Falcons and Brooking Part Ways as Free Agent Pool Opens

Long-time Falcons LB Keith Brooking and the Atlanta Falcons have finally parted ways after contract negotiations broke down prior to the midnight deadline - making Brooking a free agent.

Brooking is just the latest veteran player to be let go by Atlanta, following S Lawyer Milloy. The combination of big-money contracts, declining ability and quality young talent has led to their release. Its safe to argue that they weren't released at the same time as Alge Crumpler and Warrick Dunn last season because the team needed some veteran holdovers to help facilitate a smooth transition. Now a year later, the veterans are gone, and the pressure now squarely lies on the young players, mostly in their second and third seasons. That's not to say GM Thomas Dimitroff won't acquire new talent via free agency or the draft, but overall its clear that the team is going younger.

LB Michael Boley, CB Domonique Foxworth and DE Chauncey Davis also became free agents.

Looking around the league, Brooking wasn't the only high-profile name to become a free agent last night. Former Falcons Pro-Bowl CB DeAngelo Hall will return to the Washington Redskins for an estimated $54M over six years. This makes Hall one of the highest paid cornerbacks in the NFL. This is the second time in two years that Hall has struck a monster deal, following his disastrous half-season with the Raiders. Oakland released Hall after eight games, and he was picked up by Washington a week later. He tallied two interceptions with the 'Skins in seven games, tied for the team lead. Hall put aside his personal conduct problems when he arrived in Washington, but his history of off-field distractions in Atlanta and in Oakland (coupled with his declining on-field production) certainly doesn't warrant one of the largest contracts in the league. Typical Redskins.

Speaking of which, the 'Skins threw even more money at DT Albert Haynesworth. The All-Pro tackle was the center of a flurry of rumors by Falcons fans about whether owner Arthur Blank would open the checkbook to sign him. Last week the team made it clear they wouldn't be writing any $100M checks, which kept Haynesworth out of the picture. Now he'll suit up alongside DeAngelo Hall, Jason Taylor and a high-priced Redskins team that started last year on fire before fading away by December. Haynesworth was signed this morning to a 7-year deal worth $100M (or up to $115M including performance bonuses). $41M is guaranteed, the bulk of which he'll earn in the next calendar year. Certainly too rich for many teams, Haynesworth landed exactly where many analysts predicted.

The free agent signing period has only been open for nine hours, and the Redskins have already agreed to spend over $150M. Owner Dan Snyder has built a reputation of over-paying for veteran players, something he stepped away from last season by largely keeping the checkbook closed (they traded for Jason Taylor). But this offseason, and during a recession, he seems bent on becoming the Yankees of football by spending the cash he thinks will put his team over the top and come out of the best division in the NFL. I think their success still relies on the ability of Jason Campbell and the health of Clinton Portis. If their offense clicks next season, they could certainly be a threat to the Giants, Eagles and that other team.
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Can Lightning Strike Twice? Falcons to Build Through Draft

Last year Thomas Dimitroff came over from the New England Patriots to become the new General Manager for the Atlanta Falcons. That meant hiring a new coach and staff, finding a new quarterback, and a new running back, and improve the team just enough to win more than one or two games. One year later, Dimitroff is Executive of the Year, his coach won Coach of the Year (Mike Smith), his new quarterback won Rookie of the Year (Matt Ryan), his new running back was a Pro Bowler and MVP Runner-up (Michael Turner) - oh, and the Falcons won eleven games and went to the playoffs.

So can lightning strike twice for the young GM? Can he drastically improve his club for a second straight offseason? Maybe. But if he does, it'll be through the draft.



Since mid-season, Atlanta fans have been buzzing with thoughts of Albert Haynesworth sporting red and black. The former Titan became a free agent at season's end, and there was no doubt that Arthur Blank and the Falcons would make a run at the 2-time All-Pro defensive tackle. But last week things changed. Dimitroff spoke out saying there would be no run at Haynesworth, too rich for our gold-laced blood. There is a fear that a high-paid Haynesworth may become too relaxed, enjoy his money, and become the latest in a long list of athletes to enjoy Atlanta nightlife a bit too much. No, Dimitroff is saying, we need to stick with building from within. We may go through free agency to fill a couple of needs, but there will be no monster contracts handed out.

That leaves us with one way to improve this team (besides cutting dead weight): the draft. And wouldn't you know it, the combine is this week! That's right folks, check out NFL Network to see the college stars of last year jump through hoops and run really fast in front of pro scouts unwilling to watch game film. So what revelations does Dimitroff except to occur in Indianapolis this week? Nothing. He, unlike some GM's on some teams, uses the combine as a supplement. He comes in knowing which players he likes, which positions he needs, and uses the combine more as a "highlight to revisit," Dimitroff told the AJC.

“In the end, it’s how the player performs on the field. It’s production. Is he a football player? I would much rather take a guy who is a half-inch short or a quarter of a step slow who is a passionate, tough, smart football player.”

This should come as good news to Falcons fans. Not just his approach to the combine, but his approach to free agency and team-building in general. We're beginning to see a trend in Atlanta sports: go cheap. Ever since Ted Turner and Michael Vick skipped town, its been rare to see record-breaking contracts in Atlanta. Braves GM Frank Wren has shaped a ball club reliant on the potential of top prospects (while the Yankees give Mark Teixeira $22.5M). Hawks GM Rick Sund kept a young core of talented players to keep his team competitive (while the Mavericks trade their future for an over-the-hill Jason Kidd). Thomas Dimitroff follows this new-found Atlanta philosophy by not only keeping a modest team budget, but also by keeping a young, talented core of players to build around.

Does keeping Keith Brooking or Lawyer Milloy at a high price make more sense than drafting a faster, equally physical player who makes the league minimum? Does bringing in Haynesworth or Ray Lewis on top-dollar deals make more sense than spending the same amount on an entire defensive line?

I think Dimitroff has the right idea here, but only time will tell if lightning has struck at all for the young GM. If the Falcons don't post their first back-to-back winning seasons, it will be hard for fans to accept this approach - especially with Arthur Blank's wallet behind the scenes.
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