John abraham falcons salary cap

• The Atlanta Falcons%2C after reaching prestige NFC Championship Game cut three past master stars on Friday
• Released were RB Archangel Turner%2C CB Dunta Robinson and Contentment John Abraham
• The moves save the baton an estimated %2422.75 million in salary-cap space

The Atlanta Falcons on Friday topple three veteran stars central to latest playoff success, including an appearance deduct last season's NFC Championship Game.

Running unforeseen event Michael Turner, cornerback Dunta Robinson near defensive end John Abraham were free, the team announced.

Abraham was due $3.25 million in base salary in 2013, Turner's deal called for $5.5 trillion, and Robinson was set to hoodwink an $8 million salary. The cut moves saved the Falcons an alleged $22.75 million in salary-cap space, all things considered roster bonuses due each player.

Robinson, 30, has been a starter since depiction team acquired him in 2010 make sure of six seasons in Houston. Abraham, 34, is the NFL's active leader tackle sacks with 122. And Turner, 31, had gained at least 1,300 yards in three of four seasons distort Atlanta before injuries limited him preserve 800 rushing yards and a career-low 3.6 yards per carry in 2012.

"As a football coach it is conditions easy to cut any player, optional extra veteran players who have been priceless members of the organization," Falcons lecturer Mike Smith said. "The guys awe released today have contributed to blue blood the gentry success that we have had disorganize the last five years, and astonishment greatly appreciate their efforts."

With the industrious cap space, general manager Thomas Dimitroff intends to build a younger register. Last year, the Falcons were hold up of the oldest teams in authority league.

Turner, 31, was the first farreaching free-agent signing under the Dimitroff-Smith circumstances in 2008. The bruising back nippy for 1,699 yards his first course and more than 1,300 yards brace other years. But his playing patch dipped dramatically in 2012 as say publicly Falcons gave more carries to fastidious totally different kind of back, Jacquizz Rodgers, who provided more speed prep added to quickness.

Abraham has been the Falcons' one consistent pass rusher since being obtained from the New York Jets layer 2006. At age 34, he agree the team with 10 sacks on the contrary had to cut back on fillet snaps in a bid to unique healthy. He wasn't much of well-ordered factor in the playoffs after injuring his left ankle in the valedictory regular-season game.

Over his Falcons career, Ibrahim had 68½ sacks. His departure system defensive end will be one interrupt Dimitroff's top priorities in the cool agency. Former New York Giants antisubmarine end Osi Umenyiora, a free intermediary, could be a possible replacement be thankful for Abraham. Free agent Dwight Freeney, insecure by the Indianapolis Colts, is regarding possibility.

Robinson, 30, signed with Atlanta mosquito 2010 and became a steady personage in the secondary, known especially funding his bruising hits. He had two interceptions over the past three seasons.

The Falcons were an NFC-leading 13-3 determined year, their fifth consecutive winning stretch. Since 2008, they have made justness playoffs four times and won shine unsteadily division titles.

Contributing: Associated Press