Usually tactical, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff became philosophical when discussing the recent cuts of four veteran players.
“We had a number of players that we had to release and they contributed a lot to this organization,” Dimitroff said. “It’s never easy to do that. It’s one of the functions of playing in the National Football League. We appreciate everything that they’ve done.”
In a flurry of roster moves, the Falcons released running back Steven Jackson on Thursday and then dropped wide receiver Harry Douglas, longtime left guard Justin Blalock and defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi on Friday.
“Now, we’re moving into 2015 with Coach (Dan) Quinn,” Dimitroff said. “Again, we’re very excited about what’s to come.”
The Blalock cut was the most shocking. He’d started 125 games with the Falcons after they selected him in the second round of the 2007 draft. He started 102 straight games during his tenure.
“Justin did some great things for us and was a very important part of an offensive line that helped (quarterback) Matt Ryan develop,” Dimitroff said. “He helped this offense be what this offense was throughout the years since 2008. We appreciate everything that he’s done. I’m sure that he’ll continue to play if he so desires.”
The Jackson and Douglas moves were understandable and even expected.
Jackson was unproductive and, considering their needs on defense, the Falcons couldn’t afford the luxury of paying Douglas, the team’s third wide receiver, a $3.5 million base salary.
Massaquoi showed the most promise of the slew of defensive ends the team has drafted in recent years, but apparently fell out of favor with the coaching staff.
“Jonathan had been here since 2012 and again, he contributed,” Dimitroff said. “He had a year before where he produced 4 1/2 sacks. We just felt it was time to part ways and allow him to venture out and find something that may be appropriate for him.”
Dimitroff reiterated that Quinn had a major role in the moves.
“Part of the challenge was getting to know our team as best I could,” Quinn said. “That was my first order of action, to get to learn these guys and help take them as far as we can. Then we (move) into free agency and the draft. That’s really the next part of that process. It’s been fun doing everything with Thomas.”
Quinn, who will kickoff the offseason program in early April, said he is enjoying helping to retool the roster.
“It’s fun watching tape together and getting to know each other,” Quinn said. “Our whole challenge is to see how we can take each guy and help them improve. That’s really the challenge for our whole staff.”
The Falcons can start contacting agents of those players who will become unrestricted free agents at 4 p.m. on Saturday. However, teams cannot enter into contracts until 4 p.m. on March 10, the start of the league’s new business year.
With the round of recent cuts, the Falcons are $33.5 million under their adjusted salary cap of $146.2 million.
“We believe that we are positioned very well,” Dimitroff said. “We are in a good situation. We’ve been very creative in how we are envisioning the future build of this football team.”
The team has been working to re-sign linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and prevent him from reaching the open market.
Defensive tackle Corey Peters and defensive ends Osi Umenyiora and Kroy Biermann appear headed to free agency.
The Falcons signed two defensive tackles — Tyson Jackson (five-years, $25 million) and Paul Soliai (five-years, $33 million) — in free agency last season and drafted defensive end RaShede Hagemen. Several teams are interested in Peters, who may have played his last game with the Falcons.
“Coach Quinn has a very, very clear vision on how the scheme is going to be put together,” Dimitroff said. “We’re working diligently together along with our respective staffs to try to find the best players to fit into the mold of what he wants to build here.”
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