theProf Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Falcons: Who's on the hot seat?Feb 27 2:10 PM ETBy Pat YasinskasThe Atlanta Falcons currently aren’t under a lot of salary-cap pressure. They have over $20 million to work with, but that could change in a hurry.The Falcons are likely to re-sign cornerback Brent Grimes or use the franchise tag on him. The Falcons also have said they want to re-sign middle linebacker Curtis Lofton. Although defensive end John Abraham and his agent have made it sound like he won’t return to Atlanta, it remains possible the Falcons could bring him back if Abraham’s price tag drops from the $12 million he’s seeking. The Falcons also have several other free agents, including receiver Harry Douglas, that they’re likely to have some interest in keeping.If most or all of those free agents are signed, the Falcons could have some salary-cap decisions to make on players currently under contract. The Falcons aren’t the type of team that likes to sit still and it’s likely they’ll be spending some significant money in free agency.With that in mind, let’s finish our series on NFC South players that could be on the hot seat with the Falcons.Although Mike Smith said at the combine he looks forward to left tackle Sam Baker returning, I think that might have been a case of a coach just being nice. Releasing Baker, who lost his starting job last year, would free up $2.6 million in cap space.Fullback Ovie Mughelli has been an outstanding blocker throughout his time with the Falcons. But he’s about to turn 32 and is coming off a leg injury that cut last season short. The Falcons could save $3 million by releasing him and there are other guys out there that can block.Defensive tackle is another position where the Falcons might have to make some big decisions. Jonathan Babineaux is coming off a very quiet year and he’ll turn 31 early next season. He’s scheduled to count $4.6 million against the cap and the Falcons could clear $3.6 million in cap space by releasing him. There might be temptation by fans to say the Falcons should release Peria Jerry instead. Understandable because Jerry hasn’t done much since getting hurt early in his rookie season (2009). But the Falcons still think Jerry has some upside. More importantly, cutting Jerry wouldn’t help the Falcons against the cap. In fact, it would hurt them. Jerry is scheduled to count $1.95 million against the cap. If the Falcons cut Jerry, they’d take a $2.2 million cap hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atljbo Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Thats why its going to be hard for to keep Baker.... If we keep Baker... He will be starting.... I dont see us almost paying Baker 3 mil to be a backup and Svitek is making lesser and can play that backup role.I like Ovie alot but i just think thats a matter of time.... I cant see him being ready for the beggining of the season so you dont want to pay a FB that who will start the season on the PUP list... We have cox under contract also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Ovie's age, bad injury and cap hit paired with the new offensive philosophy spell doom for I am am afraid to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swift&Change Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 lol @ Jerry upside .. cut the trashrelease Babs .. sign Jason Jonesdraft a NT to play hybrid 3-4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 yeah Swift...cut Jerry. it will cost 1.9M to have him and 2.2M plus the cost of his replacement to cut him.Not a smart move even if considering him as rotational depth at this time.Unless this team goes 3-4 IMO our DT rotation isnt changing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconidae Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 lol @ Jerry upside .. cut the trashrelease Babs .. sign Jason Jonesdraft a NT to play hybrid 3-4so, what part of "it would cost more to cut him than to keep him" are you having problems with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atljbo Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 lol @ Jerry upside .. cut the trashrelease Babs .. sign Jason Jonesdraft a NT to play hybrid 3-4Its going to cost you more to cut Jerry then to keep him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swift&Change Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 so, what part of "it would cost more to cut him than to keep him" are you having problems with?we have cap space . He is wasting roster spot for someone else . Cutting Jerry sends a message 1st round picks not performing not afraid to cut . Id rather have somone off roster cost me measley 2 mil that represents failure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atljbo Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 we have cap space . He is wasting roster spot for someone else . Cutting Jerry sends a message 1st round picks not performing not afraid to cut .Id rather have somone off roster cost me measley 2 mil that represents failureI feel like thats wasted cap space.... Keep the guy... If he doesnt show you something in preseason.. Move Walker in front of him on the depth chart... Or he might surpise you and do something....I wouldnt cut the guy is he cost you more to cut... Benching him makes a statment also if he doesnt step up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swift&Change Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I feel like thats wasted cap space.... Keep the guy... If he doesnt show you something in preseason.. Move Walker in front of him on the depth chart... Or he might surpise you and do something....I wouldnt cut the guy is he cost you more to cut... Benching him makes a statment also if he doesnt step upI disagree man . I cut him eat the 2 mil . Rid team of a busted draft pickUse roster spot for a player that can contribute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Man™ Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I disagree man . I cut him eat the 2 mil . Rid team of a busted draft pickUse roster spot for a player that can contributeWhat if it was YOUR $? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskokas finest © Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Babineaux presents an interesting case. If this team had $5 million in cap space instead of $30+, Babs might not survive. As for Jerry, maybe Mike Nolan thinks Peria could eat himself up to Nose Tackle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 the thng with cutting Babineaux is who is going to replace him and be an upgrade?Jason Jones is not better than Babineaux, and I am a Jones advocate.Paul Soliai is not better than Babineaux if the team remains a 4-3 defense primarily.The only 2 ways I see Babs gone is if he has a lingeringinjury that wont heal (ala Rod Coleman) or the team is blowing smoke and does plan to make a full switch to a 3-4 defense. You wont upgrade the position for less than the $5M Babineaux takes up in cap, that is for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aftermath Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 (edited) we have cap space . He is wasting roster spot for someone else . Cutting Jerry sends a message 1st round picks not performing not afraid to cut .Id rather have somone off roster cost me measley 2 mil that represents failureThis is one of the many many many many many reasons you are not an NFL GM. Edited February 28, 2012 by Aftermath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swift&Change Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 What if it was YOUR $?especially if it was my $$I wouldnt want to see a player that is a 1st round bust on bench making 2 mileating up a valueable roster spotcut him lose the 2 mil .. look as bad investment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swift&Change Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 This is one of the many many many many many reasons you are not an NFL GM.you have your own opinion you want to keep a waste a bum on roster and let him ride the bench that to me is stupid . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swift&Change Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Just to let you know how important a roster spot isVictor Cruz and Chase Blackburn were 2 of last men on Giants roster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aftermath Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 you have your own opinion you want to keep a waste a bum on roster and let him ride the benchthat to me is stupid .better than spending 2 million on a guy that is not on the roster, plus more money on his replacement, which likely wont be much of an upgrade anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconinPA Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I am still trying to figure out the upside to keeping Peria Jerry. Maybe add some peanut butter to him and make a human sized peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swift&Change Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 better than spending 2 million on a guy that is not on the roster, plus more money on his replacement, which likely wont be much of an upgrade anyway.so its hard to find a upgrade of Perria Jerry ? can go find a sumo wrestler pay him 800k and total would be 2.8 miland sumo wrestler would serve his purpose of NT in 3-4 schemePerria Jerry serves no purpose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rajhae Battle Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Yeah I don't see them keeping Baker, or Ovie. Bab's with his cap hit will probably be released to. Abe still sounds like he wants a big contract, so his future with us is in doubt. Id hate to see every last one of those fellows go, but none of those mentioned are irreplacable. Abe would most likely have the biggest impact cuz we are so unsure about Sid & if we keep Kroy. If we keep our core & add some pieces i think we can continue to build a solid team, With next year"s draft more favorable to us, it's all about making thru this offseason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trouble Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 (edited) Although Mike Smith said at the combine he looks forward to left tackle Sam Baker returning, I think that might have been a case of a coach just being nice.You know whats funny about that statement? The fact most people would flip out thinking Smith was just perfect happy w/Baker. Then to only figure out, coaches don't tell the media the truth and he doesn't throw anyone at all under the bus. Then it makes perfect sense, why Smith said that. (he was probably 3/4`s the way threw a article titles "smith is drunk" before he figured it out).But on that note, he also gives his new OC and Oline coach a chance to evaluate him and options to do with him, even it means keeping him. Smiths already taken the blame for it what ever may happen. So this prevents his other coaches from being thrown under the bus by media in the future by saying they wanna keep him.Gotta admit its some good coaching and professional. Everyone wishes their bosses would have their back and even if it ends badly, doesn't ruin their future chances finding work and paying their bill and supporting their family. Edited February 28, 2012 by danight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magic Man Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 we have cap space . He is wasting roster spot for someone else . Cutting Jerry sends a message 1st round picks not performing not afraid to cut .Id rather have somone off roster cost me measley 2 mil that represents failureUmm, couldn't that same message be sent by cutting Baker, and letting Jerry stay in the rotation? Just curious??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaderMan Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Cut Baker and sign Mcneal, if he gets injured again we have Svitek.Cut Ovie...No FB is worth 3mil per...what a crazy contract we gave him.Cut Babs and sign Solia, or Jones, I prefer Solia and then draft big bot Poe in te 2nd if he is still there. That would give us a big nasty tandem at DT, like Mike Smith had in Jax with Stroud and John Henderson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 sorry Vaderman, there is no way this team pays 6-8M per for Soliai AND takes a DT with our top pick.Babs is a top NFL DT, and Peters is on his way there as well. Only way I see it is if Babineaux is hurt and not progressing. But w/ Soliai and Peters or Poe who is whoing to generate the pressure up the middle? They can all take on doubles and stand up the guards at the line, but none of them will consistently get after the QB up the middle. I just feel Soliai is being vastly overrated around here, and wouldnt even be mention if not for Nolan. I could see Kendall Langford before Soliai, since he is tall and stout (300 lbs +/-) and could play all across the line in a hybrid scheme.Unless this team goes straight 3-4, DT is possibly going to be the least adjusted position on the roster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.