Ray Edwards did next to nothing as an Atlanta Falcon. (Kevin C. Cox)
The Atlanta Falcons have released defensive end Ray Edwards.
Edwards was signed to a five-year, $27.5 million contract last season – the Falcons’ “splash” of the offseason. Since signing with the Falcons, Edwards has just 3.5 sacks after he notched 29.5 in five years with the Minnesota Vikings. He failed to record a sack this year.
This season, he was primarily used on rushing downs: Pro Football Focus has him playing just 36.7% of defensive snaps.
I can’t say I’m surprised by this move; he has been greatly outperformed by Kroy Biermann. I also likes the message it sends: no one, regardless of contract, is getting a free ride. Perform, or you’re out of here.
[...] old at the start of the season, was the only threat on the line since the Ray Edwards experiment failed miserably. Kroy Biermann is a versatile defensive end, but he doesn’t excel at anything. Since [...]