After a premature report yesterday that the team had agreed to a deal with free agent tight end Alge Crumpler, the Tennessee Titans formalized a 2-year $5 million contract earlier today and formally announced it, after ironing out the final details. The deal includes a $1 million signing bonus, and looks to be a steal if Crumpler can return to his former Pro Bowl form.
Crumpler was a 2nd round pick of the Altanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft, and after hauling in 4 Pro Bowl selections (2003 to 2006) and 2 NFL All-Pro selections (2003, 2006), the team cut him this offseason to save money and go in a new direction. Having been a favorite target and safety valve of quarterback Michael Vick, new teammate and quarterback Vince Young will probably be lobbing tons of sidearm throws to Crumpler the next couple of years, as he also loves to check down to a tight end in open space. If he is fully recovered from a knee injury last season, expect Crumpler to be a difference maker and new weapon for the Titans offense, which ranked 27th in the league in passing yards in 2007.
Showing posts with label atlanta falcons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label atlanta falcons. Show all posts
Monday, March 3, 2008
RB Warrick Dunn Released By Falcons, Rumored to Visit Bucs
After the recent signing of free agent running back Michael 'The Burner' Turner by the Altanta Falcons, running back Warrick Dunn asked the team for his release, and today was granted his wish, as the team parted ways with the 11-year veteran.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are rumored to possibly be in the hunt for Dunn's services, and are a seeking a reunion with the running back who played for the team for his first 5 seasons. Dunn has amassed 10,179 rushing yards and 47 touchdowns in his career, along with 4,009 receiving yards and 15 more touchdowns through the air.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are rumored to possibly be in the hunt for Dunn's services, and are a seeking a reunion with the running back who played for the team for his first 5 seasons. Dunn has amassed 10,179 rushing yards and 47 touchdowns in his career, along with 4,009 receiving yards and 15 more touchdowns through the air.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Falcons Sign TE Ben Hartsock to 4-Year Contract
After having cut fan favorite Alge Crumpler earlier this offseason, the Atlanta Falcons have signed unrestricted free agent tight end Ben Hartsock to a 4-year contract to help fill the void left at the position. Terms of the deal were unannounced/leaked, but it probably was a relatively small contract, as Hartsock has been a career backup in his four years in the League.
Not a household name by any stretch of the imagination, Hartsock was originally a 3rd round pick out of Ohio State University in the 2004 NFL Draft, when the Indianapolis Colts drafted him. Being flush with quality tight ends at the time, the Colts put him on waivers and the Tennessee Titans grabbed him after week 8 of the 2006 season, and he went on to be a solid blocking tight end in the 2 tight end sets the Titans frequently used in their rushing attack last year.
Not a household name by any stretch of the imagination, Hartsock was originally a 3rd round pick out of Ohio State University in the 2004 NFL Draft, when the Indianapolis Colts drafted him. Being flush with quality tight ends at the time, the Colts put him on waivers and the Tennessee Titans grabbed him after week 8 of the 2006 season, and he went on to be a solid blocking tight end in the 2 tight end sets the Titans frequently used in their rushing attack last year.
Falcons Nab Turner the Burner With 6-Year $34.5 Million Contract
After a run of bad luck, poor planning, and poor performances in 2007, the tide may be starting to turn for the Atlanta Falcons, who today signed unrestricted free agent running back Michael Turner to a 6-year $34.5 million contract. The deal reportedly includes $15 million in guaranteed money, although no signing bonus figures have yet been released/leaked. All of the Atlanta brass allegedly put the full court press on Turner during the wooing period, including a grandiose dinner with GM Tom Dimitroff, owner Arthur Blank, and head coach Mike Smith.
Turner was a 5th round pick out of Northern Illinois in the 2005 draft for the San Diego Chargers, and in limited duty has shown flashes of brilliance, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Generally regarded as the best free agent running back in this year's thin class, Turner has only carried the ball 228 times for 1257 yards and 6 touchdowns in his 4-year career, but has shown the ability to run inside between the tackles, an explosive burst in space, and the ability to break tackles.
The arrival of Turner the Burner likely means that the Falcons will cut ties with aging running back Warrick Dunn, and will pair Turner with young complementary back Jerious Norwood, who has also shown flashes of brilliance in limited duty with Atlanta. The Falcons stand to gain about $3 million against this year's salary cap of $116 million with a potential release of Dunn. The signing and loss of Turner also means San Diego will receive a compensatory draft pick in next year's NFL Draft, likely to be a 3rd rounder based on playing time and the contract signed by Turner. Chargers general manager AJ Smith rebuffed offers for Turner around last year's draft, knowing he would receive a high compensatory pick this year, and he valued Turner as a good insurance policy in case LaDainian Tomlinson suffered an injury during a potential Super Bowl run. The Chargers will now look to Darren Sproles to backup LT, and may draft another running back in the mid to late rounds of this year's NFL Draft.
Turner was a 5th round pick out of Northern Illinois in the 2005 draft for the San Diego Chargers, and in limited duty has shown flashes of brilliance, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Generally regarded as the best free agent running back in this year's thin class, Turner has only carried the ball 228 times for 1257 yards and 6 touchdowns in his 4-year career, but has shown the ability to run inside between the tackles, an explosive burst in space, and the ability to break tackles.
The arrival of Turner the Burner likely means that the Falcons will cut ties with aging running back Warrick Dunn, and will pair Turner with young complementary back Jerious Norwood, who has also shown flashes of brilliance in limited duty with Atlanta. The Falcons stand to gain about $3 million against this year's salary cap of $116 million with a potential release of Dunn. The signing and loss of Turner also means San Diego will receive a compensatory draft pick in next year's NFL Draft, likely to be a 3rd rounder based on playing time and the contract signed by Turner. Chargers general manager AJ Smith rebuffed offers for Turner around last year's draft, knowing he would receive a high compensatory pick this year, and he valued Turner as a good insurance policy in case LaDainian Tomlinson suffered an injury during a potential Super Bowl run. The Chargers will now look to Darren Sproles to backup LT, and may draft another running back in the mid to late rounds of this year's NFL Draft.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Falcons Cut Crumpler, Leftwich, and 5 Others In Beginning of Dimitroff/Smith Era
The Atlanta Falcons have begun their dramatic roster overhaul under new GM Tom Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith, releasing 7 veteran players today, including Alge Crumpler (TE), Byron Leftwich (QB), Rod Coleman (DT), Wayne Gandy (OT), Lewis Sanders (CB), James 'Jammin' Elliot (WR), and Marcus Wilkins (OLB).
Many of the players were significant contributors and starters on last year's Falcons team, and the move to dump Crumpler without receiving any sort of compensation is a bit of a head scratcher. The 4 time Pro Bowler is regarded as one of the better tight ends in the league, and with a base salary for 2008 of only $3.4 million, the Falcons could have most likely unloaded Crumpler to another team for somewhere in the neighborhood of a 3rd or 4th rounder, at least. Instead, the Falcons seem to be quick to purge any dissenters from last year's squad, which could mean a trade of Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who frequently questioned the direction of the Falcons last year. Unless Hall is on board with the new management and plans to commit to the team long term, expect him to be unloaded for at least a 2nd rounder (if not higher), as he will be an unrestricted free agent next year, and undoubtedly will be asking for Nate Clements type money.
The release of starting left tackle Wayne Gandy, (partial) starting quarterback Byron Leftwich, starting cornerback Lewis Sanders, and starting defensive tackle Rod Coleman is leaving the cupboard looking a little bare. The move to dump Sanders means they will most likely promote 2nd year CB Chris Houston to starter in his wake. The Falcons are drafting 3rd overall, and will be taking a long hard look at top QB prospect Matt Ryan from Boston College, along with DT Glenn Dorsey from LSU, and OT Jake Long from Michigan, all of whom are expected to be drafted in the top 5 or 10 picks of the first round. With so little talent and athleticism on their depleted roster, the Falcons would be wise to go with the 'best available player' strategy, rather than drafting for need or want.
Many of the players were significant contributors and starters on last year's Falcons team, and the move to dump Crumpler without receiving any sort of compensation is a bit of a head scratcher. The 4 time Pro Bowler is regarded as one of the better tight ends in the league, and with a base salary for 2008 of only $3.4 million, the Falcons could have most likely unloaded Crumpler to another team for somewhere in the neighborhood of a 3rd or 4th rounder, at least. Instead, the Falcons seem to be quick to purge any dissenters from last year's squad, which could mean a trade of Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who frequently questioned the direction of the Falcons last year. Unless Hall is on board with the new management and plans to commit to the team long term, expect him to be unloaded for at least a 2nd rounder (if not higher), as he will be an unrestricted free agent next year, and undoubtedly will be asking for Nate Clements type money.
The release of starting left tackle Wayne Gandy, (partial) starting quarterback Byron Leftwich, starting cornerback Lewis Sanders, and starting defensive tackle Rod Coleman is leaving the cupboard looking a little bare. The move to dump Sanders means they will most likely promote 2nd year CB Chris Houston to starter in his wake. The Falcons are drafting 3rd overall, and will be taking a long hard look at top QB prospect Matt Ryan from Boston College, along with DT Glenn Dorsey from LSU, and OT Jake Long from Michigan, all of whom are expected to be drafted in the top 5 or 10 picks of the first round. With so little talent and athleticism on their depleted roster, the Falcons would be wise to go with the 'best available player' strategy, rather than drafting for need or want.
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