We've covered this ground before, I think, but we're getting closer to an actual off-season. It's time to revisit it.
With tighter-than-expected cap space in the upcoming season, it's pretty clear the Falcons are going to have to cut bait on one of their more expensive players. More than likely, it'll be someone who costs $3 or more and isn't quite worth that much.
ESPN's Pat Yasinskas is stabbing guessward again, picking Michael Jenkins as the most likely cap casualty. If the Falcons release him, he'll cost $1.2 million against the cap. If they don't, he'll clock in at $4.1 million, which is a little much for a guy that's suddenly the fourth option in the passing game.
That's not to say that Jenkins won't be valuable for the Falcons. He does block, and he does catch well enough to be a factor outside and in the slot in fairly limited snaps. Of course, that's all that will be left for him with Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez reeling in passes.
Personally, I'm still not convinced he'll go. I see Chauncey Davis as being a more likely cut, given their relative values. The Falcons won't save quite as much money by doing so, but Jenkins will be the bigger piece of what I hope will be the 2011 NFC champions.
Weigh in like a prize bass.