Just one day after the Atlanta Falcons used some of their available salary cap space to re-sign star linebacker Keith Brooking to a lucrative new contract, the club created some much-needed wiggle room, releasing three veterans and saving more than $9 million on the league spending limit.

Cornerback Ashley Ambrose, wide receiver Shawn Jefferson and defensive tackle Shane Dronett, with 34 seasons of NFL experience among them, were released on Friday by the team. In addition to the financial ramifications, age also played a role in the decision, with all three players over 30.

The primary component of the moves, however, was cap-related. The team will save $3.125 million by releasing Ambrose, $2.6 million on Jefferson, and $3.3 million on Dronett. Total cap savings: $9.025 million.

The only mildly surprising move was the jettisoning of Ambrose, 32, who did not play nearly as well in 2002 as he had a year earlier. The 11-year pro, who signed with Atlanta as a much-touted unrestricted free agent in 2000, had two seasons remaining on his contract but a 2003 cap value in excess of $6 million.

Ambrose will still count $3 million against the team's 2003 cap. He started all 16 games in 2002 and had three interceptions and 13 passes defensed. In stints with four different teams, Ambrose has played in 167 games and he has 36 career interceptions.

Jefferson, 33, signed with Atlanta on the same day Ambrose did in 2000. He has played with three different teams in 12 years and has 464 career catches, for 6,977 yards and 29 touchdowns. But the classy Jefferson dropped off to just 27 catches in 2002.

He will count $1.8 million against this year's cap total.

The release of Dronett, beset by a series of injuries over the last few years, has been expected since the end of the season. The 11 year veteran missed all of 2002 with a shoulder injury and appeared in just 18 games over the last three years.

Dronett, who has played in 139 games, will cost the Falcons $1.4 million on their cap in 2003.

In a related matter, ESPN.com has learned that the Falcons are very close to an agreement to extend the contract of punter Chris Mohr.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.