Falcons: Thomas Dimitroff

[RFlagg]

(03-15-2012 12:45 PM)monoxide Wrote:  The Saints sign Grubbs to continue the dominant guard combination, the Bills are finalizing a deal with Mario Williams, and our best signing so far has been an inactive middle linebacker in his mid 30's and a backup offensive guard. Fucking embarrassing.

First, Lofa Tatupu is not in his mid 30s, he's 29 and will be 30 on November 15th. Second, he was inactive because of a contract dispute with Seattle last season and also to get back to being 100% healthy, something he hasn't been since 2008. Don't forget, he was a 3 time probowler when healthy.

As for Manuwai, he's 31 (32 on July 12th), he was a starter for the Jags from 2003-2007. Manuwai missed most of 2008 with ACL and MCL injuries, spending most of the year on injured reserve. He was not fully healthy in 2009, and by the time he was healthy, he was replaced by Justin Smiley. When Smiley was injured, Manuwai stepped in and was a big part of the reason the Jags running game showed up in earnest in the second half, averaging 166.78 YPG vs 127.71 YPG before Manuwai took over. Manuwai was a cap casualty in 2011, and I have not found any reason at this point as to why he did not sign on with another team.

To say that these two signings are "embarrassing" is grossly inaccurate. TD knew he was not going to resign Lofton and got a more than serviceable replacement. RG was one of our biggest weak spots last season, so TD brings in a guy that was the driving force behind a great Jacksonville running attack. I think you need to get a new definition of embarrassing.