FALCONS RELEASE MARTIN

Top receiver is cut after money-laundering charge

ATLANTA -- The NFC champion Atlanta Falcons on Friday cut their leading
receiver, Tony Martin, who was charged this month with laundering
money for a convicted drug dealer.

Martin was the second prominent player to be cut by the Falcons since
their Super Bowl loss to the Denver Broncos, following linebacker
Cornelius Bennett, the team's leading tackler.

Martin, 33, led Atlanta with 66 catches for 1,181 yards and six
touchdowns last season, but the Falcons were clearly concerned about
his legal troubles and a clause in his contract that called for him to
receive $400,000 if he were on the roster Monday.

Martin's lawyers filed a motion this week asking the federal court in
Miami to postpone the trial -- tentatively scheduled to begin May 3 --
until next year. The receiver is charged with five counts of money
laundering and one count of conspiracy.

Falcons general manager Harold Richardson said if Martin were
exonerated, "there's always the chance we would consider re-signing
him."

Martin's release came on the same day the Falcons signed receiver
Chris Calloway, who led the New York Giants in receptions the past
four seasons.

"The two moves are not related," Richardson said. "We would have
signed Calloway even if Martin were still on the roster."

Richardson deferred all other questions to Atlanta coach Dan Reeves,
who was en route to Kansas City to receive an award Saturday night and
not available for comment.

Martin's agent, Jimmy Sexton, of Memphis, Tenn., was not at his office
and could not immediately be reached for comment.

Martin caught five passes in Atlanta's 34-19 loss to Denver in the
Super Bowl Jan. 31 at Miami. One week later, he appeared in a Miami
courtroom after being named in a federal indictment.

Martin's legal troubles stem from his longtime relationship with
Rickey Brownlee, who spent seven years in prison for 1980s drug
convictions and faces new charges for alleged heroin and cocaine
trafficking.

"I'm not guilty of anything," Martin told reporters after being
released on $250,000 bond. "This whole thing is ludicrous. After this
trial is over, I will be cleared."

He is not accused of involvement in Brownlee's alleged drug business.
Prosecutors said he wrote checks to lease luxury cars and pay legal
fees for his friend because Brownlee's lawyers wouldn't take cash.