Chauncey Davis

The Falcons announced seventeen cuts today as they work their way to the league-mandated 53-man roster by 6 pm tomorrow. Most prominent among those moves were the team’s decision to cut veterans defensive end Chauncey Davis and linebacker Coy Wire.

The other players cut were: TE Marquez Branson, FB Lucas Cox, OC Paul Fenaroli, S Matt Hansen, WR Brandyn Harvey, RB Gartrell Johnson, DT Trey Lewis, DE Tom McCarthy, CB Kamaal McIlwain, OC Ryan McMahon, CB Rafael Priest, DT Kiante Tripp, S Suaesi Tuimaunei, and LB Bear Woods. The team reached an injury settlement with WR Andy Strickland as well.

The Falcons will still need to make ten more moves before Saturday’s deadline.

Davis was the longest-tenured Falcon among those players cut. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, and served as a valuable role player, appearing in every game since then. Over six seasons with the team, Davis started 26 games, recorded 174 tackles, 10 sacks, scored 2 touchdowns, blocked 2 field goals, and recovered 10 fumbles. Davis was due a base salary of $3.75 million this year, which likely played heavily in the team’s decision to cut him as they also have to get under the $120 million salary cap.

Wire joined the Falcons in 2008 after six years with the Buffalo Bills where he played both safety and linebacker. As a full-time linebacker for the Falcons, he added valuable depth at all three positions and performed well on special teams.  He started 4 games in 2008 and had 19 tackles that year. He also combined for 32 tackles on special teams in the past three years.

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Falcons Wrap Camp Exile

The Falcons finished their final day of what has been dubbed “Camp Exile” on Wednesday. That was the name of the player-organized sessions which primarily featured 7-on-7 workouts between offensive and defensive players. Matt Ryan, Curtis Lofton, and Coy Wire got majority credit for organizing the workouts that had varying attendance between 20 and 35 teammates over recent weeks. Perhaps the most noteworthy accomplishment for the camp was the ability for Ryan and top rookie wide receiver Julio Jones to lay a foundation and work to build a rapport for the upcoming season. (Source: D. Orlando Ledbetter, AJC)

Roddy confident about Falcons offense

On an appearance on NFL Network on Sunday Night, Falcons receiver Roddy White was brimming with confidence and expectations when asked about the potential success that the Falcons could have with rookie receiver Julio Jones added to the mix. White compared it to the famous St. Louis Rams offense of 1999, often dubbed the “Greatest Show on Turf.” It currently ranks as the 5th most potent scoring offense in NFL history, and until it’s record was broken by the 2007 Patriots, ranked first in terms of point differential between points scored and allowed by the defense.

It’s going to be special. It’s going to remind you of the greatest show on turf. We got a lot of explosive players and you know, I see a lot more explosive plays coming out of our offense. [Julio Jones] is a guy that can get downfield and make those things happen. And more one on one coverages with me so I can do my thing and get explosive plays.

(Source: NFL.com)

Snelling wants to stay in Atlanta, but willing to explore options

In an interview with Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk Live, Falcons running Jason Snelling shared his thoughts on the current CBA negotiations as well as his potential future with the Falcons. Snelling is expected to be an impending free agent if the new Collective Bargaining Agreement returns to players with four years or more being unrestricted free agent. Snelling indicated that he would like to return to the Falcons as they are at the top of his list, but also would be willing to explore other options in free agency if possible. (Source: Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk)

D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reports that Falcons players have taken it upon themselves to start their own off-season conditioning program. Falcons linebacker Coy Wire and offensive tackle Tyson Clabo organized the event that featured around 30 players. Without a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the players, teams are unable to conduct their regular off-season conditioning and training programs.

They are working out at the Ignite training facility in Atlanta under the supervision of trainer Jim Launer, using the program designed by the teams strength & conditioning coach Jeff Fish.

Coy Wire

Jay Adams of AtlantaFalcons.com reports that the team has signed linebacker Coy Wire to a two-year extension and parted ways with safety Erik Coleman. The move to release Coleman has been in the pipeline since yesterday. Wire’s contract expired at the end of the 2010 season, and he was set to become a free agent.

Wire has added valuable depth for the Falcons since joining the team in 2008. He’s played in 47 games with 5 starts, recording 31 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 3 recoveries in that span. He also has been among the leaders each year and has combined for 32 special teams tackles the past three years.

Coleman’s value to the team was diminished due to the emergence of William Moore this past year. Moore replaced an injured Coleman in Week 2 and never relinquished the job. He finished the year with 71 tackles and 5 interceptions. In the same role in 2009, Coleman had 115 tackles and no interceptions.

Brian McIntyre of FalconInsider.com reports that Falcons guard Harvey Dahl received the most on the team as far as the league’s performance-based pay roll. Annually, the league rewards players with low salaries that earn significant playing time.

Dahl earned the most on the team with $255,938. He started every game at right guard after having earned $445,000 in his regular base salary.

Second on the list was right tackle Tyson Clabo, who pocketed $254,297 adding to his $445,000 base salary as well.

FalconInsider.com lists ten other players’ extra payouts:

Kroy Biermann, DE – $162,469
Justin Blalock, OG – $144,273
Harry Douglas, WR – $112,217
Brent Grimes, CB – $189,409
Chris Houston, CB – $139, 921
Chevis Jackson, CB – $122,031
Justin Peelle, TE – $123,329
Marcus Pollard, TE – $1,386
Jason Snelling, RB – $121,308
Coy Wire, LB – $113,837

Pollard’s was the lowest on the team.