The writing was on the wall…but I didn’t want to read what had been written.

On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons signed free agent running back Michael Turner to a six year contract worth a reported $34.5 million dollars, and with young, electric back Jerious Norwood under contract for the next two seasons for less than a million dollars total, it became painstakingly evident.

Today, it became official — next season Warrick Dunn will not be in a Falcons’ uniform.

I realize the move was purely a business decision made by new general manager Tom Dimitroff. With the implementation of new coach Mike Smith’s offense that he has previously stated will emphasize running between the tackles, Smith and Dimitroff’s preference was for a larger, more power-oriented runner - a preference the younger, 5-foot-10, 237 pound Turner fits.

Nonetheless, it is disappointing to see a player of his skills and a gentleman of his character leave an organization that has recently been known more for personnel lacking in the character department (cough…Mr. Mexican gang protection…cough…cough…Bobby “Bye-Bye-Bye” Petrino…cough…all about MEangelo Hall…cough).

Dunn was beloved by fans on and off the field and will be missed in the city of Atlanta. As much as he did for the Falcons in his six seasons – helping lead the team to the conference championship game in 2004, rushing for over 1000 yards three times, helping the Falcons lead the league in rushing from 2004-2006, and being the team’s leading rusher for the past four seasons –, Dunn was also one of the most driven players in the community, where he donated not only his money but also his time.

The 2004 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award winner is known for his civic endeavors to help those less fortunate including his nationally known “Home for the Holidays” program, which he began as a tribute to his mother, a Baton Rouge, LA single mother and police officer. She was murdered working a second job as a security guard before she was financially able to purchase a home for herself and her family, so through the program, Dunn has helped low-income families, generally led by a single parent, purchase their first home thanks to a down payment provided by Dunn.

The 5-foot-9, 180 pound shifty runner has throughout his career had to battle against the popular critique that he was too small to carry the load of a team’s carries for an entire season. Yet, this past season against the Indianapolis Colts, Dunn became the 22nd running back to surpass the 10,000 yard mark.

Coincidentally, Indianapolis is one of the teams that could be a solid fit for Dunn. Former coach Tony Dungy could possibly use Dunn’s elusivity and receiving ability out of the backfield to add even another dimension to the Peyton Manning-led offense. The Buccaneers, Cowboys, Texans, Lions, and Broncos have also been rumored to be interested in the three time Pro Bowler and last remaining piece of the now-defunct Falcons’ DVD backfield of Dunn, Michael Vick, and TJ Duckett that led the league in rushing three consecutive seasons.

From The Blue Workhorse, we just want to say thank you to Warrick Dunn for everything you’ve done while playing for the Falcons. It is our hope that Dunn can help a contender make a run at the championship that has eluded him in Tampa Bay and Atlanta.

If anyone is deserving of that opportunity, it is Dunn, and if he wins a championship, the writing on the wall will say that Warrick Dunn was a champion ON & OFF the field.

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