Video: Recently released Falcon Ovie Mughelli
WSB TV’s Zach Klein gave this video to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli suffered a torn MCL and had surgery last season. He was released by the Falcons on Tuesday. (Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com)
Just four days after being cleared to return to work from knee surgery, the Falcons released former Pro Bowl fullback Ovie Mughelli on Tuesday.
“I’m still kind of digesting it,” Mughelli said by phone on Tuesday. “It’s something that I knew was a possibility. It didn’t come too much as a surprise. It’s something that happens in every player’s career. I know that I’m still one of the best fullbacks out there. Right now, I just have to be patient and work with my agent to see what’s the next step that we’re going to take. ”
The Falcons recently selected fullback Bradie Ewing in the fifth round of the NFL draft.
Mughelli had a salary cap number of $3.7 million for 2012. The team will receive relief.
Mughelli was originally signed as an unrestricted free agent on March 2, 2007. He was signed to a six-year, $18 million contact with a $5 million signing bonus. It was the largest contact given to a fullback in NFL history at the time.
He appeared in 69 games in his five seasons with the Falcons, including 38 starts.
Michael Turner and Ovie Mughelli at the Pro Bowl after the Falcons won the NFC South in 2010.
In 2011, Mughelli saw action in seven games and hauled in four receptions for 25 yards with two touchdowns before suffering a season-ending knee injury against the Detroit Lions on Oct. 23.
He was viewed as expendable in the new offense under coordinator Dirk Koetter, which will mostly utilize three receivers. A fullback will be utilized about 20 percent of the time.
Mughelli was not ready to rule out a return to the Falcons with a re-structured contract.
“It’s a possibility,” Mughelli said. “[Falcons general manager Thomas] Dimitroff and my agent are talking.”
Mughelli was recently cleared to return to work from the knee injury.
“Right now, I’m just about to head to work out,” Mughelli said. “I have to stay in top shape, top form. I was cleared to workout with the team on Friday. Practiced with the team on Monday and got cut today. I’m able to run, jump and catch. I can definitely help some team win whether if it’s the Falcons or somewhere else.”
A crushing lead-blocker, Mughelli paved the way for three 1,300-yard-plus seasons
Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli (34) celebrates with teammate Sam Baker (72) after his second quarter touchdown against Tampa Bay. AP
for running back Michael Turner, including a 1,699-yard season in 2008.
“It was very special,” Mughelli said of his time with the Falcons. “I said that my time in Baltimore was very special when I was a youngster. But my time here in Atlanta was twice as special.
“I got the chance to play with a great like Tony Gonzalez. Get coached under Mike Smith and have some special relationships in my running back [meeting] room with Michael Turner, Jason Snelling and even Jacquizz [Rodgers]. It’s been a pleasure working with those guys and winning games. . . I definitely have some great memories from my time with the Falcons. I’m looking forward to making some new ones.”
The Falcons salary cap issues have been severe this offseason as they focused on re-signing their own players. They struck deals with defensive end John Abraham, safety Thomas DeCoud, wide receiver Harry Douglas, defensive end Kroy Biermann, center Todd McClure and quarterback Chris Redman. They also signed linebacker Lofa Tatupu and guard Vince Manuwai as free agents.
The team also placed the franchise tag on cornerback Brent Grimes, who’s set to make $10.281 million after signing his tender. They also traded a seventh round pick for cornerback Asante Samuel.
Because of their salary cap restraints, the Falcons were not able to re-sign middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, who signed a modest five-year, $27.5 million deal with the New
Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta Falcons starting Fullback and Eco-Athlete, is welcomed by Green activist, Former Vice President Al Gore during his recent environmental seminar in Atlanta to discuss "Solutions to the Climate Crisis". Photo by Chris Savas.
Orleans Saints. He was a four-year starter and the team’s leading tackler in each of the past three seasons.
The issue of the tight salary cap likely led the Falcons to select Ewing, who’s a good blocker and pass catcher. He was widely considered the best fullback in the draft.
Dimitroff did not want to address Mughelli’s status or the team’s financial situation after the conclusion of the draft.
“I don’t want to comment on financial situations and our cap situation publicly,” Dimitroff said. “That’s what we discuss back in our offices.”
To make all of their offseason moves, the Falcons have been scrambling. They’ve restructured the contracts of cornerback Dunta Robinson and left guard Justin Blalock in order to free up $2.99 million.
The Falcons could use the space provided by the release of Mughelli to fit in the rookie class and perhaps add a veteran salary-cap casualty.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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146 comments Add your comment
bucko
May 8th, 2012
3:23 pm
I’m with you chc signing de coud was a bad move
Mikey
May 8th, 2012
3:24 pm
My absolute best to Ovie… a great football player and a class act. We will miss him but I understand that even the best players don’t last at top salaries forever. This does not diminish my respect for him and his accomplishments. Thanks for the many great memories Ovie!
John
May 8th, 2012
3:28 pm
I love Ovie, sad to see him go. Great guy, and a good ambassador for football.
Th
May 8th, 2012
3:44 pm
Good luck to Ovie but I don’t know why you need a FB anymore. You can shift a TE back there on short yardage or do what the Patriots did and put a LBer back there. This staff needs to think a little more creatively. Heck, Biermann played FB, put him back there to block the 3 or 4 plays a game you need one yard.
J Mo
May 8th, 2012
4:13 pm
Ovie is headed to the Patriots, Bill loves him……
FalconJim
May 8th, 2012
4:15 pm
Thanks for the memories Ovie…really hate to see you go. I’ll always remember the times you took to speak to me after practices…anytime you’re in town, feel free to drop by….I make the best pink lemonade in town. Lookin’ forward to meeting Bradie up close…a young buck is always welcomed.
What's Important
May 8th, 2012
4:16 pm
Hate to see Ovie go. Hopefully they can still work something out if Dimitroff and Ovie’s agent are still talking.
Grady
May 8th, 2012
4:20 pm
A great guy on and off the field. Thanks for your charitable work and efforts in making this community better. I hope we can resign him if he passes through free agency. Good dude there.
Global Warming is a Hoax
May 8th, 2012
4:29 pm
I will miss Ovie; he was a great player for us and worth every penny.
Off topic, I was not aware that he was a warmer like Egore, I mean AL Gore. Didn’t someone tell him that most of the climate data was exposed as being falsified? These warming alarmists like Gore are getting rich and this is nothing more than a political movement. There is no global warming. If he was smart he wouldn’t associate with radical environmental wackos like Gore.
Chief Media Urologist
May 8th, 2012
4:33 pm
Sometimes it’s amazing how in tune the entire fan base is on certain things. Almost to a man, we are accepting the business decision of cutting OM but supporting the man. I remember when Ovie was a semi-regular on 680 and how articulate and self-deprecating he was. A true gentleman in the midst of so many egotistical crybabies. Then when we drafted a FB this year, he tweeted something to the effect that competition was a great thing for the team. Good luck Ovie. The only thing more redeeming than your game is your character.
Falcon Jim
May 8th, 2012
5:04 pm
The idiot stalker just parodied the “other” “FalconJim.” Not “Falcon Jim.”
We have both been on this blog for years. He’s a good guy.
The stalker is a P.O.S.
DO YOUR JOB, LEDBETTER, OR FIND OTHER WORK ! ! !
kudzu
May 8th, 2012
5:05 pm
Could have left off the picture of Alvin the Chipmunk Gore…
Falcon Jim
May 8th, 2012
5:08 pm
I didn’t mean that Mr. Ledbetter…I guess it’s that time of the month. Just a lil” sore you didn’t show for my pink lemonade and marshmallow party….may be next time? You’re still the best beat writer around and no. 1 in my heart!!!
Roger Goodell
May 8th, 2012
5:12 pm
i.e. 5:04
You P.O.S. stalker. Why don’t you leave Falcon Jim alone? Everyone here knows Falcon Jim is a 56-year-old guy who gave up drinking. Cherish him for the fair lad that he is. I’m warning you P.O.S. stalker, I’m gonna call for reinforcements….calling Tim Tebow, Norm Van Brocklin, Frank Sinatra.
Frank Sinatra
May 8th, 2012
5:24 pm
You called commish?
Send in the clowns………
Abe
May 8th, 2012
5:46 pm
Hey folks, don’t get too mushy here. Professional football is a business, not a fraternity.
Courtney
May 8th, 2012
5:46 pm
Seemed like a nice guy. Too bad.
Hot Bird
May 8th, 2012
6:06 pm
Oh Ovie -We all know that you wanted a chance to play for a championship team before you retire and thats ok . Good Luck and don’t worry ’cause the Spoon is gonna make a lot of scores for us this year . C’mon Atlanta and get on up with me and cheer for our team to make a lot of scores this year !
Joe
May 8th, 2012
6:10 pm
Ok this is hard fact that must be accepted, but what about Baker, why not go for a complete cleaning of the house.
Firsttimer
May 8th, 2012
6:15 pm
Nice to see all the Falcon Nation love for Ovie…All I will say is he deserves it and somewhere out there Burner is on a mountain top screaming, “Nooooooooooooooooooo!” Good luck and do not sign in the NFC South.
Bob
May 8th, 2012
6:27 pm
Overpaid for being one dimentional…let the community pick up a portion of his salary as he was hired to help win football games. The birds can, and will do better.
technofalconeer
May 8th, 2012
6:28 pm
good luck to ovie–but, I am and have been a lifelong diehard falcon and tech fan and mike cox is a great blocker with exceptional hands everywhere he has been the running game has been outstanding–When turner learns to stay close to him like pj daniels,tashard choive, jamal charles etc he will do fine. I bet that ewing will not beat him out–we will see how the young guy from wisconsin does– KC let Cox go only because they thought they would need leron mclain to ??run the ball more?? meanwhile, their rushing game went way down due to loss of jamal charles and possibly cox?? tech was always in the top rushing in acc with cox in there[of course calvin was there for 2 of those years and defenses were playing the pass–but,–we will see come camp time–go cox/tech!!
Saints R.E.A.M.
May 8th, 2012
6:29 pm
Hmmmm….are the Falcons turning into a finesse team???? I don’t know if they can get much more cottony soft than they already are!!
David
May 8th, 2012
6:39 pm
Thanks for the hard work Ovie. You’ll always have a place here in Atlanta. You’ll be missed.
Samuel
May 8th, 2012
6:41 pm
Ovie’s career is far from over, it’s just the Falcons let him go to save a buck bottom line.
SeminoleWarrior
May 8th, 2012
6:43 pm
Best wishes Ovie. Continued success be yours in whatever you choose to do.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 8th, 2012
6:44 pm
Falcon Jim – You have my permission to get back on the wagon! Just for today.
steven a smith
May 8th, 2012
6:45 pm
Everything that i have read about him, he is an even GREATER man than a football player. Sad to see him leave. He is a praying man so there is no doubt whatsoever things will work out for the better for him and his family. Godspede…
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 8th, 2012
6:46 pm
Good to see the fans wishing Ovie well. The media will miss him, too. He did his own thing and always tried to help us. He never hide from the media!!!! Stand UP GUY all the way around.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
May 8th, 2012
6:46 pm
NFL=Big Business.
Falcon Jim
May 8th, 2012
7:01 pm
Mr. Ledbetter,
Are you talking to me, the original that’s been posting here for years…………or are you talking to the little imp impersonator stalker? Or, are you confused?
FJ
A Great Guy Is Gone
May 8th, 2012
7:02 pm
A true gentle giant with a heart of gold, Ovie Mughelli will be missed. We loved his spirit and talents, Ovie you will land on your feet in the NFL, my only fear is that its not one of our opponents. God Speed Ovie
dawg4u
May 8th, 2012
7:14 pm
Ovie you are a class act and wish you the best. I hope your agent and TD can come up with a deal that could keep you in a Falcon uniform. Best wishes either way to a fine FB and a team player.
Just saying..
May 8th, 2012
7:21 pm
Class guy, hope things turn out well for him, here or elsewhere.
slick
May 8th, 2012
7:23 pm
Why Mat Ryan don’t restructure his contract?
jmo
May 8th, 2012
7:24 pm
@PMC That’s how Delmas tackles: full force to the knee. it’s a good place to take someone down, but it’s also a very dangerous blow to the ball carrier. It’s already an illegal hit on a QB.
tantor
May 8th, 2012
7:52 pm
Class Act! Tough, tough business- you hate to lose a positive guy like Ovie – keep pluggin’ away- buddy- someone will have a spot for you- keep going Green! (that doesn’t mean Philadelphia!!). We’ll miss those jarring blocks…
Lewis
May 8th, 2012
7:54 pm
This guy certainly has class in the way he addressed his time as a Falcon and his teammates, coaches and staff.
Tom Pridemore would hit you.....
May 8th, 2012
7:56 pm
Sad day….Ovie is the man…great Falcon…but more importantly a great person…all the best to him….!!
good write up D-Led…(I can tell you agree w/ me…)
Firsttimer
May 8th, 2012
7:57 pm
I think everybody gets it that it was a necessary business move. I think all the fans know we are not going to crumble to the ground because Ovie is gone. This blog is paying respect and showing appreciation to a real falcon player. My fav memory of Ovie will be the TD shortly before his season ending injury…when he did the Dirty Bird. Wonder if that provoked a Detroit bounty on him? Remember, they blocked our team coming out of tunnel and tried to intimidate us the entire game. Hey commish, look into that. Ovie will make some team better.
TechRon
May 8th, 2012
8:10 pm
Certainly this is one of the best at his position in a long time and a TOP quality person. I sure hope we find a place for him and bring him back. He is a very fine example for youth, too.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 8th, 2012
8:36 pm
Tom Pridemore would hit you….. — Thanks. Yes, I agree with you.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 8th, 2012
8:37 pm
Falcon Jim – To you. Not the imposter.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 8th, 2012
8:39 pm
kudzu — Had to get the Gore picture in. Didn’t he invent the internet?
SeenThisB4
May 8th, 2012
8:41 pm
DOL……did you really just ban me
Falcon Jim
May 8th, 2012
8:52 pm
Just like modern real life.
woodie
May 8th, 2012
8:59 pm
Ovie was an excellent player withe the Falcons, and an asset to the community. I hope they can re-structure his contract and bring him back. He may be a front-office person when his playing days end.
SeenThisB4
May 8th, 2012
9:07 pm
@Falcon Jim- what is it with you and your pink lemonade parties smh.
birdmanflysnanyweather
May 8th, 2012
10:09 pm
Great falcon and even greater person. Always had his head on straight and was a great teamate and winner. U will b missed ov. Best of luck wherever u end up. No one could open a hole like u bud. MT should thank the lord u were here to block for him. like havin an extra on the o line. Wish u could find a way to come back. OV will make a great coach one day
Freddie Falcon
May 8th, 2012
10:26 pm
Rather release DeCoud, Owens and Jerry as financial move (and to make the team better). Maybe that happens later and we can re-sign Ovie. Who will hurt us more this year? Our weak Kicker Off man or our new last place ranked OF Coordinator or the strength coach that has beer belly Linemen without strength.