Let's mark this one down in the “maybe don't say this right before entering contract negotiations” category. According to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank had some very nice things to say about impending free agent tight end Austin Hooper.

“I think he's a young, ascending player, and he has performed at a very high level for us,” Blank told ESPN. “I think he's worthy, certainly, of a new contract based on market. Whether that fits in with us and our salary cap remains to be seen.

“Well, I think he's a great receiving tight end,” Blank said of Hooper. “He plays hard. He plays well. He plays under pressure well. He doesn't normally get injured, although this year we lost him for three games. He's been a consistent performer for us since we drafted him [third round, 2016]. Smart player, which is what you expect coming out of Stanford.”

The compliments are great, and it's not like Blank is saying Hooper deserves a record-setting deal. He is giving Hooper a lot of leverage here though.

Suddenly, the tight end has something to point to. In negotiations, he can bring up he highly the owner thinks of him. He can point out the truth behind the statement, and how he certainly is worth a hefty new deal.

Blank does say that they would have to see if a contract would fit in the salary cap for the Falcons. That felt more like he was just covering his tracks though. There is something he can point to and say “it's not in the budget”.

This still gives Hooper a leg up though. The owner has come out and publicly complimented him, pretty aggressively too. Let's see if it comes up in negotiations and helps determine where the tight end goes.

It looks like he's going to make a lot of money this offseason though.