FALCONS BID FAREWELL TO BROOKING

With linebacker Keith Brooking voiding the final year of his contract with the Falcons, he's now a free agent.

And while some free agents remain with their prior teams, it sounds like the Falcons have told Brooking, in polite and positive terms, not to let door hit him in the hind end.

“Keith defined the Falcons in so many ways: his tenure, his leadership on and off the field, his commitment to excellence and his many resulting accomplishments, his love for Atlanta, and so much more," owner Arthur Blank said in a statement.  "He will always be a Falcon in the hearts of his teammates and our fans.  We wish him the very best in his future NFL endeavors, and we extend best wishes to his wife, Holly, and their children, Logan and Juliette.”

Translation?  Brooking, the last link to the team's unlikely Super Bowl appearance a decade ago, won't be back.

UPDATE:  Moments after posting this one, we learned of Alex Marvez's report that Brooking has signed with the Cowboys.