5 things we heard: Ray Edwards headed to Philadelphia
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards could be headed to Philadelphia. (Associated Press)
With most of the NFL writers in town last week, we passed some time during the eight-hour league’ meeting cross-checking free agency notes, catching up on league gossip, rumor and innuendo.
Here are five things we heard bouncing of the walls of the swank Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway:
- Ray Edwards is headed elsewhere: The Falcons reportedly have had a change of heart. They are going to focus on retaining their 11 free agents and will not be a player in the Ray Edwards derby. The defensive end is expected to land in Philadelphia.
- Tyson Clabo is staying put: Although the Falcons planned for a potential exodus of offensive linemen, they appear ready to retain two of the three starters. The order of priority is believed to be Clabo, Harvey Dahl and then Justin Blalock.
- Stephen Nicholas is headed to the New York Giants: Nicholas is viewed as a potential starter for the Giants. For the Falcons, he opened last season as a reserve. He has started 24 of the last 32 regular-season games with the Falcons.
- If no Edwards, what are the Falcons going to do at defensive end? I didn’t get a plausible answer for this. Kroy Biermann thinks he can make another leap if he doesn’t have to play on special teams.
- Charles Johnson likely headed back to Carolina: Johnson, the former UGA standout, could be another defensive end target, but Carolina general manager Marty Hurney said it was rather easy to figure out their priorities. Translation: They plan to re-sign Johnson and running back DeAngelo Williams.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
122 comments Add your comment
robert
July 25th, 2011
4:32 pm
the giants are over the cap. osi wants out. maybe we can land osi to use on passing downs.
hiramsaint
July 25th, 2011
5:08 pm
no d.e. and the sorrier than sorry 22nd ranked pass d that was overlooked in the draft. nfc south qb’s can’t wait to boost their stats twice this year!
Lesa
July 25th, 2011
6:14 pm
Don’t count the Falcons out of the running for Charles Johnson. Just because the Panthers “plan to resign Johnson” doesn’t mean he can’t be wooed away by the right team. Bring him home, Mr. Blank!!
mgdawg
July 25th, 2011
7:07 pm
I’m dissapointed to hear about ray edwards, but some of the stuff I read had me wondering if he would really be that good of a fit anyways. However, I want to see some moves to help the D in this short free agency. If not ray then who? I understand the D is young so a years experience should help them improve, but will it help out that much? The falcons are really close to a superbowl, and they made one big move for julio jones, make one big move or a couple smaller moves to help the D and who knows.
da dirtiest bird
July 25th, 2011
8:02 pm
There is talk about the Giants possibly releasing Osi
hiramsaint
July 25th, 2011
9:35 pm
same story , different year—-if we could get this guy , we’re going to the superbowl . seems you always miss and hit the toilet bowl instead. 9-7 and another winning season to celebrate is all that is gonna happen
VDeuce
July 25th, 2011
9:57 pm
Everyone just needs to calm d
VDeuce
July 25th, 2011
10:08 pm
Everyone just needs to calm down, the Falcons will be adding pieces to their Defense in Free Agency. They’re just looking to save money. Ray Edwards had 8 sacks, I repeat, 8 sacks. Didnt Biermann have that many 2 yrs ago? What if he gets a big contract then becomes a 3 sack guy like Kroy? Once teams start cutting players Thursday, the FA pool will be even deeper. We will be able to get productive proven vets at a more reasonable price, on shorter contracts. Maybe not superstars, but good enough to help get the job done.
Eagles Free Agent Debate: Defense « Gonna Phly Now
July 25th, 2011
10:40 pm
[...] they sign him: According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Edwards is likely going to be an Eagle when all is said and done. Of course, Atlanta resident [...]
Mike
July 25th, 2011
11:12 pm
We need a good DE. For anyone NOT seeing that then you didnt pay attention to the season. We were once again near the bottom in terms of defending against the pass. Kroy is NOT going to cut it. Failure to get a good DE this off-season will be viewed as a failure.
What happens if the elder Abe (who represents all the rush we have) gets hurt? Then what do we have? NOTHING. Not to mention that if you go with Kroy AGAIN this year, and AGAIN he cant take the next step, what happens next off-season when you have to replace him AND Abe (when he retires – which is speculated this may be his last season)? We do not have a 1st rounder next year. Where are we going to get all those DE we will need.
No….a good DE is a must.
goodnessgracious
July 26th, 2011
12:56 am
I believe some one just keeps imagining what they would like to see happen and then passes it along as fact (what they claim to hear). We need another CB more than DE. Just look at the losses from last season and the top teams in the NFC. They are loaded at WR.
Green bay packer fan
July 26th, 2011
5:17 am
Hey falcants! Why are u excite? That was a embarrassing sight to see in that stinky dome! Falcants “rised up” and walked out!!!! Lmao
Bishop E. L. Long
July 26th, 2011
5:22 am
I watched from Mr Blanks suite and I must say that I was also deeply sadden to see so many tears, squirming and shouting in the dome that night of the packers game. We must continue to rise up…and not flee the dome.
Ackshun
July 26th, 2011
8:08 am
D-Led – No offense man but if the Falcons aren’t taking a DE, aren’t interested in Nnamdi and the OL is staying put, what are they going to do? I don’t see them sitting out free agency the needs on the defensive side of the ball are just too great. I mean considering the past free-agent victories (Tony G and Mike Turner) I think their planning something big, something that may even surprise you.
Big Dude
July 26th, 2011
9:35 am
I’ll take Beer-man over that 1st rnd. defensive lineman the Falcons drafted from Mississippi St. What’s his name? Get rid of him and sign somebody who can make such an impact that you can remember his name.
Ben
July 26th, 2011
11:54 am
Falcons should try and make a trade with the Giants for Umenyiora, he want out of New York
2011 NFL Free Agent Predictions | NFL Touchdown
July 26th, 2011
6:17 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter reports that it’s a done deal, Edwards to Philadelphia. “Ray Edwards is headed elsewhere: The [...]
Flo=Ri-Duh
July 26th, 2011
9:15 pm
Charles Johnson is the man we need. He is from Hawkinsvillle, Georgia and a serious offer could bring his 11 1/2 sacks to the Falcons.
War Town
July 26th, 2011
10:06 pm
How bout Osi Uminyora???
What Moves Will the Falcons Make Now That the NFL Lockout Has Ended? | ATL Sports Junkie
July 26th, 2011
10:48 pm
[...] to a recent report by the AJC that made me feel somewhat uneasy, the Falcons are apparently more interested in trying to keep 11 [...]
DJ
July 27th, 2011
1:16 am
haha and while these 2 teams are worried about eachother, the Bucs are gonna step up and own em both…
What Moves Will the Falcons Make Now That the NFL Lockout Has Ended? » ATL Sports Junkie
July 29th, 2011
12:26 am
[...] to a recent report by the AJC that made me feel somewhat uneasy, the Falcons are apparently more interested in trying to keep 11 [...]