falcon057 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 (edited) Falcons and Abraham say they want each otherFebruary 23, 2012Both sides are saying that they want Falcons free agent defensive end John Abraham to return next season, but increasingly the situation is looking like the team’s leader in sacks the last few seasons, who will be 34 next season, will not be back.On Wednesday, the NFL Network reported that Abraham’s agent said it looks like he will not be re-signed before the NFL free agency period is set to start on March 13.The same day, Abraham appeared on Atlanta radio station 790 The Zone to say that he wants to remain for a seventh season with the Falcons, but that he would not take a hometown discount. Last season Abraham earned $8 million, a number which it is hard to envision the Falcons paying him in 2012. Abraham had 9.5 sacks last season, including 3.5 in one game, but missed a few games and had limited effectiveness in others because of hip and groin issues, which have dogged him throughout his career.On Thursday, Abraham tweeted, “Forever I love ATLANTA!!! No matter what” and also seemed to take exception that he was being greedy. He answered someone on Twitter who asked why he was going for the biggest contract available by saying, “in 6years have u every heard me (complain) about money (heck) no one even knew I was gona b a free agent til like now so now u saying I’m all about money wow.”The Falcons have contracts on their books totaling about $100 million and if the salary cap is again about $120 million, then the Falcons will not have a whole lot of room to pay Abraham if he expects to earn what he did last season.Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff was asked in a different show on Wednesday on 790, the team’s flagship radio broadcast partner, about the state of negotiations with both Abraham and starting middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, who is considerably younger than Abraham. Lofton will be 26 in June.“Curtis has done a nice job for us over the years,” Dimitroff said. “He’s been here since 2008, as you all know, and Curtis is a good football player with a presence on this team that is valued. So we appreciate that. Like John Abraham, they both contributed very well for us and with Curtis we’re in negotiations with him and his people, as well on other side with John, and we would like to have both of these gentlemen back.”Perhaps, then, the Falcons and Abraham have agreed to let Abraham test the free agent market to determine his value. The Falcons might have a number in mind that they would be willing to pay Abraham that is substantially lower than $8 million. If Abraham finds he can make more than the Falcons’ offer on the open market, he could be history. But if he finds the Falcons’ offer is as good as he’s going to get, perhaps he decides to stay.“Those are difficult decisions,” Dimitroff said. “…Listen, it can be complicated. These deals aren’t always that easy, but, again, we’re making every effort to make things happen and hopefully it will be right for both sides.”The Falcons’ other major free agent – also on the defensive side of the ball – is starting left cornerback Brent Grimes, who made $2.61 million last season. Speculation has surrounded whether the Falcons might choose to use the franchise tag on Grimes, which would up his salary to about $10 million, eating up about half of the team’s current cap room.Grimes, a Pro-Bowler in 2010, likely is headed for a big pay day, but the fact that he did not suit up for the team’s playoff game with the New York Giants could complicate matters. In addition, the team’s other starting cornerback, Dunta Robinson, has a cap hit of $7.75 million this season, so the Falcons might be cautious about tying up so much money to two players at the same position.Dimitroff and the rest of the Falcons’ coaching staff and front office is at the NFL combine in Indianapolis this week. Without a first-round pick, the team will have to determine what its most urgent need is.With Tony Gonzalez having said he thinks that 2012 will likely be his last season, the Falcons might have to use the pick on a tight end. But the pass rush and offensive line also are needs.Dimitroff said that part of the process that he and his stuff will undertake is to scout the talent available at the combine, then look at who is available in free agency to see where they might use the pick and what needs they will choose to fill via free agency.“All that information we have been discussing -- free agents, potential free agents, availability -- and then we talk about where the draft is and where the strengths are in the draft,” he said. “After the combine we truly decide where we’re going to be aggressive and within our team where we’re going to be aggressive, as well.”The next few weeks will bring decision time. Edited February 23, 2012 by falcon057 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHEC Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 If the 12 million a year is correct then yes it would be all about the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_D Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 We're trying to build a better team. Any older player will only give us status quo. That's not what everyone is screaming for is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Fanatic Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I say with Grimes, Lofton, and Abraham... if the price tag is too high then let them go and look for other options. In the case of Abraham, someone younger who could be a force for years to come. In the case of Grimes, younger and cheaper. In the case of Lofton, (which in my opinion would be the only one I would resign if the money wasn't ridiculous) cheaper. Lofton is the only player that makes sense to resign to a long term deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jah Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 "Grimes, a Pro-Bowler in 2010, likely is headed for a big pay day, but the fact that he did not suit up for the team’s playoff game with the New York Giants could complicate matters."This keeps popping up.Smoke>Fire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gritz Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 "Grimes, a Pro-Bowler in 2010, likely is headed for a big pay day, but the fact that he did not suit up for the team’s playoff game with the New York Giants could complicate matters."This keeps popping up.Smoke>FireOf course our front office knows the real story....all of the real stories actually...how serious his knee injury was, how much money he and his people really want, whether Mike Nolan is enamored with Grimes or not....A bunch of info that we really have no clue about....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Radical Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 This keeps popping up.Smoke>FireRepeating the same rumor from the same source over and over again doesn't make it true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 The way TD answered about Lofton makes it sound like he isn't going to press too hard to keep him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aftermath Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 If we franchise Grimes we deserve to suck again in 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I MUS WRITE Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Off topic but it was really painful to listen to Abe on the 2live stews yesterday. C'mon man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Falcon Jedi Knight Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Abraham wants to be paid, but there is no way in hades he is worth 12 Million per year. Yea, a lot of athletes love Atlanta, they all seem to own houses in this city, but that doesnt mean anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcon057 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 There is change in the air this year and redistribution of money to positions. IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trouble Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Whats bad is he is right. Who ever heard him fuss about money before this? Or contract issues? He has played hard and been our best dline weapon since he got here basically. He knows his time is running out and he wants to get paid. Cant blame him for that. He has been a fav for us and the bright side of our D and 1 of the few remaining players that busted their butts and survived the 07 season w/ out giving up on us.I hope he stays. But if he gets the huge payday somewhere else, ill understand and miss him. But i hope the 2 sides can work something gout that works for both sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Negatorris Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I'll be pissed if we franchise Grimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trouble Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 (edited) There is change in the air this year and redistribution of money to positions. IMHOWouldn't next year make more sense, when you know Tony G probably wont be back. Its hard enough changing OC and DC etc etc. But to lose our high profile players, leaving our backups. Thats kinda scary. Abe has the experience to probably work in any system as long as he can stay healthy. Edited February 24, 2012 by danight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokerSteve Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I say with Grimes, Lofton, and Abraham... if the price tag is too high then let them go and look for other options. In the case of Abraham, someone younger who could be a force for years to come. In the case of Grimes, younger and cheaper. In the case of Lofton, (which in my opinion would be the only one I would resign if the money wasn't ridiculous) cheaper. Lofton is the only player that makes sense to resign to a long term deal.I agree with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Negatorris Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Losing Grimes, Lofton, or Abe would not deflate this team. Nolan can work with anyone, and he can get the most out of all players. If we draft Boykin, and Vinny Curry maybe, or even get Mario/Avril in FA we'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXVIII-III Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 D Rob needs to restructure his effin' contract!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falken Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Abe at least suited up against the Giants without a contract under his belt for this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Statick Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 He must have read the boards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconcheff Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Tony G will get 7 M this year, and he is vital to our offense. That is the number I think we can place on guys who are pure contributors.Twitter is NOBODY'S friend. Guys, don't use it to piss off our free agents. It is counterproductive.I like the fact that Abe loves ATL; if he looks elsewhere and finds he doesn't have the market he thinks he has, he may well come back rather than sign with a different team for a similar deal to what we're offering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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