Statick Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Atlanta Falcons: Market value is set for Curtis Lofton4:05 pm February 27, 2012, by D. Orlando LedbetterINDIANAPOLIS – The market is starting to set for Falcons middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, who can become an unrestricted free agent on March 13 if the Falcons do not sign him to a contract extension. Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported on Monday that the Browns have signed linebacker D’Qwell Jackson to a five-year contract worth $42.5 million. A total of $19 million is guaranteed.So now, here are the top five contracts for inside linebackers:1. Patrick Willis, San Francisco: seven years, $53.51 million, $29 million guaranteed.2. Jon Beason, Carolina: six years, $51.3 million, $25 million guaranteed.3. Jerod Mayo, New England: seven years,$49.85 million, $25 million guaranteed.4. D’Qwell Jackson, Cleveland: five years, $ 42.5 million, $19.5 million guaranteed.5. David Harris, New York Jets: four years, $36 million, $29.5 million guaranteed.The Falcons held talks with Lofton’s representatives here over the weekend.Lofton has played 95, 95 and 99 percent of the defensive snaps over the last three years. When asked if Lofton was a three-down linebacker, Lofton’s Atlanta-based agent Todd France said, “I spoke to the team and they told me it’s ridiculous to say Lofton isn’t a three-down linebacker.”With free agency pushed back to March 13, teams have not brokered a lot of deals during the combine like they have in years past. France believes that talks to get Lofton a contract extension will pick up over the next two weeks.The Falcons seem to prefer to signing him to an extension as opposed to getting into a bidding war with three or four teams if he’s becomes an unrestricted free agent.“He’s been a very important cog in our defense on all three downs,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “He has definitely been the leader of our defense and signal-caller. He’s done a very nice job. Curtis is a very active middle linebacker in terms of his ability to play both the run and the pass. He’s one of the leading tacklers. He’s really developed into a top-level linebacker.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 yes, and on that list given I would put Lofton @ 3-5 as far as player rankings. He is very similar to D'Qwell and David Harris.He will get a deal very similar to Jackson. I feel better now that this deal got done by the Browns, because the Jets put a kink in it all bu basically guaranteeing all of Harris' deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creative Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 This would be good if Lofton was a top 5 MLB. Use that ~7 million on a DT or OT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aftermath Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 way too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dharma Initiative Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 He's definitely not worth top 5 money judging from that chart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer2 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Daing, David Harris' agent deserves a raise!! What a nice contract for him. I'd be fine w/ ATL bringing back CLo for a contract similiar to 3-5 on this list. But not 1-2 range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayOzOne Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Pay him. There's a reason good MLBs earn this cheddar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconsd56 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 would not mind seeing him get a contract like jackson's. if only 19 mil is guaranteed it most likely has a lot of incentives and escalators in it.For a linebacker of Loftons caliber 19 million guaranteed is a good deal for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Mayo's deal is actually pobably the most cap friendly of the group. He is also the only ILB taken ahead of Lofton in that draft, so I would try to use that as my comparison in negotiations (if I were the Falcons FO) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 He's definitely not worth top 5 money judging from that chartwhy, he is arguably as good as both Jackson and Harris.Actually both are very similar players to 5-0 and oddly enough all were taken around the same spot in the draft (top of round 2) if I remember correctly. Not that that matters in negotiations, but it is a fun fact none the less.I guess I still dont see why people around here get so bent out of shape on what the team pays our guys. It isnt their money, and as long as the team remains competitive, who really cares! They are all overpaid, so what does it matter to what degree they are overpaid? TD has brought in highly regarded UFAs every season, and managed the cap well. Not to mention got great value in re-signing some of our own guys (Clabo, Nicholas). This is a general comment, not directed at you Dharma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaderMan Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Lofton simply put is not a play maker. he is a great tackler but struggles mightily in coverage at times. He is very ineffective blitzing, so to me he is 2 down MLB, whos pay should reflect it. If he were a dynamic player or made game changing plays, I would be the first to say pay him, but he isnt and he doesnt.....so the deal needs to refelct that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phattywankenobi Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 D Led fails to mention actual cap hits for these guys. A lot of these guys have backloaded contracts which makes sense because the projections for the league wide cap hit is going up quite a lot from what I've read.You guys wanting to pay Lofton 5M a year. That's 25M over 5 years. Currently that cap hit is the 29th LB. Reality still isn't settling in for some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtybirdz10984 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 the mans getting paid by us or someone else. plain and simply. doesnt matter if you think hes a 2 down LB or not. players as consistant as him at his position DO NOT come around often. when they do they get paid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 7 years, $50MM, $25MM guaranteed and call it a day or let him walk. $7.15MM a year, half guaranteed, incentives for more. Puts him right next to Jerod Mayo, who he is similar to more than anybody on that list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Lofton simply put is not a play maker. he is a great tackler but struggles mightily in coverage at times. He is very ineffective blitzing, so to me he is 2 down MLB, whos pay should reflect it. If he were a dynamic player or made game changing plays, I would be the first to say pay him, but he isnt and he doesnt.....so the deal needs to refelct that.Well, our GM and coaches told his agent he is w/o a doubt a 3 down MLB, so I guess that point is moot.regarding his coverage, I have seen the scheme put him one on one with WRs last season, and there isnt a MLB in the NFL that is going to succeed there on a regular basis.You can continue to hate on one of our best defensive players, but it isnt going to change the fact the Falcons are working dilligently to re-sign him before UFA. Because if he becomes a UFA, I am sure at least 5 teams will line up to match or beat D'Qwell Jacksons contract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Falcon Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Lofton will be back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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