DE Ray Edwards cut by Falcons

Nov 4, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards (93) salutes the crowd before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Cowboys 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

In a fairly shocking move, the Atlanta Falcons cut defensive end Ray Edwards Monday evening.

When you think about the productivity of Edwards and what the Falcons were paying him to do, I suppose it isn’t a total shock. Edwards has seen his playing time consistently cut away, until the last couple games where he may play 30% of the defensive snaps. Edwards was brought in (and paid handsomely) to be a complimentary pass-rushing defensive end. Unfortunately, that just didn’t happen. In 2012, he had 9 total tackles, and 0 sacks. In his total time as a Falcon, Edwards has 42 tackles and 3.5 total sacks. That just isn’t good enough.

Over the course of the season, Edwards went from having a starting job, to seeing his time given more often to Kroy Biermann, to now having no job at all. It’s been a very poor season for Edwards.

Interestingly, the Falcons will still be responsible for $4.5 Million of his $5.5 M 2013 salary. That speaks volumes for his lack of productivity, that the Falcons would rather pay him to not play, than let him take up a roster spot on their team.