Now that the Atlanta Falcons and I have parted ways, I want to say thank you to the organization, and the entire city of Atlanta.
In terms of what we hoped to accomplish as a team on the field, my time as a Falcon was a disappointment, but I will always be grateful for how the city and franchise treated me while I was there. Mr. Blank is one of the classiest owners I've been lucky enough to meet, and I feel fortunate to have played for him. I was also fortunate enough to make some tremendous new friends while I was there, and I'll continue to be a big brother to everyone I shared the backfield with. I wish the Falcons nothing but the best moving ahead.
A lot has been written lately about my future. There are questions about my age, and what I have left in the tank. Of that, I will simply say this. For the first nine years of my career, I was used like a battering ram, punishing opposing defenses over four quarters of a game. Maybe you stopped me the first five times I got the ball, but by the 15th or 20th time I got it, late in a game — let's just say you were really feeling me at that point.
Make no mistake: I can still punish a defense. I still have a warrior's heart. There are 1,000-yard seasons left in these legs. I know what I am still capable of, and I have every intention of proving it.
