Falcons release former first-rounders Anderson, Jenkins
Jamaal Anderson got one of his 4.5 sacks last season against Seattle. (Associated Press).
FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons cleared $7.8 million under the salary cap by releasing veteran defensive lineman Jamaal Anderson and wide receiver Michael Jenkins on Friday.
Anderson and Jenkins were both former first-round picks.
Anderson taken eighth overall in the 2007 drafted and never blossomed in to the sackmaster that the Falcons envisioned when he was selected. The Falcons passed on future stars Patrick Willis and Darrelle Revis. Willis, a linebacker, went 11th to San Francisco and Revis, a cornerback, went to the Jets with the 14th pick.
Willis has been to four Pro Bowls and has been named an All-Pro three times. Revis has been to three Pro Bowls and has been named All-Pro two times.
Anderson played in 60 games and made 47 starts, but had just 3.5 sacks (The Falcons officially have him for 3.5 sacks. Pro-Football-Reference.com has him for 4.5 sacks. The Falcons gave the credit for the sack against Seattle to Jonathan Babineaux.)
Jenkins was selected with the 29th pick in the 2004 draft.
He was a mainstay in the offense, but never amassed over 100 yards receiving in a game. He had a career-high 53 catches in 2007 and a career-high in yards of 777 in 2008.
Jenkins’ future was in doubt after the Falcons traded five picks to move up 27 spots in the draft to select wide receiver Julio Jones with the sixth pick of the 2011 draft.
With the extra cap room, the Falcons will likely be able to pursue free-agent defensive end Ray Edwards.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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369 comments Add your comment
FalconRob
July 29th, 2011
10:30 am
D. Any info on Kerry Meier and his injury. With Jenkins gone he could play an important role. I like what I saw in training camp last year from him before his injury.
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
10:31 am
Dawgs…the we (the Falcons) were already under the cap. The $7.8 is nice addition to what we already had.
SeenHimHateB4
July 29th, 2011
10:34 am
Can you say Osi Umenyiora!!!!!! DE Welcome to Atlanta!!!!
DawgRed24
July 29th, 2011
10:35 am
UGA 1999, as much as I want what you are saying to be true, give us one reason why you would know this and no one else in the news world does…..throw us dawgs a bone.
DawgsnFalcons
July 29th, 2011
10:35 am
UGA 1999: It’s my understanding that when they began they had $13.9 Mil. They resigned Nicholas for $5mil and Clabo for $5 Mil then they signed all their draft picks and then cut Jenkins and Anderson to recover some cap space. The math isn’t there dude. Julio got $4 mil per year.
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
10:37 am
SeenhimhateB4……very nice post
SeenHimHateB4
July 29th, 2011
10:38 am
thx i think the birds need to get Osi and go after Jame Jones to put in the slot.
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
10:39 am
Seenhim…you may be right! Wait to hear at 1pm.
dan
July 29th, 2011
10:40 am
None of this blows my mind. I kind of wish they kept Jenkins around for insurance. When he’s on, he’s decent. But there is a clear drop-off in production between him and Roddy. Also everyone acts like Tony Gonzalez is some broken down cripple. I think with Julio helping to spread the field, it will loosen up coverage along the sidelines for Tony. Add in a proven running game that can get the job done later in the year and on the road: and this is an offense that can do some damage. If the Falcons are one and done in the playoffs this year, its the play-calling not the talent.
Sid
July 29th, 2011
10:41 am
Jammal made improvements over the years but they were so painfully slow. He never had that afterburner.
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
10:41 am
Dan….the offense was never the problem last year it was Defense. That is why you are going to see the Falcons make two HUGE moves on the defensive side of the ball today.
DawgsnFalcons
July 29th, 2011
10:42 am
UGA 1999: Let’s clarify are you saying that the Falcons have signed Osi Umenyiora or Asomugha the CB?
Dawg fan in Grayson
July 29th, 2011
10:42 am
UGA 1999…I want to believe you, but I just can’t. By the way doesn’t the FA period start at 6pm? I don’t think an announcement can be made at 1pm.
SeenHimHateB4
July 29th, 2011
10:43 am
Yep I would even put Brent Grimes up for trade we could get some value there!
Ra'mon
July 29th, 2011
10:43 am
I would prefer for the Falcons to TRADE for Osi Umenyiora, and sign Asomugha. Then taylor the rest of the cap around those two deals. ESPN Adam Schefter did just say there is a new team in the running for Asomugha and no one knows who that team is (not the Cowboys). With all of the NFC getting better in the receiving game (remember when NFC used to be full of great running backs), the Falcons need a play maker on defense who is one of the best in their position.
SeenHimHateB4
July 29th, 2011
10:44 am
We could go after another corner!
DawgsnFalcons
July 29th, 2011
10:44 am
Actually the Offense did have problems. Basically it was a one man show and they couldn’t stretch the field because Roddy had no help. Hopefully Julio will take care of that issue.
Matt
July 29th, 2011
10:44 am
UGA 1999…..You seem to know something. I’m waiting anxiously for 1 PM.
I hope you are right, or even close to right.
smyrnabob
July 29th, 2011
10:44 am
The last of Rich McKays’ great picks. Imagine if he had been made commissioner, the lock out would have out lasted the NBA.
There are going to be many good players released this week. A patient Falcon GM will be rewarded quite nicely I believe.
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
10:44 am
Seen…Grimes is not going anywhere. he is too valuable and can be moved to multiple positions.
SeenHimHateB4
July 29th, 2011
10:45 am
I like the trade for Uminyiora and going after Asomugha!!!!!!
SeenHimHateB4
July 29th, 2011
10:46 am
WHAT HAPPENS AT 1PM..I’M EXCITED TO HEAR!!!
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
10:46 am
If anyone feels the need to drive here to Flowery Branch you will see that ESPN is here….the local news cameras are here as well but they were going to be here anyway to cover the first day of practice.
DawgsnFalcons
July 29th, 2011
10:46 am
Seen: Who do we trade for Osi?
old qb
July 29th, 2011
10:47 am
Don’t worry about Jamaal Anderson’s future. Somebody that runsa 3-4 defense will pick him up. And Jenkins will play somewhere this year.
Don’t fall in love with DE Edwards. The rest of the Vikngs D-line made him look better than he is. So far Dimitroff and company are right on schedule so don’t panic before the team has even gotten their pads on.
Finally, all of you out there that want Randy Moss must be suffering from dimentia. Throughout his career he only puts out when he wants, admits to taking plays off, and at this stage in his career will underperform and be over paid.
Hey, the Falcons are coming off a 13-3 record, not a 3-13. Let management do what they do. They’ve been wildly successful so far in re-making this team.
Jenk
July 29th, 2011
10:47 am
Wish Jenkins could have stayed on, he was a good guy up here in Suwanee. Hope he lands somewhere.
Chattanooga Chuck
July 29th, 2011
10:48 am
Good luck to Jenkins and Anderson.
Some people seem to be bitter toward Jamaal. Don’t blame him. Blame the people who picked him.
Kew
July 29th, 2011
10:50 am
Dawg, remember 7.8 million is on top of what they already under the cap which is even more.
Ra'mon
July 29th, 2011
10:50 am
Dawgs, two 4th round picks and one 7th round pick.
DawgsnFalcons
July 29th, 2011
10:51 am
Kew: But you have to subtract all the money they spent to resign, Nicholas, Peterson, Clabo and all the draft picks.
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
10:51 am
Chattanooga….It is not personal about Anderson, but he never seems to give 100% or work to make himself better. He had potential that will never be realized.
SeenHimHateB4
July 29th, 2011
10:51 am
DON’T KNOW WHAT TO TRADE FOR UMI BUT MAKE IT HAPPEN~~~!!!
Smitty
July 29th, 2011
10:52 am
Sit back and relax fans. Thomas, Rich, and I know what we are doing. These changes have been in the making for several months. We will do what is right for the Falcons, and you will be proud.
DawgsnFalcons
July 29th, 2011
10:52 am
MichaelLombardi: Just tweeted that the 49er’s are out of the race for Asomugha and that it’s down to Dallas and the Jets. They are the only two left trying to sign Asomugha.
Ra'mon
July 29th, 2011
10:54 am
Dawgs, Adam Schefter just said its a 3rd secret team in the race for him also, a few minutes ago on Sportscenter, and no one know who it is.
DawgRed24
July 29th, 2011
10:55 am
Dawg1999, again, give us a reason to believe you about Edwards and Nnamdi. I want to believe, but throw us all a bone here.
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
10:55 am
Ra’mon…..now who do you think that secret team is??
This why if I were a player I wouldn't have any
July 29th, 2011
10:56 am
If I were a player on any of these teams, I wouldn’t bring home a t-shirt, get any team memorabiliafor my home, have the team logo anywhere in my home and just be a player for that team. Now what, do you do with all the memorabilia you have in your home, car, etc of a team who cut you?
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
10:56 am
Dawg…I cant say anything more until the press conference… Today and Tomorrow will prove to be very good days to be a Falcons fan.
DawgsnFalcons
July 29th, 2011
10:56 am
Ra’mon: Well I hope you guys r right and if you are I’ll shout for joy!!!!!!! Rise UP!!!!!!!!!!!!
SeenHimHateB4
July 29th, 2011
10:57 am
Aw dang forget Asowhateva his name is lets get A DE, and another veteran receiver to help out Roddy while Jones is learning..
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
10:58 am
This why…..if any company were willing to pay me $10million a year to go outside and play a sport and become a celebrity. I would wallpaper the outside of my house with their logo. You are dillusional.
Stick
July 29th, 2011
10:58 am
Youse guys will be still eating cheeze when my Pack gets through with you this year. World champs are going back to back this year.
Larry
July 29th, 2011
10:59 am
Jenkins will be with another team before the day is out!
SeenHimHateB4
July 29th, 2011
11:00 am
World Chumps are going to be on their backs this year cause Rodgers is going to rupture his knee in preseason mugghhhhhh hater #1. Rise Up~~
RedandBlackPeachy
July 29th, 2011
11:01 am
@honest_abe: you can’t take someone mentioning Marion Barber (for a speedy guy or even a 3rd down back) as a possibility seriously. Same goes for a Moss acquisition. We have some cap space, good. We do need to sure up the line. Nnamdi is not coming to the Falcons. They aren’t going to pay that money and ignore the pass rush. It will be interesting to see what Dimtroff’s next move is. He is molding this team into his team and takes a few years to do that.
Jay
July 29th, 2011
11:02 am
I love the falcons but have never seen a franchise waste so many first round picks.
DawgsnFalcons
July 29th, 2011
11:02 am
Seen: I’m not the one saying we’re going to get Asomugha. In fact the NFL network just said that Asomugha has announced that he’s narrowed his choices down to two teams. Dallas or the Jets. That was just reported live..
UGA 1999
July 29th, 2011
11:02 am
I think we are looking to resign MJ in a couple days for a lower contrat unless he is picked up somewhere else. I have a feeling that he will be with another team soon.
SeenHimHateB4
July 29th, 2011
11:04 am
Lets just focus on the Defense and get some keys veterans on Offense!!!