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Falcons could reward safety Ricardo Allen with long-term deal

The Atlanta Falcons often talk about how important free safety Ricardo Allen is to the success of the defense. Now they have a chance to show him with a financial commitment.

Allen is a restricted free agent, but that doesn't preclude the Falcons from rewarding him with a long-term deal, either heading into the 2018 season or at some point during the season. Allen made $615,000 in 2017 as an exclusive-rights free agent.

“Yes, I believe we can create space for Rico and a number of other players,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said when asked if Allen could receive a long-term deal rather than just play under the one-year restricted free-agent tender.