Falcons lock up Edwards, Clabo; Anderson, Jenkins cut

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons are still ticked off about their last game.

It's time to start making up for that ugly playoff loss.

With the NFL lockout settled, the Falcons opened training camp Friday amid a flurry of moves designed to set up another run at the team's first Super Bowl title.

In the span of 24 hours, the Falcons lured free-agent defensive end Ray Edwards away from the Minnesota Vikings, agreed to a new deal with Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tyson Clabo and locked up their entire draft class, including top pick Julio Jones.

The NFL free agency cycle is in full effect, with teams and players agreeing to terms fast as training camps open. Get the latest on all the news right here.

Last season, Atlanta won the NFC South title and claimed the top seed in the conference playoffs. But the Falcons were blown out at home in their first postseason game, losing 48-21 to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.

"I don't know how many times I got asked in the offseason, 'Hey, what happened in that game? Why didn't y'all make it further?"' center Todd McClure said. "I got tired of answering those questions."

The defense certainly has something to prove after getting shredded by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Green Bay never even had to punt in its playoff romp.

"As a defense, we played a lot better (last season) than we had in the previous three years," linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. "But that last game leaves a sour taste in your mouth."

The Falcons made a major move to shore up the defense Friday, agreeing to terms with Edwards. He had 16.5 sacks the last two seasons in Minnesota and gives his new team a much-needed pass-rushing threat to complement John Abraham.

Atlanta also agreed to a five-year, $25-million deal with Clabo, the cornerstone of the offensive line. The contract includes about $11.5 million in guaranteed money.

Finally, the Falcons locked up their entire draft class, including a four-year, $16.2-million deal for Jones, the No. 6 overall pick.

The deals were made possible when Atlanta released two former first-round picks, receiver Michael Jenkins and defensive end Jamaal Anderson, clearing $7.8 million under the salary cap.

Addressing needs on both sides of the line, the Falcons made it clear they still intend to be a major factor in the NFC, even though the schedule -- especially in the first five weeks -- is much tougher than a year ago.

"If we can stay healthy and go out and play the type of ball we've been playing, we've got a shot," McClure said. "Obviously, you play 'em one game at a time, but with that end goal in mind."

Not everything went Atlanta's way during the hectic free-agent signing period, condensed into just a few days after the players approved a 10-year labor agreement that ended the 4-month-long lockout.

Another of the team's stalwart linemen, offensive guard Harvey Dahl, reportedly agreed to terms with the St. Louis Rams. The other starting guard from a year ago, Justin Blalock, is also a free agent.

Quarterback Matt Ryan is admittedly concerned about breaking in two new linemen.

"They've been kind of a staple of what we've done," Ryan said. "But we have to understand it's a business and different things are going to happen. ... We'll make the most of whoever is here."

The Rams also were talking with running back Jason Snelling, who had been Atlanta's main backup. He became expendable after the Falcons drafted diminutive Oregon running back Jacquizz Rodgers in the fifth round to provide a speedy replacement when 1,371-yard rusher Michael Turner needs a break.

Running back Jerious Norwood was also released. His agent, Bus Cook, tells The Clarion-Ledger that he expects Norwood to sign with another team. Cook says the Falcons wanted to go in a different direction with younger players.

A third-round pick out of MSU in 2006, the 28-year-old Norwood played in just 57 of 80 regular-season games over the last five years with the Falcons while dealing with injuries ranging from a concussion to a hip flexor to a torn knee ligament.

In addition, Atlanta lost punter Michael Koenen, who agreed to terms with division rival Tampa Bay. Matt Bosher, a sixth-round pick from Miami, appears the likely replacement, though the Falcons have two other punters in camp.

None of the losses dampened the mood at Falcons camp. Under general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith, the team has put together three straight winning seasons and two trips to the playoffs.

Not bad for a franchise that had never even managed consecutive seasons above .500 before they arrived.

"Our expectations," Smith said, "are really high."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Jets receiver Edwards pleads guilty to DWI, avoids jail time

NEW YORK -- Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards pleaded guilty Friday in his drunken-driving case, saying he wanted to resolve it as a possible end to the NFL lockout neared.

"I feel good. I feel like it came to a fair conclusion," Edwards said as a he left a Manhattan court after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge.

Edwards' case will be closed without jail time or probation if he meets conditions that include paying a $500 fine and staying in an NFL substance-abuse counseling program he has been in since October.

"We're happy that it's past us, and now it's really time to focus on football again," Edwards said.

Edwards' drivers' license will be suspended for six months, and he'll have to install a device that prevents a car from starting until the driver blows into a breath alcohol detector. He's due to check in with the court in October.

The plea came as the prospect of free agency looms for the 28-year-old wide receiver, who reiterated Friday that he "most definitely" wants to stay with the Jets. NFL owners approved a proposal Thursday to end the labor impasse and four-month-long lockout, but players haven't yet voted.

It's unclear if Edwards will face a league suspension over his DWI plea, or how it might affect his probation in Cleveland, where he pleaded no contest in January 2010 to misdemeanor aggravated disorderly conduct. Edwards, who was with the Cleveland Browns before being traded to the Jets in October 2009, had been accused of punching a friend of NBA star LeBron James outside a nightclub.

Jets spokesman Bruce Speight said the team is aware of Edwards' plea and, due to the "current labor situation," would have no further comment.

A Cleveland Municipal Court spokesman didn't immediately respond to messages. Edwards' lawyer, Peter M. Frankel, said he hoped the league and Cleveland authorities would take into account the player's extensive charitable activities, including the $1 million in college scholarships he awarded Cleveland students this spring.

Edwards was pulled over in Manhattan around 5 a.m. on Sept. 21; police said his Land Rover's windows were too dark. His four passengers included Jets left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and defensive end Vernon Gholston.

Edwards' blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit, police said. He told an officer he'd had "a couple of drinks," the last about an hour before, prosecutors said at his arraignment last fall.

"We were coming from a party. How about if I just leave the car and take a cab and go home?" Edwards asked, according to prosecutors.

Edwards had challenged the basis for stopping him, the accuracy of the alcohol breath test and other aspects of the case.

Edwards had "a very legitimate chance" of prevailing at trial, but with free agency impending, "he wants to put any negativity behind him," Frankel said.

Edwards acknowledged the DWI might make some teams leery of him. But "you may have some teams -- hopefully, the one I'm standing in now -- that are still OK with it," said Edwards, who came to court in a natty gray-green suit, complete with a light green paisley pocket square.

Edwards said he has been meeting every other week with a counselor in the NFL's program, its goal "to make sure that this is a one-time occurrence."

Edwards had 53 catches for 904 yards and seven touchdowns this past season, and he made a key catch to set up the Jets' game-winning field goal over the Indianapolis Colts in the final minute of an AFC wild-card playoff game.

Edwards got into a minor car crash in Detroit last month. Police said no tickets were issued, alcohol didn't appear to be a factor, and neither Edwards nor his passenger was hurt.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Allen understands contract situation facing Edwards, Vikings

Jared Allen believes Ray Edwards is "deserving of a contract" and that "you can't blame the guy for trying to get everything he's worth," but he's prepared for his fellow defensive end to leave the Minnesota Vikings.

"It's not my place to get involved," Allen, an three-time All-Pro, told The Star Tribune on Friday. "Management will do what it's got to do. Ray will do what he's got to do. I can say Ray's a good player. A vital part of the defensive line."

Edwards, who has 29.5 sacks for Minnesota in five seasons, has said if he isn't declared an unrestricted free agent for 2011, he won't play for the restricted free-agent tender of $2.8 million. He also has said he won't play for less than the three-year, $14 million-plus contract the Vikings gave his backup, Brian Robison.

Edwards has pursued a boxing career during the lockout and won his debut fight a week ago in Hinckley, Minn.

"Is Ray deserving of a big contract? I think he's deserving of a contract," Allen said. "So management will do what they feel is best for the team, and Ray will do what he feels is best for himself in his career. And then you go from there.

"That's just the business side of things. You got one shot to make as much money as you can to retire off of. You can't blame the guy for trying to get everything he's worth, especially if there's guys who are making more money for him."

Allen noted that he was in a similar situation as Edwards when he was in Kansas City, which traded him to Minnesota following the 2007 season -- when he led the NFL with 15.5 sacks and was an All-Pro -- rather than give him a big contract. The Vikings gave Allen a six-year, $73.26 million deal, and he has recorded 40 sacks in three seasons and was a first-team All-Pro in 2008 and 2009.

If he's playing opposite Robison next season, Allen is fine with it -- "Brian's obviously a good player ... a versatile guy who can play inside and out ... a heck of an athlete," he said -- but he thinks highly of Edwards, too.

"Ray has a presence on that field, so it makes it a little easier for me," Allen said. "If Ray doesn't show up, I'm sure I'll see a few more double-teams than I already see. ... But I also think that's one position we'll be OK at."

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Edwards keeping pledge to cover students' college tuition

NEW YORK -- Braylon Edwards has made good on a promise he made a few years ago by sending 100 Cleveland-area students to college.

The New York Jets wide receiver tweeted Thursday that "as the 2nd most hated man in Clev & a man of my word," he was honoring his commitment to pay for the students' college tuitions if they reached certain academic goals.

Edwards is giving about $1 million to the students from the ADVANCE 100 program, established by the receiver's foundation while he played for the Cleveland Browns.

"Guys, enjoy and embrace your new beginnings," Edwards tweeted, "and remember your promise to me, to reach back & help someone else along the way."

Edwards is scheduled to be a free agent, but he repeatedly has said he wants to stay with the Jets.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Edwards floors foe twice en route to victory in boxing debut

Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards began his boxing career on the plus side, scoring a unanimous if uninspiring victory Friday night in a four-round heavyweight bout in Hinckley, Minn.

Edwards, who has said he'll leave the Vikings if he's an unrestricted free agent when the NFL's labor situation is solved and pursue boxing if he isn't, knocked down T.J. Gibson in the first and fourth rounds en route to the victory before a near-capacity crowd at Grand Casino.

Edwards won on the judges' cards 40-34, 39-35 and 40-34, as several of his Vikings teammates cheered him.

"I've got some things to work on," Edwards told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "But, overall, I think I did well."

Trainer Jeff Warner called Edwards' jab "incredible" and said observers saw "about 70 percent of Ray Edwards. People don't understand a first pro fight, there are so many different emotions. We're done with it, now we move on."

Vikings linebacker Jasper Brinkley told the Pioneer Press that he was impressed by Edwards' work.

"It's kind of weird seeing a teammate up there," Brinkley said. "But I thought he did really well."

Edwards, who's 6-foot-5 and 258½ pounds, had 36½ pounds and seven inches on Gibson, who also was making his debut. Edwards was happy to win but admitted it was "a little rougher than I expected."

"Every time I tried to get underneath him, I got held down and couldn't do what I wanted to do," Gibson said. "He's going to be a great fighter if he keeps it up."

Edwards put Gibson down in the first round with a left-right combo that sent the smaller man into the ropes. After the second and third rounds brought a lot less action, Edwards almost knocked Gibson through the ropes in the fourth with a left hook.

No Vikings coaches or team officials attended the fight, which was fine by Edwards, who will box again June 24 in Hinckley against a to-be-determined opponent.

"It is what it is," he said. "It's a business, no hard feelings. I still speak to them when I can. Whenever the lockout's over, I'll still have a good relationship with them. They helped me start my career that I dreamed about since I was a little boy."

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Jaguars preparing to go with Edwards or Bouman at QB

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jaguars quarterback David Garrard rested at home for the second consecutive day, increasing the chances that Trent Edwards or Todd Bouman will start Sunday at Kansas City.

Garrard sustained a concussion in Monday night's 30-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans and hasn't been back to the Jaguars' facility since. Coach Jack Del Rio said Garrard will be evaluated late this week, and the team is preparing to play without the ninth-year veteran.

The team will release Garrard's game status Friday, but having missed most of team meetings and practices, it's unlikely he will return against the Chiefs.

Edwards also could be out. He sprained his right thumb against the Titans and sat out practice Wednesday. If Edwards can't play, Bouman would make his first start since 2005.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Jaguars cut ties with Bouman, making Edwards No. 2 QB

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Trent Edwards will return to Buffalo as the Jaguars' backup quarterback.

The Jaguars released veteran Todd Bouman on Tuesday, leaving Edwards as the only quarterback behind David Garrard. The 2-2 team plays the winless Bills on Sunday.

The Jaguars also signed sixth-year defensive lineman C.J. Mosley, who has played in 59 games for the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns.

A sixth-round draft pick by the Vikings in 2005, Mosley has eight career sacks and 80 tackles. He spent last season with the Browns, but he ended the campaign on injured reserve.

Mosley likely will play defensive tackle for the Jaguars, who have given up on former first-round pick Derrick Harvey. Versatile Jeremy Mincey is expected to take Harvey's repetitions, leaving Jacksonville with four defensive tackles.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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