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Atlanta Falcons Forum • Ray Edwards had knee surgery

2012-02-25T22:03:10-05:00

After the season, Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards had knee surgery.

“Ray Edwards, I thought did a very good job for us [against] the run,” [coach Mike] Smith said (of Edwards at the Combine), per Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “There was a stretch in the season that he had an issue with his knee. He had a procedure done with his knee.”

Edwards is expected to be "back at full health."

Statistics: Posted by edsfootball — Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:03 pm

Atlanta Falcons Forum • Michael Turner to be on "pitch count" in 2012?

2012-02-25T21:58:34-05:00

It had been widely speculated that the Falcons could part ways with running back Michael "The Burner" Turner this offseason even though he is signed through the 2013 season.

Turner, who turned 30 earlier this month, is due to make $5 million this season and $5.5 million next season.

Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine this morning, Falcons coach Mike Smith indicated that Turner will be back in a Falcons uniform albeit with a smaller role in 2012.

"... I think the thing that we have to do, as Michael gets older, is that we have to start putting him on a pitch-count in terms of his number of carries," Smith said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Michael has, over the last four years, has been a guy that’s had over three hundred carries. I think it’s very important and we have guys in place [to help out.] ... In terms of Michael, we want to keep him as our feature back but we definitely need to make sure that we get some of the other guys some carries as well."

In our preliminary 2012 fantasy football rankings, we ranked Turner as the No. 14 running back.

Since signing with the Falcons as a free agent four years ago, Turner has rushed for 1,300-plus yards on 300-plus carries in three seasons and had double-digit touchdowns in all four seasons.

Last season, Turner finished third in the NFL in rushing (1,340 yards), second in carries (301), scored 11 touchdowns and set career highs with 17 receptions for 168 yards.

Statistics: Posted by edsfootball — Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:58 pm

Atlanta Falcons Forum • Tony Gonzalez returning to Falcons for another season

2012-01-01T13:36:26-05:00

The Atlanta Falcons and tight end Tony Gonzalez have agreed to a one-year extension worth $7 million, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer (via CBS Sports).

With his 79 receptions through last week, Gonzalez has more receptions than any tight end not named Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski this season. He ranks fourth among tight ends in receiving yards with 867 and has seven touchdowns.

In his career, Gonzalez has four 1,000-yard seasons and the 133 yards he needs would be a season high. But he is only 33 yards shy of 900 yards, which would give him his ninth 900-yard season of his career and first one since 2008.

Gonzalez ranks second all-time in receptions and will be seeking the first playoff win of his 15-year NFL career.

Statistics: Posted by edsfootball — Sun Jan 01, 2012 1:36 pm