Atlanta Falcons: Defensive end Ray Edwards released
By Michael Cunningham
The Falcons released defensive end Ray Edwards less than two seasons after he was heralded as a key component of the team’s pass rush.
The Falcons signed Edwards as a free agent in July 2011, giving him $11 million in guaranteed salary on a five-year deal. But Edwards produced little in the way of sacks (3.5) or quarterback pressures in 25 games with the Falcons.
Edwards started all 16 games in 2011 and four of nine games this season. Edwards’ playing time had decreased this season, a development coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Nolan attributed to extensive use of special personnel packages.
Kroy Biermann has absorbed a number of Edwards’ snaps while playing a hybrid position in Nolan’s defense.
The Vikings selected Edwards in fourth round of the 2006 draft our of Purdue. He was set to make $3 million in base salary this year, $5.5 million in 2013, $5 million in 2014 and $5 million in 2015.
RAY EDWARDS PLAYING PERCENTAGE/PRODUCTION CHART
GAME PLAYS TOTAL PERCENTAGE TACKLES SACKS
K.C. 28 69 41 1 0
Denver 16 73 22 0 0
S.D. 35 56 64 2 0
Car. 30 64 47 3 0
Wash 12 49 27 0 0
Oak 45 73 62 3 0
Phil 10 63 16 0 0
Dall 10 57 18 1 0
NOS 20 62 32 1 0
TOTALS 207 566 36.5 11 0
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221 comments Add your comment
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
November 12th, 2012
10:38 pm
Are they signing or trying to aquire someone else in his place or will they be activating the rookie defensive end they drafted finally?
BB
November 12th, 2012
10:44 pm
It’s a shame to see ones career end like this, but the handwriting has been on the wall for a while for Ray. Good Luck in the future, Ray.
cwag
November 12th, 2012
10:44 pm
about time they shook up something!
florida falcon
November 12th, 2012
10:44 pm
We could not pressure a thing this past Sunday.
Herpes Butter
November 12th, 2012
10:46 pm
Please let Dunta Roboinson be next, then Mark Bradley released from the AJC
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
November 12th, 2012
10:46 pm
Im glad they released edwards, he was practically useless and it frees up money to try something else with this defense, kroy biermann has been a good DE and i think the rookie we drafted should get some play time as well. I cant remember his name because they havent given him any chance
phil
November 12th, 2012
10:46 pm
Good luck, my butt….
Edwards stole money from us.
It’s about time he was booted outta here. Finally!!
Great Falconi
November 12th, 2012
10:47 pm
Wow. He’s been playing like crap again this year, but you usually don’t see a move like this. Good for Dimitroff. No reason to keep the guy on the team if he isn’t helping.
Jipwiz
November 12th, 2012
10:47 pm
Good move,but why now? Gonna take a salary cap hit… Should have been done b4
Season…my guess is rookie/KB. Can’t afford outside help
roger
November 12th, 2012
10:47 pm
good call, we have no pressure and abraham can’t do it all
wigginator
November 12th, 2012
10:48 pm
wow! about time ray just has not been a real factor like we were hoping period.
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
November 12th, 2012
10:48 pm
I hate to say it but dunte robinson is needed right now ray has been irrelevant dunte has at least been useful.
phil
November 12th, 2012
10:48 pm
Bring back Chuck Smith!!
Tim
November 12th, 2012
10:49 pm
any chance they go out and get a stud end? or will they go with kroy?
Great Falconi
November 12th, 2012
10:50 pm
Wouldn’t mind seeing Sidbury get on the field more. He’s a pure pass rusher.
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
November 12th, 2012
10:50 pm
Now activate jonathan massaquie!!!!!!!!!! Next man up
midfield stripe
November 12th, 2012
10:51 pm
15th!
Herpes Butter
November 12th, 2012
10:51 pm
Dunta is a liability. He is almost always 10 yards off the play and misses too many tackles trying to make the big hit
Man.....
November 12th, 2012
10:51 pm
Freeing money for Steven Jackson?
One can hope right?
phil
November 12th, 2012
10:51 pm
These guys are pathetic bums as well….
lowdownjj
November 12th, 2012
10:51 pm
Hallelujay….hallelujay, halle—–lujah! Sorry Ray, ya still got the underwear modeling gig. One of the few misses by TD. But a miss nontheless
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
November 12th, 2012
10:51 pm
I think them drafting an end depends on how kroy plays the rest of the year and if massaqui plays like a stud
phil
November 12th, 2012
10:53 pm
Steven Jackson is what, nearly 40? Lol
The guy has a lot of miles on him….
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
November 12th, 2012
10:54 pm
@herpes i agree that dunte hasnt been great and isnt playing physical ball like he should but we cant just drop our only other starting caliber corner before the year ends, hes serviceable at least till next year
Tim
November 12th, 2012
10:54 pm
I wonder if they are about to make a BIG splash on a big name. end? running back?
phil
November 12th, 2012
10:55 pm
This just in….
Todd McClure blames Edwards for inability of o line to block anyone on runs.
the silverman
November 12th, 2012
10:55 pm
I hope this means we see more of Sidbury or Massaquoi this weekend.
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
November 12th, 2012
10:55 pm
I dont think steven jackson would be a good pickup, hes exactly where turner is right now and i think hes just as old,
BamaGuy
November 12th, 2012
10:55 pm
Wow. That is a message boys. I am sure that everyone on the team will get the meaning. Produce or we will find someone that will. The days of being paid to perform and not performing are over. Turner and the O/Line could be due for some changes this week as well.
shesoleo
November 12th, 2012
10:55 pm
I must say I’m so glad he’s gone because he was absolutely no help to Abe, or the team for that matter. Now if they would only get rid of MT and let Snelling and Quizz get more touches.
the silverman
November 12th, 2012
10:56 pm
I hope this means we get to see Sidbury or Massaquoi play more this weekend
Herpes Butter
November 12th, 2012
10:56 pm
No way do they make a big splash this late in the season. Trading deadline is past.
Who knows what transpired for this move to take place.
Hawes
November 12th, 2012
10:56 pm
Not sure if they’re looking at another RB, like Kahlil Bell or Tim Hightower or they just want to see more of Sidbury and Massaqoui.
No real loss at this point.
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
November 12th, 2012
10:57 pm
I hope we draft a top running back in the second or third round maybe fourth cause descent running backs can be found all throughout the draft
Antman
November 12th, 2012
10:58 pm
Now let’s do sometning about Turner, and try to win one play-off game at least
The Hitman
November 12th, 2012
10:58 pm
I hope the AJC headline tomorrow says “michael turner cut by Falcons”
phil
November 12th, 2012
11:01 pm
Move Turner to nose guard….
He’s plenty fat enough.
tom
November 12th, 2012
11:03 pm
Smart move. On to D. Robinson’s poor tackling technique. D, a ball carrier cannot run without his legs. Why are you trying to tackle a guy who is bigger than you and running away from you around the shoulders??? Assuming you had a reason to attempt this, I would recommend that in the future when you have a hand in your face (stiff arm) grab his wrist with both hands and fall down.You must hold on tight. Just saying.
kral
November 12th, 2012
11:04 pm
phil I see your negative crap on every blog…you are the kinda guy that causes a fight in a bar..you sir are the ultimate idiot..least I have you in 1st place..be proud for the crown you hold…based on your blogs ..sir you are a butte..be proud…dang I hate that I could not totally express myself
run the damn ball
November 12th, 2012
11:04 pm
What is the status of Antoin Smith??
Kenbud
November 12th, 2012
11:05 pm
wow .. 10:33 p.m. posting? Are you clairvoyant? …. it’s 10:05 p.m.
KC Falcon
November 12th, 2012
11:07 pm
Sends a message. The rest of the underperformers should be on high alert.
phil
November 12th, 2012
11:08 pm
kral, got something wrong with you? What are you mumbling about now, doofus?
EZE
November 12th, 2012
11:08 pm
Please place Mike Turner on the same bus. Turner a BIG waste of our time and plays. What a BIG BAG of $h*T. He is just a younger Duckett!!!
Kyle
November 12th, 2012
11:10 pm
Should have sent Turner with him so he didn’t have to walk out alone. I’m watching a 1-7 team tonight that can run the ball with no problem and we stick with the same crap that didn’t work last year. You would think they would have learned from that and drafted or signed a free agent in the off season that could get a yard.
phil
November 12th, 2012
11:11 pm
Yes, this will light a fire under the underperforming o line….
Tim
November 12th, 2012
11:11 pm
NO WAY they move MT! If they do ill be shocked!
KAJER66
November 12th, 2012
11:11 pm
It was incredibly frustrating watching MT run hesitantly and right into the line, unable to find or create space. What a drive-kill and kill-joy! He’s clearly lost A COUPLE steps. Gimme more Quizz and Snelling!!
Bill
November 12th, 2012
11:13 pm
I would love to hear one reporter or talk show host state the fact. This is one of many Thomas Dimitroff bust.
Crazy talk
November 12th, 2012
11:13 pm
This just in…we have lost one game
The whole team got fired in the comments above
Relax the Falcons are fine