FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - The Atlanta Falcons today agreed to terms with 2008 third round draft selection wide receiver Harry Douglas (84th overall) to a four-year contract and signed six-year free agent safety Deke Cooper. Financial terms of his deal were not disclosed.
The Falcons also released the following players: tackle Michael Butterworth, defensive end Derrick Jones, safety Jamal Lewis and offensive lineman Kurt Quarterman.
Douglas, 5-11, 175 pounds was a highly-touted receiver in the college game during his four-year career with the Louisville Cardinals. He started 19 of 46 games and finished his career as the team’s fifth all-time leading receiver with 173 receptions tied for sixth in Big East annals. Douglas posted 2,924 career receiving yards-which rank second in both school and League history while his 15 touchdown receptions rank seventh on the Cardinals receiving list. Douglas, a native of Jonesboro, Ga. attended Jonesboro High School where he was selected first team All-County and honorable mention All-State as a senior.
Cooper, 6-2, 210 pounds, played last season for the Carolina Panthers where he collected 59 tackles (46 solos) with three interceptions while starting 15 of 16 games played. Cooper is a veteran of 73 games with 37 starts and has played for three teams - Carolina (2002, 2007), Jacksonville (2003-05) and San Francisco (2006) since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent. For his career, Cooper has tallied 249 tackles, six interceptions and 16 passes defensed.
