If he age doesn't take over and he can keep playing as well as he has the last few years, Abraham is worth $10-12 million. He is still cheaper than Mario Williams but we can't afford either of them. If Atalanta can't get the home town discount I wouldn't expect us to get it either.
It's not going to be about a discount, it's going to be about the fact nobody is dumb enough to give a 34 year old pass rushed that kind of money. I'd be surprised if he earns more in 2012 than he did in 2011.
All of this. FUCK John Abraham. Any Jet fan who was following the team at the end of his stay here would be nuts to ever forgive this guy. He very likely cost the Jets a trip to the AFC Championship game by being greedy and selfish. If they sign his ass at all, even the fucking vet minimum, I'll seriously consider selling my season tickets.
He sat out the game because he knew he was about to become a top free agent and wanted a big pay day. Didn't want to mess up his future by getting dinged in a playoff game. And the funny thing is it all worked out for him. Fucking quitter.
Prepare to be surprised. Whoever is smart enough to pick him up may get a Lombardi trophy within the next couple years.
So here's my question: John Abraham has been with an "it" team for the last 3 seasons and has gotten nowhere near a Lombardi Trophy. Why would his presence elsewhere do that for somebody? My basic take is that if Abraham signs with somebody who's got a real good shot at a Lombardi anyway that he won't fuck up the deal for them most likely. Who exactly does the presence of a 10 sack guy turn into a Super Bowl contender if they weren't already on the cusp?
I think you could argue that Jason Pierre Paul's emergence was a key factor in turning the Giants from a .500 team into a Super Bowl champ. Obviously there were a lot of other factors at play (Manning going H.A.M., Cruz's emergence, the Packers meltdown, etc.) but they don't win the title without JPP.
The Giants were an improbable Super Bowl champion though. As recently as week 15 it was unclear if they were going to make the playoffs or not. Also JPP played at a much higher level than John Abraham is likely too next season. Put JAbe on that Giant's defense this year in JPP's place and they don't sniff the playoffs let alone win a Lombardi Trophy. JPP had more sacks this season than JAbe has ever had in a season. He's a better player than JAbe ever has been.