Falcons to release Turner, Robinson, Abraham

CoachFunk7 · Joined: 21 Dec 2008 Posts: 668

Wow, not sure how I feel about only having Asante and McClain under contract. I'm worried about Grimes' achilles affecting his athleticism, but I just saw a video(i think it was recently, but who knows) of him doing a backflip into a sand pit. Robinson obviously didn't live up to his contract, but I expected us to keep him around, or at least restructure him, for his physical presence on the defense which I personally enjoyed watching. Grimes needs to be re-signed, and we will likely give him the big contract he deserves.

My big question now is this: With NO pass rushing DE's on our roster, do we double-dip at Defensive End? Michael Johnson and a draft pick like Okafor? Or do we go Okafor and a guy like Datone Jones or Tank Carradine in the second? I would feel much better heading into the season with 2 new guys on the edge, that's for sure. Any chance we just switch to a 3-4 now? We have more DE's suited for a Rush LB spot than an end spot. We would probably have to draft a guy like Jenkins to man the nose.

On another note, thanks John Abraham for giving life to our otherwise lifeless pass rush over the years. Thanks to Burner for running the offense while Matt Ryan got used to being in control. And thanks to Dunta for laying out DeSean Jackson. I hate that guy...
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Jgoldiscool · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 4064 Location: Chandler, AZ

2 of those don't surprise me. I didn't think they would release Robinson.
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Lentz33 · Joined: 19 Dec 2008 Posts: 981

This without a doubt put DE as our #1 priority. Resigning Grimes should also but up there. I'm a bit surprised we cut Abe, but then again not really. The thing now is we have enough cap space to sign some big name guys hopefully.
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DrawABlank · Joined: 27 Dec 2009 Posts: 1841 Location: London, UK

Jgoldiscool · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 4064 Location: Chandler, AZ

SpoonFed56 · Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Posts: 333 Location: GA

okay, now this is basically screaming that we are gonna draft a DE in the first and get one in FA or even double dip in the draft... everyone who keeps mocking Eifert to us needs to stop. I have a feeling Tony is coming back. We can grab a TE in the later rounds. i would feel so much better with 2 new, younger guys on the edge this season. Nolan has his say in things, and this might be the beginning of the switch to a 3-4. I sure hope so. 3-4 defenses are amazing

Hotlanta12 · Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 5086 Location: New Haven, Conn.

I don't understand releasing Abe. It's a different story if we re-sign him for a cheaper deal but it looks as if hes done as a Falcon. I can't be excited about releasing Abe. He was still producing at a high level, easily our best passrusher. Even with him, we had a bad pass rush. Now he's leaving.
And now people are excited the possibility of bringing in Umenyiora who is 30 , has a bad attitude, and wants alot of money. Or even Freeney who's 33 and had an unproductive yea rlast year
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tech2186 · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 3701 Location: Dawg House

SpoonFed56 · Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Posts: 333 Location: GA

swoosh · Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 4899 Location: UO

Turner: 60 touchdowns in 75 games
Abraham: 68.5 sacks in 102 games

Both Turner and Abraham had outstanding careers as Falcons. I wish them the best of luck. It'll certainly be different without them in red and black.

Dunta, too, was a good player for the Falcons. He often got picked on because of his big contract, but he was solid. Very solid. His presence and leadership will be missed. Great guy.
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adam9 · Joined: 06 Jan 2011 Posts: 9947 Location: Cartersville, GA

CJ4life · Joined: 08 Jan 2008 Posts: 5711

Not surprised by the Dunta and Turner cuts. Not pleased by the Abraham cut, but I guess its business.
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RIZE FALCONS · Joined: 04 Jan 2013 Posts: 197 Location: Greenville sc

This is everything i said I said we cut all three and get to 20 million of cap space and in turn we get younger and more explosive! I think cutting Abraham was brilliant because one we could bring him back for alot less money two we sign 2 guys that get us 8 sacks apiece that equals more to me so bring in a vet like Freeney and draft Arthur brown in the first and a guy like Margus Hunt in the second and bring in Lattimore in the third i would love this!
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wwhickok · Joined: 27 Nov 2012 Posts: 2547 Location: Williamsport, PA

As an outsider looking in, I am not a bit surprised by Abraham or Turner, though I think this destroyes any remains of their pass rush. I was stunned by the release of Dunta Robinson. This team was one of the best NFC Teams in the league, obviously, this season and the response to a 'failed season' is 'blowing up the roster'? I'm just a bit surprised. The thinking here I'm sure is to get Moore and other key potential FA's resigned, so I understand it, just a bit surprised. I definitely think Steven Jackson is a BIG possibility for the Falcons.