams production is declining - there is no way around that truth...we should still try to bring him back for another year, but im certainly not going to pay the guy like a top 5 or top 10 DE

Except for the fact that he probably is a top 5 or top 10 DE. Also he is our only pass rush. His sack numbers would have been better but he missed the QB a few times last season but he generated a lot of pressure. With out him we are crippled. He also started playing both sides.

Top 10 defense have some old players and also players who many say have lost a step (see ravens or steelers). But those players are not a dime a dozen and are the heart and soul of the D.

[delaigle]

not necessairly true to all. Look at Abe in the past, like when he killed Jake Long in that MIA game.

There are plenty of DE's who showed up against the good teams as well, and didnt just feast on 3-4 teams throughout the season for his numbers.

I will also add my own myth, just to show deserved respect tot he poster and his topic, haha.

myth: Lofton is easily replacable with Dent, and the team will offer him $5M or less per or tell him to hit the road, because he is a 2 down LB.

truth:

Lofton is a 3 down LB, playing in over 99% of the teams defensive snaps, which would also bite into the "Lofton has bummed knees" theory around here.

Lofton actually played the pass OK, and is improving. He had better pass protection than Nicholas actually. This team knows the value of a high character leader, especially one who is both a physical meance AND a cerebral leader.

ATL will do what they can to keep Lofton, and he will be the teams top major re-sign this offseason. There may be a couple smaller deals done first because they are less complex, but Lofton wont be let go without a MAJOR attempt to retain him

sorry-----What I was objecting to was the use of the word inconsistent

No DE has got the same number of sacks week after week after week (been constistent).

So ALL are inconsistent.

Edited February 16, 2012 by delaigle

[Creative]

Except for the fact that he probably is a top 5 or top 10 DE. Also he is our only pass rush. His sack numbers would have been better but he missed the QB a few times last season but he generated a lot of pressure. With out him we are crippled. He also started playing both sides.

Top 10 defense have some old players and also players who many say have lost a step (see ravens or steelers). But those players are not a dime a dozen and are the heart and soul of the D.

Exactly. Abe -> Biermann/Sid/Matthews would be a significant drop off.

[delaigle]

not necessairly true to all. Look at Abe in the past, like when he killed Jake Long in that MIA game.

There are plenty of DE's who showed up against the good teams as well, and didnt just feast on 3-4 teams throughout the season for his numbers.

I will also add my own myth, just to show deserved respect tot he poster and his topic, haha.

myth: Lofton is easily replacable with Dent, and the team will offer him $5M or less per or tell him to hit the road, because he is a 2 down LB.

truth:

Lofton is a 3 down LB, playing in over 99% of the teams defensive snaps, which would also bite into the "Lofton has bummed knees" theory around here.

Lofton actually played the pass OK, and is improving. He had better pass protection than Nicholas actually. This team knows the value of a high character leader, especially one who is both a physical meance AND a cerebral leader.

ATL will do what they can to keep Lofton, and he will be the teams top major re-sign this offseason. There may be a couple smaller deals done first because they are less complex, but Lofton wont be let go without a MAJOR attempt to retain him

Again sorry this thing keeps bring up the wrong post when I select "Quote"

Edited February 16, 2012 by delaigle

[Dharma Initiative]

Except for the fact that he probably is a top 5 or top 10 DE. Also he is our only pass rush. His sack numbers would have been better but he missed the QB a few times last season but he generated a lot of pressure. With out him we are crippled. He also started playing both sides.

Top 10 defense have some old players and also players who many say have lost a step (see ravens or steelers). But those players are not a dime a dozen and are the heart and soul of the D.

Abe isn't a top 20 DE, to say he is even top 10 is absolutely insane. The guy can somewhat rush the QB and he's useless for anything else. Most of his sacks come against garbage teams in garbage time.

[delaigle]

Abe isn't a top 20 DE, to say he is even top 10 is absolutely insane. The guy can somewhat rush the QB and he's useless for anything else. Most of his sacks come against garbage teams in garbage time.

True and no other DE in the league gets garbage sacks against garbage teams ONLY ABE.

[kiwifalcon]

Sacks aren't a good way to solely judge his effectiveness.. he was constantly at the QB with pressures, hits, hurries, etc. That's like using INTs to judge a CB, it's not practical.

No disrespect to you but Abe isn't a 3 down guy anymore the new DC wants 3 down guys Abe just isn't that guy he was 2 years ago let alone going foward I really think we need to make a big move along that D-line.We just don't have the defensive talent upfront to get it done.Abe will be 34 at the start of the season if they do decide to bring him back it will be as a situational pass rusher and I hope that is reflected in the money they offer him if not I'm afraid we'll be cutting him loose.

[Trouble]

Abe isn't a top 20 DE, to say he is even top 10 is absolutely insane. The guy can somewhat rush the QB and he's useless for anything else. Most of his sacks come against garbage teams in garbage time.

http://www.nfl.com/player/johnabraham/2504171/profile

hardly garbage.

If that's true than whats that make the rest of our dline? Still he draws more attention than anyone else on our D-Line. As long as he gets pressure Qb`s will rush their throws or scramble around. Without him we might as well give the other teams QB a Sunday paper to read.

http://www.nfl.com/v...fumble-recovery

http://www.nfl.com/v...sack-13-yd-loss

[vel]

John Abraham, 4-3 Defensive End

Age: 34

2011 PFF Grade: +35.9

Key Stat: Abraham generated pressure every 7.2 pass rushes last season.

There hasn’t been a more productive pass rusher in the four seasons that PFF has been analyzing games than John Abraham. If age weren’t a factor, he would be arguably the single most desirable pass rusher in the league hitting the open market. Of course, age is a factor, and at 34 the slow-down has to come at some stage, but there has been no evidence of it so far. This is in part because the Falcons have done an extremely good job in recent years in spelling Abraham and keeping him fresh over the course of the season, meaning he is constantly at his best when he rushes the passer and can have the most impact.

Last season his +31.7 PFF grade for pass rushing was the second-best mark among 4-3 DEs, trailing only Trent Cole. Despite many fewer sacks than either of the big-hitting sack artists from last season, Jared Allen and Jason Babin, Abraham had a better pass-rush grade than either because of the speed and devastating impact of the pressure he was applying. Abraham is still rushing the passer at an elite level, as well as anybody in the game, and though everybody knows that will tail off, there has been nothing to suggest it is happening any time soon. If a team is willing to spell Abraham in the same way the Falcons have been and do their part to extend his shelf-life, then he could have several more productive seasons left as an impact player, especially as he is well versed in rushing from both the left and right side of the D-line, as well as being dropped into coverage more than any other 4-3 DE in recent times. Don’t expect Abraham to be the same weapon he is now at the end of a five-year contract, but he shouldn’t be seen as just a one-season stopgap either.

Edited February 16, 2012 by vel

[delaigle]

Rotoworld list about 75 FA D-linemen this season (both DE and DT)

they list Abraham as #7

That does not say where he would stand against the some 270 D-linemen in the league

but he is in the top 10 of the FAs.

Edited February 16, 2012 by delaigle

[BTL FED]

Myth: John Abraham's production is steadily declining, his best days are far behind him.

Truth: Abe's last season was as good as any in his career. He's been a top ten pass rusher in the NFL for the last five years, something nobody else can claim. There is no reason we aren't throwing money at him.

Myth: Brent Grimes is overrated.

Truth: Grimes has been a top five cornerback in the NFL over the past two seasons. Ignore his height, passion for the game, dropped INTs (as dumb as this argument is..), the truth is he HAS been elite. I'm not saying he will be the player he was pre-injury.. but you can't take anything away from the player we've seen.

Myth: Roddy White is replaceable.

Truth: White is thrown to, by far, more than any player in the NFL. This inflates his drops, so the whole 'he can't catch' theory s a bit off. He also lead the league in first down receptions, again. If you think getting rid of one of our best players for a mid-level pick is a good idea, well.. I don't know.

Myth: Micheal Turner could yield a day one pick.

Truth: Turner has essentially no value. We would be hard pressed to get a 6th for him, and rightfully so.

Feel free to add your own.

lolwut