atlanta falcons

The Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons are exceeding expectations, but are they also setting a dangerous precedent?

The NFL has fined Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers $10,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

Referee Ed Hochuli was loudly booed when he threw his flag for roughing-the-passer on the play Sunday, which wiped out Richard Marshall's interception return for a touchdown early in the first quarter in Carolina's 24-9 win.

The Atlanta Falcons have cut veteran wide receiver Joe Horn. The 36-year-old Horn was released on Tuesday by the Falcons, who will receive no return on his guaranteed $2.5 million salary for 2008.

Horn was a disappointment in 2007, when he caught only 27 passes for 243 yards and one touchdown after signing a four-year, $14.5 million deal.

In a stunning contract sure to have ramifications up and down the first round of the NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons have signed QB Matt Ryan, the third pick in April's draft, to a six-year, $72 million contract with a hefty $34.75 million bonus.

Matt Ryan has signed a six-year, $72-million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Ryan, the No. 3 overall pick in last month's NFL draft, is guaranteed $34.75 million in the deal signed Tuesday.

Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts confirms the signing and says the team has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday night.

Ryan's guaranteed money is $4.75 million more than received by Jake Long, the No. 1 overall pick who also is represented by agent Tom Condon.

Thomas Dimitroff faces a crucial decision Saturday with the Atlanta Falcons holding the third pick in the NFL draft.

Does Dimitroff, in his first year as general manager, select Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan to further distance the Falcons from the Michael Vick era?

Would defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey of Louisiana State be the wise choice, especially since the Falcons could take a...