The first jolt of change for the Falcons came Friday, when the team released seven players, including four former starters -- popular four-time Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler among them. The cuts weren't that much of a surprise nor were they nearly as drastic as they could have been.
Then again, more changes could be forthcoming.
"Today we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish as far as refining this roster," general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "Today, our salary cap is just shy of $17 million space. Will there be more moves in the near future or later? I can't answer that right now. I do know we will consider this process of evaluating the free-agent market as well as the draft dynamic and, at that time, we will re-evaluate if we need to make a move or not."
Team owner Arthur Blank said projections are to have at least $23 million to spend in free agency, so more changes, either player cuts or salary restructuring, could be in order.
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.
Among the tenured, high-salaried veterans spared in the initial wave of cuts: tailback Warrick Dunn, quarterback Joey Harrington, linebacker Keith Brooking, guard Kynan Forney, wide receivers Joe Horn and Brian Finneran, and safety Lawyer Milloy.
The commonality of the higher profile cuts Friday -- medical issues.
Crumpler, Gandy, Coleman and Leftwich were limited and missed playing time during the Falcons' 4-12 run last season because of injuries.
"We looked at all the issues, weighed in all the factors, and it's not only age and injury," said Dimitroff, adding that scheme-fit and long-term contributions also were factors.
Gandy (left knee), Coleman (right quadriceps, knee, triceps, pectoral) and Sanders (pectoral) finished the season on injured reserve. Crumpler, 30, never fully recovered from offseason knee surgery, missed two games and had his second-least productive season (42 catches, 444 yards, 5 touchdowns) of his stellar seven-year career.
If healthy, Crumpler isn't expected to be out of work for long. Tampa Bay and Seattle are among teams in significant need of a tight end, especially one of Crumpler's stature.
Leftwich, signed early in the regular season after being cut from Jacksonville — Smith was the 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.
This is the second time Leftwich, who started for most of his four seasons in Jacksonville, has been cut in less than a year. His dismissal leaves one-time starter Harrington and second-year player D.J. Shockley as the only quarterbacks under contract for next season.
Chris Redman, who started the final four games, becomes an unrestricted free agent Feb. 29. The Falcons are expected to try to re-sign him and to add at least one more quarterback, likely with one of their nine draft picks.
Friday's cuts also signal areas the Falcons project to address in free agency and in the draft.
Improving production at left tackle, where Gandy, 37, once started, is optimum. The same can be said at defensive tackle. Coleman, 31, was one of the premier interior pass rushers in the NFL when he was healthy. With him gone, Jonathan Babineaux is the only experienced player at the position.
The Falcons' next tight end seemingly isn't on the roster. New offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, a former tight end, likes physical blockers. Current backups Dwayne Blakley, an unrestricted free agent, and rookie Martrez Milner, don't necessarily fit the mold.
"It's very important to be able to come off the ball and control the line of scrimmage, be a very sound blocker as well as possess the other skills," Dimitroff said of replacing Crumpler. "We want that perfect fit. We know that's not necessarily realistic, so if we can't get it in one player, we'll get it in a combination of players."