Shembo was released by the Falcons on Friday, Zach Klein of WSB Atlanta reports. Shembo's release comes on the heels of him being charged with a felony count of animal cruelty after allegedly kicking and killing his ex-girlfriend's dog in April. It remains to be seen what type of legal punishment he will face for his actions.

Shembo tallied four total tackles and a sack in Friday's preseason win over the Dolphins. Shembo was the only defensive player on either side of the ball to tally a sack in the night. He also tied Kimario McFadden for the team lead in tackles. The Falcons have high expectations for the fourth-round draft pick, and through one preseason game he appears to be living up to the early hype.

Falcons fourth-round LB Prince Shembo will be given the opportunity to earn a starting job in camp. "He's picked up the system very well," said coach Mike Smith "He doesn't have any experience, but we will get him a lot, I can assure you that in the preseason." Sean Weatherspoon's season-ending injury opened up an opportunity for Shembo to earn early playing time. He will compete with Paul Worrilow for snaps when the defense aligns in the 4-3, and will line-up next to Worrilow in the team's 3-4 packages.

Falcons DC Mike Nolan confirmed the team envisions fourth-round pick Prince Shembo as an inside linebacker. Shembo was an at-times dynamic outside rusher at Notre Dame, but is a bit straight-linish in his movements, and lacks an ability to "bend the edge." He could give Atlanta some pass-rush juice from the interior, which is arguably more important than outside rush. Shembo will compete for sub-package snaps with Joplo Bartu behind starters Sean Weatherspoon and Paul Worrilow.

The Falcons have been using fourth-rounder Prince Shembo at inside linebacker early on in OTAs. It's been confirmed that the Falcons' base defense is the 3-4. Shembo was an edge pass rusher in Notre Dame's 3-4 but is more of a straight-line player who might be best suited to rush the passer from the inside. There should be more opportunities to earn snaps at inside 'backer in Atlanta rather than outside.

Falcons signed fourth-round OLB Prince Shembo to a four-year contract. Shembo was a standout college pass rusher in Notre Dame's 3-4 scheme, but lacks edge-bending ability and would be best suited for a rotational role in the pros. The Falcons are quietly switching to more of a 3-4 this year, and lack established outside pass rushers. Shembo does not lack opportunity in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution projects fourth-round LB Prince Shembo to start as a rookie. The Falcons are expected to transition to more of a hybrid 3-4/4-3 defense in 2014. Beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter has Shembo penciled in at outside linebacker in both the 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. He has some pass rush juice, but we can't see Shembo as an every-down player. Sean Weatherspoon, Joplo Bartu, Kroy Biermann, and Osi Umenyiora should all see more snaps than Shembo.