Chitown2ATL_Falcon Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) http://espn.go.com/b...ham-test-marketI hope this hasn't already been posted.The Atlanta Falcons appear to be on the verge of letting their top pass-rusher walk into free agency. That might be their wisest move. I wouldn’t expect any resolution unless Abraham suddenly drops his price tag. Abraham is a very good player, but his price tag is in the range of Julius Peppers ($14 million per year), Charles Johnson ($12.7 million) and Jared Allen($12.2 million).If Abraham was 27, I’d say go ahead and pay him, but Abraham is about to turn 34. Twelve million is too high a figure for a player at this stage of his career. Abraham was used as a situational player last season and led the team with 9.5 sacks, but it should be noted that 3.5 of those sacks were against a hapless Jacksonville team. Abraham has been dealing with injuries the past few years and it’s not likely his body suddenly will turn young again. I think the smart thing for the Falcons is to let Abraham go ahead and test the market. That strategy could lead him back to Atlanta. I’m thinking other teams also will have concerns about paying so much for a player near the end of his career. The Falcons should make it clear to Abraham’s agent how high they will go and I’m thinking the number may be somewhere around the $8 million Abraham made last year. Leave that offer on the table and let Abraham go out and see what he can get. He might not get any higher offers and he could return at a more reasonable rate. If Abraham does get a better offer, let him go. The Falcons aren’t loaded with pass-rushers.Ray Edwards was their big signing last season. He played the run well, but didn’t generate a lot of pressure. Lawrence Sidbury is still around and the Falcons likely will re-sign Kroy Biermann if Abraham leaves. But the Falcons likely would have to go out and get a defensive end in free agency or the draft. There are no guarantees out there, but the Falcons could come out ahead in the long term. At his age, Abraham doesn’t come with any guarantees, either. Edited February 25, 2012 by Chitown2ATL_Falcon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHav Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) 2 of his other sacks came against the bears horrendous O line. The Bears were ranked 5th and Jaguars 7th in sacks given up this year.So that is 5.5 sacks against two horrible O lines. So he only had 4 sacks in 14 games. That is not worth 8 million or whatever ridiculous number he is asking.I love Abe and sad to see him go, but he is not worth that kind of money Edited February 26, 2012 by JHav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resse Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 He might come back to the falcons because I don't see any team giving him 8 mil a year either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsManhood Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 2 mill at most imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capologist Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I really want to see what Sidbury can do. We got a good taste of it last season. People think he didn't log snaps but he did. He logged 220 of them. That's about 20% of all possible snaps and 33% of what Abe got. In those 220 snaps he registered 3 sacks, 2 hits, 12 pressures and 6 tackles behind the line. He was our 4th rated pass rusher and 8th rated defensive player overall. 8th may not sound impressive but considering he wasn't a starter, he beat out 3 starters in overall rating (stats courtesy of PFF).When he was drafted, it was stated by our own staff that he was a developmental pick and I believe he's ready to take the next step. At 6'2", 266, he's plenty big enough to be a 3 down player. I'm ready to see it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I really want to see what Sidbury can do. We got a good taste of it last season. People think he didn't log snaps but he did. He logged 220 of them. That's about 20% of all possible snaps and 33% of what Abe got. In those 220 snaps he registered 3 sacks, 2 hits, 12 pressures and 6 tackles behind the line. He was our 4th rated pass rusher and 8th rated defensive player overall. 8th may not sound impressive but considering he wasn't a starter, he beat out 3 starters in overall rating (stats courtesy of PFF).When he was drafted, it was stated by our own staff that he was a developmental pick and I believe he's ready to take the next step. At 6'2", 266, he's plenty big enough to be a 3 down player. I'm ready to see it...It's not logging snaps in general, but WHEN you log those snaps. Majority of Sids snaps were run downs to spare Abe. But I think the pass rush will be fine. They are the professionals. They wouldn't let Abe walk if they didn't know what they were doing. Nolan made Dumervil and Wake stars in his last two stops. Sidbury could be the next in line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capologist Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 It's not logging snaps in general, but WHEN you log those snaps. Majority of Sids snaps were run downs to spare Abe.But I think the pass rush will be fine. They are the professionals. They wouldn't let Abe walk if they didn't know what they were doing. Nolan made Dumervil and Wake stars in his last two stops. Sidbury could be the next in line.Actually, 86 were on runs , 129 were pass rushes and 5 were in coverage... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Actually, 86 were on runs , 129 were pass rushes and 5 were in coverage...Wow well definitely burst my bubble lol. I just didn't like the scheme we used to rush the passer. It was obviously set up for Abe (or the RE) to get all of the pressure by exploiting 1v1s with the other 3 DL occupying blockers (hence constantly being good vs the run). A lot of Sid's and Biermann's plays came from the RE spot, not the LE spot. I think it was a carry over from the initial 08 roster (with JA98 and Grady occupying blockers and freeing Abe). Hopefully Nolan utilizes Sid a lot better than BVG. I really think Sid could blow up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capologist Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Wow well definitely burst my bubble lol. I just didn't like the scheme we used to rush the passer. It was obviously set up for Abe (or the RE) to get all of the pressure by exploiting 1v1s with the other 3 DL occupying blockers (hence constantly being good vs the run). A lot of Sid's and Biermann's plays came from the RE spot, not the LE spot. I think it was a carry over from the initial 08 roster (with JA98 and Grady occupying blockers and freeing Abe).Hopefully Nolan utilizes Sid a lot better than BVG. I really think Sid could blow up.I was a little shocked by it too. I think he's got a lot of potential and I really think he's ready to take that next step. I'm hoping he gets that shot. Afterall, he's a free agent after this year and it would be nice to know what we've got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borat Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I think he gets 4-5 from us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattRyanProvesYouWrong Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 2 mill at most imoYou're crazy. He may be 34, but he still has gas left in the tank and is a top 5 DE. No way is he going for 2mil/yr his final years in the NFL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resse Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 You're crazy. He may be 34, but he still has gas left in the tank and is a top 5 DE. No way is he going for 2mil/yr his final years in the NFL.He's 34 and a part time player now because he gets injuried. He might get 3-5 mil but 5 is the most and that maybe only the falcons offering that much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwifalcon Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 At this point I don't care who they get.If they are going to go for new talent a FA from the outside he has to be an upgrade over Abe if he isn't i don't spend the money and hold out hope Nolan can get something outta Ray Sid and Biermann at DE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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