(UPDATED: 9:30 p.m.)

It took a little longer than expected, but Osi Umenyiora is finally officially a Falcon. And can we please dispel these thoughts that he somehow represents a step down from John Abraham?

The Falcons have agreed to terms with Umenyiora on a two-year, $8.5 million contract. He effectively replaces Abraham, who was released last month for salary cap and age concerns. Umenyiora means the Falcons have signed three impact veterans this offseason – tight end Tony Gonzalez (who had been expected to retire), running back Steven Jackson (who replaces the released Michael Turner) and Umenyiora.

I’ve heard from several fans who believe that Abraham is a better pass rusher than Umenyiora. They base that on the respective sack totals for the two players last year – Abraham 10, Umenyiora 6 – and the metrics that have been disseminated by the website Pro Football Focus (which factors in “hits” and “hurries” to come up with a grading system).

Let me preface this with: I’m not a big numbers guy. Never have been. Never been big on Sabermetrics in baseball and I'm nauseated that it's now creeping into football. It’s like the paralysis-by-analysis we’re witnessing now when a draft prospect turns in a bad 40-time during at his school’s Pro Day. Watch the games. Turn on the tape. Tell me what you see.

Back to Umenyiora vs. Abraham. Umenyiora is 31. He’s 3½ years younger than Abraham. Ergo, he’s more like to have more left in the tank than Abraham.

Abraham had a terrific season for the Falcons. He has been great in his six years and there’s nothing to suggest he wouldn’t be productive again in 2014. But it would be surprising to see Umenyiora not at least equal Abraham’s numbers next season and it's more likely he'll surpass them. He’ll play more snaps than he did last year in New York and he’ll be counted on more to provide pressure than he did with the Giants, where responsibilities are more spread out with Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck.

Finally, Umenyiora will take up far less salary cap space than Abraham was going to, allowing other Falcons’ moves. Cutting Abraham caused a $1.5 million cap hit (dead money) in 2013. But keeping him would have cost the Falcons $7.25 million on the cap. Umenyiora's cap hit isn't certain yet but the contract includes a base package of $4.25 million per year for two years. The cap hit, which depends on the signing bonus, will be less than the difference of $5.75 million from cutting or keeping Abraham.

It was a tremendous move by general manager Thomas Dimitroff in what has been a tremendous offseason.

And now, I turn it over to you. What are your thoughts on the signing?