Sports

Falcons release Ray Edwards

081612 ATLANTA: Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards emerges from the tunnel and smoke to play the Bengals at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Thursday, August 16, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
081612 ATLANTA: Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards emerges from the tunnel and smoke to play the Bengals at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Thursday, August 16, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
Nov 13, 2012

The Falcons released defensive end Ray Edwards on Monday.

It was a surprisingly abrupt departure for a player who was once heralded as a key component of the team’s pass rush when the Falcons signed Edwards in July 2011. Edwards produced little in the way of sacks (3 1/2) or quarterback pressures in 25 games with the team.

Edwards started all 16 games in 2011 and four of nine games this season. His playing time had decreased, a development coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Nolan attributed to extensive use of special personnel packages.

Kroy Biermann has picked up a number of Edwards’ snaps while playing a hybrid position in Nolan’s defense.

The Vikings selected Edwards in fourth round of the 2006 draft out of Purdue. He signed a five-year contract with Atlanta that included $11 million in guarantees.

About the Author

Michael Cunningham has covered Atlanta sports for the AJC since 2010.

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