Falcons’ latest secret: Ray Edwards had knee surgery
Ray Edwards hasn't taken part in any contact drills because of offseason knee surgery. (AP photo)
Two weeks after the signing of Ray Edwards, the Falcons say he will not play in their first exhibition game Friday night against Miami.
Why not?
“He had a minor procedure,” coach Mike Smith said.
A minor procedure? Like a nose job? Mole removal? Breast augmentation?
No. It turns out that Edwards had “minor” knee surgery sometime during this offseason. Smith revealed this in explaining why Edwards will not play Friday, adding that, “We are bringing him along slowly.”
We know all too well how secretive NFL teams can be, particularly when it comes to injuries. But this is the fourth offseason surgery that we’ve learned about just since training camp has opened. Three players — defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (shoulder), running back Michael Turner (groin) and wide receiver and returner Eric Weems (knee) — all disclosed during interviews with media members that that they had offseason surgeries.
Or, depending on your perspective, “minor procedures.”
It would be simpler if the Falcons just disclosed who underwent surgeries all at once. But they apparently view that as some competitive disadvantage. I don’t know about that. I think opposing blockers are going to try obliterate Edwards regardless.
Turner inadvertently br0ught up his groin surgery the other when explaining why he didn’t attend any of the player workouts during the lockout. Now, of course, don’t you just know that every linebacker is going to try to hit Turner in the groin. (Sarcasm.)
Edwards was already off the field when Smith disclosed his surgery, so we can’t be certain when the surgery was. Two weeks ago? Two months ago? Was it before or after he was signed? Was it before or after his four-round boxing match on May 20 against T.J. Gibson at a Minnesota casino? Was it a result of the boxing match? (That would be bad.)
The Falcons got Edwards for less than he had hoped for in the open market (five years, $30 million, $11 million guaranteed.) If other teams were scared off by the surgery, it would explain the soft market.
Just an educated guess here: Edwards, who hasn’t taken part in contact drills, won’t play in the second preseason game either. There’s no reason to believe he won’t be the impact player on defense the Falcons hope for and expect. But right now, he’s just the latest in a line of surgeries nobody outside the organization knew about. And there’s still about two weeks left in camp.
By Jeff Schultz
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84 comments Add your comment
And it begins
August 10th, 2011
12:50 pm
Buyer beware!
D-Man
August 10th, 2011
12:50 pm
First!
Spanky
August 10th, 2011
12:51 pm
Who cares, as long as he’s good to go by opening day!….First?
Spanky
August 10th, 2011
12:51 pm
Doh!
J.J.M.
August 10th, 2011
12:52 pm
no wonder he took less money
And it begins
August 10th, 2011
12:52 pm
Nope, I was FIRST! WHAT DO I WIN JEFF?
DJ Sniper
August 10th, 2011
12:53 pm
I wouldn’t be too concerned. I’m quite sure that every team has several players who had offseason surgery. I expect #93 to be ready for the Bears on 9/11.
Jeff Schultz
August 10th, 2011
12:53 pm
JJM — The “less money” thing is interesting. We’ll never know how much — if at all — this scared other teams off.
Tony
August 10th, 2011
12:54 pm
OVERREACTING!
It could not have been that bad otherwise the birds would NOT have signed him. The surgery was obviously before his fight (never heard of somebody boxing on a bad leg), not to mention the nfl was in the middle of a lockout that could end at anytime. Why would he wait until the last second to have knee surgery knowing he could be a FA anyday?
Scott
August 10th, 2011
12:54 pm
Reporters should report on what they know about. Not bitch about what they didn’t know about.
Jeff Schultz
August 10th, 2011
12:54 pm
And it begins — If you go to Starbucks and tell them you were first commenter on my column, they will give you a grande for about $2.06. … Also you get a pat on the back.
And it begins
August 10th, 2011
12:56 pm
I wonder. Teams don’t let good DE’s walk so why were the Vikings so willing to let Edwards walk and go with a guy that has 2 career sacks and that’s 2 years older? There was very little interest in him during FA. The Falcons didn’t get swindled did they? I HOPE NOT!!!
TIM
August 10th, 2011
12:57 pm
HA HA…..The starting def end CAN”T play in an exh game. LOSER!
PMC
August 10th, 2011
12:57 pm
Unless he’s wearing a knee brace seriously. Much ado about nothing.
My gosh. Unless you’re a degenerate gambler betting 1st Quarter of preseason games.
This news tells you nothing. If the Falcons were at all concerened about it, they wouldn’t have signed him to a contract.
Really...
August 10th, 2011
12:58 pm
Smith should have waited until Friday at 7pm to announce that Edwards had surgery. Now that Miami has this knowledge, how in the world are we going to beat them????
Plano BirdDawg
August 10th, 2011
1:01 pm
Seems like TD’s achilles heel is his propensity to sign player with injury issues. Let’s hope Edwards can play.
Plano BirdDawg
August 10th, 2011
1:03 pm
Let’s try that again:
Seems like TD’s achilles heel is his propensity to sign players with injury issues. Let’s hope Edwards can play when the regular season starts.
PMC
August 10th, 2011
1:04 pm
The Vikings are about to Walk to LA, they paid his backup more money than him. Conflict of interest with Edwards. Atlanta gets a guy who gets 8 sacks a year. That’s a massive upgrade over what they’ve had the last 5 years.
DJ Sniper
August 10th, 2011
1:04 pm
I haven’t heard anything about Edwards being injury prone at all. If you watch the preseason games this weekend, you will see several teams hold out big name players because of this. Nothing to be concerned with at all. No sense in rushing him back until the season starts.
Loyal Dawg
August 10th, 2011
1:07 pm
Thanks Jeff, for throwing a bucket of cold water in my face and bringing me back to reality.
PMC
August 10th, 2011
1:13 pm
Curtis Lofton also had offseason knee surgery…
@# FREAK OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dick Tracy
August 10th, 2011
1:17 pm
Ok boys I’ll get to the bottom of this..hand loose!!!!!!
Dick Tracy
August 10th, 2011
1:19 pm
are is that hang loose?
bart
August 10th, 2011
1:19 pm
Advances in surgical techniques have changed how players rehabilitate. A lot of these nagging injuries, players just would have lived with in the past. Now with advances in scope surgery and recovery time in weeks vs months, these repairs have become commonplace to get a players back to top performance. Chipper had knee surgery a few weeks ago and is back on the field. Just not the big deal it used to be.
Actually Jeff, a nose job would probably be a bigger deal.
1eyedJack
August 10th, 2011
1:24 pm
Jeff, you could give out Atta-boy certificates for being first.
honest_abe
August 10th, 2011
1:24 pm
look the point being nobody was aware of the injury and nobody knows how serious it is. which leave the possibility that it COULD impair his performance this year.
from what i’ve heard he’s looked good in non contact drills. so hopefully this is much ado about nothing. but the falcons were the only team interested in signing this 26 year pass rusher (these typically are in high demand) so go figure.
yo mama
August 10th, 2011
1:40 pm
the report said minor surgery. on one knee. i dont see anyone complaining about Curtis Loftons surgery on both of his knees. lots of stoopid folks on here. basically, they are using it as smoke screen to keep him healthy for opening day. anyone remember Dunta’s hammy all last year? they are going to save him til the season starts. who wants the prize FA injured in a meaningless game? need to get smarter folks. read between the lines, and stop complaining about preseason games. its for the lower round picks, and fa’s to compete for the few spots that remain. Ryan will execute one series or two, then sit. cmon, already!
Danny O
August 10th, 2011
2:00 pm
Where’s the Count? I hope his next appearance isn’t in the obituaries…
Dee
August 10th, 2011
2:02 pm
It’s articles like these are why teams don’t publish injury information right away. Some sports writers are as judgmental and wildly tempermental as the people who post in the comments sections.
Kane337
August 10th, 2011
2:02 pm
0-16 staring us in the face.
B-Baller-4real-deal
August 10th, 2011
2:10 pm
Jeff, “Breast augmentation” ? LMAO.
Dang, I hope this guy isn’t Ray Edwards in Sean Witherspoon skin ?
B-Baller-4real-deal
August 10th, 2011
2:12 pm
Edwards will have 5 sacks and 25 cortizone shots this year…
ICEMANcometh10
August 10th, 2011
2:12 pm
A practice dummy could be used for tackling to get ready for the game. Some of you should go the a Falcons practice and stand still to be tackled. PANIC is in the air. Even if he gets 5 sacks this year we DID NOT lose anything. Some of you should have gotten off season brain surgery.
Lockout Quietness
August 10th, 2011
2:12 pm
Lots of players have shown up with injuries, surgeries, that teams didn’t know about as they couldn’t talk with the players from March until just recently. And as a player (or an agent) is not going to divulge something like that when they are free agents, it’s just buyer beware (or in case of injured players already under contract, employer beware).
Would have liked to see the NFLPA* reaction to the owners saying that no player will be paid if they were injured during the lockout.
Trashy Joe
August 10th, 2011
2:13 pm
He mighta got a penal extension ?
Trashy Joe
August 10th, 2011
2:14 pm
Lebotomy eh ?
Just The Facts
August 10th, 2011
2:15 pm
Geraldo Rivera aka Jeff Schultz….I would not tell you anything either. You’re just a thorn in the side of Atlanta Sports (both players & management) with all of your negativity.
Rim-Rocker-4-Shore
August 10th, 2011
2:15 pm
I see now why the Patriots or Eagles didn’t sign Edwards. They probably did their homework on him.
Jimmy Crack
August 10th, 2011
2:17 pm
NO WONDER! I thought Edwards was kind of cheap for an 8 sack/season DE. Great, so instead of Matt Dillon patrolling the End position, we got Festus.
That’s it man, game over man, game over! What the #$@! are we gonna do now? What are we gonna do? We’re on an express elevator to hell; going down!
Rim-Rocker-4-Shore
August 10th, 2011
2:18 pm
Rumor has it he got admantium injections into his extremeties… He will sack Aaron Rodgers then scrape his face off…
Tre-Man-Ups
August 10th, 2011
2:20 pm
ESPN reporting Edwards got breast implants…
Michael
August 10th, 2011
2:21 pm
Jamaal Anderson is with the Colts, Jenkins is with McNabb in Minnesota.
B-Baller-4Real-Deal
August 10th, 2011
2:22 pm
I meant Sean Witherspoon in Ray Edwards skin… Excuse me, I’m simultaneously trying to blog and watch the 1980 Celtics-Lakers championship on VHS tape…
mike
August 10th, 2011
2:23 pm
It does not matter any way since this team is not going anywhere. They will win a few games but peter out as always. Just like the baseball team. These two can never get to the big show.
B-Baller-4Real-Deal
August 10th, 2011
2:23 pm
Norwood is a Damn Ram.
B-Baller-4Real-Deal
August 10th, 2011
2:25 pm
Jeff, can they give me a rum & coke at Starbucks ?
B-Baller-4Real-Deal
August 10th, 2011
2:26 pm
Atta-girl one eyed jacks…
reckingball
August 10th, 2011
2:39 pm
This is getting into Chris Chase territory.
dtanner
August 10th, 2011
2:44 pm
if you notice most of these pro athletes bust ass until they get the big contract,then they get slack
AJC should do better.......
August 10th, 2011
2:45 pm
This is normal, probably just had the knee scoped. I’m more worried about the reports that Turner showed up a little on the heavy side this year. What’s the deal with Turner, is he in shape or what?
DHunt
August 10th, 2011
3:00 pm
Can you say, “slow news day”. Who dot this scoop online first, you or Ledbetter? Any pro football player who didn’t immediately run out and get surgery for any nagging injury, knowing that they would have the lockout to heal, is a darned fool. I’m glad to know that whatever was ailing him has been fixed, Same goes for the other guys. And as far as how the Falcons are releasing the information, after reading this can you blame them.
I personally don’t want to see a single starter play more than 2 series until the last game of the preseason. Let the backups and rookies battle it out for roster spots. Fans shouldn’t expect to see the starters in preseason anyway, and we should expect (and embrace) even less this year. If the Falcons brass has to use injury rehab as the cover for sitting the starters, I think it’s a great idea.
hand solo
August 10th, 2011
3:14 pm
the falcons are very very bush league… i still havent gotten my season tix……god im pissed off
Let's Go
August 10th, 2011
3:16 pm
Jeff
What is upsetting you here? The fact that the Falcons signed the guy after having knee surgery or the fact that all these players are having procedures and no one is holding a news conference to alert the media?
Unless he can’t go opening day it’s no big deal.
hand solo
August 10th, 2011
3:18 pm
the son of a b….. wont play in 8 games period
AJC should do better.......
August 10th, 2011
3:33 pm
Got my season tickets yesterday, they sent a nice little care package for my ten years of loyalty as well. I was very impressed.
honest_abe
August 10th, 2011
3:49 pm
its big enough to news to get on espn, nfl network, rotoworld, profootballtalk.com. hmmmmmm i guess its just shultz and dled sensationalizing. please lets stop showing the world just how ignorant the majority of people living in atl really are.
hand solo
August 10th, 2011
4:03 pm
what in the living hell is a care package
Whopper Dawg
August 10th, 2011
4:13 pm
I heard that Loften also had some minor procedures on his knees.
BirdDawg24
August 10th, 2011
4:40 pm
Hey NFL federal govt needs a bailout. Show us some of that team spirit. stocks are down over 500 points. spread some of that money around.
Matt from MN
August 10th, 2011
4:51 pm
Welcome to Foxboro South.
ATLol
August 10th, 2011
4:51 pm
Did Burner Turner have waist enhancement surgery? It looks bigger
Joe Tess Fish House
August 10th, 2011
5:10 pm
Just perfect Flacons. Pay a ton of mony for an injrued player. So typical of the falcons 2 do dum stuff like this. This is much like there drafts amd all those fist round busts
Falcons4Eva
August 10th, 2011
5:17 pm
Is the Falcons game on Friday being televised of blacked out locally?
Brad in KY
August 10th, 2011
5:35 pm
What a stupid story. Wake me up when exhibition season is over.
Paddy
August 10th, 2011
5:40 pm
Joe Tess…..give it a rest. Noboby pays any bit of attention to your negativity. Go find a soccer team to root for. Leave football for the adults!
tom
August 10th, 2011
6:04 pm
I like how the Falcons handle these situations. Love it when the media cannot get their way.
AlanFalcon
August 10th, 2011
6:26 pm
(seenthisbefore and joetessfishhouse) Sounds as if they are beginning to get to many of the bloggers, HAVE FAITH IN TD AND SMITTY , THIS YEAR THE FALCONS ARE GOING TO BRING IT, THEY HAVE BEEN STOCK PILING AND TRAINING AND WINNING FOR THREE CONSECTIVE YEARS.
12-4 & NFC CHAMPIONS AND ON THE WAY TO THE SUPER BOWL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO FALCONS AND GO SOUTHERN RUSH
DHunt
August 10th, 2011
6:38 pm
Like I said honest_abe, a slow newsday. Rotoworld at least gave DLed credit for the info. And since most national outlets get their daily tidbits from the local newshounds (in this case basset hounds) this is all they had to run with today, so run with it they did. Sure it makes for a great sensational story, but the obvious lack of in depth knowledge about the actual going’s on, should tell you that they are fishing for a story angle. What better story angle than once again, the Falcons come up short or make a bad move. That’s just the national haterade parade lining up for a new season. And you can thank your local paper for that.
I have no problem with critical or probing reporting. But hanging the home team out to dry doesn’t sit well with me.
coloradofalconsfan
August 10th, 2011
7:09 pm
Standing on the sideline, Edwards will have a better rush than Jamal.
BiggdawgK
August 10th, 2011
7:29 pm
Manning not playing the 1st preseason game. OMG his career is over.
Greg Mendel
August 10th, 2011
7:55 pm
Went to morning practice today. Julio looked good (he’s bigger, or maybe just taller than White by an inch or so). Quizz looked real good. Turner was there, and looked good. Gonzalez looked perfect. Matt Ryan looked like a laser.
Seen this B4 ain’t seen this. He will.
Greg Mendel
August 10th, 2011
8:07 pm
@ Paddy
No disrespect, but you won’t find a single player in the NFL who could live through a real soccer game. You don’t get smashed (in armor) in soccer, but you get smashed, and you don’t ever get to rest. You have to do the 40 yard dash at least 100 times in every game.
Different games. Don’t knock it. Soccer — “football” to most people on Earth — is the ultimate sport. And it’s possible for soccer fans like me to appreciate them both.
And it begins
August 10th, 2011
8:40 pm
I’d love for this to be Foxboro South.. But we have to win a championship first. In order to win a championship you have to win a FREAKING PLAYOFF GAME FIRST!
9-7 wildcard with another playoff exit brining us to 0-3 playoff record. If that happens the seat under Mike Smith’s behind should get a little hotter!!!!!!!
birdfan
August 10th, 2011
9:09 pm
Whoever said the Falcons wouldn’t have signed him if his knee wasn’t fine is dead wrong. They would have still signed him as long they hoped his knee would be okay because there was no one else out there. I love the team but the propoganda-spin machine is getting pretty arrogant out at F. Branch. Why is it so essential for us to think T.D. has never made a mistake? The Falcons knew Peria Jerry’s knee was unsound when they drafted him but hoped he could play through it. They gambled and lost and it is very clearly now a poor decision as he is a 28 year old first round pick who has never started a game. It is what it is in that no one is perfect so quit tryin to snow the fans with this Edwards and Turner secrecy and with the misinformation about Jerry being “injured” his rookie year rather than having a pre-existing knee problem the team was well aware of. When a team starts to assume it’s fans are stupid is when it starts to lose those fans.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 10th, 2011
9:14 pm
HA HA HA
Yeah Dimitroff is a genius
He drafts damaged players
Pays big money for players that were not re-signed (Dunta/Edwards)
Give 72 million to a pop warner CHOKE
Eagles 60
Falcants 10
Stan
August 10th, 2011
10:20 pm
Why do baseball announcers say, when there’s 2 outs and a 2 strike count on a batter, that that team is down to it’s final strike. That is wrong. The player is down to his final strike. But if the player gets a hit, then another guy starts new 0-0. You’d think these announcers who do nothing but follow, call and watch baseball would know something so obvious.
honest_abe
August 11th, 2011
8:06 am
preach it birdfan
Fish Bisch
August 11th, 2011
9:25 am
Hey people in Minnessota are saying he had Microfacture sugery…
That is is not “Minor”
mbrversion1
August 12th, 2011
9:13 am
B-baller…. 1980 was the Sixers and Lakers,just thoght you should know. (:-B
mbrversion1
August 12th, 2011
9:15 am
sorry,misspell, THOUGHT you should know (:- )
mbrversion1
August 12th, 2011
9:17 am
BTW , the biggest upgrade still needed is @ Defensive coordinator,just sayin…….
MinnesotaGuy
August 12th, 2011
9:43 am
Hate to break it to you Falcons fans, but Ray Edwards is not a dominant player by any stretch of the imagination. He’s basically an OK defensive end and that’s it. A bit of a drama queen too-you know, I don’t ever get the respect I deserve, etc. But he never produced much even when the OL had to focus on Jared Allen and the Williams and he was being blocked by just one guy.
ICEMELT..
August 12th, 2011
11:51 am
Lets see if ice melt throws a pick 6 tonight. Bet a peanut butter sandwich that he does just that!
MV7 stats last night against the Ravens 4-6, 74 yds through the air, 1 touchdown!!!!! Razor sharp passing! Made it look to easy like MJ!!
MV7 for MVP!..
Eagles 47, Falcons 18 Sunday night on NBC (9-18-11)! Yeah!!
ICEMELT..
August 12th, 2011
11:53 am
MEMO to Mularkey: KICK ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!