NFL

Abraham had been mentioned as a potential candidate for release by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but he's by far the most surprising part of the Falcons' veteran purge. He was due an affordable $4.25 million, but had a $7.25 million cap number. That's steep for a player who came off the field for roughly a third of Atlanta's defensive snaps in 2012, and will turn 35 in May. Nevertheless, the Falcons now have a huge hole to fill, as Abraham tallied 10 of their 29 sacks last season. None of his teammates had more than four. Abraham shoots near the top tier of a crowded defensive-end market. The Falcons figure to at least kick the tires on free agents Dwight Freeney and Osi Umenyiora.