John Abraham wants $12 million or more per year

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

INDIANAPOLIS — John Abraham’s six-year reign of terror on quarterbacks in the NFC South could soon come to an end.

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Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com " I’m expecting to get paid like everybody else is getting paid," John Abraham said while a guest on the “2 Live Stews” radio show on 790 The Zone on Wednesday afternoon.

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The Falcons are set to meet with Abraham’s agent Rich Rosa here Saturday or Sunday for a “do or die” negotiation, Rosa told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday morning before the NFLPA agents meeting.

Abraham, who was a guest on the “2 Live Stews” radio show on 790 The Zone on Wednesday afternoon, said he wanted to be paid “12 [million dollars]-plus” per season.

“If I was playing terrible ... no question, five million,” Abraham said. “I’m not a money chaser, but at the same time I’m expecting to get paid like everybody else is getting paid. ...

“Check out the five top ends. Everybody is getting 12-plus. I made eight million last year. Everybody is saying, ‘Oh, he’s so greedy.’ How am I greedy when I’m just trying to get paid the same thing they are getting paid? There are guys out there getting more money than me, but my production is the same as theirs or at least close.”

Abraham wants to stay with the Falcons.

“I don’t want to go nowhere,” Abraham said. “I love Atlanta. I got an ‘A’ [tattooed] on me right here. I love it here. I have red and black all over my body.”

While the sides have not discussed years and numbers yet, the initial discussions have not gone well. If a contract extension can’t be worked out, Abraham would become a free agent March 13, when the NFL’s new business year starts.

The Falcons want to protect themselves if Abraham’s play slips. Abraham turns 34 in May, but believes he’s playing at a high level and wants to compensated accordingly.

Abraham’s numbers have not dipped. In his first three years with the Falcons he had 30.5 sacks. Over the past three seasons he had 28. Also, he has forced 17 fumbles during his stay with the Falcons.

Abraham would like to play another three seasons. The Falcons want to sign him, but have some financial constraints with 17 possible free agents and other important players, such as quarterback Matt Ryan, due for contract extensions in the future.

“Obviously, we’d like to have John back on our football team,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “We believe he’s a fine football player.”

Dungy helped Charles

Former Georgia tight end Orson Charles has a pretty good board of personal advisors.

He played high school football with Eric Dungy, the son of former NFL player and coach Tony Dungy.

“We just kept in contact,” Charles said. “[Tony Dungy] was a great resource to have as far as him being in the National Football League. Any time that I make a big decision, he’s helped me.”

When Charles contemplated entering the draft, he sought Dungy’s advice.

“I definitely talked to him about coming out,” Charles said. “He really couldn’t tell me a definite thing, but it was like if you feel comfortable; if you go back, do you have anything to gain. He definitely helped me and my family.”