Whenever anyone sees a talented player ready for free agency, it's natural to want your team to sign him. But at the end of the day, the thinking that the Falcons will be pursuing Nnamdi Asomugha in free agency just doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
I firmly believe this, if only for the simple reason that we signed some guy named Dunta Robinson to a six-year, $57 million contract last offseason. There are certainly both pros and cons to a potential signing, but you can only sink so much money into one position.
You also have to consider cap room. The Falcons only have about $16.5M of money left to spend on draft picks and free agency this year, and Nnamdi isn't just your average defensive starter. This is the best CB, maybe even the best player in the whole league. He will be highly sought after and very expensive.
Now, had the Falcons decided to wait until this year to sign a corner, then Asomugha would make perfect sense. However, there are much bigger needs at the DE position, and following last year's breakout season we have learned that Brent Grimes is perfectly capable of being a good, if not great, starting corner.
Beyond that, there are also three potential free agents, all starters, on the offensive line the Falcons have to worry about retaining. I would much rather keep our offensive line intact and sign a defensive end than pursue Asomugha. Even if the Falcons somehow did manage to sign him to a reasonable deal, what good would it be to have a fantastic secondary if the opposing QB still has all day to throw?
Bottom line: the Falcons already gambled quite a bit on Julio Jones. Free agency isn't always the best solution to addressing a team's needs anyways. No need to become the new Redskins.
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