Falcons’ Fans: Please, Enough With Cries For Mario Williams

[67camaro]

Reality check request: Can we please stop the Mario Williams campaign in Atlanta?

NFL free agency officially opens Tuesday at 4 p.m., and you will be amazed by how many deals get completed by 4:01 p.m., considering teams haven’t even been allowed to negotiate. (Sarcasm.)

Yes, the Falcons will be active. Teams don’t try to create salary cap space unless they’re planning to do something, and the Falcons already have restructured Dunta Robinson’s contract. According to the latest figures, the Falcons’ 2012 payroll is at $116,002,840, which is only $5,723,709 under the cap. (This assumes cornerback Brent Grimes signs a $10.6 million one-year tender.)

Let’s make this as clear as possible: There is not nearly enough money for the Falcons to sign Williams, Houston’s defensive end, unless they gut the roster and sign several replacements for the minimum straight out of Fred Sanford’s front yard.

Sorry to kill the sports talk radio buzz (and hopefully unclog the inbox of my email). But Williams is expected to use Julius Peppers’ six-year, $84 million contract as a starting point. That’s a $14 million annual average and cap hit. Do the math. I just don’t say any way general manager Thomas Dimitroff would be willing to do that, especially given the other holes the team needs to fill.

If I’m wrong, I shall accept the appropriate flogging from readers.

I do expect the Falcons to create some more cap space, possibly by cutting and/or trading a veteran or two who currently are under contract. But this is a team that needs players on both offensive and defensive lines, as well as in the secondary.

Here’s an updated wish list of potential signees (post signings and franchise tags):

– Carl Nicks, guard, New Orleans: He’s considered one of the better interior offensive linemen in football and has a nasty streak, which the Falcons needs. Weakening the Saints is an added bonus. One problem: Nicks wants to be the highest paid guard in the NFL, which means exceeding Logan Mankins’ six-year, $51 million deal ($20 million signing bonus).

– Scott Wells, center, Green Bay: He’s a Pro Bowler and has been a starter since 2006. Green Bay may not be able to re-sign him for cap reasons, and the the concern of overcommitting to a player who recently turned 31. But Wells would be an outstanding replacement for Todd McClure (35, still unsigned) and would weaken the Packers. He’s looking for about $7 million annually.

— Kendall Langford, defensive end, Miami: He’s known for being a strong run defender. Also plays in the 3-4, which could help his cause if he Falcons switch to a hybrid front. Langford played for new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan with the Dolphins. His 2011 salary was relatively modest: $1.4 million.

– Nick Hardwick, center, San Diego: A good backup plan if the Falcons can’t get Wells. He’s 30 (turns 31 in September) and has started 108 games. According to Stats LLC (via Pro Football Weekly), he didn’t allow a sack last season and was called for only one penalty. Last year’s base salary: $3.675 million ($4.508 million cap hit after signing bonus).

– Mark Anderson, defensive end, New England: A pass-rush specialist. He had 10 sacks in the regular season and 2½ in the playoffs. The Patriots have had talks with Anderson, 29, but so far have been unable to re-sign him.

There’s a far more realistic list of candidates than Mario Williams.

By Jeff Schultz

[Bawse]

Jeff Schultz can suck on deez. We can still make a move for Super Mario.

[pren226]

I just don't say any way general manager Thomas Dimitroff would be willing to do that, especially given the other holes the team needs to fill.

If I'm wrong, I shall accept the appropriate flogging from readers.

By Jeff Schultz

Ol Jeff doesn't say any way it can happen.

[dmo_dlo]

It's pretty funny that he makes the argument against Williams but then has Nicks as the top player on the wish list!! There is 10X better chance that Falcons target Williams than Nicks. It's even funnier that he has no LT on his list which is the main area Falcons will need to look for.

[67camaro]

forgot the link, so here it is

http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2012/03/12/please-enough-with-cries-for-mario-williams/

[jfalconsp]

I set that fool straight, its kind of fun when you can actually use math to back up your claim instead of just saying "it wont happen".

[Peyton]

Jeff's right, but it's not the fans fault they are all excited, it is those clowns in the media who didn't bother examining the Falcons FA list when they were looking at the salary cap.

[falconfanEST1989]

i look for the Falcons FO to get some deals inplace buy then they still have 26 hours to get people cut and resigned inorder to free up cap space....

[falconfanEST1989]

Jeff's right, but it's not the fans fault they are all excited, it is those clowns in the media who didn't bother examining the Falcons FA list when they were looking at the salary cap.

i think those clowns in the media have looked at that and i think they know way more than Jeff,,

[Peyton]

i think those clowns in the media have looked at that and i think they know way more than Jeff,,

Apparently they don't, because the Falcons only have 5.7 mil in cap room, and a bunch of FAs that still aren't signed.

[THE ICEMAN]

he going by the ptf cap numbers and they won't say how or who they got there numbers from so its kind of hard to hold them to that I think were much closer to 10 or 11 mil including Grimes tag

[Peyton]

he going by the ptf cap numbers and they won't say how or who they got there numbers from so its kind of hard to hold them to that I think were much closer to 10 or 11 mil including Grimes tag

PFT did say, they got them from the NFL.

[Atlfanstckndenver]

It's pretty funny that he makes the argument against Williams but then has Nicks as the top player on the wish list!! There is 10X better chance that Falcons target Williams than Nicks. It's even funnier that he has no LT on his list which is the main area Falcons will need to look for.

EXACTLY!!!!! this post is ridiculous. He would rather have nicks who will be over payed even more (cuz he is a guard) over Mario despite the fact that there are numerous ways for us to upgrade the O line at a much better cost. On the other hand after Mario there is an ENORMOUS drop off in talent. PLEASE ATL FANS CAMPAIGN LOUDER! ITS ALMOST TIME!!!!

[g-dawg]

Right now, everyone is simply taking the Falcons cap situation as is - like its static and nothing else is allowed to happen. Getting Mario is still very real - some simple moves that make sense and likely cap implications:

- Cut Sam Baker - i have seen this would save $2 million

- Cut Ovie Mughelli - i have seen this would save $3 million

- some other smaller cuts down the roster - probably saves another $2 million

There is $7 million right there. In 2013, Tony Gonzalez - $7 million - drops off and Michael Turner can be cut in last year of his contract and that probably saves another $3 million. When Matt Ryan re-signs next year, probably more savings there.

Mario figures to get a 6-7 year deal - which means while his deal will likely average $14-$15 million per year - his cap charge for 2012 could easily be as low as $10 million or less.

This is easily done, folks.

[dmo_dlo]

Apparently they don't, because the Falcons only have 5.7 mil in cap room, and a bunch of FAs that still aren't signed.

The Falcons don't need a bunch FAs. Here is what they need or may need:

Must have:

- DE (if Abe leaves): I just don't see them going into the season losing Abe and not adding someone comparable

- 3rd WR

May add:

- C (if they are not comfortable with Hawley which I think they aren't)

- LT (if they are not comfortable with Baker/Svitek which they're crazy if they are but they say they are)

- 5th WR/KR

- 2nd S

- 4th or 5th CB

- 2nd or 3rd TE

- DT (really doubt this one)

Note that there is one player (DE) that needs to be starter material (if they are happy with C and LT situation). Only 4 of these players are important (DE, LT, C, WR). About 4-5 of these WILL be addressed in the draft. So we're really looking at 3-4 players being added as FA, with 1 or possibly 2 being big signings.

The number $5.7M can and will increase if needed. We can get 8M by releasing Ovie and Baker if we designate them as June 1st cuts. Restructuring of Ryan can add few more millions. It's tight but there is room to do things. Signing Mario may not be the most prudent thing to do but it is certainly possible.

[paulitik]

What the **** does he expect us to do 6 months before the season starts? Most of this talk is just boredom because not much else is going on, and we don't have a 1st round draft pick.

In my opinion it's just as stupid to say we aren't getting Mario Williams as it is to declare we absoultely are getting him. Only TD knows, and I don't see how getting excited for free agency and hoping to get the best player available is some asinine thing to wish for.

[SYD]

If we really want MW we can make it work. Washington for years proved the cap does not mean squat. We can also borrow cap money from next year if we want.

Having 5.7 million in space even if that is true does not disqualify us from being active in free agency.

TD, Blank, Smith all said our cap is fine and we would be active in Free Agency.

Edited March 12, 2012 by SYD

[Peyton]

Right now, everyone is simply taking the Falcons cap situation as is - like its static and nothing else is allowed to happen. Getting Mario is still very real - some simple moves that make sense and likely cap implications:

- Cut Sam Baker - i have seen this would save $2 million

- Cut Ovie Mughelli - i have seen this would save $3 million

- some other smaller cuts down the roster - probably saves another $2 million

There is $7 million right there. In 2013, Tony Gonzalez - $7 million - drops off and Michael Turner can be cut in last year of his contract and that probably saves another $3 million. When Matt Ryan re-signs next year, probably more savings there.

Mario figures to get a 6-7 year deal - which means while his deal will likely average $14-$15 million per year - his cap charge for 2012 could easily be as low as $10 million or less.

This is easily done, folks.

Ok, wait a minute.

You just created 7 million in cap space. That would bring the number up to 12.7 mil. Cool.

Then you signed Mario, and let's say you are right, the cap hit is 10 mil.

Awesome, we are under the cap!!!!!!

Of course, we don't have a LT, FB, slot receiver, or backup QB, but at least we got Mario!!!!

It's just not happening.

[Chain Man]

Maybe we should think about doing a billboard...

[jfalconsp]

Ok, wait a minute.

You just created 7 million in cap space. That would bring the number up to 12.7 mil. Cool.

Then you signed Mario, and let's say you are right, the cap hit is 10 mil.

Awesome, we are under the cap!!!!!!

Of course, we don't have a LT, FB, slot receiver, or backup QB, but at least we got Mario!!!!

It's just not happening.

Extending Matt Ryan will help a lot and probably give us 4-5 mil more. I think we can get Mario for a cap hit of 8-9, LT for 3-4, HD for 2-3, and McClure for vet min. Backup QB and FB can be addressed in the draft.

[Peyton]

The Falcons don't need a bunch FAs. Here is what they need or may need:

Must have:

- DE (if Abe leaves): I just don't see them going into the season losing Abe and not adding someone comparable

- 3rd WR

May add:

- C (if they are not comfortable with Hawley which I think they aren't)

- LT (if they are not comfortable with Baker/Svitek which they're crazy if they are but they say they are)

- 5th WR/KR

- 2nd S

- 4th or 5th CB

- 2nd or 3rd TE

- DT (really doubt this one)

Note that there is one player (DE) that needs to be starter material (if they are happy with C and LT situation). Only 4 of these players are important (DE, LT, C, WR). About 4-5 of these WILL be addressed in the draft. So we're really looking at 3-4 players being added as FA, with 1 or possibly 2 being big signings.

The number $5.7M can and will increase if needed. We can get 8M by releasing Ovie and Baker if we designate them as June 1st cuts. Restructuring of Ryan can add few more millions. It's tight but there is room to do things. Signing Mario may not be the most prudent thing to do but it is certainly possible.

No, I don't think so. Cutting after June 1st only affects future year prorated bonus, the prorated bonus for 2012 gets charged this year no matter what. So cutting those two frees up 5.5. The problem is you just cut your starting LT and FB and now you need to replace them.

Ryan's only got two years left on his contract, there is very little ability to restructure without extending him, and I don't think either side is ready to do that.

[madman88]

I weather fix the line but this topic is similar tho... If we wanted we could sign mario.. we have more then 5+mil left...

Grimes 10.6mil hit is not in affect cause he didnt sign the tender, meaning they are wrking on a long term deal..

That alone is enough to sign one big FA... Not including cuts that we have not even started yet... If we cut baker,babs,ovie we could cassume almost another 10mil, that is def enough to fix the oline and get mario....

So again, dnt just look at numbers i thought ppl onew better BY NOW!!!!

[Swift&Change]

Ok, wait a minute.

You just created 7 million in cap space. That would bring the number up to 12.7 mil. Cool.

Then you signed Mario, and let's say you are right, the cap hit is 10 mil.

Awesome, we are under the cap!!!!!!

Of course, we don't have a LT, FB, slot receiver, or backup QB, but at least we got Mario!!!!

It's just not happening.

reality sets in ...

[jfalconsp]

Right now, everyone is simply taking the Falcons cap situation as is - like its static and nothing else is allowed to happen. Getting Mario is still very real - some simple moves that make sense and likely cap implications:

- Cut Sam Baker - i have seen this would save $2 million

- Cut Ovie Mughelli - i have seen this would save $3 million

- some other smaller cuts down the roster - probably saves another $2 million

There is $7 million right there. In 2013, Tony Gonzalez - $7 million - drops off and Michael Turner can be cut in last year of his contract and that probably saves another $3 million. When Matt Ryan re-signs next year, probably more savings there.

Mario figures to get a 6-7 year deal - which means while his deal will likely average $14-$15 million per year - his cap charge for 2012 could easily be as low as $10 million or less.

This is easily done, folks.

Assuming you're MattRyansBrain, thanks for the post. I feel like I'm the only one actually using logic over there as to how it IS plausible we get Mario.

[niels petersen]

What the **** does he expect us to do 6 months before the season starts? Most of this talk is just boredom because not much else is going on, and we don't have a 1st round draft pick.

In my opinion it's just as stupid to say we aren't getting Mario Williams as it is to declare we absoultely are getting him. Only TD knows, and I don't see how getting excited for free agency and hoping to get the best player available is some asinine thing to wish for.

Agreed! Everyone wants the top FA available at this time of the year, and every year one team does..

He may think that it isn't going to be us, but honestly it could as well be us as anybody else.. Mario has already stated that it isn't about the money (of course he is still going to be paid like mad), but if he wants to come here, I bet we could find the dollars for it.. There is a reason we have let Abe go (who IS our pass rush), seem to be willing to let Lofton go while restructuring Dunta's contract - and that is to go get a good player in FA.. Mario fits this defense like a glove, so why not him?

We might get Mario and we might not.. Lets just see how it plays out, Jeff Schulz, instead of pretending to know how FA will go!