Falcons sign CB Dunta Robinson ($57 million)

[HMFFL]

NFL Network's Steve Wyche reports "all indications are" that the Falcons are likely to sign free agent CB Dunta Robinson. rotoworld.com

[lpsevier]

Why?

Dunta Robinson
Chris Houston
Chris Owens
Chevis Jackson
Tye Hill
Brian Williams
Brent Grimes

[HMFFL]

We made Dunta the second highest paid CB, 6 years, guaranteed $27 million.

At this time I have no idea what to think.

[Zabriskie]

The deal is probably front loaded to take advantage of the uncapped year so it won't hurt the team when they will cut him down the road. No way he stays 6 years.

I like the signing. It helps us at a position of need and allows TD to have an easier Draft.

Why?

Dunta Robinson
Chris Houston
Chris Owens
Chevis Jackson
Tye Hill
Brian Williams
Brent Grimes

Houston will either get cut or traded for a 7th round pick and Hill is unlikely to be on the roster after the training camp. Expect TD to draft a mid round CB also, he loves his sleaper defensive backs.

[HMFFL]

The deal is probably front loaded to take advantage of the uncapped year so it won't hurt the team when they will cut him down the road. No way he stays 6 years.

I like the signing. It helps us at a position of need and allows TD to have an easier Draft.

I like that we signed Dunta, but the money is what bothers me, because he wanted to be here, and I felt we could get him for less. I heard that we attempted to trade for him last season.

On the flip side, I have two pairs of season tickets, and the prices have increased $500. I want our management to spend money wisely, add top tier talent, and Dunta Robinson's stats aren't exactly getting me excited.

We paid Dunta Robinson, $57 million, $23 million guaranteed.

NY Giants paid Antrel Rolle, $37 million, $15 million guaranteed.

[lpsevier]

The deal is probably front loaded to take advantage of the uncapped year so it won't hurt the team when they will cut him down the road. No way he stays 6 years.

I like the signing. It helps us at a position of need and allows TD to have an easier Draft.

Why?

Dunta Robinson
Chris Houston
Chris Owens
Chevis Jackson
Tye Hill
Brian Williams
Brent Grimes

Houston will either get cut or traded for a 7th round pick and Hill is unlikely to be on the roster after the training camp. Expect TD to draft a mid round CB also, he loves his sleaper defensive backs.

Where have you heard anything about Houston being released or traded?

He's out best corner.

[Zabriskie]

What? Are you serious? Houston is awful. He hasn't ajusted to the cover 2 despite de fact that the coaching staff gave him all the suport and the playing time. He can't turn his head on plays, he never does, he has bad ball skills. All this results in big plays or penalties because he can't locate the ball. He could be better in a man to man scheme, but I'm confident that the coaches are done with the experiment and Houston won't last long in Atlanta.

And I haven't heard/read anything regarding Houston's departure but it just makes sense. If he stays he'll probably be a dime back next year.

[lpsevier]

What? Are you serious? Houston is awful. He hasn't ajusted to the cover 2 despite de fact that the coaching staff gave him all the suport and the playing time. He can't turn his head on plays, he never does, he has bad ball skills. All this results in big plays or penalties because he can't locate the ball. He could be better in a man to man scheme, but I'm confident that the coaches are done with the experiment and Houston won't last long in Atlanta.

And I haven't heard/read anything regarding Houston's departure but it just makes sense. If he stays he'll probably be a dime back next year.

Hey now I didn't say he was any good, just that he was OUR best corner

I few him in a slightly more positive light than you, but I think Owens is a future starter for us anyway.

[Zabriskie]

Yeah, i think Owens will be the starter next season. Grimes earned himself some playing time with the last games of the season and Williams played good before the injury so I'm guessing these guys will see the majority of the action in the nickel and dime sets. But who knows, outside of Robinson all the spots are open for training camp.

[HMFFL]

Q & A: Falcons new cornerback Dunta Robinson

Q: You're an Athens native. Why didn't you go to the University of Georgia?

A: Georgia really didn't recruit me. They recruited me hard my junior year and sent me a few letters my senior year. ... . So that's something that I'd like to ask [head coach] Jim Donnan and [assistant] coach [Kevin] Ramsey because they were there at the time. If anybody gets that answer from them, please let me know.

Q: Are you more comfortable on the right or left side?

A: I prefer to play the right side because that's the side that I always played. But I don’t mind moving around. I've played all over the field. I've played inside and outside on both sides of the field. I love playing right, but wherever these coaches need me, that's where I willing to go.

Q: How much did your contract situation affect your play last year in Houston?

A: I don't think it affected my play. What I will say about that whole situation is that I came right off the street, with no training camp, no mini-camp and started in a new defense. I got the playbook that Monday and I was starting by Sunday. ... I started kind of slow, but as the season progressed I was doing better. Toward the end of the season I felt like my old self.

Q: Do you regret getting fined for painting "Pay Me Rick" on you spikes? (Robinson made a salary appeal to Houston general manager Rick Smith on his shoes in the 2009 opener.)

A: Actually, I don't regret it. I didn't appeal it because they allowed me to give the $25,000 to a charitable organization of my choice. I took the fine and donated it to the YMCAs in Houston. It kind of all worked out for the best.

Q: With your new contract, any purchase or investments you are itching to make?

A: You know what? Right now I'm pretty set. My main focus right now is on becoming a businessman. The first thing that I'll do with my money is to buy something that is going to allow me to make money.

When I first came into the NFL, I brought some cars and the house for myself and my parents. I've got everything that I need so ... making money off the field, so that I don't have to spend any of NFL salary, is important. I'm trying to get set up for my future, for life after football.

Q: Are you a better cornerback than former Falcon DeAngelo Hall?

A: I respect DeAngelo Hall, but if you don't think you're better than any corner in the NFL, then you don't stand a chance. I don't know a quarterback who doesn't think he's the best quarterback in the league. Not only do I think I'm the best cornerback in the National Football League, but if you don't go out there and play with that confidence and that swagger, your career won't last long.

[lpsevier]

bleh, we'll see

[HMFFL]

Contract Details

Here’s the breakdown on Dunta Robinson six-year contract, which included a $7 million signing bonus:

He’s sent to receive base salaries of $5 million in 2010, $5.5 million in 2011, $6 million in 2012, $7 million in 2013, $9 million in 2014 and $9.5 million in 2015.

He’s also set to receive a $3 million bonus in the second year of the deal and could also receive another $5 million in option bonuses.

His salary cap numbers are $12 million in 2010, $6.5 million in 2011, $7.75 million in 2012, $8.75 million in 2013, $10.75 million in 2014 and $11.25 million in 2015.

[servaisyema]

I like the signing. It helps us at a position of need and allows TD to have an easier Draft.