FLOWERY BRANCH — In need of a pass-rushing defensive end, the signing of Ray Edwards on July 29 was hailed as another shrewd move by Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
Edwards was considered the No. 2 free agent at the position by ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. and signed a five-year, $30 million contract.
Edwards had 20.5 sacks over the past two seasons (including playoff games). He had knee surgery over the offseason, but played in the final two exhibition games and showed flashes of his skills.
In a Q&A with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Edwards discussed his plans for the season and how he plans to utilize his speed and power to terrorize quarterbacks on the Falcons’ schedule.
Q: Can you sum how it’s been since signing with the Falcons?
A: It’s been great. We’ve had some great times. I’m just learning the whole defense. It’s fun being around some great guys.
Q: What are the expectations for you this season?
A: I definitely have to apply pressure and make plays. I have to do great things; me, John [Abraham], [Jonathan] Babineaux and the whole front line. We just have to go to work.
Q: How would you describe your style of play?
A: Rugged! I just try to pattern my game after Reggie White and Michael Strahan. Those are two guys that I look up to in the game because we have a similar build and everything. I just trying to bring that intensity to the game.
Q: Do you trace your interest in boxing to growing up in Cincinnati, which has a rich boxing tradition?
A: Hawk Time! Aaron Pryor, baby. Just being from the Midwest in general, Kronks Gym and Tommy Hearns [out of Detroit] and all of those guys. That’s just the way it is. I grew up around it and always had a love for it.
Q: When did you start focusing on football?
A: I played everything growing up. Then, when college started coming around, I picked football.
Q: How did you end up at Purdue?
A: I had a great visit with Shaun Phillips [of the San Diego Chargers], and he kind of just became my mentor. We grew together and had a great bond to our relationship. That’s what I was looking for when I wanted to get away from home. That’s how they got me. That’s DE U! We are all in the league. We have a lot of defensive ends in the league. It was a no-brainer.
Q: How is your style and John Abraham’s style blending together?
A: We are just trying to work off of each other. We are both pretty fast off the edge. I’m a little bit stronger than him. I know that my rush is a little bit different than his, but we just try to play off of each other. If I see him high, I’ll try to go low. If I see him high, I’ll try to go low. That way we can on different levels so wherever the quarterback goes, we can hopefully capitalize on it.
Q: How is the defense coming together going into the season opener?
A: It looks good. We are all really working off of each other. [Babineaux] is doing well getting a push up the middle. So is Peria [Jerry] and the other guys. We are coming together. I think we are all getting on the same page.
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