Falcons cut two defensive starters

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons started their offseason overhaul Monday by releasing a pair of defensive starters: longtime safety William Moore and linebacker Justin Durant.

Moore was a second- round pick in 2009 and one of the senior members of the team. He played in 76 games with 72 starts over seven seasons, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2012.

But the hard- hitting Moore was plagued by injuries, playing all 16 games only twice in his career. This past year, he went on injured reserve in December with an ankle problem.

Durant was one of Atlanta’s most notable free-agent signings a year ago, brought in with the hope of adding big-play capability to the defense after the hiring of coach Dan Quinn.

While Durant ranked second on the team with 81 tackles, he missed three games with injuries.

“We want to thank both of these guys for their commitment and work ethic,” Quinn said in a released statement. “They battled through injuries to give everything they had for their teammates this season and I will always be appreciative of that.”

The 30-year-old Moore has 16 career interceptions and signed a five-year, $30 million contract after the 2012 season.

But his production dipped sharply the last two years — both cut short by injuries — and he didn’t seem to fit in Quinn’s scheme.

Durant, also 30, has participated in all 16 games only once in his nine-year career. He also played with Jacksonville, Detroit and Dallas before joining the Falcons.

By cutting the two players, Atlanta will take a combined cap hit of about $4.1 million for next season but freed up some $5.8 million to use in the free-agent market.

Falcons hire Collier

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons continue to shake up their front office, hiring Joel Collier as director of pro personnel. The hiring was announced Monday by general manager Thomas Dimitroff.

Collier joins the Falcons after a five-year stint as Kansas City’s assistant general manager, which ended after the 2013 season. With the Chiefs, he worked under Scott Pioli, who now is Atlanta’s assistant GM.

After an 8-8 debut with firstyear coach Dan Quinn, the Falcons decided to keep Dimitroff but revamp their player-evaluation system. They already brought in former GMs Phil Emery and Ruston Webster as national scouts.

McCoy under investigation

PHILADELPHIA — Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy is under investigation over a Philadelphia nightclub brawl early Sunday that left two off-duty police officers injured, one with a broken nose and broken ribs and the other with a possible skull fracture.

The incident occurred early Sunday morning after an argument broke out between McCoy’s party and the officers over a bottle of champagne.

After one 40-year-old officer was knocked to the ground, he was punched, kicked and stomped multiple times on his body and head, police said Monday.

When the second officer, also 40, intervened with security guards, he was also injured, police said. All were ejected from the club.

Eagles release Cooper

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles said they have released wide receiver Riley Cooper after six seasons.

Cooper’s best season came in 2013, when he had 47 catches for 835 yards and eight touchdowns. He played in half his team’s offensive snaps this past season.

Cooper was perhaps best known for his troublesome training camp in 2013, when he left camp for three days to deal with fallout after a video surfaced of him using a racial slur at an African-American security guard at a Kenny Chesney concert.