SUWANEE, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons Monday rescinded an offer to free-agent tight end Arthur Cox, a five-year veteran, raising to 15 the number of players from last year's roster who will not be signed for 1988.
Cox, who joined the Falcons as a free agent out of Texas Southern in 1983, started 74 games for Atlanta, catching 111 passes for 1,268 yards.
Last year, when the Falcons had the NFL's worst record at 3-12, Cox caught only 11 passes for 101 yards after missing all of the preseason and the opener with a groin injury.
The Falcons announced they signed wide receiver Floyd Dixon, who will be going into his third season, to a series of three one-year contracts and added five rookie free agents: defensive end Ted Bates of Norfolk State, quarterback Mark Comalander of Rice, tight end Daryl Parham of North Carolina, linebacker Vinson Smith of East Carolina and defensive tackle Scott Thompson of The Citadel.
In addition to Cox, 1987 Falcons who will not be signed for 1988 are quarterback Dave Archer, linebackers Buddy Curry, Jim Laughlin and Reggie Wilkes, center Doug Barnett, defensive end Dennis Harrison, wide receiver Billy Johnson, guard Jeff Kiewel, tight end Dan Sharp and defensive backs James Britt, Wendell Cason and Brenard Wilson.
