AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USKicking around roster moves
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons whittled the roster to 53 this weekend then tweaked it some more Monday. There were a few surprises, but not many.
I was somewhat surprised that nose tackle Tommy Jackson and running back Jason Snelling got released - especially Snelling, who showed some toughness and good speed between the tackles. I’m sure some folks were mildly surprised that Darrell Shropshire and Jordan Beck got cut as well.
I think both will be back in the league soon. Beck’s not a bad player but he just wasn’t the right fit for the system. Teams are always in need of defensive tackles and Shropshire will probably catch on soon.
The most interesting developments came with the decisions in the kicking game.
Atlanta is resting its kicking hopes on first-timer Matt Prater, who failed to catch on in Detroit, Minnesota and Miami. It’s also hoping that Adam Jennings can fill in for Allen Rossum, which is a pretty tall order.
Prater, who was signed a day before the preseason finale, got the job over Billy Cundiff because he has a much stronger leg and can kick off. The Falcons saw a decline in Michael Koenen’s punting yardage once he started kicking off in preseason and wanted him to focus more on punting.
The decision to go with the big leg over experience goes to show the importance special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg places on field position. At some point, though, Prater is going to be put in position to win a game with a field goal and it won’t be his leg, but his mental makeup, that is put to the test.
As for Jennings, he has the toughness and speed to make big plays in the return game. He was 7th in the nation his senior season at Fresno State. He just hasn’t been in the primary return role since. He’s a really tough player who seemingly has the mental composition to handle the role.
Jennings emerged over Allen Rossum, who was traded to Pittsburgh Saturday, because the coaching staff thinks he’s up to the task but also because he plays on most special teams and can play wide receiver.
Rossum had been relegated solely to return status after being demoted behind rookie cornerbacks David Irons and Chris Houston.
Comments
By Mave2124
September 4, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
Do you think Snelling is resigned to the 8th and final spot of the practice squad??
The Rossum trade was so smart. He is such a liability as a CB and he really desired to play CB and not just be a ST star. I am sure Jennings will be fine. I thought we could get more than a 7th round pick for him, but it is what it is.
The kicker was kept simply because he could kickoff better than Cundiff and like you said, we will be playing field position a lot this year.
I am more curious who is our 3rd QB is going to be? I hear Anthony Wright or Andrew Walter. Why not Leftwich?Are they concerned about Harrington’s ego and want to get a younger guy? Are the Falcons going to wait after week one to sign the guy to save money?
Can you give us some contract statuses? Is this Brooking and Dunn’s last year of their deals???
By Remo Dawg
September 4, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this
Steve, I dont understand letting Snelling go. Wasn’t he the kind of tought downhill back Coach P wanted?
By TOM
September 4, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
How can you say Beck “just wasn’t the right fit for the system”?? He is better at it than Brooking, and cost a heck of alot less. What you should have said was,”Because of the UGA LB coach now on the staff Beck did not have a chance, because of Taylor being a UGA player you know he had to make the team. Never wonder why we suck every year!!
By mountain jim
September 4, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
Well I hope Pinner (RB signed to replace Snelling), can learn the offense quickly. Even if he is just used for short-yardage plays, Snelling had all of camp and preseason to learn the plays.
If Prater can’t kick FGs for accuracy, we know someone who lives near Falcon HQ who can, and who reportedly is working out waiting for a call.
By Steve Wyche
September 4, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
Brooking and Dunn go through ‘09. I don’t know what the reason is but the Falcons say they don’t have any desire to acquire Leftwich. I don’t think they are concerned about Harrington’s ego. Bobby Petrino doesn’t seem like he’s concerned with those things.
I do think the Falcons are exploring trades for a No. 3 quarterback and in getting that late round pick in the trade for Rossum, they gave themselves some flexibility to do so.
By Dennis
September 4, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
Leftwich isn’t any better than what we have. The only unemployed QB I know of out there with a winning record is Jake Plummer. So why not Jake.
I was also suprrised to see Snelling cut loose and figure they must have him pegged for the practice squad.
By Moe
September 4, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
I was really surprised coach cut snelling, beck, shorpshire, and tommy jackson but trey lewis was better than them we can clearly see tat in the preseason games. But snelling was real good in the preseason game, he was even playing with the starters when dunn and norwood got hurt and he got some big plays even though it was the bills. I just cant wait intil the season starts because i want to see how good d. hall is in zimmer system we are going to see if he really is good at man to man like he says he is . But i really think this football is going to go to the playoffs. GO FALCONS!
By Moe
September 4, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
I think harrington is going to be fine because the falcons have alot more weapon in offense than miami and lions have combined. i think he is going to have a chad pennigton type year. and leftwich sucks and he is not going to agree to play a number three spot.
By Matt
September 4, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this
Do you think the Falcons would look at David Greene now that he has been cut from Seattle? They had Shockley on the team for God sake, and obviously, David is much better than Shockley.
By doug
September 4, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this
steve if vick gets cut dont you tampa bay bucs will be all over him
By ATLplayer
September 4, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
I don’t think Leftwich fits Petrino’s system either. I agree with the Rossum trade but I would watch the waiver wire for a better WR than Jennings. He’s a ST guy to me, Rossum was the same way and he’s gone. Redman looked good enough and may push Harrington throughout the season.
By trottinghometudd
September 4, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
I could have wrote this article. Where is the coaches perspective and reasoning for these cuts? Wake up Steve
By doug
September 4, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
steve if mike vick sits this year would that count a* one year
By long time falcon
September 4, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this
I was shocked to here the news today that jason snelling was cut in favor of artose pinner. I thought this kid looked pretty good in the preseason and had definately earned a job as the third tailback. Petrino preached in the offseason about the need for a big back and at 232 lbs snelling fit the bill. Now we have three smaller type running backs and no big bruiser. Does anyones else have an opinion as to why the falcons would part ways with a guy who seemingly earned the job and filled a need as a big back?
By Keith
September 4, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
What about Rachee Caldwell from the Patriots, he was their leading reciever last year and was cut yesterday - any rumors about Falcon’s interest?
By jlighthart
September 10, 2007 1:42 AM | Link to this
We get rid of old crap and bring in new crap. I’ll take the 1998 team/coaching staff any day over anything we have had in the last 7 years. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a team of overpaid wanna be bobbleheads. Sure glad the Gamecocks will give me someting more exciting to watch during football season this year. What the hell happened to personal pride!