Fly in the Ointment......Free Agency Most likely will occur after the NFL Draft

[g-dawg]

Does anybody else see this as a problem for the Atlanta Falcons?

I do.....

I think the way the free agency and the NFL draft sets up for the Falcons - they need more "star" players that are ready to come in, start and make an impact on Day#1 on the defensive side of the ball whereas Falcons need to "re-stock" on offense and improve depth on the offensive side of the ball.

To accomplish the above, the Falcons would be better suited to go after some high-profile Defensive Players - I say Defensive End and Cornerback - in Free Agency. I also think free agency would be a great place to get us a #3 WR who can come in and play the slot.

In the draft, I could see the Falcons going for offensive players if they are able to meet their defensive immediate needs in free agency.

At issue is the expiring CBA - I believe it expires on March 3rd. Given the prognostications in the media, the thought is the Owners/Players will probably come to an agreement hopefully by June 1st or thereabouts(just a guess). So, then you would be looking at possibly a 10 day window for teams to designate franchise/transition tags on their own players and get them re-signed. After that, you would figure the league-wide free agency would begin where teams can sign other teams players.

It seems to me, with this backwards thing going - NFL Draft First, NFL Free Agency 2nd - that teams will be more inclined more than ever to draft "needs-based" in 2011 NFL Draft because there is no guarantee on the back-end that the NFL teams will be able to get their top free agent targets.

From all indications, I get the sense from hearing Dimitroff on the local radio shows that the Atlanta Falcons will be aggressive in free agency. If so, I think the lack of a CBA and a delayed free agency actually hurts the Falcons somewhat.

What say you?

[g-dawg]

For example:

I think Falcons should looks at free agency and these players:

Defensive End:
1) Charles Johnson, Panthers
2) Ray Edwards, Vikings
3) Mathias Kiwanuka, Giants

Cornerbacks:
1) Nnamdi Asoumugha (not likely)
2) Antonio Cromartie (character issues?)
3) Champ Bailey (too old?)

but say........Falcons get shut out with those 6 players and they went Offense (WR, OT, TE) in 1st and 2nd rounds.......now what? eeekkkkkk!!!!

[USAF HART]

I gotta remember that whenever I read something like this, that it all hinges on the CBA. Everytime I see Ray Edwards or Charles Johnson, I keep wanting to say they are restricted FA's.

[evo]

Well we're not the only team thats being affect by the lockout. There's also the other 31 teams going through the same thing. So yes, it would make our plan change a bit but other teams is going through the same exact problem.

Im not too worry, i've always trusted TD and Smith to do whats best for this team.

[g-dawg]

(01-25-2011 01:07 PM)USAF HART Wrote:  I gotta remember that whenever I read something like this, that it all hinges on the CBA. Everytime I see Ray Edwards or Charles Johnson, I keep wanting to say they are restricted FA's.

well Hart - I think you are right "by half".....and wrong "by half". With an expiring CBA, you really cannot even classify the free agents - because how the players will be treated with regards to free agency "remains to be seen". Its "not knowable" at this point.

I think "IF" the players give in to a rookie salary slotting and an 18 game schedule, they are going to get less restrictions on free agency - shorter rookie contracts - maybe 2-4 years instead of 4-6 year contracts - stuff like that. Maybe the teams get rid of the "transition tags" and can only do the "franchise tags".....

who knows??????...........

my guess is the players with 4 years of service in NFL or more will be unrestricted free agents after the New CBA - that is just a guess though.

[papachaz]

i've been saying this exact thing for the last three days. it will effect all teams going into the draft. IMO it will make all teams focus on needs first in the draft. i would go at it like fill the need we have in the draft, hopefully when FA rolls around, pick up people that will make an immediate impact to groom those players drafted.

going to make for an interesting offseason, that's for sure

[Swift Is a Die Hard]

Td need to start finding his star players through the draft like the great franchise around the league do Pitt, NE, Indy instead of spending big money on another teams free agent . TD has done a avg job at really finding them in draft and his last 2 drafts look anything but special . Maybe now he can focus more on the draft then over spending in free agency and just plug some gaps though it

[g-dawg]

(01-25-2011 01:27 PM)chazmataz Wrote:  i've been saying this exact thing for the last three days. it will effect all teams going into the draft. IMO it will make all teams focus on needs first in the draft. i would go at it like fill the need we have in the draft, hopefully when FA rolls around, pick up people that will make an immediate impact to groom those players drafted.

going to make for an interesting offseason, that's for sure

agreed.....going to make for a boring February 28th midnight to kick off of free agency - since there will be none.

oh well - usually nothing is happening in June in the NFL - now if CBA gets agreed to then, there will be lots of stuff to look foward to.

[Swift Is a Die Hard]

I also think there is no chance we go after anyone high profile in free agency or one of the top tier . I think TD is going to learn his lesson from the awful contract of Dunta Robinson . Plus were going to have to give Grimes and Blaylock nice lil contracts plus we have no clue what cap will be like . We will stay with mid tier free agents and make a bold move in draft I would not be surprised to see us move into top 10 picks

[The Talon]

(01-25-2011 01:38 PM)g-dawg Wrote:  agreed.....going to make for a boring February 28th midnight to kick off of free agency - since there will be none.

oh well - usually nothing is happening in June in the NFL - now if CBA gets agreed to then, there will be lots of stuff to look foward to.

Why do you think there will not be an agreement till June ? Isn't there a chance to get a deal done before the draft ?

Looks like we need to worry about there not being any football than all the other. This just SUX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Owners and players......JUST GET THE DEAL DONE !!!