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
Tree Rollins
November 13th, 2012
12:50 am
He’ll go down in the Falcons Hall of shame as our biggest free agent screw- up since Peerless Price!
realfalconfan
November 13th, 2012
12:50 am
good move , now they can call ovie and get our pro bowl fullback where he is needed. falcons running game has not been same after ovie got hurt last year in detroit. while i dislike to see anyone lose their job edwards wasn’t getting it done .
najeh dappenfart
November 13th, 2012
12:50 am
Relax all. NO always plays us tough. No big surprise here. Jus wonderin why we cant bow up and get Turner in the ezone from the 1yd line.
Who Me?
November 13th, 2012
12:53 am
D-Line should get the message, not sure how Nolan let them play so damn poorly this weekend without adjustments, stunts, etc. – something to put pressure on Brees. good to see Edwards pack a bag, no need for a Junior Haynesworth to stick around for a check.
How to fix the O-line? Sam Baker is still missing assignments. They can’t get a push on the goal line in 3 straight plays. Either the run blocking is so bad it’s pathetic or our RB, Fat Mike, can’t hit the hole fast enough on draws and slants. something has to give and soon or other teams will start playing 3 man fronts and daring us to throw….
i doubt most of u have ever worn a jock
November 13th, 2012
1:03 am
based on these comments, it’s painfully obvious that many of you don’t know a dadgum thing about football, or the Falcons for that matter!
BIGBEN42
November 13th, 2012
1:04 am
Jackson would be a good pick-up. This is the year to try and make a run.The window in football closes as quick as it opens.
If Falcon don’t get to the super bowl this year or next year forget about it.
DR. FALCON
November 13th, 2012
1:11 am
WHO CARES? GET HIS ASS OUTTA HERE! RAY EDWARDS DID NOTHING BUT, STEAL MR. BLANK’S CHECKS! SAYANARA RAY! THIS GAME IS ABOUT PRODUCTION! 3.5 SACKS IN 25 GAMES, IS PATHETIC!
Tim
November 13th, 2012
1:30 am
Good move but guys please take two seconds to proof read your article. Mike Nolan is the DEFENSIVE coordinator.SMH
Joe Dirte
November 13th, 2012
1:41 am
Maybe this move was made so they can sign Ovie, Stanford Routte or Channing Crowder
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
November 13th, 2012
1:44 am
@eff you; eh not sure what you got stuck up your a** but i really could care less what you think of me or my comments, you just seem like an immature dumba**. F off dude!!
Michael M.
November 13th, 2012
1:46 am
Up this late I must be nuts here………………….adios Ray and happy trails to u…………lmao……………………………………..I like it……shows Atlanta wants to go deep in the playoffs and hve a shot at the Super Bowl……………happy trails to u all too I am outta here !
Joe Dirte
November 13th, 2012
1:47 am
Atanta really needs to give Ovie Mughelli a call
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
November 13th, 2012
1:48 am
Oh and you spelled my name wrong theres actually two “p”s in mississippi, just sayin
Denver Falcon
November 13th, 2012
2:02 am
Please, for the love of Bobby Hebert, can we get a RB that doesn’t take 4 seconds to get to the line of scrimmage and then fall over after first contact! I’ll Qiuzz all day, but no more Turner! Too dang slow!
B-Rock
November 13th, 2012
2:06 am
When are they going to release Michael Turner? He is washed up. Start Jason Snelling.
rodb
November 13th, 2012
2:16 am
IT’S ABOUT TIME!!! good call falcons. this new culture of the falcons is slowly but surely turning, if you’re not producing you gotta go!!!! ray edwards who???
The Truth
November 13th, 2012
2:19 am
He’s still making more money than you idiot tkt buyers.
Joe Dirte
November 13th, 2012
2:25 am
But the Falcons need to be able to stop the run better and they need to do somethng about the run.
rodb
November 13th, 2012
2:28 am
The Truth:
correction….He DID make more than us idiot tkt buyers! in the nfl a guaranteed contract is in place as long as you’re on the roster. he’s outta here…more room to get a upgrade from MT and maybe a better def end.
Dav
November 13th, 2012
2:44 am
My guess Sidbury or Massaquoi get to play. The trade deadline has passed and I don’t think there are many DE or RB out walking the streets? Hope Weathspoon heals fast for our defence! Turner likely is in his last year with FALCONS, he gave us 3 good years but its time to find someone else.
TD
November 13th, 2012
3:21 am
Are the Falcons in panic mode? Don’t forget we are trying to win a SUPER BOWL. I agree Edwards didn’t work out here I only question the timing? But people calling for the release of Turner and or Robinson before season’s end I don’t know if that would be right. NFL players get injured and it is a long way till the SUPER BOWL. Smith and TD better keep them together, we were the only undefeated team in the NFL. I think TD needs to to bring a ton of players to try out, he may find a diamond. That is the way N.E. does it, tryout 3-4 players a week.
Steve From Dalton
November 13th, 2012
3:24 am
Ray Edwards will go down with Ed Hartwell was the biggest D Free Agent bust in Falcons history.
ZACK
November 13th, 2012
3:53 am
CUT AT LAST…CUT AT LAST…THANK GOD ALMIGHTY THAT CUT HIS SORRY AZZ!!! SLOW CHURNER TURNER SHOULD BE NEXT! I WOULD TAKE WILLIAM ANDREWS, GERALD RIGGS, PEGRAM AND OR BROUSSARD AT THIS POINT!
Bzaust
November 13th, 2012
4:02 am
Is Ryan Grant still a FA?
Falcon James
November 13th, 2012
4:05 am
No shocker. Good luck Ray, wish you the best.
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
5:08 am
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.
***************************************************
Herpes Butter? Nasty, where did you get that handle? Gonna make me a little less eager to buy that Apple Butter up at Burt’s Pumpkin Farm in Dawsonville, but man, it sure is good!
You say, “Who knows what transpired for this move to take place.” I tell you what transpired, lame ass play, It all finally caught up with ol’ “Take a play off Ray”. There were reports down at the Flowery Branch Water and Sewer Department that a whole bunch of cash showed up at their sewage treatment facility. They couldn’t confirm it but it appeared it came from the toilet at the Falcons HDQ.
rc35
November 13th, 2012
5:10 am
Blaming Ray Edwards for Sunday’s performance is sort of like General Custer firing his bugler. Turner the Non-Earner is the one who ought to be headed out the door.
ZinoDawg
November 13th, 2012
5:13 am
Dunta is TERRIBLE!!!
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
5:22 am
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?
*****************************************************
Claude Humphrey coming out of retirement BABY!!!! At 68 he can bring more than what we were getting from Edwards. Miss ya #87!!
Atlanta Falcons: Defensive end Ray Edwards released LINK | Falcons - NFC South Daily | Atlanta Falcons Blog
November 13th, 2012
5:29 am
[...] The rest of the article can be found here: Atlanta Falcons [...]
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
5:36 am
BirdFan
November 12th, 2012
11:26 pm
They should either tell Matt Ryan to use some more athleticism and stop playing scared or show him the door too!
************************************
……………….man, where do you come up with this stuff?? You embarrass us as a fan base.
“BirdFan”………………………..as in Cardinals??
Ken Norman
November 13th, 2012
5:43 am
@ZACK 3:53
Don’t you forget about Jamal Anderson!!!
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
5:47 am
Reprinted without permission:
Edwards started in four of the Falcons’ first nine games this season, managing just nine tackles and no sacks at defensive end. He was signed to a five-year, $30 million contract ($11 million guaranteed) in July 2011.
He walks away from the Falcons with $11 million in his pocket.
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
6:11 am
rodb
November 13th, 2012
2:28 am
he’s outta here…more room to get a upgrade from MT and maybe a better def end.
****************************************
Better defensive end? Your Grandmother is a better defensive end, an upgrade from Edwards!
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
6:16 am
Ya know Dimi has a little egg on his face with this one but better to cut your losses and move on. It will take very little to get more impact out of the position than what Edwards was bringing.
Note to Ray Edwards: Take a play off Ray, hell, take ‘em all off. You are done in the NFL……….make that $11 mil go a long long way.
Doo Doo
November 13th, 2012
6:19 am
another unemployed black man
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
6:24 am
Joe Dirte
November 13th, 2012
1:47 am
Atanta really needs to give Ovie Mughelli a call
*************************************************************
I’m not so sure his knee is good, St Louis cut him and other than being a helluva fullback he was good on special teams too.
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
6:42 am
eff you
November 13th, 2012
12:33 am
Loyalfalconfrmthemississipi, stfu and die. go away. you’re name is too long and annoying to look at and everything you say is stupid. kill yourself.
*******************************************
Keep working on those reading skills and maybe big words of 3 or more letters won’t trip you up so much.
Samuel
November 13th, 2012
6:52 am
They the Falcons brass know it was a mistake cut your loses and move on.
TechRon
November 13th, 2012
6:58 am
Bring back Claude Humphrey!
BobbyDawg
November 13th, 2012
6:58 am
Nolan is the man. If he says you don’t fit in his program it’s time to go. I don’t imagine this will end Ray’s career, but I don’t see him ever sporting a super bowl ring.
Buddy Landel
November 13th, 2012
7:04 am
#53 should be next. Hell, #52 as well. Akeem Dent in the NFL is like Rosie O’Donnell in the Playboy mansion. Neither belongs.
FALCONCHRIS
November 13th, 2012
7:04 am
ITS FUNNY WHAT ONE LOSS CAN STIR UP
ronhen24
November 13th, 2012
7:12 am
Ray Edwards was a BUST and I would rather have Jamaal Anderson back than him. He was not aggressive enough for a defensive end and wasn’t even a threat. Jared Allen defined his success in Minnesota. Jonathan Massaquoi is relentless and deserves a shot. Also, I think that Todd McClure and the offensive line are defending their turf, because they are opening holes, but Michael Turner is too slow to get through them in sufficient time. So we end up with tackles for losses. I like Quizz and he is a good back, but I do not know about every down. For his size he is tough, but he get pounded. Give Snelling the ball and see what he can do. I’m not talking about when everyone on defense know when he is going to be the ball carrier. CUT Turner and let’s make our playoff run.
FalCo
November 13th, 2012
7:31 am
$11 million guaranteed, and he’s a bust. No wonder the prices of tickets, food and beer at games is so high.
How dey doin that?
November 13th, 2012
7:36 am
I’m reading this blog at 0635 on November 13th and seeing posting times of 0712???? WTF Am I in the twilight zone?
Nativebird
November 13th, 2012
7:40 am
Can Ray Edwards play running back and pickup 1 yard?
Notso Fast
November 13th, 2012
7:41 am
Turner may be next. I watched him Sunday and he is so slow getting to the hole. It’s ike he is running is slow motion, and with the Falcon’s line the hole doesn’t stay open long. If he get a running start, he still can make plays but he is a liability on short yardage plays up the middle. He was a good one but I am afraid his time is over.
LET-THE-NERDS-H8
November 13th, 2012
8:05 am
Ed Hartwell
Ashley leley
Ray Edwards
we dont do to good in free agency pickups!!!! Ed Hartwell was pickep up back in 04-05 cause he played next to Ray Lewis and made his stats better Ashley Leley (i dont know what that was about) Ray Edwards benefited from Jared Allen. So in reality it isnt the players fault who the Falcons give the money too, its the ppl who go out and say “ohh thats our guy” if Arthur Blank called any of us on this blog and said i need a DE ill sign you for $11 mill im pretty sure yall aint going to turn it down and yall aint gettin no pressure on anybody
Now i do like that we cut Ray Edwards tho
and for the ppl talking bout Dunta and Asanti… what did the recievers do on sunday??? or do yall not remember it was the TE and Jimmy Graham that killed us outside of one or two plays the recievers made!! alot of teams wish they had our DB’s in their backfield…
RicecAkes
November 13th, 2012
8:06 am
THEY NEED TO GET RID OF MICHAEL TURNER!!!