Falcons notes: Ray Edwards had knee surgery

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

INDIANAPOLIS — Defensive end Ray Edwards, the Falcons’ big offseason free-agent pickup last year, played on a bum knee down the stretch and in the playoffs.

After signing a five-year, $30 million contract, Edwards was ineffective at times last season and was not a factor down the stretch or in the playoff game against the New York Giants. He had two tackles and one for a loss against the Giants in the 24-2 loss.

Falcons coach Mike Smith revealed Saturday at the NFL scouting combine that Edwards needed postseason knee surgery.

“Ray Edwards, I thought did a very good job for us [against] the run,” Smith said. “There was a stretch in the season that he had an issue with his knee. He had a procedure done with his knee.”

Edwards also had a knee surgery in training camp and never displayed the burst off the edge that he showed during his first five seasons in Minnesota.

The Falcons hope that he can be a double-digit sack man next season. He finished with 3.5 sacks last season.

“We’re expecting him to be back at full health,” Smith said.

Baker to rebound

The offensive line was hurt significantly by back and elbow injuries to left tackle Sam Baker.

Smith believes the unit will be stronger if Baker, who had back surgery during the season, can return healthy.

“We are looking forward to having a healthy Sam back,” Smith said. “Sam is very resilient. He’s fought through a lot of injuries.”

Offseason program

Because of changes in the collective bargaining agreement, the Falcons will have a much different schedule this offseason.

“We’re not going to start until April 23,” Smith said. “The mandatory minicamp can’t take place until the last two weeks of the offseason program.”

Here’s the Falcons’ offseason schedule:

• A rookie minicamp is scheduled for two weeks after the draft, which will be held April 26-28.
• The offseason training program starts April 23 with weight lifting and meetings.
• Coaching sessions will start in Weeks 3-6 of the organized team activities.
• Mandatory minicamp is set for June 19-21.

Carries for Rodgers

Running back Jacquizz Rodgers is set to pick up some of Michael Turner’s carries next season.

“As Michael gets older we have to start putting him on a pitch-count in terms of his number of carries,” Smith said.

Rodgers, who was drafted as a change-of-pace back, had 57 carries for 205 yards and a rushing touchdown last season. He also caught 21 passes for 188 yards and a receiving touchdown.

Rodgers impressed the coaches with his blocking and is not considered a liability in passing situations.

“We found out very quickly that he’s a guy who can play on all three downs,” Smith said. “He does a very good job with his blocking. That was one of the things we were concerned about. He’s not a little guy; he’s just a short guy.”