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Atlanta Falcons cut RB Steven Jackson

Atlanta Falcons cut RB Steven Jackson

In a move most people expected, the Atlanta Falcons parted ways with running back Steven Jackson.

The Falcons save $3.75 million in salary cap space by cutting him now but must carry $1.1 million on this year's books for a signing bonus spread over from last year. He is now a free agent and can look for a new home immediately if there's work out there.

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Jackson signed with the Falcons two seasons ago but was limited to 1,250 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 27 games. His streak of eight straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons ended after he left the St. Louis Rams, with whom he spent his first nine years, in 2012.

Jackson, who turns 32 in July, is the NFL's active leading rusher and ranks 16th all time in rushing yards with 11,388. In order to crack the top 10 — and pass former Rams teammate Marshall Faulk — Jackson would need to rush for another 892 yards.

Will he get the chance? It's possible a team could bring in Jackson as a complementary role, but perhaps for not much more than the veteran's minimum salary plus a modest bonus. New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick long has been an admirer reportedly, so that's one team to keep an eye on.

And if Jackson does land in a place such as New England, it would end one of the more dubious NFL streaks in recent memory. In his 11 seasons, Jackson never has been on a team that finished above .500, twice being on 8-8 teams. Jackson's only playoff appearance was in 2004, when the Rams were crushed by the Falcons.

Jackson's best value at this stage of his career might come in the passing game, where he is still a reliable receiver and pass blocker. Plenty of teams still need that, and Jackson always has been one of the most self-motivated players in the league.

Here's guessing he's not done. Maybe as a feature back, yes, but hardly as a player.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!