The Crumpler question

Your comments on the question of whether the Bengals should take a look at linebacker Zack Thomas (released by Miami) led to many of you wanting the Bengals to make a run at tight end Alge Crumpler, released Friday by the Falcons.

Crumpler had the second highest salary cap number -- salaries, bonuses, etc. -- in the NFL last season at $4.7 million. He also has suffered injuries. Lost in the wave of big-name cuts was the termination of the contract of linebacker Marcus Wilkins, a productive member of the Bengals special teams before he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Falcons a year ago.

Here is more on Crumpler:

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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, five 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.