National Football League

Falcons won't re-sign Finneran, Williams

Published Mar. 1, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

The Atlanta Falcons are parting ways with two veterans as they attempt to upgrade speed at wide receiver and cornerback.

A source told FOXSports.com that wide receiver Brian Finneran and cornerback Brian Williams will not be re-signed. The Falcons have informed both players of the decision as they head toward the free-agent market.

Only center Todd McClure, a 12-year veteran, has spent more time on Atlanta's current roster than the 35-year-old Finneran. He caught 236 passes for 3,072 yards and 19 touchdowns in 11 seasons. His best season came in 2005 when Finneran caught 50 passes for 611 yards and two touchdowns.

Williams, 31, had served primarily as Atlanta's nickel cornerback in 2010 before being sidelined by a knee injury entering the postseason. His presence was missed in Atlanta's playoff loss to Green Bay as Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 31 of 36 passes for 366 yards and three touchdowns.

Williams joined the Falcons in 2009 after spending his first seven seasons with Minnesota and Jacksonville. He started five games in 2009 until suffering a season-ending knee injury.

The Falcons have nine other players set to become unrestricted free agents, pending changes in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement that is being negotiated between the NFL and the players association. That includes three starting offensive lineman (right tackle Tyson Clabo and guards Justin Blalock and Harvey Dahl), two backup running backs (Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood) and both specialists (kicker Matt Bryant and punter Michael Koenen).