"Today, our salary cap is just shy of $17 million space"Thomas Dimitroff said

[atljbo 20,839]

"Today we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish as far as refining this roster," general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "Today, our salary cap is just shy of $17 million space. Will there be more moves in the near future or later? I can't answer that right now. I do know we will consider this process of evaluating the free-agent market as well as the draft dynamic and, at that time, we will re-evaluate if we need to make a move or not."

Team owner Arthur Blank said projections are to have at least $23 million to spend in free agency, so more changes, either player cuts or salary restructuring, could be in order.

[scott hartley 0]

not bad. as long as we don't cut lawyer I can't say I have a problem with any of it. We haven't had that much money to spend in a long time.

[dan minnich 0]

just cut dunn now.

[scott hartley 0]

dan minnich (2/15/2008)

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just cut dunn now.

we did?

[trubirdfan4life 1,884]

where did you read the numbers???

[atljbo 20,839]

scott hartley (2/15/2008)

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not bad. as long as we don't cut lawyer I can't say I have a problem with any of it. We haven't had that much money to spend in a long time.

im not saying that we will cut him...but bruh....he is not a cover 2 saftey....thats his weakness......he can not play the deepball

[atljbo 20,839]

trubirdfan4life (2/15/2008)

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where did you read the numbers???

Falcons release Crumpler, Coleman, five others

Dunn, Brooking, Harrington spared in initial wave of cuts

By STEVE WYCHE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 02/15/08

The first jolt of change for the Falcons came Friday, when the team released seven players, including four former starters -- popular four-time Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler among them. The cuts weren't that much of a surprise nor were they nearly as drastic as they could have been.

Then again, more changes could be forthcoming.

RELATED STORIES

* Falcons release Crumpler, Coleman, five others

* Falcons may cut as many as a dozen players

* League appeals bonus ruling on Vick

" More Falcons

* Blog: Your thoughts

* Schultz: No one is safe

* Photos: Potential free agents

"Today we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish as far as refining this roster," general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "Today, our salary cap is just shy of $17 million space. Will there be more moves in the near future or later? I can't answer that right now. I do know we will consider this process of evaluating the free-agent market as well as the draft dynamic and, at that time, we will re-evaluate if we need to make a move or not."

Team owner Arthur Blank said projections are to have at least $23 million to spend in free agency, so more changes, either player cuts or salary restructuring, could be in order.

Other than Crumpler, one of the team's longtime leaders and best players, former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Rod Coleman, left tackle Wayne Gandy, quarterback Byron Leftwich, linebacker Marcus Wilkins, wide receiver Jamin Elliott and cornerback Lewis Sanders were released.

Among the tenured, high-salaried veterans spared in the initial wave of cuts: tailback Warrick Dunn, quarterback Joey Harrington, linebacker Keith Brooking, guard Kynan Forney, wide receivers Joe Horn and Brian Finneran, and safety Lawyer Milloy.

The commonality of the higher profile cuts Friday -- medical issues.

Crumpler, Gandy, Coleman and Leftwich were limited and missed playing time during the Falcons' 4-12 run last season because of injuries.

"We looked at all the issues, weighed in all the factors, and it's not only age and injury," said Dimitroff, adding that scheme-fit and long-term contributions also were factors.

Gandy (left knee), Coleman (right quadriceps, knee, triceps, pectoral) and Sanders (pectoral) finished the season on injured reserve. Crumpler, 30, never fully recovered from offseason knee surgery, missed two games and had his second-least productive season (42 catches, 444 yards, 5 touchdowns) of his stellar seven-year career.

If healthy, Crumpler isn't expected to be out of work for long. Tampa Bay and Seattle are among teams in significant need of a tight end, especially one of Crumpler's stature.

Leftwich, signed early in the regular season after being cut from Jacksonville ⬠Smith was the Jaguars' defensive coordinator during Leftwich's tenure there -- had right ankle surgery after getting hurt in his first start Oct. 21 at New Orleans. Leftwich did not play again after injuring his tailbone in his second start, Nov. 18 against visiting Tampa Bay.

This is the second time Leftwich, who started for most of his four seasons in Jacksonville, has been cut in less than a year. His dismissal leaves one-time starter Harrington and second-year player D.J. Shockley as the only quarterbacks under contract for next season.

Chris Redman, who started the final four games, becomes an unrestricted free agent Feb. 29. The Falcons are expected to try to re-sign him and to add at least one more quarterback, likely with one of their nine draft picks.

Friday's cuts also signal areas the Falcons project to address in free agency and in the draft.

Improving production at left tackle, where Gandy, 37, once started, is optimum. The same can be said at defensive tackle. Coleman, 31, was one of the premier interior pass rushers in the NFL when he was healthy. With him gone, Jonathan Babineaux is the only experienced player at the position.

The Falcons' next tight end seemingly isn't on the roster. New offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, a former tight end, likes physical blockers. Current backups Dwayne Blakley, an unrestricted free agent, and rookie Martrez Milner, don't necessarily fit the mold.

"It's very important to be able to come off the ball and control the line of scrimmage, be a very sound blocker as well as possess the other skills," Dimitroff said of replacing Crumpler. "We want that perfect fit. We know that's not necessarily realistic, so if we can't get it in one player, we'll get it in a combination of players.

[scott hartley 0]

ya I know but we have alot of gaps to fill and assuming we don't get around to SS or if Stone starts ahead of him we still need lawyer. cut him next year if you want.

[scott hartley 0]

atljbo (2/15/2008)

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trubirdfan4life (2/15/2008)

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where did you read the numbers???

Falcons release Crumpler, Coleman, five others

Dunn, Brooking, Harrington spared in initial wave of cuts

By STEVE WYCHE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 02/15/08

The first jolt of change for the Falcons came Friday, when the team released seven players, including four former starters -- popular four-time Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler among them. The cuts weren't that much of a surprise nor were they nearly as drastic as they could have been.

Then again, more changes could be forthcoming.

RELATED STORIES

* Falcons release Crumpler, Coleman, five others

* Falcons may cut as many as a dozen players

* League appeals bonus ruling on Vick

" More Falcons

* Blog: Your thoughts

* Schultz: No one is safe

* Photos: Potential free agents

"Today we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish as far as refining this roster," general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "Today, our salary cap is just shy of $17 million space. Will there be more moves in the near future or later? I can't answer that right now. I do know we will consider this process of evaluating the free-agent market as well as the draft dynamic and, at that time, we will re-evaluate if we need to make a move or not."

Team owner Arthur Blank said projections are to have at least $23 million to spend in free agency, so more changes, either player cuts or salary restructuring, could be in order.

Other than Crumpler, one of the team's longtime leaders and best players, former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Rod Coleman, left tackle Wayne Gandy, quarterback Byron Leftwich, linebacker Marcus Wilkins, wide receiver Jamin Elliott and cornerback Lewis Sanders were released.

Among the tenured, high-salaried veterans spared in the initial wave of cuts: tailback Warrick Dunn, quarterback Joey Harrington, linebacker Keith Brooking, guard Kynan Forney, wide receivers Joe Horn and Brian Finneran, and safety Lawyer Milloy.

The commonality of the higher profile cuts Friday -- medical issues.

Crumpler, Gandy, Coleman and Leftwich were limited and missed playing time during the Falcons' 4-12 run last season because of injuries.

"We looked at all the issues, weighed in all the factors, and it's not only age and injury," said Dimitroff, adding that scheme-fit and long-term contributions also were factors.

Gandy (left knee), Coleman (right quadriceps, knee, triceps, pectoral) and Sanders (pectoral) finished the season on injured reserve. Crumpler, 30, never fully recovered from offseason knee surgery, missed two games and had his second-least productive season (42 catches, 444 yards, 5 touchdowns) of his stellar seven-year career.

If healthy, Crumpler isn't expected to be out of work for long. Tampa Bay and Seattle are among teams in significant need of a tight end, especially one of Crumpler's stature.

Leftwich, signed early in the regular season after being cut from Jacksonville ⬠Smith was the Jaguars' defensive coordinator during Leftwich's tenure there -- had right ankle surgery after getting hurt in his first start Oct. 21 at New Orleans. Leftwich did not play again after injuring his tailbone in his second start, Nov. 18 against visiting Tampa Bay.

This is the second time Leftwich, who started for most of his four seasons in Jacksonville, has been cut in less than a year. His dismissal leaves one-time starter Harrington and second-year player D.J. Shockley as the only quarterbacks under contract for next season.

Chris Redman, who started the final four games, becomes an unrestricted free agent Feb. 29. The Falcons are expected to try to re-sign him and to add at least one more quarterback, likely with one of their nine draft picks.

Friday's cuts also signal areas the Falcons project to address in free agency and in the draft.

Improving production at left tackle, where Gandy, 37, once started, is optimum. The same can be said at defensive tackle. Coleman, 31, was one of the premier interior pass rushers in the NFL when he was healthy. With him gone, Jonathan Babineaux is the only experienced player at the position.

The Falcons' next tight end seemingly isn't on the roster. New offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, a former tight end, likes physical blockers. Current backups Dwayne Blakley, an unrestricted free agent, and rookie Martrez Milner, don't necessarily fit the mold.

"It's very important to be able to come off the ball and control the line of scrimmage, be a very sound blocker as well as possess the other skills," Dimitroff said of replacing Crumpler. "We want that perfect fit. We know that's not necessarily realistic, so if we can't get it in one player, we'll get it in a combination of players.

Could you make that font bigger I can't read it.

[RI Falcon 423]

we were projected to have 23 million if the salary cap gets raised 10 million.. that means we will probably have about 27-30 million in cap space if that goes through

[Bloodhoundz 0]

So we would be cutting Leftwich and Harrington? Well looks like we will draft a Qb at some point in the draft.

[atljbo 20,839]

ether422 (2/15/2008)

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we were projected to have 23 million if the salary cap gets raised 10 million.. that means we will probably have about 27-30 million in cap space if that goes through

yup...once we either cut or restructure dunn and brooking we will have around 21 mil then the 10mil increase in cap space....we should have no less then 27 mill in cap space.......

[scott hartley 0]

atljbo (2/15/2008)

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ether422 (2/15/2008)

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we were projected to have 23 million if the salary cap gets raised 10 million.. that means we will probably have about 27-30 million in cap space if that goes through

yup...once we either cut or restructure dunn and brooking we will have around 21 mil then the 10mil increase in cap space....we should have no less then 27 mill in cap space.......

i like the sound of that

[trubirdfan4life 1,884]

I didn't ask what was read I asked where was it read...meaning I wanted to know the link so that I could read that and anything else that would have been of interest to me.0

[atljbo 20,839]

if we can keep brooking and only pay him 2 mill or less a year......that will be perfect for us....he could move to WLB...we will still have a vet who knows how to call defensive signals(specially if the owners pass that new rule that a defensive player can have headsets in there helmets)

[trubirdfan4life 1,884]

do you think he would take 2 mil or less after making 7.9 mil this year???

[atljbo 20,839]

trubirdfan4life (2/15/2008)

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I didn't ask what was read I asked where was it read...meaning I wanted to know the link so that I could read that and anything else that would have been of interest to me.

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports...xsvc=7&cxcat=21

[trubirdfan4life 1,884]

thank you, now isn't it better to behave in a civil manner.

no need to scream at me.

I am a nice guy...I think we can play nice.

[atljbo 20,839]

trubirdfan4life (2/15/2008)

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do you think he would take 2 mil or less after making 7.9 mil this year???

to play his whole career as a falcon and he has made alot of money and is near the end of his career...yea i think so......but we willl see

Tedy Bruschi has been making $2,355,280 the last 2 years