By KEN SUGIURA
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/21/05
The Falcons made their one big free agent purchase Monday, agreeing to a contract with Baltimore Ravens linebacker Edgerton Hartwell.
He should help a defense that finished 14th in the NFL in scoring defense -- after ranking 30th in 2003 -- and has been a priority in free agency.
"He told me he's looking for a team that's as committed to winning as much as [he is]," said Harold Lewis, Hartwell's agent.
Hartwell, who will play middle linebacker, will receive a six-year contract with a total value of $26.25 million with $8 million in guaranteed bonus money over the first two years. Hartwell was one of the most sought-after players in free agency. Lewis said 17 teams initially contacted him about Hartwell. He made visits to the Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks.
To fit Hartwell under the salary cap, the Falcons will have to make more roster moves, which could include waiving last year's starting middle linebacker, Chris Draft. Draft is scheduled to make $1.3 million in 2005, a high salary for a backup. The Falcons might have to release more players or restructure contracts.
"He had one particular team that was actually higher, another team that wanted him financially a little bit more," Lewis said. "He slept on it, called me and said, 'You know what? Make it happen [with the Falcons].' This is where he wanted to be."
Hartwell, a four-year veteran who has started the past three seasons with the Ravens, is a strong tackler and run-stuffer with a physical style. At 6 feet 1 and 250 pounds, he has about two inches and almost 20 pounds on Draft.
Aside from signing punter Toby Gowin from the New York Jets and Todd Peterson from the San Francisco 49ers, four of the five free agents the Falcons have lured are defensive players, including safeties Rich Coady (St. Louis Rams) and Ronnie Heard (San Francisco 49ers) and linebacker Ike Reese (Philadelphia Eagles).
However, the team has also lost linebacker Matt Stewart to the Cleveland Browns and appears close to losing defensive tackle Ed Jasper to the Denver Broncos, New York Jets or Oakland Raiders. The Falcons also cut safety Cory Hall and defensive lineman Travis Hall. Offensively, guard Roberto Garza has signed with the Chicago Bears.
Hartwell will play the spot that Draft played last season when the Falcons switched back to a four-lineman, three-linebacker defense. With Hartwell in the middle and Keith Brooking at the weakside spot, the strongside position will likely become a competition between Demorrio Williams and Reese.
The unit will have a significantly different look than the one that helped the Falcons to the NFC championship game, with new starters at four positions. Having locked up quarterback Michael Vick, tight end Alge Crumpler and guard Kynan Forney to long-term deals since last August, team president and general manager Rich McKay has made no secret of his desire to upgrade the defense in the offseason.
The Falcons likely will be quiet on the free-agency front until the draft April 23-24. Lewis, who also represents Travis Hall, said the team has been talking with him about re-signing him. He added that three or four other teams also have shown interest.
hmmmm interesting move by the falcons to add Hartwell to a simaler system to that of which he played for in Baltimore the 3:4 defense, Hartwell will be 1 of the 2 MLB alongside Keith Brooking thats a nice DUO
hmmmm interesting move by the falcons to add Hartwell to a simaler system to that of which he played for in Baltimore the 3:4 defense, Hartwell will be 1 of the 2 MLB alongside Keith Brooking thats a nice DUO
Actually the Falcons switched back to a 4-3 last year. So Hartwell will now be the Middle Linebacker in the 4-3 set.
I think he will be a excellent fit for the Falcons defense.
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