Falcons’ startling admission: Ray Edwards was a blunder
Here's Ray Edwards without pads. No reason to show him with pads -- he seldom used them. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
(Updated: 10:15 p.m.)
Say goodbye to one of the few significant personnel mistakes of the Thomas Dimitroff-Mike Smith era.
Defensive end Ray Edwards, the epitome of a free agent bust, was drop-kicked by the Falcons Monday night. How bad does a supposed high-profile player have to be for him to be found useless by two defensive coordinators (Brian VanGorder and Mike Nolan) in two seasons?
The Falcons alibied for Edwards last season, when he managed only 3.5 sacks after recording 16.5 the previous two seasons in Minnesota. They said he wasn’t healthy. There also were suggestions that he wasn’t being used right by the since-departed VanGorder.
Well, excuses apparently weren’t being accepted this season – and Nolan presumably was given a bigger hammer to swing than VanGorder.
Edwards had become a highly paid part-time player. He was brought in to help the pass rush. He devolved into early-down player to defend the run. He wasn’t even doing that well. This for a guy who was signed before last season to a five-year, $27.5 million contract (more than half of which fortunately never will make it into his pocket).
How much had Edwards disappeared? According to Football Outsiders, which tracks the total snap counts of every player, Edwards was in for only 14 plays total in Sunday’s game at New Orleans, and four of those came on special teams. He played on only 10 defensive snaps, which equated to 18 percent of the game.
Meanwhile, Nolan has found ways to use younger players in Edwards place and Kroy Biermann has been used in pass-rush situations and even dropped into coverage. Edwards’ days clearly were numbered.
There was a growing belief that if Nolan couldn’t find much use for him, Edwards would be gone after the season. He gave the impression he just didn’t care. Some wondered if he was putting greater effort into his modeling career. (Here’s a link to his 2012 Edwards’ modeling calendar. Not sure if they’re still $8.)
He also wasn’t the most pleasant person to be around for the media, not that a team would factor that into a personnel decision. Besides, by this point, nobody really wanted to talk to him anyway.
The fact the Falcons made this move now is remarkable for an NFL team just past the halfway point of the season. But if they are going to get pounded publicly for the signing, they should be credited for making such a bold move now. It’s actually a good sign that they were not going to let a problem fester and potentially ruin the season.
That said, signing him was a big mistake.
By Jeff Schultz
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152 comments Add your comment
Sluggo
November 12th, 2012
10:04 pm
It’s about time. Onward and upward.
zzggyy
November 12th, 2012
10:04 pm
Good move.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 12th, 2012
10:04 pm
The highlight of Ray Edwards’ Falcons career is still the classy portrait he made with his Magic City stripper girlfriend.
Sam
November 12th, 2012
10:06 pm
First! make room for OVIE!
robertussen
November 12th, 2012
10:07 pm
i am a little shocked by this move but what can i say the guy did not do his job, when you don’t do your job you get fired
m.penoyar
November 12th, 2012
10:07 pm
First?
m.penoyar
November 12th, 2012
10:08 pm
Dang it
m.penoyar
November 12th, 2012
10:10 pm
Bold move indeed. Hopefully the injury prone/aging/easily gased Abraham doesn’t get hurt.
LanFan
November 12th, 2012
10:11 pm
Proud to see the Falcons making a real statement. Everyone better strap it on.
Thanks for that.
NikkiFree
November 12th, 2012
10:12 pm
“How bad does a supposed high-profile player have to be for him to be found useless by two defensive coordinators (Brian VanGorder and Mike Nolan)?”
Wow, Jeff. Hadn’t thought about it like that. Ray was a mere bust to me. Now he seems like a bust on a whole new level. LOL!
JP
November 12th, 2012
10:20 pm
Honestly, if no one had reported on this, how long would it have taken most fans to notice he was gone? On the rare occasions where he has actually made a play, I found myself going, “Oh yeah, I forgot we had him.” What a bust.
Big Ray
November 12th, 2012
10:29 pm
It was a mistake. One not known to the media any more than most of the fans at the time….then again, we could have overpaid for Mario Williams or Charles Johnson.
How’s ol’ Super Mario doing for Buffalo these days? What’s that? Less production than old azz John Abraham?
Ouch…there went $100 million….no wonder the Texans didn’t bat an eyelash when he went out the door.
Joseph
November 12th, 2012
10:33 pm
bring OVIE back NOW before its too late
tmc
November 12th, 2012
10:33 pm
i agree with Mike Bell (790 the zone), they should have tried him out as the short yardage ball carrier before the cut him. Maybe he could have taken the place of Michael Turner! Hopefully, he is next. Turner sure acts like he don’t care either…
slydog
November 12th, 2012
10:35 pm
apparently he must have become too much of a liability in the locker room since he could not perform on the field.
Ron
November 12th, 2012
10:36 pm
Ya know this move should have been made he has done nothing this year I feel like he has taken precious playing time away from one of the younger more hungrier player I wanna see sidbury and the rookie massaqoui let’s see what they can do I feel like one of those guys plus bierman maybe they can be a force
TrishaDishawareagle
November 12th, 2012
10:40 pm
Glad to see Nolan takes no crap.
as for “Everyone better strap it on”, it made me shudder and think of a party at Janet Napolitano’s house
Ray Edwards cut by Atlanta Falcons in surprise move – NFL News | football.sportreports.tk
November 12th, 2012
10:41 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
lowdownjj
November 12th, 2012
10:41 pm
Jeff, do ya know what the cap hit for next yr will be?
falconfan 84
November 12th, 2012
10:44 pm
He was too into himeself and not enough into his team….if he spent time chasing quarterbacks like he he did girls, he would had a lot more production.
Whopper Dawg
November 12th, 2012
10:44 pm
TD has done some good things on the skill positions. His work on both lines has been atrocious. And it is the lines that will not allow this team to beat the better ones come playoff time. First and goal at the one, and three passes, what does that tell you?
At least they know. No more turner next year.
puff
November 12th, 2012
10:46 pm
If Edwards is Free Agent Bust 1, Dunta is 1-a.
As for Turner, when his # got called on that last 3rd down, I couldn’t believe it. The Saints must have tampered with Matty’s earpiece.
Dave
November 12th, 2012
10:46 pm
Turner next?
Jeff Schultz
November 12th, 2012
10:49 pm
Najeh Davenpoop — Haha. Thanks. Had forgotten about that “portrait.”
Jeff Schultz
November 12th, 2012
10:50 pm
Lowdownjj — Not off hand but I don’t think it’ll be as bad as you’d think. His signing bonus was only $4 million I think, three years of proration is $2.4 million. That might be it.
meme
November 12th, 2012
10:52 pm
a not so free agent is only free to go, players with problems & and this Black Magic city hmm
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
November 12th, 2012
10:54 pm
he wasnt the most plesant to be around…the article says..why does this not suprise me??class of the falcons??that would be MR TONY GONZALEZ and a darn good football player always giving 100% in games played…1 more yr MR TONY GONZALEZ…
Mora less Petrino
November 12th, 2012
10:56 pm
Should have checked him out on Angie’s List before hiring him. Live and learn.
Joe
November 12th, 2012
10:57 pm
Can the Falcons please do the same thing for Dunta Robinson tomorrow? Both of these guys are squarely in the mold of Nick Esasky, Ed Hartwell and Speedy Claxton-all 5 of them should be in jail for stealing from Atlanta pro sports teams.
meme
November 12th, 2012
10:58 pm
only 4 million! what a deal, about a million a sack
chasjons
November 12th, 2012
10:59 pm
Good riddance. I think I have watched every game that he has played and I feel like I have only noticed him make a tackle or sack in one or two games. Maybe he didn’t understand that he could be cut?
meme
November 12th, 2012
11:02 pm
hey Joe where ya goin with that gun without shootin John Koncak
Joe
November 12th, 2012
11:04 pm
How could I forget Koncak, oh gracious, think that I had tried to erase that from the memory banks.
Peerless Price?
Joe
November 12th, 2012
11:07 pm
Tim McKyer?
Joe
November 12th, 2012
11:08 pm
Raul Mondesi?
Joe
November 12th, 2012
11:09 pm
Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson?
DBN11
November 12th, 2012
11:11 pm
Falcons is really going in the right direction……..
No More Slackers……….
Steve Duke
November 12th, 2012
11:11 pm
Turner needs to follow him…
Rupe in DC
November 12th, 2012
11:14 pm
@ Najeh …. That portrait is priceless
.
Dave
November 12th, 2012
11:23 pm
how could Turner follow Edwards? he can not even follow a blocker.
Mora less Petrino
November 12th, 2012
11:25 pm
Jeff “Boy” George and Isiah “DA” Rider.
raysnill
November 12th, 2012
11:25 pm
well now that Ray’s gone the defense is gonna be awesome, and we’re gonna start converting those 1st & goals. message received!!!!
Mora less Petrino
November 12th, 2012
11:31 pm
When looking at the Edwards portrait, I could hear KC & the Sunshine Band.
Scooter
November 12th, 2012
11:39 pm
For all of y’all comparing Edwards to Dunta, yeah, Dunta may be burned too often but he’s actually a pretty good tackler and it’s not lack of effort on his part.
Billy Ray
November 13th, 2012
12:00 am
The move was made after Edwards told them he was auditioning for next season’s America’s Next Top Model…
O'Ventbrel
November 13th, 2012
12:10 am
A stripper named LaStarya. You can’t make this stuff up.
Even with how little of an impact Edwards had, I’m a little surprised they kicked him to the curb. That’s business though.
Ron Roberts
November 13th, 2012
12:18 am
Now, let that be a wake up call to Michael Turner. Personally, I think Jason Snelling should be getting his snaps TFN, anyhow, with Ja’Quizz Rogers being the change-of-pace.
Thomas Dimitroff
November 13th, 2012
12:23 am
Now how do I admit I drafted the wrong qb that is in Baltimore?
Michael M.
November 13th, 2012
12:59 am
I like it when they keep shaking things up………………after losing that game yesterday by 1 point and having the chances to beat up on the sub par Caints and make a huge statement they failed. I hope they get on some players this week about the mis-cues and mistakes in yesterday’s game. Atlanta Falcons can play way , way better than they performed yesterday on the football field. They let the New Orleans Team whip them in that one. It was just too obvious to see after watching the highlights.
It is bad to lose and break the undefeated season but to lose by just one point when they could have piled up some points on those nasty stinkin Caints is just unacceptable to me anyway. Bet they play a different ballgame this coming next game up !
It is onwards and upwards with this new Coaching Staff or you will find yourself showed the door………………………hahahaha………………I just love it !
ylojkt
November 13th, 2012
1:02 am
D*MN does LaStarya have a caboose on da loose. Good thing Ray has big hands!
Parshay
November 13th, 2012
1:13 am
Woah slow down ill take Matt Ryan over flacco. And if you start talkin bout playoff victories ima start talkin bout defenses. And the teams that beat us won the Super Bowl except Arizona. Are defense has been porous for years and Matt Ryan and that offense have still gotten a lot of wins.
Falcons release disappointing Ray Edwards
November 13th, 2012
3:17 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
ZACK
November 13th, 2012
3:24 am
CUT AT LAST…CUT AT LAST…THANK GOD ALMIGHTY THEY CUT HIS SORRY AZZ!!!
SLOW CHURNER TURNER SHOULD BE NEXT!!! YOU CAN FIND HIS FAT AZZ AT THE DUNKIN DONUTS NEAR MAGIC CITY!
inkspot
November 13th, 2012
4:01 am
It’s also a message to the guys on the team who ARE earning their paychecks. Keep up the good work Falcons!
Dirty-Bird of Paradise
November 13th, 2012
4:08 am
Good point Parshay. Flacco may have a more powerful arm, but the pocket presence and timing belong to Matt.
E
November 13th, 2012
4:24 am
The problem for the Falcons is that they are to loyal to players who does not produce because I know they have to see the same sh*t we see weekly during time watching film. I you look at it the Falcons are almost last in yards given up rushing and almost last rushing on offense.
P B Orr
November 13th, 2012
4:40 am
He was openly bad.
-drl
Falcons’ startling admission: Ray Edwards was a blunder
November 13th, 2012
5:19 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
jerry
November 13th, 2012
5:22 am
If Edwards was the least productive player, Turner has just moved up to least productive. It is a good sign by the franchise that poor performance won’t be tolerated, regardless of status.
mike
November 13th, 2012
5:37 am
Actually there is no Dunkin Donuts near Magic City so you can stop with that one lie. Falcants should get into the playoffs after which records does not count anymore only that you win and keep playing. Lets see how far they get or will it be the usual like all Atlanta teams. There certainly wont be the softees the Falcants have been playing this year.
Mike Franklin
November 13th, 2012
5:56 am
“Falcons’ startling admission: Ray Edwards was a blunder”
LOL! It wouldn’t be the first… Aundray Bruce is one that immediately comes to mind. But then too, so do other teams think they have landed the big fish and end up with just wet bait.
Try, try again.
Samuel
November 13th, 2012
6:00 am
Iv’e been clamoring for a long time to get this dude off the team. Who wants to put up with a hot head who couldn’t make a play. I read where he said he was stronger than John Abraham. But he came up short with technique and performance. He simply couldn’t wear John Abraham’s jock strap.
Falcon's 4 life
November 13th, 2012
6:08 am
Here comes ovie
Buddy Landel
November 13th, 2012
6:25 am
no mention of Ike Reese?
Buddy Landel
November 13th, 2012
6:28 am
re: Joe Flacco. Yes, he has more playoff wins, but please visit profootballreference.com and research his performance in playoff games. He averages like 170 yards per game, and that’s with a 300 yard performance (aided by checkdowns to Rice) in his most recent game.
Buddy Landel
November 13th, 2012
6:32 am
I just looked it up. In 9 career playoff games, Flacco has 8 TDs and 8 INTs. His career playoff passing rating is a 70.
ITown
November 13th, 2012
6:36 am
how ray going to pay for all that bling that lastarya still want? that chick got high dollar tastes and ray’s probably broke. the ATL needs to give him a couple of mil on the way out to take care of his woman.
Nativebird
November 13th, 2012
7:03 am
A “few” Dimitroff blunders? Hmm. Edwards, Pera Jerry, Sam Baker (1st rounders? Really), Hawley is a flat out joke, Chevis Jackson, Robert James, Garrett Reynolds, Mike Johnson, it goes on and on my friend. Dimitroff as it turns out is less the “guru” from New England and more the crapshooter in personnel as is everybody else. So let’s not paint this midget fast talker as some sort of great personnel guy.
Stepchild
November 13th, 2012
7:05 am
News blast….Chris Ivory won’t be the last running back to exploit that right side of the defense. After you get past the sub par Defensive End you will have the next free agent pickup to be released……No Tackling Assante Samuel. I’m still sick with the effort he put out on that Ivory td run.
Dunta'sOK
November 13th, 2012
7:09 am
Dunta is a solid corner back having a solid season. Might not be worth every dollar, but you pay a premium for free agents. Release him and what? Crisp Owens? Franks? Get real…
Jeff
November 13th, 2012
7:19 am
We should applaud the Falcons for having the guts to bring in a talent to address a critical need and the guts to let him go when it didn’t work out.
Who of us can say we’ve never been fooled in a hiring or a relationship ?
This is a good wake up call for Mr. Edwards as well.
Nativebird
November 13th, 2012
7:21 am
Agreed on Dunta…..actually one of the best tackling Corners weve ever had. Ask Eagle’s Desean Jackson if Dunta Robinson can’t tackle.
RunninWithTheDawgs
November 13th, 2012
7:29 am
I hope this means that either John Massaquoi or Cliff Mathews is showing a lot of promise and ready to step up. It’s funny now looking back you hardly ever heard Ray’s name or saw him in on many plays at all.
Escaped from Email Purgatory
November 13th, 2012
7:38 am
The number 93 has been disgraced an defiled – first Aundray Bruce, now Ray Edwards – two of biggest busts in franchise history.
The team should retire – no, make that burn – #93 jerseys adorned on the back with both ‘BRUCE’ and ‘EDWARDS’ and bury the ashes behind the utility shed in Flowery Branch.
Invite Taylor Smith to the ceremony.
Then somebody can close the proceedings with a few words – a very few words. How about limiting that number to the combined sack total for these two clods?
Aundray Bruce: the scourge of pizza delivery boys everywhere. Ray Edwards: aspiring model and the honorary Mayor of Magic City.
What a colossal waste of roster space these guys were. Good riddance.
Getaway
November 13th, 2012
7:48 am
The timing seems off. I know losing to the Saints sucks, but with the Bears and Giants losing and 49ers tying, the Falcons came out of this loss unscathed. I hope they’re not just weakening the bench just to send a message.
Maybe I’m just watching at the right time, but Sidbury seems to be in a lot of plays and I thought he had a good preseason. I wonder what it is that they don’t like about him.
Shouldn't have done all that acid in the 70's
November 13th, 2012
7:55 am
Man, I forgot about all the losers we’ve sign until reading this blog. What about Al Hroboski who we called Al “Real Lousy”? I was literally at Fulton County Stadium when he made his first appearance and after his dog and pony show on the mound stalked the batter when his first pitch was hammered deep over the fence in lfet field. And the beat goes on. Back to Edwards. The zoomed in on him for one play or 1/16th of the time he was on the field and he was doing NOTHING. The aint’s tacke was literally sitting in a lounge chair sipping a mint julip. Good riddance. Hasta le vista, Baby. Go model. If you’d rather hang around girly boys than play with men, see ya in the garmet district. Fugg off.
Coach D
November 13th, 2012
8:03 am
Getting the attention off of Hawley saying it’s not the 0-lines’ fault & the fat a Michael Turner’s lack of productivity…. Oh well, hope we get the pass rush rolling before New Orleans comes into town!
Coach D
November 13th, 2012
8:03 am
Getting the attention off of Hawley saying it’s not the 0-lines’ fault & the fat a Michael Turner’s lack of productivity…. Oh well, hope we get the pass rush rolling before New Orleans comes into town!
Peter
November 13th, 2012
8:06 am
Well this organization did send a message.no matter who you are, winning is #1 and if you are not 110% committed……then maybe you need to go some place else.
Tommy
November 13th, 2012
8:07 am
For all you yelling about Dunta Robinson being next, he is actually a very good NFL CB.
Have to think this move was meant to be a message to some other underperforming, high-paid players (*cough*michaelturner*cough*) and this may wake a few guys up
DILLIGAF
November 13th, 2012
8:09 am
Jeff,
You should have used the picture of Ray posing in his lacy drawers for that photoshoot that he did. I think he’s better suited for posing in girls panties than playing football.
He needs to take that worthless loser, Dunta with him.
Good riddance!
GSATA!
UGA85′
Hanly
November 13th, 2012
8:14 am
Dunta isn’t much better.
Jeffro Bodeen
November 13th, 2012
8:27 am
My guess is that Michael Turner’s franchise records are the only thing that kept him from getting a ticket out of town as well…..That, and the fact he can’t drive himself off the property at this time….wait till the cab pulls up to the front door at Suwanee!!!
Rick
November 13th, 2012
8:31 am
If grimes didn’t get hurt, dunta would be gone too. And pleeaaaseee take mr dui turner with ray.
Go Jackets
November 13th, 2012
8:41 am
These guys dont know how good they have it. He will know in about 3 years when hes broke. I know hanging out with strippers isnt good for his 401k.
Go Falcons
November 13th, 2012
8:52 am
Enter your comments here
Go Falcons
November 13th, 2012
8:53 am
I think his girlfriend will dump him when she finds out he got fired.
Thomas Brown
November 13th, 2012
8:58 am
Ray Edwards played with the Vikings forever, then we picked him up – after starting only 18 games at Purdue, like that is any place to football in college and only start 18 games his entire time there. He is very slow at 4.81 in the 40-yard dash, yet is under-sized by 30 lbs. 6′ 4″ only 268 lbs. Despite playing EVERY GAME for 7 seasons after being drafted with pick # 127 in the draft out of Purdue college, he has a grand total of only 169 tackles in 100 games. $ 30 million dollars ? 11 million guaranteed ? What a guy Arthur Blank was to him for too long, including why at all ever ? Ray Edwards should stick to boxing where maybe his steroids are ok.
_____________________________
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Will SEC get a team to the BCS title game?
Yes. (55%, 637 Votes)
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Total Voters: 1,154
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Told you so.
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JSS
November 13th, 2012
8:59 am
Excluding Davenpoop (that never gets old), there’s a load hooey being dropped by usual suspects! The boy genius stikes again! From over rated ex college quarterback like Meier, busts like Jerry, or reaches like Dent, it’s just more plaster girl on the phone
Statick
November 13th, 2012
9:05 am
“There was a growing belief that if Nolan couldn’t find much use for him, Edwards would be gone after the season. He gave the impression he just didn’t care.”
A-HA. That was my first inclination in that he had a f***ed-up attitude. Good riddance, fool. Good luck in the underwear biz. Next stop: gay porn.
JSS
November 13th, 2012
9:08 am
I owe Nativebird an apology, he gets it…
PMC
November 13th, 2012
9:08 am
I like the newer trimmer, take no prisoners Comrade.
Jimmy Crack
November 13th, 2012
9:12 am
And a bad locker room guy to boot…Good move for the overall health of the team. It’s always a healthy thing to release unwanted waste.
SeenThisB4
November 13th, 2012
9:13 am
LOL!
Love all the irrational justification around here.
PMC
November 13th, 2012
9:13 am
This is evidence of progress, seriously. They are coming along. Baker is having his best year, Biermann is having his best year.
Mistakes don’t bother me as much some guys just don’t fit, and by and large the results in the regular season have been excellent. Edwards was brought in for a reason that he has not even begun to fulfill. It’s time to fish here, not cut bait. The guy on that end needs to be beating his man, not getting pushed backwards.
PMC
November 13th, 2012
9:14 am
Nice to see you back Seen, I was wondering where you were over the first 5 weeks.
Thomas Brown
November 13th, 2012
9:20 am
Typical blog on Falcons with 4 Falcons’ fans posting about nothing.
Banned by Mark Bradley
November 13th, 2012
9:21 am
Dunta Robinson is next.
Falcons Chic
November 13th, 2012
9:22 am
Like the use of the well-honed ax here…
Banned by Mark Bradley
November 13th, 2012
9:25 am
Tommy
November 13th, 2012
8:07 am
For all you yelling about Dunta Robinson being next, he is actually a very good NFL CB.
NFL? OK….Which version? The Madden video game, or the real NFL. The version I see is a player out of position most of the time who then tries to level the big hit and ends up missing the tackle.
I’ve seen enough of Dunta.
Thomas Brown
November 13th, 2012
9:26 am
Falcons represent 10 % of the 1,154 on same blog posted 12 hours earlier in this College Football City.
Tommy Maddox
November 13th, 2012
9:45 am
I can’t see how Michael Turner is still on this team. Why won’t they cut him loose?
North FLA Falcon
November 13th, 2012
9:46 am
Thomas DeCoud better man up as well. He was out of position frequently vs the Saints and he looked stupid on Ivory’s TD run. Totally whiffed at nothing and got turned around. He did a nice “dance” after Samuel’s interception though.
O'Brien
November 13th, 2012
10:05 am
Big Ray,
How is Glen Dorsey doing in KC? If only the Falcons had taken him instead of Matt Ryan
Tell it like it is.
November 13th, 2012
10:06 am
Why did it take the falcons so lone to pick up on Edwards? we the fans seen it from the beginning! people need to leave Dunta Robinson alone,he and spoon are the real hiters on the team,they bring it,two of the best in the league.
Statick
November 13th, 2012
10:33 am
@ Tell it like it is
I’d like to know that myself. We are, after all, the same team who gave JA98 all of those years and chances to prove himself, only to get disappointed in the end. Edwards looks like an NFL DE and is built like an NFL DE, but he doesn’t play like an NFL DE. On the bright side, just be thankful we finally wised up and saw him for what he was sooner than later: an average player who was made better by the Williams Wall when he was in Minny.
I just hope Dimitroff takes this as a lesson learned.
Bob
November 13th, 2012
10:34 am
They need to add Matt ice to that list. Did you see he miss two receiver in the end zone? What a great quarterback!
Thomas Dimitroff
November 13th, 2012
10:36 am
Okay I am no Ozzie Newsome in having 5 years to build a solid defense, but how do I sell to Arthur that it was the defense fault that coughing up 72 million dollars to a qb that is 0-3 in the playoffs, never passing for 200 yards, and got shutout in the last playoff game? This will be tough.
tjhook
November 13th, 2012
11:07 am
Haters, Dunta Robinson is a player; he just is not worth the contract he signed for. Arthur Blank is quite the big spender – I have never seen an owner who is so player-friendly when it comes to salary. Fans loved Ovie Mughelli, but was he not overpaid for a fullback? Ryan is overpaid as well- he is good not great QB
torgo
November 13th, 2012
11:11 am
Jeff Schultz – there’s a factual error in your article.
Edwards played 20 snaps on defense against the Saints, not 10. He played 10 snaps in the previous game.
(Hint: the link you referenced is for WEEK nine, not game nine. You forgot about the bye week.)
Keepingitreal
November 13th, 2012
11:24 am
If you have someone better than Robinson and another cb as a backup, then by all means go ahead and cut him. IMO he is decent and he always gives 100 percent. It he misses a tackle it is because he will occasionally take a bad angle, not because he isn’t trying to knock the daylights out of the opponent.
Now Turner is a different story. His ineffectiveness is mind-boggling and the Falcons need to send him a message by starting 44 or 32. He needs to earn those snaps back. If he doesn’t, then cut him at the end of the season.
RT(Riverdale)
November 13th, 2012
11:59 am
Way to go Falcons, Edwards is garbage, Dunta should be next.
Therut
November 13th, 2012
12:00 pm
I hate to beg when it comes to sports (or anything else for that matter) but please send Turner out the door also. He is killing this ballclub!!!!
Short Term Memory
November 13th, 2012
12:13 pm
This is proof that teams waste more money on trying to pick up a pass rusher in free agency then at any other position. You get much better bang for your buck at Corner – ala Asante Samuels.
Of course, I remember vividly the entire media pushing us to get a pass rusher right after we lost to Green Bay like that was the problem. It wasn’t! It was Brian Nickles being out. I think if he is in there we play a much better game against the Packers. I actually think that we should play Owens on the outside and play Dunta in the slot or just bench him. He is giving way too much of a cushion. Of course it will help once we get Spoon back. Nicholson got abused in pass coverage.
After further review
November 13th, 2012
12:16 pm
Enter your comments here
Revisionist history on Ray Edwards
November 13th, 2012
12:17 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
After further review
November 13th, 2012
12:24 pm
Thomas – The vote on the SEC puttting a team could mean one of three things:
1) Several peaople sincerely beleive that at least tow of the undefeated teams ahead of UGA and Alabama in the BCS standings will lose. An honest assesment of the possibilities.
2) THere are a bunch of folksw who mistakenly beleive that a one-loss SEC champion has a guarnteed invite to the national champinonship game, regardless of the records of teams ahead of them. An admirable loyalty to your conference, but not cenetered in reality by any logiocal standard.
3) You voted “Yes” 637 times.
Personally it proves nothing. When the season ends, then the BCS will set up a matchup of 1 vs. 2 based on the actual things that matter: two human polls and the copmputer averages. If there are three teams still undefeated, then the SEC probably will not be in the national championship game
DC Dirty Bird
November 13th, 2012
12:42 pm
Its amazing how fans can call for DRob’s head but are perfectly fine with Michael “Tip-toe if there isn’t a gaping hole” Turner. I blame that loss on him. How is it that we have a 260 lb RB that we can’t trust in short yardage.
Short Term,
We started the season with Grimes and Samuels on the outside and DRob on the outside. Owens should only be played in case of emergency. Please note that McClain gets on the field before him.
bigeasy830
November 13th, 2012
1:50 pm
@ Nahjee
He even lost the big booty stripper, they broke up during the off season. That is probably why he was so disgruntle. He could no longer get what he wanted for his birthday and that was ” A big booty gurl” in my 2 chainz voice.
Joe Dirte
November 13th, 2012
2:01 pm
Schultz can you ask Thomas Dimitroff to sign Ovie Mughelli as soon as possible
GB's Hamburgers
November 13th, 2012
2:16 pm
Edwards is not the first to get millions and then start taking it easy. Pro sports need to return to one year contracts based in the prior year’s performance. It’s the honest approach. You get paid for how you played not how you might play in the future.
jgsbirds
November 13th, 2012
2:37 pm
why are people still talking like tim mckyer was a bust. in my opinion mckyer, deion, case and jordan formed one of the best secondaries in the nfl in 1991. that team gave up some touchdowns but some of that had to do with their pass rush.
i do not consider mckyer or jeff george a bust. mckyer led the league in interceptions one year we had him and george still holds a lot of atlanta falcons passing records. i would agree on most of the other examples…might want to add eric dickerson, pierce holt, bobby hebert and darryl talley while you are at it!
tony
November 13th, 2012
2:40 pm
The trenches have always been a trouble spot for the falcons since they been in Atlanta. Dimitroff need to pay more attention to uga’s defensive linemen because they kick it into another gear at the next level.
If Sheldon Richardson enter this year’s draft, I hope he’s at the top of Dimitroff’s draft board. Abry Jones will be a steal in the 2nd round and sack machine David Bass would be a steal in the 3rd round. That’s a elite group right there.
– Falcons Cut Ray Edwards, Say Signing Him Was A Big Mistake
November 13th, 2012
2:45 pm
[...] The fact the Falcons made this move now is remarkable for an NFL team just past the halfway point of the season. But if they are going to get pounded publicly for the signing, they should be credited for making such a bold move now. It’s actually a good sign that they were not going to let a problem fester and potentially ruin the season. That said, signing him was a big mistake. Via AJC [...]
crybaby
November 13th, 2012
2:50 pm
Let the “dead meat” roll..D.Robinson, A. Samuel, M.Turner, P.Jerry too name a few…
If a guy is not up to 110% like a B.Grimes..get rid of their sorry butt’s!!
Pray tell, who is “ready” to replace Ryan when he goes down???
David Ross - Big Loss
November 13th, 2012
3:14 pm
The Falcons might have blundered in paying too much for Edwards, who clearly was a bust. But, the Braves blundered in the other direction losing David Ross. If Mac was worth 12, then Ross was worth 8.
Rick James
November 13th, 2012
4:03 pm
These are not your dad’s Atlanta Falcons..This is the kind of move winning teams make.
ATL_Native
November 13th, 2012
4:32 pm
Dunta and Edwards are NOT IN THE SAME CLASS! People are just whining and piling on now. CB is 10 times harder to play than DE. At least Dunta makes some punishing hits. I can’t tell you what Ray’s one good quality is….. excuse me WAS.
Rodster
November 13th, 2012
5:14 pm
Good move. He’s a loser.
UPGRAYEDD
November 13th, 2012
6:34 pm
Add Mike Hampton to the list of paycheck thieves in Atlanta.
My question is, Mr. Schultz, is this move a harbinger of more than just an admission of a blunder? Perhaps an acquisition is in the works?
mock1
November 13th, 2012
6:45 pm
Add by subtracting !!! We really need a player that can get to the QB !!! I have been puzzled as to why Sidbury have not gotten any playing time??? The Offensive line cannot RUN block and the Defensive line can not pressure the QB…. If not addressed quickly, it will bite us in the azz come playoffs !!
Defense wins Titles
November 13th, 2012
6:49 pm
I hear you now. If a player does not produce and earn his check, Goodbye. Still say Braves should not have picked up option on Brian McCann. BMc has admitted himself and been disgusted at his end of year dropoffs. He and Braves obviously have not found a solution. I love it. Pay for Production. Pink Slips for Nonproduction. This is how the real world works. All Atlanta GM’s get’r done.
aon
November 13th, 2012
7:08 pm
Jeez people, back off. What a cruel business!
BravesFan79
November 13th, 2012
7:45 pm
i cringed every time i saw him in the game over Beerman last season, even then i could tell Kory was the better more active player.
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
8:45 pm
I get the feeling that Edwards doesn’t give a rat’s behind and was just taking the money.
MrsBanks
November 13th, 2012
9:54 pm
Turner “the non-burner” is next….too many failures with short yardage…I would’ve rather lost to any other team but the doggone Saints…ughhhh
Falcons RiseUp
November 13th, 2012
11:16 pm
Jeff Schultz I think we should spark the backfield up a little let Antone Smith get a few touches throw the defense off then utilize the pass great scheme it’ll win us a Super Bowl let’s make history
College hoops kings provide rare thrills for Atlanta | Education QA
November 13th, 2012
11:18 pm
[...] • Falcons’ startling admission: Ray Edwards was a blunder [...]
College hoops kings provide rare thrills for Atlanta | Egypt
November 13th, 2012
11:20 pm
[...] • Falcons’ startling admission: Ray Edwards was a blunder [...]
College hoops kings provide rare thrills for Atlanta | Chicago Degree
November 13th, 2012
11:57 pm
[...] • Falcons’ extraordinary admission: Ray Edwards was a blunder [...]
College hoops kings provide rare thrills for Atlanta | Education Help
November 14th, 2012
2:20 am
[...] • Falcons’ extraordinary admission: Ray Edwards was a blunder [...]
College hoops kings provide rare thrills for Atlanta | Pack for College
November 14th, 2012
2:23 am
[...] • Falcons’ extraordinary admission: Ray Edwards was a blunder [...]
Falcons Cut Ray Edwards, Say Signing Him Was A Big Mistake | Teammajor.com
November 14th, 2012
3:28 am
[...] a problem fester and potentially ruin the season. That said, signing him was a big mistake. Via AJC ← Washington Throws Out All Marijuana Cases, No Longer Will Be [...]
Booker T
November 14th, 2012
11:29 am
NEXT!
Falcons RiseUp
November 14th, 2012
12:33 pm
Falcons vs Broncos in the Super Bowl rematch of 1998
Billy Bob
November 14th, 2012
4:39 pm
Get me past the first playoff game and I can relax. Up to that point none of these wins or losses matter.
Here is the Fear! First and goal in the first playoff game, down by six, 20 seconds on the clock. Stuffed on 1st, stuffed on 2nd. and stuffed on 3rd. 4th. and goal. How tight will your butt be?
Skeptic
November 14th, 2012
5:27 pm
Falcons were only in the Super Bowl because that was the byproduct of taking the Vikings out of it.
air of mendacity
November 15th, 2012
8:11 pm
Dunta – bless his heart – just not is a cover CB – he was (is?) a hitter, but last week he looked hurt or something. Horrible game for him. Obviously, we need to draft or get another free agent CB next year. Dunta does not cut it. Need more linebackers also. Oh – and a running back. Hmmm – where we will get all these players?
Roger Podacter
November 16th, 2012
10:37 pm
@ Skeptic – Huh?
Cega243
November 17th, 2012
2:03 pm
He enjoys dancing before games instead of preparing to play. Maybe he’ll do well in a strip club. He has several internet pictures that suggest this. LOLOL.
RMikel58
November 17th, 2012
5:46 pm
Michael Turner is a 1-hit wonder. Chargers knew that and gave the Falcons a detailed map on where to find him.
Highest or close to highest paid player in the NFL. He is slow, stupid and a twinkle toe when running the football. Turner likes to run into the back of our offensive linemen and fall down.
Turner has been tackled more by our OL than anyother NFL team.
Im sure he’ll be exposed as well as a few more sorry butt players as well. Get rid of those sissy players who care nothing about the sport and just seek the money.
Kudos to Nolan sweeping out the trash.
This is a mans game.
MarkATL
November 19th, 2012
1:11 am
I think it is time to bring back a good FB like Ovie. He was a main reason why Turner was running so well. A good FB would solve a lot of problems for the running game!