FentayeJones Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Sam Baker. Justin Blalock. Evan Mathis. There's a commonality among these three players, and it goes farther than just their shared job title of offensive lineman.All three looked for a bigger or better contract well past the time in their career when they should have. But that doesn't mean asking was a bad idea.Baker and Blalock both landed lengthy contracts when they sat down to negotiate, Mathis has not ... yet. The Atlanta Falcons should use the bad-contract history lesson that both Baker and Blalock provide as a cautionary tale against signing Mathis -- at least for any significant time period.Don't take this as an indictment of Mathis signing with Atlanta spells doom. That's not the case. In fact, the Falcons should very well be one of the six to 10 (depending on reports) teams interested in Mathis' services at guard. Mathis would instantly make Atlanta's offensive line better, and that's a position the team could use all the help and depth it can get.But take a long look at what kind of mess signing Baker and Blalock was for the Falcons.At age 28, Blalock signed a six-year, $38.4 million contract with the Falcons. Attached with the deal was an $11-million signing bonus on the heels of Blalock's 2010 season where he was rated as the 12th-best guard in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. He only allowed one sack in 2010, and only 10 guards had a better run blocking grade.Over the next four seasons Blalock's grades deteriorated. He immediately dropped from an 18 grade to an 8.8 in 2011. Then fell to a 1.3 the following season. The highest he was ranked among his peers at guard was 23rd (2013), while he hit bottom at 43rd in 2012.Blalock's almost $8-million cap figure -- in addition to his scheme mismatch once Kyle Shanahan took over as offensive coordinator -- for 2015 forced the Falcons to part ways with the guard in February, two years before the contract he signed in 2011 was set to expire.Baker, also at age 28 (prior to the 2013 season), signed a new six-year deal with Atlanta worth $41.1 million. His deal came with a $10-million signing bonus. Baker had two fully healthy seasons (2010 and 2012) where he helped the Falcons to 13-3 campaigns. But other than those two years, he struggled to stay on the field.In 2013, Baker played in only four games, all of which he was with the first team. The following season he managed to play five games, but never broke through as a starter. The cost of Baker's services during those two seasons was exorbitant. He was paid $3 million in 2013 and $6.05 in 2014.In order to avoid paying Baker a salary of $4.5 million in 2015, the Falcons cut him in June, four seasons prior to the 2018 date his contract was set to expire.Not only did neither Blalock or Baker make it to the end of their contracts, both will still negatively affect the Falcons' salary cap moving forward. Atlanta will have to pay $9.2 million in dead money for Baker over the next four years and $4.12 million over the next two years for Blalock.Mathis' request for more money isn't coming at age 28; he's 33 (he'll turn 34 in November). Whether he wants $5 or $6 million, whether it's two years, three, maybe even four on a contract, the Falcons can't get into another situation where they may have to cut an offensive lineman down the road and pay for his services after he's long gone.If Mathis wants to come to Atlanta and play on a one-year deal for $4 million (heck, maybe even $5 to $6 million), the Falcons should sprint to the negotiating table and sign a check. But anything Mathis wants longer than a one-year deal, should be met with skepticism and great caution. If Atlanta signs Mathis to a multi-year deal, it must be at a great discount.With six to 10 teams interested in Mathis' services, it might be better for the Falcons to avoid a bidding war.http://www.foxsports.com/south/story/recent-history-should-warn-falcons-not-to-give-mathis-huge-contract-062915 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Chief Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Should I be ashamed for typing SIGN THE MAN TD!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1969 Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Stopped at the 2nd line. Baker and Blalock were in their 20's when they landed their contracts. That is hardly 'past your prime' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Are we negotiating with this cat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wjcorner Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 It says Baker played 5 games on the bench in 2014...Guy needs to take this back to the drawing table Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlfanstckndenver Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Baker, also at age 28 (prior to the 2013 season), signed a new six-year deal with Atlanta worth $41.1 million. His deal came with a $10-million signing bonus. Baker had two fully healthy seasons (2010 and 2012) where he helped the Falcons to 13-3 campaigns. But other than those two years, he struggled to stay on the field.In 2013, Baker played in only four games, all of which he was with the first team. The following season he managed to play five games, but never broke through as a starter. The cost of Baker's services during those two seasons was exorbitant. He was paid $3 million in 2013 and $6.05 in 2014.I could be totally crazy but i just dont remember it this way at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlfanstckndenver Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 It says Baker played 5 games on the bench in 2014...Guy needs to take this back to the drawing tableSeriously though. Where the heck would he even get this? Its not like its a typo. This is a d led level mis step. Thats bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeriver Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 No, which makes this article extremely confusing. It would be like writing a 12 paragraph argument on why trading for Tim Tebow isn't smart.How do you know we're not negotiating with Mathis? The teams talking to Mathis have been very covert and haven't revealed who they are. But if I had to bet, I would definitely say we're at least talking to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcanuck Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Blalock and Baker have never been all pros. Mathis has also proven he can stay healthy. I see no comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Blalock and Baker have never been all pros. Mathis has also proven he can stay healthy. I see no comparison.Bingo. Baker aint even on Blalock's level. Neither are on the same planet with Mathis.If we're talking to him, either Asa has a more serious injury than reported or we're unsure about Brawley and Stone at center. We just recently signed Chester who is a decent guard and center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capologist Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Also, the dead money statement is completely wrong. Baker's hit is spread over this season and next season, not 4 years. Blalock is absorbed this season not spread out over two... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 It says Baker played 5 games on the bench in 2014...Guy needs to take this back to the drawing tableSeriously though. Where the heck would he even get this? Its not like its a typo. This is a d led level mis step. Thats bad.Sean Baker played in 5 games in 2014 without starting one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Also, the dead money statement is completely wrong. Baker's hit is spread over this season and next season, not 4 years. Blalock is absorbed this season not spread out over two...You're probably goin off either Spotrac or OverTheCap.DLed has access to the NFLPA tables. Do you? Those are the real numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 You're probably goin off either Spotrac or OverTheCap.DLed has access to the NFLPA tables. Do you? Those are the real numbers.This isn't a DLed article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Sorry Bardeen, this was a very poorly constructed and researched article.We don't need Mathis, we need tackles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskooler Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Sorry Bardeen, this was a very poorly constructed and researched article.We don't need Mathis, we need tackles.We need upgrades anywhere we can find them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeriver Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Sorry Bardeen, this was a very poorly constructed and researched article.We don't need Mathis, we need tackles.Wouldn't we want Mathis to improve our run blocking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 At his age, he's already in decline, he's already not going to play as well as he did last year. The steep decline may even be underway at this age. I agree with no long term deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1969 Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 This isn't a DLed article.Lmfao. This guy eats his foot daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Even Bleed Red Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Glad we're mentioned as one of the teams. We need a good guard.Recent history also shows that we can't convert a 4th and 1 to save our a$ses. Literally, that's costed people their jobs. 1. Our OL is weak (has been so for a while, so it's time we actually make it a strength). 2. We have the cap room. 3. He's a good guard with couple years left. Therefore, sign him. /End discussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romfal Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 We need upgrades anywhere we can find them.Wouldn't we want Mathis to improve our run blocking? I would never complain about getting a better player, I just think we have good enough OG's, I'm not sure the leap from signing Mathis would make up for what we would have to pay him. His age doesn't help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 You're probably goin off either Spotrac or OverTheCap.DLed has access to the NFLPA tables. Do you? Those are the real numbers.The cap doesn't work that way. When you cut a player after the cut off (previously June 1, but now May 12) only their dead money for that year remains on that year's cap, while the rest is all added to the following year's cap. Wow you look stupid right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trubirdfan4life Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 5mil ain't bad...6mil max for 3 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndySG Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 I was initially against the idea, but reports haven't been particularly favourable about our line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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