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Falcons Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Safety Jimmy Williams spent his final few days with the Falcons going through individual drills during OTAs then taking off his helmet, balancing himself on one knee and watching Erik Coleman, Antoine Harris and rookie Thomas DeCoud take snaps at free safety.

He knew his days were numbered.

A one-time, supposed answer at a position of non-stop inconsistency, Williams was released June 17, ending a two-year career that bore little production—especially following his pre-draft hype.

"It's a football decision," coach Mike Smith said. "It's a decision we made. We've been evaluating."

The "football decision" quote, which is becoming more and more common, is never good because it fosters a stigma that the player can't play.

Ryan respects Goodell's point on rookie contracts (AP)

Matt Ryan isn't apologizing for benefiting from a system that allows top NFL draft picks to receive massive contracts. Even so, he appreciates where Roger Goodell was coming from last week when the commissioner questioned paying millions in guaranteed salary to rookies who have yet to play a down in the league.

Cowboys interetsed in Joe Horn? (Yahoo! Sports)

There were internet reports all weekend that the Cowboys were interested in Joe Horn, the wideout from the...

Sources: Davis second-guessing offseason moves (Yahoo! Sports)

The Raiders' losing ways and questionable player contracts supposedly have Al Davis seeking help.

Jaguars No.1 pick Harvey may not be easy to sign (Yahoo! Sports)

The most difficult draft pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars to sign might be first-round choice Derrick Harvey, a...

Finneran survives OTAs, moves forward on comeback trail (Yahoo! Sports)

Atlanta Falcons receiver Brian Finneran, who's battling back from knee surgeries that have caused him to miss...

Falcons agree to terms with rookie Douglas (AP)

The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a four-year deal with third-round draft pick Harry Douglas, a wide receiver from Louisville. The Falcons also announced the signing of free-agent safety Deke Cooper on Friday. Cooper had three interceptions while starting 15 games for Carolina last season. He also has played for Jacksonville and San Francisco.

Falcons release safety Jimmy Williams (AP)

The Atlanta Falcons released disgruntled safety Jimmy Williams on Tuesday, two years after trading up 10 spots to pick him in the second round of the NFL draft. "It's a football decision," new Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "It's a decision we made, and one that we've been evaluating." With only seven career starts in 27 games, Williams made a poor first impression on Smith, who demoted the former...

Falcons release S Williams (PA SportsTicker)

The Atlanta Falcons released safety Jimmy Williams on Tuesday.

Matt Ryan is ready to face NFL pressure (Yahoo! Sports)

His isn't the easiest of situations, replacing a polarizing and electric quarterback in a town divided, trying...

Falcons reserve safety charged with DUI (AP)

Atlanta Falcons reserve safety Daren Stone has been arrested on a drunk-driving charge. Police said the second-year player was taken into custody early Sunday morning. No other information about the traffic stop was immediately available. Stone, 22, appeared in 12 games for the Falcons last year and was credited with nine solo tackles.

Former Hokies QB Marcus Vick free on bond (AP)

Former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick's first court appearance to face a charge of driving under the influence has been rescheduled. The 24-year-old brother of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was to appear Monday in General District Court, but a clerk said his appearance was rescheduled for Sept.

Correction: Vick-Dogfighting story (AP)

In a June 9 story about Michael Vick's state trial on dogfighting charges being delayed, The Associated Press, relying on information from the prosecutor, erroneously reported that co-defendant Tony Taylor will be tried on July 26. The court administrator says his trial date will be set on July 22.

Falcons sign pair of third-round picks (PA SportsTicker)

FLOWERY BRANCH, Georgia (Ticker) - The Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday signed third-round picks Chevis Jackson and Thomas DeCoud to four-year contracts.

Trippin' Tuesday: Legends' counter closings (Yahoo! Sports)

In what turned out to be grand exits, Michael Strahan and John Elway had disparate post-game reactions.

NFL rookies get taste of history at hall of fame (AP)

For a moment, Miami Dolphins tackle Jake Long looked like any other visitor at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He handed his cell phone to a teammate, stood next to the bronze bust of fellow former Michigan tackle Dan Dierdorf and smiled for a snapshot. Long, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, and the rest of the NFL's rookies are touring the Hall of Fame this summer as part of a program aimed at...