Guideline To The Atlanta Falcons’ Dream Offseason
By Jake Bennett
Oct 7, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel (22) warms up before the game against the New York Jets at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
CUTS
Cap room before cuts: $16.5 Million
CB Asante Samuel
The aging veteran was a serviceable Corner in the 2012 season, but the 2013 season brought several injuries that left Samuel watching from the sideline for the majority of the season. 2nd year DB Robert Alford looks ready to step in as the Week 1 starter in 2014, so I see no reason to hold on to Asante’s $6 million cap hit.
DE Osi Umenyiora
Osi was a solid pass rusher in 2013, recording 7.5 sacks. Near the end of the year, Umenyiora regressed into more of a rotational role, and came in only on obvious passing situations. Cutting the 2 time Super Bowl winner will save the Falcons $3.5 Million, allowing Atlanta to pursue the best free agents the offseason has to offer.
OG Garrett Reynolds
RGGR didn’t have the season most of us had hoped for after a solid 2012 performance, and it doesn’t look like he’ll be returning to that form any time soon. I believe the team will value saving 1.5 million in cap space over keeping Reynolds, and hope to land a Guard in the draft.
OLB Steven Nicholas
Nicholas’ 4 million dollar cap hit is quite large for a backup linebacker, but cutting him will only save 2 million. Regardless, after a 4-12 season, Atlanta will look to muster up every penny they can find to be major players in this year’s free agency period.
RB Jason Snelling
With Jacquizz scheduled to have a salary jump of nearly a million dollars next season, the Falcons won’t think twice about cutting ties with the 30 year old back who was recently arrested for marijuana. That, and the 1.5 million dollars in savings looks nice as well.
FS Thomas DeCoud
“Toughness” and “Grittiness” are the words of the offseason this year, and DeCoud’s playing style doesn’t exactly fit the bill. Cutting DeCoud will save roughly 3 million in cap space, so the Falcons will be in the market for a starting Free Safety by March.
Cap room after cuts: $34 Million