Ray Edwards finally coming around for Falcons
Ray Edwards had this sack of Cam Newton two weeks ago but has only 3.5 this season. (AP photo)
FLOWERY BRANCH – The first time Ray Edwards made big news as a Falcon came when the team announced he would not play in the team’s first exhibition game because of what coach Mike Smith somewhat comically referred to as “a minor procedure.”
That “minor procedure” turned out to be slightly worse than an ear-wax removal. It was knee surgery – disclosed to the public two weeks after the Falcons’ signed him as a free agent. The injury limited Edwards in offseason workouts. It kept him sidelined for the first two preseason games. Most importantly, it generally rendered him as a nothing-special player in a season when he was supposed to be a something-special difference-maker for a team trying to win a playoff game.
“Yeah, it bothered me, because I know how hard I train and how hard I play, and I was not getting the numbers I wanted to get,” Edwards said Tuesday.
We can debate whether the Falcons should have thought twice about pursuing a player they knew had knee surgery – the specifics of which Edwards still won’t get into – and whether they were fully aware of how long this rehabilitation process might take. Even Edwards acknowledges, “As far as exploding off of it, I’m still not 100 percent. I don’t think I will be until [the offseason] when I go back to Minnesota to train and get back my strength in my legs that was lost in the surgery.”
But 14 games into the season, the Falcons are staring to get something out of their investment. Edwards has been in on two sacks in the last two games against Carolina and Jacksonville. That coincides with when he started to feel stronger. “I feel like I’m getting my legs back underneath me,” he said.
December is a good time for an NFL defense to get a boost. If the Falcons’ pass rush continues to improve, it makes their chance for success against New Orleans on Monday night and later in the playoffs significantly better. An effective Edwards and John Abraham up front, along with a rising Sean Weatherspoon and a healthy Brent Grimes, give this defense play-making potential that it has lacked.
Now, Edwards (and coaches) will tell you that he has been effective against the run all season. (Quoting: “I don’t think anybody at my position is as good at stopping the run as me.”)
But when a team signs a player to a $30 million free agent contract, there’s an expectation that you won’t have to go looking for him. He’s supposed to be a 100-watt bulb, not a tea light.
Edwards has 3½ sacks, 5 “quarterback hits” and 5½ “hurries” this season. Last year in Minnesota, he had 8 sacks, 13½ knockdowns and 14½ hurries.
When asked about the criticism, Edwards laughed. “Y’all are very cut-throat,” he said. “But I’m not worried about it. You don’t pay my bills or cause me any grief or unhappiness. It is what it is. That’s your job.”
If we haven’t seen the Edwards that had 16½ sacks the last two years in Minnesota, there are two good reasons: 1) The knee injury, which he said came from “the usual wear and tear.” (He denied it had anything to do with his boxing exhibition during the lockout); 2) His transition to the Falcons’ scheme, which he termed “totally different” from the Vikings’.
Edwards rarely missed a defensive snap in Minnesota. He is used in a three-man, defensive-end rotation with the Falcons. The Vikings’ defensive scheme, he said, was more “straight forward.” The Falcons tend to use more stunts up front.
Abraham said, “Everyone’s still learning how to play with each other.”
He also referenced the after-effects of a knee injury, as did linebacker Mike Peterson. “I could just tell from being around ballplayers and watching him that he wasn’t 100 percent,” Peterson said. “He was hurt. He’d make one play, but then he’d favor the knee. But you can see he’s getting better.”
It follows that the Falcons’ defense is getting better. In December, that means something.
By Jeff Schultz
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157 comments Add your comment
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
9:17 pm
FACT ZONE:
CHOKE quit on his teammates vs Tampa because of a pinky toe blister – FACT
CHOKE has never won a playoff game – FACT
CHOKE has a 4-11 record when he throws 40 or more times – FACT
CHOKE is a bust – FACT
CHOKE has as many playoff wins as Joey Harrington & Ryan Leaf – FACT
HA HA HA
Coach Smith please don’t let me go back in – my pinky toe hurts….ha ha ha
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:18 pm
I wonder if maybe Filthadelphia is having any regrets for handing MV7 another 100 million. He’s no spring chicken and his style of play is a young mans game. He cant stay on the field. Better them than us..
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2011
9:19 pm
So, we have Choke making yet more excuses for the Cream teams wet dream season. So the strike caused MV7 to QUIT at “no mas at the Dome”? It made him fake a broken arm? It made him lay out with some sore ribs? Again, I hope we play them, cause Smitty aint no Rex Ryan, and Arthur ain’t no Jerry Jones. They know MV7 has not heart, and all you gotta due is smack him in the mouth, and he will quit, just like he always has.
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:20 pm
Hey,, its our old pal MCR,, Merry Chrimas MCR,, and keep up the good work…Maybe Choke can win a playoff game this year so we dont have to listen to that crap anymore
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
9:20 pm
“CHOKE’s LETTER TO SANTA”
Oh please oh please Santa I want to experience winning a playoff game
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:21 pm
I remember MV7 having a fake broken foot,, cost a good man his job,,,
SeenThisB4
December 20th, 2011
9:22 pm
I know I rag you Falcant’s fan all the time. But to be completely honest, I am scared shotless about Monday night. The Failcons are playing way better than I ever thought they would. My new prediction is Saints by 3 only for home field advantage. Matty Melt will choke under the noise if the Failcons don’t put us away early!!!
GEAUX SAINTS
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
9:23 pm
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:20 pm
Hey,, its our old pal MCR,, Merry Chrimas MCR,, and keep up the good work…Maybe Choke can win a playoff game this year so we dont have to listen to that crap anymore
____________________________________________
You have a deal!
But……………………
If CHOKE does what he does best and CHOKE again, what will you bring to the table?
I’m a person of my word – you?
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:23 pm
Letter to Santa,,,, LOL,, thats funny MCR,,,
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:24 pm
I’m not making any predictions,, I dont run my mouth like some kinda fool,,,
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2011
9:26 pm
Rick, MR2 has 7 seasons to win 2 playoff games to match the great MV7’s career record. Don’t let “choke” intimidate you. Matty Ice has started about as fast as any QB in history, he has missed 2 games in 4 season, the man is as tough as nails.
Look at it this way, MR2 misses 1/2 a game per year on average, he would have to play about 50 seasons to miss as many games as MV7 has, and that aint even including the games MV7 missed doing time….LOL….Can’t even make that crap up.
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:26 pm
SeenThis ,,, are you feeling ok,, you dont sound right,,
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
9:26 pm
I hope you LOSERS realize that CHOKE will have to play in Green Bay if they are lucky enough (I doubt) to advance in the playoffs.
We know what Vick did vs Green Bay. Let’s see CHOKE pull off a WINDY, SHOWY & ICY win on the road…………..
Good luck with that, you have a better chance of winning the lottery………….
HA HA HA
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:28 pm
Why dont you just come clean MCR,, you just dont like “Choke” cause he’s a white boy,, there,, I said it..
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
9:30 pm
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2011
9:26 pm
Rick, MR2 has 7 seasons to win 2 playoff games to match the great MV7’s career record
____________________________________
I guess you are low on your meds but that ship has sailed already
Vick won those games before age 25, CHOKE is already 26…………..HA HA HA
You are PATHETIC & DESPERATE
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:31 pm
You’re right about one thing MCR,,, somebody is going to have to play Green Bay and it taint gonna be pretty,,,
SeenThisB4
December 20th, 2011
9:31 pm
@Scott Case: Feeling fine. Just throwing the Failcants a bone. Don’t let it go to your head. We’ll see whose laughing Tuesday morning and who Smith is making excuses as usual for.
GEAUX SAINTS
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2011
9:32 pm
Rick, he never will admit that. He is like the terminator, he cannot be reasoned with, he cannot be negotiated with. He will run his mouth until he is crushed by a ball bearing machine press operated by Matty Ice, metaphorically speaking.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
9:34 pm
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:28 pm
Why dont you just come clean MCR,, you just dont like “Choke” cause he’s a white boy,, there,, I said it..
_________________________________________
He’s White? Didn’t know that.
Maybe you got me confused with Mrs. Charlie and his love for players that resemble Mike Vick.
Just a thought
TROTTINGHOME
December 20th, 2011
9:36 pm
If I choke one more time I may have to go to the doctor.
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:37 pm
Dont worry about me SeenThis,,, i’m on a even keel,,, i have no lofty expectations,, been in this town to long,,, if we win great ,, if we dont life goes on,, its just a stupid game…
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:38 pm
MCR,, nice copy and paste job,, struck a nerve i see,,,
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
9:39 pm
TROTTINGHOME
December 20th, 2011
9:36 pm
If I choke one more time I may have to go to the doctor.
___________________________________________
HA HA HA That’s funny!
Unfortunately CHOKE has 9 lives, so he’s due for another CHOKE soon
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
9:40 pm
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:38 pm
MCR,, nice copy and paste job,, struck a nerve i see,,,
____________________________________
Stroke a nerve? We all have dreams
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
9:41 pm
Struck that is.
You still haven’t said what you will bring to the table when CHOKE does his CHOKE act again.
SeenThisB4
December 20th, 2011
9:42 pm
My even keel prediction:
“We didn’t play consistently in all phases of the game and obviously we didn’t get the outcome we wanted. When we get back to work on Monday, we will sit down and go throught the film and make the adjustments we need to make. We need to put this game behind us and prepare for next week. With that being said we will take some questions.”
Mike Smith after the loss on MNF December 26, 2011
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:43 pm
I think I made myself clear MCR,, i dont really give a Rat A$$,,, now what is it you dont understand about that,,,
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:44 pm
Nytol
falcon fan
December 20th, 2011
9:46 pm
anyone who’s had knee or shoulder surgery knows it takes a year to really recover and be 100%….they say you’re “physically healed” in 16-20 weeks, but regaining your full strength and conditioning takes another 6+ months!!!!…..let’s wait till next year to make an judgements about the acquisition of Ray!!….I trust our GM’s judgement, and there’s no way we didn’t know what we were getting!!!…..that’s what physicals are for!!!!
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2011
9:49 pm
Matt, but ConVick has not won JACK after that age of 25. He relied on his athletic ability and won a few games, but did not have the intellectual ability to grow and become a real QB…..Ice, just the opposite, he will continue to develop intellectually and will just get better and better.
SeenThisB4
December 20th, 2011
9:52 pm
“We knew that Brees was going to come out to win, we talked all week that we need to get pressure and we just did not execute like we needed to. When we don’t get pressure and we lose the turnover ratio, more times than not we are not going to get the outcome we want. This is a process and we are going to continue the process of working on the process. We still have not played a full game and I take 100% responsibility for that. The entire coaching staff prepares week in and week out preparing for executing the process. But I am not going to talk about the process as this game was not about the process. It was about execution of the process. We would like to have executed the process better and next week will stress that the we need to execute the process better. With that I will take no more questions.”
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
9:53 pm
Scott Case
December 20th, 2011
9:43 pm
I think I made myself clear MCR,, i dont really give a Rat A$$
_______________________________
Struck a nerve?
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
9:55 pm
CHOKE = Joey Harrington
SeenThisB4
December 20th, 2011
10:05 pm
LMAO-
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/2011/12/transcript-mike-smith-post-practice-interview-72/
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2011
10:06 pm
Falcon, amen to that.
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2011
10:11 pm
Choke, again, MV7 set the world on fire, but WTF happened? He lacks leadership, when the chips get down, he cries, complains and blames…I see a little bit of MC7 in Cam….Remember the Chicago game this year? Ice was getting killed, the game was over, smacked like a MC7 pit bull, it was the first game of the season, and there was NO reason to have Ice out there, he easily could have put Redmon out there to keep him out of harms way, but, he was screaming “Finish it, FINNISH IT. You have no idea what a man and QB Ryan is.
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2011
10:16 pm
Think about it, the first game on the season, MR2 was smacked around like a ConVick pit bull….He did not come out of the game even though the line could not protect him and the game was out of reach. He just pulled his teammates together and insisted they FINNISH. You ever see MV7 do that? LOL, he just set on the sideline shaking his head. That is why he was never able to capitalize on his athletic ability and build on his early years…..So, 10 years later, 2 playoff wins……Whoo hooo, clear out a wing in Canton.
hobbler
December 20th, 2011
10:17 pm
Oh is Ray Edwards on our team this year?
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2011
10:29 pm
Watch at the 3 minute mark, down 30-6, 28 seconds left, Ryan getting smacked in the mouth. If you watch the game, you remember him jumping up sayin “finish the game”…..That might have been Ryan best moment. He aint strong, he aint fast, his arm is average at best, but it is his leadership and intellect that makes him a top 5 QB….And CMR HAAATEESSS it….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WHQmx6ktdc
Michael
December 20th, 2011
11:09 pm
I think Mr. Charlie is a drug addict. He just said Matt Ryan is a top 5 QB.
Kerryb
December 20th, 2011
11:09 pm
It’s funny. During the Jaguar game when the Falcons were playing great and when Matt Ryan was having a good night you didn’t see Choke anywhere on the Falcons blog. He waits until they are not playing to come on a Falcons blog and spew his crap. What a gutless wonder.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
11:11 pm
Michael
December 20th, 2011
11:09 pm
I think Mr. Charlie is a drug addict. He just said Matt Ryan is a top 5 QB.
_________________________________________
HA HA HA
Give him some slack, he lost his meds
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
11:12 pm
@Kerryb
Trick please, you were playing a 2 or 3 win team with the 4 STRAIGHT rookie qb
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 20th, 2011
11:14 pm
“CHOKES RECIPE”
Beat up the bottom dwellers…………..
CHOKE vs good defenses…………… HA HA HA
Black is back
December 20th, 2011
11:29 pm
Ray Edwards is a typical black @ss entitlement negro. He has not produced this year yet his attitude suggests he answers to nobody. Ray has zero business sense and has no clue what fans pay to see him underperform.
JSS
December 20th, 2011
11:41 pm
Chipper said the same thing last Spring… What’s his “entitlement?” 1997? That was 14 years ago… Hurt is hurt, condescending is condescending… I don’t condescend those of you who are cretins, I pity most of you…
ohhhYEAH
December 21st, 2011
12:15 am
Choke face….
i hope YOU are smart enough to realize that the Packers have a first round Bye, but we all know you arent that smart since earlier you just said the Falcons would have to play them WHEN we make the playoffs. Right now its lookin like we will go to Dallas an then San Fran, which is about as ideal as it could get for the Falcons
ohhhYEAH
December 21st, 2011
12:17 am
Be that as it may JSS, The Chip was still in the top 5 of almost every major offensive category among all 3B last year. Nope, hes definitely not ‘97 Chipper or even ‘08 Chipper, but hes still producing better than most at his position, even at his declining age and skill level. Really goes to show the kind of special talent he was in my opinion
PaulieOldschool
December 21st, 2011
1:32 am
I was for signing Charles Johnson instead. I’ll stick with that opinion, thanks.
SAINTS > FAILCANTS
December 21st, 2011
5:59 am
Fact….we win the NFC South Monday night….your team is simply inferior…Payton is a better coach than Smith….Brees > Melted Ice….I could go on for days about our superiority….but, you get the point…