Falcons ready to go free-agency shopping

The cuts were tough for the rookie coach, who has control over the final roster.

“Especially guys that you hold in such high regard, like with Steven and Harry,” Quinn told Anthony Amey of Channel 2 Action News at Northside Hospital.

“I coached against both of them a bunch, and I know how tough and competitive they both are. So, it’s always hard.”

Quinn, who was interviewed by Amey before Blalock and Massaquoi were cut, said the moves were not totally salary-cap related.

“It was more just about our whole team,” Quinn said. “Every decision that we’re going to make is going to be totally what’s best for the team. Those guys have been great contributors and great competitors. We wish them nothing but the best.”

The moves left the Falcons $31.8 million under the expected salary cap of $143 million and in good position to go shopping in free agency and have enough left over to handle wide receiver Julio Jones’ pending contract extension.

Blalock, who was an anchor along the offensive line during the most glorious era in franchise history, no longer was a scheme fit.

He started for 125 games, including 102 in a row and was on each of the teams that posted five consecutive winning seasons, went to the playoffs four times and reached the NFC Championship game after the 2012 season.

Douglas was a trusty third receiver after he was selected in the third round of the 2008 draft out of Louisville via Jonesboro High.

Massaquoi, a once-promising pass-rusher, lost his way last season and fell out of favor with the coaching staff after complaining about his playing time.

The Falcons will be in the market for help on defense. Last season, the team spent roughly $79 million on offensive players, just $22 million on defense and $4 million on special teams.

With this round of cuts, some of the extra cash will be moved to defense in an attempt to improve what was the worst defense (ranked 32nd) in the league last season.

“As far as free agency and the draft goes, that will be a big part to see who has the competitiveness, the toughness moving forward to be a part of this special group of guys,” Quinn said.

Blalock, 6-foot-4, 326 pounds, was selected by the Falcons in the second round (39th overall) of the 2007 NFL draft out of Texas.

Blalock did not test well in the 20-yard shuttle and three-cone agility drills at the 2007 combine. Blalock, 31, also sat out with a back issue last season after previously never missing a game because of injury.

The staff likely concluded that he doesn’t fit the new blocking scheme. Also, Blalock, who had two years left on his contract, was due a base salary of $4.75 million next season and had a cap figure of $7.91 million (third highest on the team).

Douglas, who was set to make $3.5 million in the final year of the four-year contract he signed with the Falcons in 2012, was called by Quinn with the news in the morning.

“He just told me that it was a hard decision and that he respects how I approached the game,” Douglas said on the “Rick and Jamie Show” on 92.9 The Game. “I told him that I appreciate everything, and that it wasn’t nothing personal. I told him that ‘I’ll see you soon.’”

Douglas, 30, was drafted in the third round (84th overall) of the 2008 draft. He played in 91 games for the Falcons and made 27 starts. He caught 258 passes for 3,131 yards and eight touchdowns.

Massaquoi was a selected by the Falcons in the fifth round (164th overall) of the 2012 NFL draft. He played in 39 games with seven starts and had 60 tackles (42 solo), six sacks, and two passes defensed.

“Over the years, you see a lot guys come and go,” defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux said. “Throughout this process you meet good friends. I can say that Harry was one of my good friends. I just wish him the best.”