What was rumored Tuesday became official Wednesday when safety Erik Coleman was released by the Atlanta Falcons, Jay Adams reports. The Falcons found themselves set at the safety position with Thomas DeCoud at free safety and William Moore at strong safety and rookie Shann Schillinger adding depth. This meant Coleman, who had started every game since 2008 before suffering an injury in Week 1 against Pittsburgh, was a very expensive backup. Coleman was set to count $3 million against the salary cap in 2011, according to Pat Yaskinsas, so the Falcons chose to cut the seven-year veteran loose.

In three seasons with the Falcons, Coleman amassed 229 tackles and caused seven turnovers. He'll be 29 in May so as long as there's a new Collective Bargaining Agreement he should find another team in need of his abilities but for now the Falcons will move forward with a younger, less expensive tandem in the defensive backfield.