According to members of the PR staff, the team has released defensive back Jimmy Williams.

Williams was in the news earlier this offseason when he missed two days of a voluntary mini camp. He saw limited work at safety during the team's offseason drills.

A second-round Draft pick in 2006, Williams played in 14 games at safety last season recording 20 tackles, one interception and two passes defensed.

As a rookie, Williams appeared in 13 games at cornerback and recorded 20 tackles.

More on AtlantaFalcons.com.

He and some other young players took extra reps with the Jugs machine at the end of the workout -- the definition of "extra effort."

Listorti missed most of his final season at UMass with an injury, leaving his NFL career in doubt.

Listorti comes to the team with a solid stat sheet and endorsements.

He was regarded by NFL Network Draft guru Mike Mayock as one of five "sleepers" entering the NFL Draft.

Listorti was expecting to be a mid-round pick before his injury. His injury forced NFL teams to dig for some old tape to evaluate his talent.

He played in 31 games and logged 39 receptions for 608 yards and four touchdowns, earning Atlantic 10 third-team honors in 2006. Prior to the start of the 2007 campaign, Listorti was a Street & Smith’s preseason All-America selection along with garnering CAA Preseason All-Conference honors.

At this point he'll play anywhere on the field. Anything to get reps from something other than a machine.

"I'm a little bit of both," he said. "I'm probably going to play a lot of fullback and tight end. Any way I can contribute is good to me."

Perhaps ending what has turned into more than a week of speculation, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday evening that cornerback DeAngelo Hall has agreed to a contract with the Oakland Raiders. Such a move clears the way for a trade between Oakland and Atlanta involving Hall and two draft picks in the 2008 NFL Draft.

It has been reported that Oakland will send it's second- and sixth-round picks to Atlanta. The second round pick is the No. 34 overall pick in the Draft and gives the Falcons four picks in the first 48 selections.

Stay tuned to AtlantaFalcons.com for more on this story and confirmation if a trade becomes official.

Plenty of news this morning and some updates to offer...

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports this morning that the Raiders and cornerback DeAngelo Hall are still hammering out the details of a contract. A new deal is vital to a trade between the Falcons and Raiders going through that would, reportedly, give the Falcons a second- and sixth-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.

When official news breaks, we'll have it on AtlantaFalcons.com.

As a note, the NFL still in many ways works with a traditional paper trail. Any trade likely won't be official until a new contract is filed with the league. Since Oakland is three time zones over, it could be a while before "official" news of this thing breaks.

In other Falcons info, Jason Elam is reportedly in town for a two-day visit with Falcons officials.

The team also re-signed offensive lineman Tyson Clabo -- an exclusive rights free agent. The deal keeps Clabo in town, though the Falcons had soul rights in negotiating with him because of free agent rules.

Clabo enters his third season with the Falcons after being signed as a free agent in 2006. Last season, he started in 11 contests at right tackle filling in for an injured Todd Weiner. Clabo paved the way for Atlanta’s 1,520 rushing yards in 2007 and blocked for running back Warrick Dunn who reached the 10,000-yard rushing plateau against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12.

In three seasons, Clabo has competed and started in 21 career games.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported Tuesday afternoon that a trade between the Falcons and Raiders involving cornerback DeAngelo Hall and draft picks could be finished in the coming days.

Hall reportedly has agreed to most of the specifics of the deal.

The AJC report goes on to say the Falcons will receive the Raiders' second- and sixth-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft for Hall. Such a move would give the Falcons three picks in the second round (No. 34, 37 and 48 overall).

Atlanta also owns the No. 3 overall pick.

Stay tuned to AtlantaFalcons.com for news and information on any official transactions made between the Birds, other teams and free agents. 

JMM:What can fans expect to see out of Michael Turner in the community?
 
CP: Michael has been a backup on the field during his first four pro seasons, but he’s taken a backseat to no one in the community.  He’s not the most talkative person in the world but he has a way with kids and when I’ve been around him, his ability to encourage young people has been impressive.  Michael has a big heart and it shows.

JMM: Everybody calls him the "Burner" for speed, but what’s something about his game that people aren’t talking about that they should be?
 
CP: I’ve got to credit Marty Schottenheimer for this line, but it was a great one that he delivered in December of 2006.  Yes, Michael is fast, runs downhill and runs hard, but one great thing about him is his body control makes it very hard for defenders to tackle him.  He runs low, keeps those big legs moving and uses his forearm to discard defenders.  Michael is a compact runner and doesn’t offer much of his body for defenders to grab.  Notice in the pictures you have of him, he’s got great balance, especially for a guy his size.

JMM: What did you enjoy most about working with Michael Turner?
 
CP: Aside from the fact that he was fun to watch with the ball in his hands, Michael is a great guy.  Everyone in the locker room loved him.  He’s got a great sense of humor and was always very helpful when I needed him.  He’s a fun guy to be around.

The position Michael has been in the last two years in particular has not been easy but he’s handled it with class.  He’s been very patient and waited his turn to become a starter.  Everyone in the organization is sad to see him go but happy that he’s going to get his turn.

JMM:How much did Michael Turner affect LaDainian Tomlinson's success?
 

CP: LT is LT and is going to be great regardless of who is around him, but last summer I asked the 2006 NFL MVP about what it meant to him to have a backup as talented as Turner.  He responded by saying that if he needed a breather, he had no qualms about coming out of the game because he knew Michael could help get the offense down the field.  Generally whenever LT had a long run, he’d come off the field for a play or two.  Also in games that the Chargers were winning big, such as Denver in Week 5 of last season, LT would call it an early afternoon while Turner took the reins and in that instance rushed for 147 yards.  Over the years, I think saving that wear and tear helped LT down the stretch.

JMM: What do you think is Turner’s greatest strength?
 
CP: It’s tough to find one thing that sticks out because I just think he’s a really good runner.  He’s fast, can run with power, has good balance, good vision and finishes his runs.  He’s a willing blocker although he’s not been asked to do a ton.  He’s a team guy, too. If I had to say one thing, I’d say his ability to make something out of nothing.  If the whole doesn’t open up, Michael will duck his head, pick up three yards and get back in the huddle.

JMM: Is there anything he can improve on?
 
CP: Partially because LT is so good in the passing game, Turner hasn’t had a ton of opportunities to catch the ball.  If he’s going to be an every-down back, he’ll have to prove he can be an effective check-down receiver out of the backfield.  He’s got the speed and vision to be a good screen guy.  He just needs to get a chance to do it.

The Falcons released 11-year veteran Warrick Dunn Monday morning and, in doing so, said good bye to one of the classiest men in all of professional sports.

I watched Warrick live on the field for just one season as a Falcons employee but feel like I've known him for many years based purely on his work in the community and the countless video clips of him helping others that found their way out across the Internet and sports shows around the nation.

Warrick Dunn... The small football player with the giant heart.

Every NFL team has its share of inspiring stories.

Countless more tales of courage, adversity and determination rarely make their way into the headlines.

But there is something all the more inspiring about Dunn's story and how he takes his life experiences to help others that are less fortunate.

Dunn was left to raise his siblings after his mother, a police officer, was killed by armed robbers. He went on to Florida State University, where he excelled as a 5-foot-9, 180-pound tailback that didn't have a clear role in the NFL. That didn't matter to Dunn... he controlled his destiny and went on to be a professional star with two different teams.

In 2007, he became the latest member of the 10,000-yard rushing club and he leaves the Falcons ranked third on the team's all-time rushing list.

In 2005, Dunn logged his best season with the Falcons. He registered a career-high 1,416 rushing yards on 280 carries (5.1) to earn his third-career Pro Bowl selection. He also owns six of Atlanta’s top 10 longest rushes in team history, which includes a 90-yard touchdown scamper in 2006.

"Warrick Dunn holds himself to the highest standards of the National Football League," said Falcons Owner and CEO Arthur Blank. "His contributions, not only to the Falcons but to the entire NFL both on and off the field, have been well documented. The legacy he leaves in Atlanta will be long-remembered and appreciated by his fellow players, fans and the community. In my mind, Warrick will always be part of the Falcons family. At times like this our hearts are heavy, but the nature of the game sometimes requires making these kinds of decisions, however difficult they are for all of us. I wish Warrick continued great success in his future endeavors."

One could write for hours about Dunn's on-the-field accomplishments but it's his charity work -- as Blank noted -- that will make his departure from the Falcons particularly tough.

Through the Warrick Dunn Foundation (and Homes For the Holidays) the veteran running back helped struggling families own homes and, in 2007, he became the first recipient of the Home Depot Neighborhood MVP award. He's also a former winner of the league's highest community honor -- the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

"Warrick Dunn epitomizes all that is good about the National Football League and professional sports," said Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff. "What he has done on the field is remarkable. What he has done off the field with his well publicized 'Homes For the Holidays' program has changed and impacted lives. We wish him all the best as he moves forward in his NFL career."

Even at 33 years old Dunn is sure to get more than a passing look by some NFL teams. Experts have had much debate about his effectiveness on the field at this stage in his career. But one look at his lengthy, heart-filled biography and it's easy to see some other impacts he can make.

Good luck, Warrick.

The news came just minutes after the team shook hands with free agent tight end Ben Hartsock... Another busy afternoon.

Of course the Turner signing in particular could prove particularly rewarding.

His nickname may be "the burner," but it's not his speed that rose my eyebrows when I watched this video.

Impressive stuff, especially if you like OK Go.

Turner, 5-10, 237 pounds, was a fifth round selection by the San Diego Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft. In four seasons with the Chargers, he totaled 228 carries for 1,257 yards and six touchdowns while adding 71 receiving yards as he played behind perennial Pro Bowler and 2005 NFL MVP running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

Turner has also accounted for three of San Diego’s longest 11 rushes in team history (83, 74 and 73 yards) while boasting a 5.5 yards per carry career average (that's where "the burner" comes in).

"We are pleased to be able to add a very talented running back and a player who has produced at a high level in this League when given the opportunity," said Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff. "We think he's ready to take the next step and have a more prominent role in an offense and we are happy he decided that opportunity is going to be here in Atlanta."

Turner is a powerful running back who tallied 316 yards on 71 carries for a 4.5 yards per carry average last season.

In three postseason games, he logged 164 yards on 43 carries filling in for an injured Tomlinson. Against the Denver Broncos in a Week 5 matchup, Turner set career highs with 147 rushing yards and a long carry of 74 yards for a touchdown helping the Chargers to a 41-3 victory at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

The 100-yard performance was the third of his career. His other 100-yard games came on Sept. 17, 2006 versus Tennessee (138 yards) and Dec. 18, 2005 at Indianapolis (113 yards).

For more on Turner and all the Falcons moves in free agencies, point the browser to AtlantaFalcons.com.

Former Texans cornerback Von Hutchins, agreed to terms with the Falcons about the time safety Erik Coleman was signing a contract.

Hutchins was originally selected in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.

He spent two seasons in a Colts uniform before joining the Houston Texans in 2006.

Hutchins career totals include 142 tackles (112 solo), two interceptions and one interception return for a touchd