The Atlanta Falcons are starting to make cuts heading into the official start of free agency. New head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan are busy evaluating players who best fit into the new system and plan on releasing those that do not. With the start of the NFL offseason just around the corner, Steven Jackson and Harry Douglas have officially been considered players that does not fit into the system.
The Atlanta Falcons announced on Thursday they are releasing veteran running back Steven Jackson while ProFootballTalk.com confirmed that wide receiver Harry Douglas will also be out in Atlanta. The release of Jackson comes of no surprise as his two-year experiment was considered a failure. Turning 32 in July, Jackson was entering the final year of a three-year contract signed in free agency. The Falcons save $3.75 million by releasing him.
Shanahan plans to install a zone-blocking scheme on offense which better suits a running back that can make one cut and then take off. Jackson is simply not that player anymore as he lost most of his power with age. Jackson denies he plans on retiring, but it is hard to see many teams take interest. With Jackson out, Jacquizz Rodgers is unlikely to re-sign either. The Falcons will have Devonta Freeman and potentially Antone Smith back. The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting the Falcons are also taking interest in Justin Forsett and CJ Spiller in free agency.
The release of Douglas likely comes as a shock to some. The wide receiver had become a consistent third look for Matt Ryan. He had a breakout year two seasons ago posting his first 1,000-yard season of his career after injuries to Julio Jones and Roddy White. However, Jackson is getting older and his $3.5 million salary is simply not wanted on the pay roll. Douglas battled injuries for most of 2014 which hurt his status even more.
The Falcons will look for a younger wide receiver to add to the mix. Some draft experts have the team selecting Amari Cooper in the first round, but that seems unlikely. They will draft a wide receiver, but could wait to do so in the second round while grabbing players like Sammie Coates, Chris Conley or Phillip Dorsett who will be around. The Falcons need to get younger at the position. Jones is the only player under 30 as the Falcons work to re-sign him. Eric Weems could return in free agency while the team looks to players like newly released Brian Hartline, Hakeem Nicks or Michael Crabtree depending on their contract demands.
