Falcons release QB Shockley

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Falcons waived backup quarterback D.J. Shockley on Friday. The move allows the former Georgia player an opportunity to sign with another team before NFL training camps begin later this month.

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Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com Quarterback DJ Shockley, a former Georgia standout, was a seventh-round draft choice by the Falcons in 2006. He served as the team's third quarterback in 2006 and 2008.

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The move gets the Falcons to the 80-player training-camp roster limit once their final two draft choices -- linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and wide receiver Kerry Meier -- are signed.

Shockley, a seventh-round pick of the Falcons in 2006, never played a regular-season game for the team. Friday’s release marked the third time the Falcons waived him in four seasons with the team. He was released following training camp in 2009, but was signed to the practice squad. He was also released last October and signed to the practice squad in December.

Shockley was the emergency quarterback for all 16 games in 2006 and 2008. He missed the 2007 season after suffering a preseason knee injury.

The Falcons will report to training camp with starter Matt Ryan and backups Chris Redman and John Parker Wilson under contract.