Atlanta Falcons' Decision to Release FB Ovie Mughelli All About Money

The Atlanta Falcons released fullback Ovie Mughelli, a team source told Bleacher Report on Tuesday morning.

Mughelli was placed on injured reserve last year after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Prior to that, he had carried the ball just twice and caught four passes for two touchdowns, but was mainly used to open holes for running back Michael Turner.

Mike Cox was signed to replace Mughelli in 2011 and did an admirable job. There wasn’t much of a learning curve, as Cox—who is Georgia Tech smart—quickly caught on to the offensive scheme, but Turner did say last year that having a new fullback took some getting used to.

Turner and Cox should have plenty of time during the offseason to get in sync, plus the Falcons drafted Wisconsin fullback Bradie Ewing in the fifth round of last month’s NFL draft.

The decision to release Mughelli was likely financially driven. The Falcons were set to pay him $3 million in 2012. Cox’s salary is just $700,000, and Ewing’s will likely not be high when he ultimately signs.

Ewing and Cox will battle through training camp for the starting fullback job.