Sports Frog

Well, not directly. But indirectly. Because when you have a season as nightmarish as Atlanta just had, you see moves like this:

"Other than Crumpler, one of the team's longtime leaders and best players, former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Rod Coleman, left tackle Wayne Gandy, quarterback Byron Leftwich, linebacker Marcus Wilkins, wide receiver Jamin Elliott and cornerback Lewis Sanders were released."

That is potentially just the beginning. More cuts may be coming, and the names rumored to be at risk in that wave include "tailback Warrick Dunn, quarterback Joey Harrington, linebacker Keith Brooking, guard Kynan Forney, wide receivers Joe Horn and Brian Finneran, and safety Lawyer Milloy."

Mark Bradley in the AJC on the carnage:

"And if it means taking a step backward in 2008 simply to tailor the roster to his liking ... well, [new GM] Dimitroff didn't seem opposed to that, either. "My aim is to put a team on the field that's very aggressive and very passionate, a team that is beginning to believe in itself. That's the first goal. The starting point is to have that in place." He said nothing about going 10-6 or making the playoffs. Rather, he spoke of establishing a template, of setting a new tone. Toward that end, nothing resonates like the rustle of a veteran cleaning out his locker. They'll be hearing that sound often in Flowery Branch, where there's a new man in charge, a bold man who cares nothing for yesterday."

Interesting. And maybe exactly what the Falcons need. Nothing on this yet from the must-read Atlanta focused Braves & Birds site, but, work permitting, I would expect Michael to have a comment there soon.