Falcons agree to 5-year deal with DE Ray Edwards
FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons hope there is a new “Big Play Ray” in town.
Minnesota Vikings defensive end "Big Play" Ray Edwards has agreed to a five-year deal with the Falcons. Air Blank One is leaving at 6:01 p.m. to scoop him up and retun him to Flowery Branch. (Associated Press)
Defensive end Ray Edwards agreed to terms on a five-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Friday. The original “Big Play Ray” is former defensive back Ray Buchanan, who played with the Falcons from 1997 to 2003, and was on the franchise’s only Super Bowl team.
One of the team’s glaring deficiencies has been the pass rush. They are hoping that Edwards will help close the gap on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC. They hope he will balance the field and provide a pass rush opposite of Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham.
On a day when the team released defensive end/tackle Jamaal Anderson, the Falcons reached a deal with Edwards. The former Purdue standout has 29 sacks in five seasons. He had eight sacks last season and 8.5 in 2009.
The Falcons were interested in Edwards after the draft. But they later cooled on him and pursued Carolina’s Charles Johnson. The Falcons backed out when the Panthers made a lucrative offer to Johnson, the former Georgia standout from Hawkinsville.
Entering free agency, Mel Kiper Jr. had Johnson as the top-rated defensive end available and Edwards was rated second.
“Finished second on the Vikings with eight sacks, teaming with Jared Allen to form one of the top pass rushing tandem at DE in the league,” Kiper wrote in his 2011 Free Agency Data Sheet. “But it was an uneven year for Edwards as he managed just 1.5 sacks in their first seven games.”
Kroy Biermann started at left defensive end last season and had three sacks. The Falcons also have Chauncey Davis, Lawrence Sidbury, Cliff Matthews and Emmanuel Stephens on the roster.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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425 comments Add your comment
chc4
July 29th, 2011
1:50 pm
I agree the Bucs are the team this year.
The team to take a major step back to 8-8 at best.
Seattle Falcons Fan
July 29th, 2011
1:50 pm
Marion Barber on the cheap?
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
1:51 pm
The Falcons will make two more rather large deals this weekend. Stay tuned…
DawgsnFalcons
July 29th, 2011
1:52 pm
Hopefully this will give us the pass rush that we’ve longed for. Now we can get off the field on third down!
Old Flatulent Dawg
July 29th, 2011
1:52 pm
DOL…is there much chance Dahl reups with the Falcons
DawgsnFalcons
July 29th, 2011
1:53 pm
UGA 1999: You’ve already teased with Edwards and Asomugha so what’s the third?
Sam
July 29th, 2011
1:53 pm
From Grantland…
Ray Edwards, DE
Edwards hasn’t seen a double-team since college, thanks to playing alongside the Williams Wall and Jared Allen in Minnesota. As a result, he’s accrued 21 sacks over the past three seasons while lining up against overmatched right tackles and the back end of pass blocking schemes designed to stop Allen. The Vikings locked up backup Brian Robison, so they have every intention of letting him hit the market. If a team like Cincinnati signs him to be its primary pass-rusher, they’re going to end up sorely disappointed.
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
1:54 pm
DawgsnFalcons…..it is still being negotiated. I really dont want to say anything because it is not 100% done yet.
BFALCON
July 29th, 2011
1:54 pm
Great move the Falcons had to do something.Even better we released Anderson and Jenkins,sends a good message.you do not produce, you are gone! Now we need to release C.Owens & T.Lewis. If Dahl leaves go sign L.Davis from Dall.Sign James Jones WR from G.Bay and A.Cromartie and we will be on our way to a very successful season, maybe even a Super bowl appearance.Also resign Grimes.If Snelling leaves, sign Ronnie Brown
chc4
July 29th, 2011
1:55 pm
Well that works… b/c Edwards isn’t our primary pass rusher. And we aren’t paying him like one.
RJ Voorhees
July 29th, 2011
1:56 pm
@UGA 1999, what makes you think that the Falcons are talking to Asomugha? Secondly, what position does the other player you mentioned play?
bgfalcon
July 29th, 2011
1:56 pm
idk… ledbetter said they’re only going after blaylock now..
FloydCutter
July 29th, 2011
1:57 pm
I smell another Ed “The Thumper” Hartwell…not sure about this guy!
JimmyT
July 29th, 2011
1:57 pm
Way to go T.D.! Great news. You have to like how Falcons went about their business, being patient and taking care of things in the right way. I’m betting they’ll get the Grimes deal done.
Any chance we can re-sign Snelling? Very nervous about who’s going to tote the rock when Turner is hurt or needs a break.
Falcon Fanatic
July 29th, 2011
1:57 pm
Just say it UGA 1999
Tommy maddox
July 29th, 2011
1:58 pm
Bravo Falcons!
I Wonder
July 29th, 2011
1:58 pm
UGA1999: OLed says after Blaylock, The Blank Bank closes. You saying you’ve scooped him?
Dr. Warren
July 29th, 2011
1:58 pm
I’ve always said we need a Pro Bowl CB. Not so impressed by Robinson last year. The defensive backfield has always–and I mean going back to the 70s–been our Achilles heel.
DawgsnFalcons
July 29th, 2011
1:58 pm
UGA 1999: You’re killing me here.
Great Falconi
July 29th, 2011
1:58 pm
Great deal for Edwards.
Hard to believe we got him for that price.
falconfanriseup
July 29th, 2011
1:59 pm
Now lets get Grimes, Dahl and Snelling signed.
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
1:59 pm
RJ….you may want to reference some of my other posts from the previous blog. I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.
Kerryb
July 29th, 2011
1:59 pm
Now, all of you guys that were bashing Dimitroff for making the Julio Jones move when you thought we needed a DE, how are you feeling now about Julio?
atlTiger
July 29th, 2011
1:59 pm
FYI dirty bird fans….the SAINTS pwned Mr. Edwards the last two years….yawn. truth.
Dr. Warren
July 29th, 2011
1:59 pm
Also, I am sorry to see Snelling go. That guy reminded me of William Andrews on occasion. Let’s hope the speedy little guy we drafted will be an adequate replacement.
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
1:59 pm
The Falcons have another deal that is done but they may not release it until late this evening or tomorrow. It is a big one as well.
robert
July 29th, 2011
2:00 pm
i wonder what number he will wear. corey peters wears 91 for the falcons.
Brave Hokie
July 29th, 2011
2:00 pm
TD: way to go….
Instill some balls into Frank Wren for us
BC
July 29th, 2011
2:00 pm
Did , ” Rich McKay ” , give Jamal and Micky J., the news?
Kerryb
July 29th, 2011
2:01 pm
atlTiger, all I can say to you is that Drew Brees better get use to getting up of the ground after he’s been smacked by Edwards and Abraham.
Greg Moundine
July 29th, 2011
2:01 pm
Yes, like Rick Flair used to say, “Now we go to School!” Whooaaaa What’s Causing All of This! Rise Up Baby!!!!
FalconRob
July 29th, 2011
2:02 pm
UGA 1999 Not sure how you are getting your info but I am getting more interested. Any other clues you can give us?
Rev Blake
July 29th, 2011
2:02 pm
I like the move, but not exactly doing back flips over it. Major question marks with him. Still, he’s better than any other option currently on our team. Hope it works out. Please sign Grimey next.
Dr. Warren
July 29th, 2011
2:02 pm
Falcons’s schedule is not that bad. I see 10-6 a distinct possibility, maybe 11-5.
chichi008
July 29th, 2011
2:02 pm
Sure UGA 1999 we all know there gonna sign Blalock, so if its outside of our own FA Im calling BS on your part.
Yeah Right
July 29th, 2011
2:02 pm
If UGA1999 has scoop he sure doesn’t want to come out with it prematurely. Anybody with an inside track knows you don’t spill the beans or you will soon be on the outside.
That said, UGA 1999 you are to be commended for both the heads up you gave on Edwards prior to the tweets coming out, and your ability to keep your mouth shut. Kudos!
RAY EDWARDS FAN
July 29th, 2011
2:02 pm
SNELLING AND DAHL CAN BE REPLACED NOT THAT BIG OF A LOSS!!!
RJ Voorhees
July 29th, 2011
2:02 pm
@UGA 1999, I’m not doubting anything, I just didn’t see the previous blog. Who are you talking about is all we are asking?
Micheal
July 29th, 2011
2:03 pm
I am hearing that the reason why Aso didnt sign yet because there is a mystery team that nobody have thought of is inquiring about his services. Hmm, makes you wonder.
DawgRed24
July 29th, 2011
2:03 pm
Dawg1999- Big props to you. Are the other deals our own, or are we in for a surprise
DawgsnFalcons
July 29th, 2011
2:03 pm
I wonder what this means for Sidbury? I’m guessing they’ll keep Bierman and perhaps cut Sidbury or Davis?
atlTiger
July 29th, 2011
2:04 pm
Kerryb: once i stop laughing I’ll think of something clever, however, these two goons couldn’t handle our o-line the last two years and they’ve only gotten better.
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
2:05 pm
FalconRob….We will address one more defensive position as well as one on offense.
DC
July 29th, 2011
2:05 pm
This is exactly what I am talking about. Putting in the right pieces.
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
Dawg…..I think you will be surprised.
Marcus
July 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
losing Snelling will hurt …… esp. considering his good performance as Burner’s backup and pass-catching threat.
RJ Voorhees
July 29th, 2011
2:07 pm
@UGA 1999, Is it a corner? We sure need a shutdown DB.
ToccoaBird
July 29th, 2011
2:07 pm
beone, if you don’t like Dled then why even come on this blog? I for one appreciate Dled. what you you rather have? That racist Moore back? Dled is a good reporter who is a Falcon fan first. Thats why so many like him…now go get on the Aints page or just hang yourself what ever works for you.
DawgsnFalcons
July 29th, 2011
2:07 pm
UGA 1999: You can’t mean they’re going to cut Kroy? That would really surprise me because I think he’s better as a third down pass rusher coming off the bench.
falconfiend
July 29th, 2011
2:07 pm
Clap, Clap, Clap. This is a great move.