Byron Leftwich never got untracked in Atlanta

Atlanta is taking a deep breath and now exhaling.

There, that felt better, but something is different.

Oh geez, look, the whole stinking team is gone.

It started with Michael Vick and the dogs and then the team went to the dogs.

They hire and lost Bobby Petrino at coach so fast, you hardly knew he was there.

Now the player losses mount as they clean house and prepare to rebuild.

The Atlanta Falcons released four-time Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler and six other players Friday in the first step of a major rebuilding job in the post-Michael Vick era.

The Falcons also cut quarterback Byron Leftwich, defensive tackle Rod Coleman, offensive tackle Wayne Gandy, cornerback Lewis Sanders, wide receiver Jamin Elliott and linebacker Marcus Wilkins. source

Alge Crumpler was often a favorite target of Michael Vick. Vick could somehow throw the short pass to big Alge consistently. It led to a lot of Atlanta’s minor air success with Vick at QB. (Squibster Note: Alge Crumpler was on my Fantasy Football team at that time)

Without Vick and putting in new coach Bobby Petrino’s system, Alge fell out of favor eventually ending up with a hurt knee. Now he is just a money liability.

None contributed more than Crumpler, one of the team’s most respected players and a leader in the locker room. He twice led the Falcons in receptions and had a streak of four straight Pro Bowl appearances from 2003-06.

But Crumpler was plagued by knee problems this past season and dropped off to 44 receptions. Also, he counted $5.1 million against the salary cap for 2008, money the Falcons felt could be better spent elsewhere.

Byron Leftwich

At the QB position, there is literally no one left. Leftwich was supposed to fill the void that the absence of Vick brought on, but injuries hampered his season and now Atlanta has lost faith in him.

Jaguars’ defensive coordinator during Leftwich’s tenure there — had right ankle surgery after getting hurt in his first start Oct. 21 at New Orleans. Leftwich did not play again after injuring his tailbone in his second start, Nov. 18 against visiting Tampa Bay. source

It appears many more cuts are coming.

Don’t plan on the Falcons being in the Super Bowl too soon.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Leftwich, Crumpler, gone as Falcons rebuild