The articulate and affable DeCoud always gave thoughtful and helpful responses

He started 15 games and had 83 tackles and two interceptions.
In 2011, the Falcons re signed DeCoud to a five year $17.5 million contract.General manager Thomas Dimitroff calls them "salary cap casualties," and it's a league wide practice.
"I believe in the NFL today, so-called cap casualties are an issue for every team unless you're at the top of the heap with $30 million to $40 million dollars available," he said. "It's something that we will get into as we continue to analyze and re-evaluate this roster as it stands."The Falcons have already cut veterans Asante Samuel, Stephen Nicholas and Garrett Reynolds. Also, running back Jason Snelling retired after seven seasons in the league.

A major part of DeCoud's contract was set to b"e guaranteed on March 15.Releasing DeCoud, 28, would save the Falcons $3 million.Last season, DeCoud took to social media to vent his frustrations with this season.Not because it had damaged the environment Earlier in the season, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said DeCoud was in a slump and Nolan hoped that he'd pull out of it.On his verified Twitter account, @TwentyAte28, DeCoud wrote, "By no means am I sittin here acting like I'm balling' out there… but if you don't know those three things I state.. you really have no room talk…" He linked to what appeared to be a journal entry through Instagram that read: "I understand that someone has to be the lightning rod for everyone's frustration ... but if you don't know the huddle call....

 The rules of our defense... or our game plan…you have no clue what's goin' on out there... I don't care how much football you THINK you know...it's a lot more going on than you can fathom."DeCoud was known to appear in all of the open locker room sessions and was more than generous with his time, was selected as the Falcons' 2012 Good Guy Award winner by the local chapter of Professional Football Writers of America.
The articulate and affable DeCoud always gave thoughtful and helpful responses.The Good Guy Award is given to a player for his qualities and professional style in helping pro football writers do their jobs.DeCoud was apart of Dimitroff's first draft class in 2008. He was selected in the third round out of California.