The Atlanta Falcons waived defensive lineman Ray Edwards earlier in the week, less than two years after signing him to a five-year, $27.5 million deal. Edwards was a disappointment with the Falcons, racking up just 3.5 sacks in 25 games with the team. Now we’re learning that he did something that may have been a factor in his release.
Jay Glazer reported on FOX NFL Sunday that Falcons head coach Mike Smith asked his team to come together for a postgame speech after a Week 10 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Edwards apparently was asked three times to come in for the speech, and he ignored the coach all three times. Glazer says the players had to tell him to bring it in for the speech.
Glazer says the display from Edwards occurred in front of team owner Arthur Blank and GM Thomas Dimitroff. The team is so focused on chemistry, Glazer says they will release a player if they feel like he will be a problem in the locker room. It seems like that’s exactly what happened with Edwards.
We felt from the start that the signing was a reach for Atlanta. Edwards was the beneficiary of playing with excellent teammates in Minnesota. Without Jared Allen and Pat and Kevin Williams next to him, he has failed to be an impact player.
