ajcsportstalk

By GHK

September 1, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

Shockley is a QB. Let him laern the position. This is a great situation for D.J.

By TallaDawg

September 1, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

Shockley is a QUARTERBACK. With Vick’s history Shockley should be needed to play quarterback by the second or third game. Shockley WILL eventually take the job.

By Charles

September 1, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

I agree with his ability to make plays with his legs but he is a QB and he needs to get seasoned for HIS position.

GO DIRTY BIRDS!!!

By Jimmy

September 1, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this

No, we need DJ to stay at Qb. He needs to stay focused on his position for when he takes over the reigns as 2nd string QB after this season.

By mike

September 1, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

Whoever wrote this question is a moron. Shockley has never played any other position than QB. To think that he can jump into the NFL, and return kicks or play receiver is beyond idiotic. Have you actually ever watched a football game. And spare me the Kordell Stewart example. Kordell Stewart was an option QB in college, not a pocket passer, there is a big difference. Just shut up

By Randy

September 1, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

I think Shockley still has a lot to learn in the NFL. But ..He has so much talent and has a good head on his shoulder. Keep him where he is, let him learn, it will pay off. In my opinion he is the best QB in our line up at shedding tackles, this kid doesn’t give up and makes pretty good decisions too.

By Marc M

September 1, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe that the obvious comparison has not been made - can anybody say, “Hines Ward”?

Remember, he was a QB as well with great all around athletic ability. That turned out nicely…

By Five-O

September 1, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

I think he should carry the clipboard this season. He could be used in trick plays, such as DJ at QB with Vick in the slot with A. Leile on the deep route.

By Dave

September 1, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this

Oops….mispelled Schaub. My bad.

By mike

September 1, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this

Hines Ward played running back as a freshman, QB for half a season, and WR for 2 seasons. He was drafted as a receiver which was what he played his last 2 years of college. He was not a lifelong QB. You cannot compare his to Shockley.

By Dave

September 1, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

Dayum, my initial post didn’t stick.

By Dave

September 1, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

Anyway, I think that both Matt SCHAUB and DJ are better passers than Vick. I feel tentetavely more confident with them in the pure QB position than I do with Vick. True, they don’t have Vick’s speed, excapability or flair for the dramatic, but, from the looks of it, are better pure passers than Vick. Even the analysts say that Vick is more of a scatback with blinding speed that happens to throw the ball on occassion. Neither has Vick’s experience, either and that speaks a ton. I just hate it that Atlanta has mortgaged the QB position on Vick’s potential and ticket selling ability than his passer rating and consistancy. True, Vick has won many games but is too inconsistant to make a run at a championship. Of course, now I’ll be labeled a Vick hater. Woe is me…..

By Dick

September 1, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

doesn’t matter, Falcons going to loose anyway.

By tall

September 1, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

I know exactly how to use DJ.

Give a nice spot on the bench or he can hand out some of that icy cold H2O to guys that may see the field over the next few years. Just because he went to UGA does not make him a great pro. Hope he got a good education oh yea that’s right he did go to UGA. Vick was 100% better in college and you see what he is doing in the pros.

By Dee

September 1, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this

Hate it for you Dave, but Schaub is no way near being a better quaterback than Vick. Actually, DJ should be second string as far as I am concerned. He is much faster and more talented; he only lacks the NFL experience under his belt, but that will come with time. Vick is the MAN and will continue to be. HATER!!

By Dave

September 1, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this

Tall, seems to me you have a hatred for UGA rather than an appreciation of the obvious. DJ IS doing quite well (of course in exhibition games), but he IS doing well. Maybe if you looked at it with your brain instead of your dislike of anything UGA you might sound halfway intelligent.

Dee, your are absolutely right at the moment and probably for a while considering what Atlanta is paying him. He is good, but listen to what the analysts are saying instead of holding your hands to your ears when anyone says anything less than glowing about Mr. Vick. He is talented, fast and can make spectacular plays, but a LOT of NFL teams wouldn’t trade the QB they have now for Vick. I would love for him to prove my observations as wrong.

By Bat Hunter

September 1, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

This question is BS. Shock is a QB. AJC is really starting to pi$$ me off with all these ridiculous blog quesions!

By gary

September 1, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

Hey Dee, ask ANY NFL team which quarterback they would rather have on thier roster…Vick, Shaub or Shockley and the overwheling response will be Schaub. And it isn’t because they are HATERS, as you so quickly jump into kool-aid mode, it’s because Schaub is far and away the best QUARTERBACK of the 3. Get a life and get real!

By Bigdawg88

September 1, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

Watching him escape from the jags last night did have me thinking about whether he could play receiver or not, but watching him throw made me realize he needs to just stay at QB and bide his time. I think Mr. Vick is going to have some serious competition in about 2 - 3 years. DJ is about as elusive as he is, AND he can throw better. I saw DJ at the combines and some college practices. I don’t know why he threw so poorly there and then threw so well last night. Maybe he’s just a gamer. I was very impressed with my fellow DAWG.
WAY TO REPRESENT DJ!!
WOOF! WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!

By gary

September 1, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

Hey Dee, ask ANY NFL team which quarterback they would rather have on thier roster…Vick, Shaub or Shockley and the overwheling response will be Schaub. And it isn’t because they are HATERS, as you so quickly jump into kool-aid mode, it’s because Schaub is far and away the best QUARTERBACK of the 3. Get a life and get real!

By Rutuger

September 1, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this

Blind homerism aside, he’s a third-string QB, and that’s where he should be. Just because he went to UGA doesn’t mean he’s the second coming of Joe Montana… in fact, the Falcons wouldn’t have even drafted him (newsflash—it was purely a marketing move).

He’ll be a great career backup, hopefully here, for Vick. However, you bafoons screaming from your trailers that it’s a travesty that a 6th-round rookie hasn’t yet usurped our Pro Bowl QB should crawl under said trailers and kick out the cinder blocks.

By stone

September 1, 2006 12:14 PM | Link to this

Leave DJ alone. He is QB and QB only. Allow him to the learn the workings of being a NFL QB.

By will

September 1, 2006 12:14 PM | Link to this

Shockley has the making of a good QB but if you looked at his footwork and how he moves in the pocket you can see that he has a lot of work to do to become a NFL QB and with his improvement this will allow the falcon to trade Matt and maybe get a power blocker to improve the line to give the QB time to through and find out if Vick can be a pocket passer

By Dave

September 1, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this

Dee is one of those “Stay with Vick, no matter what he or anyone else does”. In other words, she doesn’t care about performance, just that it’s Michaal Vick that does it.

By Cuz

September 1, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this

DJ has the patience of Job. He will bide his time, learn more and be ready when called upon.

By Dave

September 1, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

Vick is definately not a pocket passer. He even said so himself. Next subject.

By COURTNEY POUNCY

September 1, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

The upside of DJ Shockley is tremendous. Again, the Poise he displayed this preason, and his senior year in college demostrates his knack for the game. Because of his lack of experience, sitting on the sideline with a clip board this season, seeing and understanding will prove to be a good decesion.

By mo

September 1, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

This is the best way to utilize his massive talents this season:

“Uh, do you have another pen? Man, mine ran out of ink.”

DJ, the clipboard awaits…

By James Stephenson

September 1, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this

The NFL is littered with Back-up QBs who looked good in spot duty, AJ Feely, Scott Mitchell, Shawn King, to name a few, who blew chunks when they got the full time starting job. How many games has Schaub won? Granted he only started one, and he looked pretty good, but the Falcon’s still lost. And yes it was probably because of the Defense, but how many times did the Vick led Falcons put up 20+ last year only to lose? A lot, Vick consistently puts his team in a position to win. Vick has won a high percentage of his games played. Vick three less passes in his College Career than Shockly did during his senior year at UGA. So yes Shockly and Schaub look more polished right now as a passer. However, Vick is catching up quickly. One day he will throw for 3k+ yards and rush for a 1k and still some of you people will be bemoaning letting Schaub go.

If Schaub was that great and the other teams thought so, they would have given Atlanta the 2 1st round picks they asked for. Did anyone? No, Oakland just signed Jeff George for God’s sake. Dallas has no true back-up for Bledsoe, yet no one came to Atlanta with what they asked for for this backup QB.

Ask yourself why? Maybe because the NFL is littered with great backups who could not handle the full load.

The surest thing in Professional sports, the Back-Up QB is always the most popular player on any Football team.

By Michael

September 1, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

Oh no. It’s a flashback to when everybody claims that he is a quarterback and nothing else but then you point out (now Super Bowl MVP) Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El were quarterbacks and…I’m already making too much sense.

I guarantee you if Mora says “Shock, you want to go catch a pass?” D.J. replies “whatever you need, coach.” A guy is a quarterback because a coach tells him to go stand there. Josh Mallard was a defensive end but lo and behold they got crazy and moved him to defensive tackle. The end is nigh.

By Duck

September 1, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this

I think there are a lot of Vick haters around the world and it needs to stop. All the guy has done is won and brought title hopes to a dissapointing franchise, get real guys the only teams picking Shaub or DJ over Vick are fantasy drafts.

By Ryan

September 1, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

UHHH.”He’s QB not a receiver”..”You can’t turn a QB into a returner or receiver”..maybe you idiots have never heard of Matt Jones? Must be a bunch of MUTTS.

By Joseph

September 1, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

WHOEVER WROTE THIS IS RIGHT!!! D.J. SHOCKLEY HAS TOO MUCH TALENT TO BE SITTIN ON DA BENCH HE NEEDS TO BE OUT THERE ON THE FEILD YOU ALL SEEN HOW HE PLAYED IN ALL THOSE PRESEASON GAMES THE BOI IS GOOD HE LOOKED LIKE VICK’S OTHER LIL BROTHER OUT THERE SO YEAH D.J. NEEDS TO BE ON THE FEILD HE CAN STILL PLAY QB

By Duck

September 1, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this

Matt Jones and DJ are different players. DJ will be a solid QB in this league soon but not for the Falcons, and he will tell you Vick taught him to play this way not Shaub.

By Joseph

September 1, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this

AND IF VICK GET TIRED THEN IT WOULDNT MAKE DO DIFFERENCE BECAUSE U GOT SHAUBB AND SHOCKLEY AND THE OTHER GUY #3 BUT THE FALCONS GOT A SQUAD THIS YEAR…..AND THE MEDIA NEEDS TO STOP MESSIN WITH THESE PLAYERS HEAD ESPECALLY VICK’S LET THE MAN DO WHAT HE DO AS LONG AS THE FALCONS WIN WHO CARES IF VICK RUNS ALOT…….THEY WON THEY TRYIN TO GET TO THE PLAYOFFS AGAIN AND THE SUPERBOWL IF I WAS JIM MORA I WOULD TELL VICK AND THE REST OF THE QB’s NEVERMIND THE MEDIA YOU DO WHAT U HAVE TO DO TO WIN THIS GAME SIMPLE AS THAT

By Wimbley

September 1, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this

Joseph,

Learn how to spell, bruh!

Gary: you are an idiot if you think Schaub is a better QB. I just don’t understand how folks think he’s better based on ONE FRIGGIN GAME he played versus New England, whose secondary was horrible last year.

As for the DJ question, let him hold the clipboard and learn. He’ll likely move up to #2 next season if/when Schaub leaves. But he’ll never “outVick Mr. Vick” as that idiot Gary suggests.

By Duck

September 1, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this

Joseph great comment. Go Vick and go Falcons.

By Duck

September 1, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this

Forget about Vick, DJ and Matt what about that defense.

By jack

September 1, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick isnt the TOTAL package at QB us real fans would like him to be, but Ill say this to all of you who dish on Mike…Like me, I`ll bet most of you have never turned the set on since the Falcon Franchise began with more excitement that, you just knew, Mike was going to deliver some ultra entertainment, in your otherwise dreary life, that no other player can.

By Tee

September 1, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

Why are black quarterbacks always asked to play Wide receiver or punt returner? If Leniert and Cutler had any type of speed, they would NEVER be considered to change into a WR…even for ONE PLAY!! Even mediocore quarterbacks such as Harrington, Losman, and Orton…just to name a few, are NEVER “asked” to play another position.

This is a FACT, so don’t say I’m playing the race card..cry babies.

By Duck

September 1, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this

All you 1980-90 fans need to look at your calender and reallize what year it is. In case you haven’t notcied it, it is 2006 and the days of a dropback pocket passer are over. I love what Vick does and how he does it. If he had 50 yards passing and 200 yards rushing a game and the falcons are in the superbowl who cares. Besides look around the league all the other quarterbacks are mostly moble now. Just ask that guy from USC who went 11 in the draft about his feet and why he slipped.

By mike

September 1, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

Where did the notion that Hines Ward was a quarterback come from? HINES WARD WAS A RECEIVER IN COLLEGE, AND WAS DRAFTED AS A RECEIVER!!!!! He played QB for half a season at Ga because they had noone else due to injury.

By Darrin

September 1, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this

With this offensive line, I wouldn’t be so sure that Shock won’t get a chance to play, heaven forbid. Not that i don’t want him in there, but if he is it means Vick and Schaub are hurt and no one wants that. I believe he should and will bide his time and become a very good QB in the NFL. I was very impressed more so with his poise than his obvious athletic ability. He seems like he’s been here before, not rattled by anything- and that’s coming from a Gator fan. This is one Bulldog that’s got game! Kudos Shock!

By Dwayne

September 1, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

No other “great qb” as some call it like Vick has the crappy numbers he does. His numbers are 2nd string numbers. He’s flashy, but not much else at this point. Maybe put him at wr and put someone else at qb, maybe they will get the qb numbers that he can’t get.

By Duck

September 1, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

How do you feel about our defense.

By Sam

September 1, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

QUOTE: He’ll be a great career backup, hopefully here, for Vick. However, you bafoons screaming from your trailers that it’s a travesty that a 6th-round rookie hasn’t yet usurped our Pro Bowl QB should crawl under said trailers and kick out the cinder blocks. END QUOTE

Wasn’t Tom Brady a 6th round draft choice and a rookie? Unfortunately, the Falcons do not have the talent at coach or elsewhere that the Pats had that year.

By Dwayne

September 1, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this

Hey Duck, some of the qb’s are mobile but why don’t you look at the qb’s that win super bowls.

By truedawg

September 1, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

you guys are funny…..give shockley his due…he had a great pre-season and has alot of talent…..i say trade schaub before he is a free agent and get somebody GOOD for him and have a vick like qb right behind vick in case he gets hurt…..and all you tech fans on this board talking SH*T just cause D.J. whipped you A$$ last year, quit crying and get killed by notre dame like your going to!!!!!

By Duck

September 1, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

Umm lets see Farve, Young, Elway, Johny U, Big Ben, I don’t think these guys were inmoble were they and they won a superbowl or 2

By Dwayne

September 1, 2006 01:58 PM | Link to this

Even if Shockley does do well, Atlanta is not that great on holding onto talent. Anyone remember a rookie qb named Favre?

By Dwayne

September 1, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this

Everyone one of those qb’s are pocket qb’s who can move. There is a difference between a qb who can move like Favre and someone who looks to run like Vick.

By Wedgie Evans

September 1, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this

If I was Falcons head coach Jim Mora, I would exploit Shockley’s talents by sitting his a* on the bench, sticking a clipboard in his hand, and telling him to learn. If all things go well (i.e. if Vick and Schaub don’t get injured), Shockley will not see a snap this entire season. I am a Shockley fan but he has a looong way to go before he can become a good QB (which is his future position in the NFL by the way, not wide receiver or running back). The best thing for him would be to watch and learn as the emergency QB all season long.

By boots

September 1, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

I’ve really enjoyed participating in these blogs with you guys. It’s been informative and entertaining. However, 9/10 is “crap or get off the pot time!” Then and only then will be know if this duct-taped band of malcontents will meld into a team. The excuses of the past —- no defense or receivers for Vick —- have been addressed. Git-r-done!!!! No freakin’ excuses!

By Bill

September 1, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

I think they should keep him in reserve but give him plenty of practice reps. He has the ability to be a major contributer in the NFL given time, and the Falcons need to groom him too take over the #2 QB role next season when Shaub will most likely be gone.

By Nikki

September 1, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this

Shockley is a QB. He needs this year to learn the system. Running the scout team and toting the clipboard is plenty for him to do.

By Falcon Fan

September 1, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

DJ is the same as Mike. They can both run, both have great arms. The difference, DJ can find and hit the receiver!

By War Eagle

September 1, 2006 04:03 PM | Link to this

In all due respect to DJ,who deseaves alot, will probably never play a down for the Falcons. He is in the same position as David Greene or maybe worst. # 3 QB don`t even mob up. His only chance are injury or trades.DJ has played against players in his same situation in the exhibition games.I wish him the best…

By War Eagle

September 1, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this

I meant mop up, not mob..sorry

By FloridaBoy

September 1, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this

Wow, all these Georgia Fans. I got to hand it to Georgia, If DJ was a good quarterback, then why didn’t he take David Greene spot? Mark Richt did the right thing, grooming him up at back-up. See Quincy Carter!!!!!!!!! GEORGIA BULLDOGS SUCK, again, again, and this year again. Go Gators!!!!!!!!!!!!

By mart

September 1, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

Shockley should stay on the bench where he belongs, and be happy about it. He’s a fortunate young man.

By Edd Anderson

September 1, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

Falcons 28 Carolina 13.

By J-MAN

September 1, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

Look, since Shockley will more than likely not be taking any snaps this season I say let him use his alethetic gifts and let him play other positions it also lets him get a feel for the tempo of a REAL NFL game and when he does come in at QB he won’t be quite as nervous.

By Skydawg

September 1, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this

Rutuger, you are an idiot. First of all, no NFL team drafts for marketability. They draft to win or they lose their jobs. Second of all, you dayum sure don’t give a roster spot up for a “marketing tool”. Case in point is look at the kicking situation. The Falcons are all jacked up and don’t know how to fill the roster spot due to having a kicker who also punts. Its now freed up another roster spot which is precious. And how do you use a “marketing tool” that most likely won’t see the field this season. Just ridiculous! DJ won the spot by practicing and playing well. He was drafted for his play at QB of which he only had really one season to show his skills. Oh and by the way he was voted All SEC and offensive player of the year. He is a very talented and very intelligent young man and I’m sick and tired of all the UGA bashing and homer calling. If any Tech geek would do a little homework, it is harder to get into UGA right now than it is Tech. And that’s including a higher SAT requirement. UGA has a much more well rounded education and degree programs. Law School, Vet School, Pharmacy School, Journalism School to name a few. So stop the crap. Bottom line is all you North Avenue Trade School geeks are just jealous of UGA’s success and popularity. GET OVER IT!!! DJ is a damn good QB and will eventually win a starting job. I quarantee it. Anyone who really knows DJ and has followed him knows this. You watch any clips of interviews with Mora and you will see he almost glows when he talks about him. DJ just has that “it” factor and I didn’t say that, Mora did. He’s a special talent in more ways that just football talent. He brings much more to the table.

By gary

September 1, 2006 05:52 PM | Link to this

Wimbley,

The name callin’ is cute, but if you knew how to read…you would understand that I stated that Shaub was a better QUARTERBACK than DJ or Mike. With that said, there is no doubt that Mike Vick is far and away the best athlete of the three. But the great athlete that Mike is, unfortuantely will not equate into a Superbowl victory. You HAVE to be able to stay in the pocket to win a Superbowl (Favre, Brady, Warner, Elway,Roethlesberger etc.) and Mr. Vick is not a quality pocket passer! Please learn a little about the sport before you drink any more Kool-Aid and start passing out insults! Jeeze

By Buge

September 1, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this

Let him clean some toilets and urinals.

By DJISTHEGREATESTQBEVERTOPLAYINTHEHISTORYOFFOOTBALL

September 1, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

If I were Mora I’d tell the Home Depot guy I was tired of answering questions about the public relations pick who gets more ink than Mike Vick. This guy has to be the most over hyped player ever.

Remember people, this is the same team that kept Bryan Randall on the team for a year. DJ is just holding a spot. He’ll be the OC for those South Clayton guys watching the other night….Only he’ll be able to afford a better camera phone to take self portraits

By paul

September 1, 2006 06:12 PM | Link to this

I am way not a UGA fan but i really like DJ. He could very well be the future starter for the falcons. Seems like a natural at making something out of nothing plus doesnt seem to do stupid things. A couple of years of seasoning and he could easily be our starter. (Nothing against Vick or Schaub but i think Mike will get hurt and Schaub will be gone after this year).

By paul

September 1, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this

PS- Shockley is definitely a better QB than David Greene (nothing against David, i liked him at UGA).

By dustin

September 1, 2006 06:55 PM | Link to this

I like DJ alot as a QB. I hope that this year if the falcons are loosing late in the game and have to drive the field with little time…we put in Shuab!!!! the falcons should use the qb position according to time of the game and situation!! I like vick most of the time ….just not with 80 yards to drive and 1 minute left!!

By DJISTHEGREATESTQBEVERTOPLAYINTHEHISTORYOFFOOTBALL

September 1, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this

Paul,

You’re so right. DJ is much better than DG. Mark Ricth was just trying not to win as much at UGA so he played the worst QB for four years. I guess he was afraid DJ would become bigger than he was.

dumbass

By NumbaOneFan

September 1, 2006 08:41 PM | Link to this

Shockley has earned the #3 QB spot period. Never mind the kid is a Georgia Bulldog… he has the tools to be a good quaterback in this league. He reads defenses, has the respect of his teamnates in the huddle and has some touch on is passes. I find it amusing how many Ga Tech fans just dis DJ. I guess when you get your Azz whipped by Georgia repeatedly, the frustration and hate just spews out. The kid has pressence, stays in the pocket, carries himself well on and off the field and is the so of a coach. He waited his turn for 3 years behind Green and made things happen. I cannot understand the hatred of some ignorant hayseeds on this blog. By the way… if you are a real Falcons Fan why don’t you support the kid instea of bashing and hating. M. Vick is a great athlete and if he ever learns how to play the QB position and refines his passing by learning to put touch on his passes then he will be heralded for more than a running QB. The issue here is that the Falcons have 3 pretty damn good QB’s. I personally believe that DJ will replace Schaub if he is not resigned or traded. Now let’s just stop all the BS and support whoever is playing quaterback.

By paul

September 1, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this

DJwhatsyournameboy, How old are you sonny? 13. You call people dumbass because they dont agree with you? Go eat dinner now little boy, mommy is calling.

By Coleman

September 1, 2006 11:46 PM | Link to this

It’s a simple fact that Schaub will be gone after this season. Shockley will then most likely move up into the backup spot. So let’s let him take some time to let him learn and grow as a QB.

Shockley has shown some promise. And if he does earn the #2 spot next season, he will most likely see some playing time because very few starting quarterbacks in this day & age play an injury-free sixteen game season. Then he can become the second-coming of Matt Schaub (you know, the guy the Anybody-but-Vick Brigade swears will take us to the Super Bowl if only he had the starting job).

As far as I know, Shockley has never played any position except QB at any level (high school, college, Pop Warner?) so I’m not sure where the original question came from about playing him at WR. Sure some people move from QB to other positions when the get to the NFL, but they’ve usually had some past experience at those positions. The NFL is a very fast and complex game played by people with specialized skill sets. Shockley will have his hands full learning how to run this kooky offense we have here from the QB position.

By Reynard

September 2, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this

I like Mike, yet I see DJ as being the better (future) quarterback of the two. He throws a better, more accurate ball than Mike. Give he a year on the sidelines learning the system (not running pass routes) and we will all be pleasantly suprised when his moment arrives.

By DHD

September 2, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this

Hey Dick…….it’s lose, not “loose.”

DJ will be the back-up next year after we have traded Schaub. For now, he just needs to learn from Vick on the sidelines.

By Michael

September 2, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

DJ was drafted for three reasons.

I can say those with certainty. Personally, I think he was also drafted so that there would be no pressure to draft Marcus, but that’s just a theory of mine.

As for how great DJ looked in the preseason. Did he? He was rather illusive the other night. But who wants to bet some of those tacklers are going to be job hunting in a few days, if not already?

For the stat masters… what was his completion percentage? I’d be willing to be its lower than Vick’s or Schaub’s.

DJ is where he should be. On the bench learning to be an NFL QB.

By Football Expert

September 2, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this

D.J. is a third string quarterback. He looks like a third string quarterback, he acts like a third string quarterback and he plays like a third string quarterback. He may someday be a starter. It won’t be this year. He will see no action at any position. He will sit on the bench where he belongs at this time. He had the worst QB rating of the four quarterbacks during the pre season. Pray for D.J. Hope he gets better, because right now he is not nearly as good a Vick as bad as Vick is.

By Horace

September 2, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this

Let me just add, the falcons havent mortgaged the franchise with Vick, The particulars of his contract dont count against the salary cap. He receives the bulk of his money as bonus’. In other words, in March, he received 7 or 8 million dollars as a roster bonus. In the spring he got another big hit for being in training camp. Big picture, the falcons structured the deal to limit the impact on the cap.

As for Shaub, face it, he is gone. I am sure he would like to saty here but I dont think his agent will allow that. I think Matt being here as also benefited him. I think all the speed at the quarterback position has motivated him to be in the best shape I have seen him in since he has been here. I wish Matt well, but I think this is his last year as a Falcon..

D.J. Shockley- raw talent but a fundementally sound QB. I agree with previous posters, i.e., marketing move, but unlike our other home-town boy ( Brooking ) I think, given time, Shockley will become the falcons starter. Vicks style of play may impact his longevity or conversly people, the footsteps behind him may make him better. Only time will tell. And for all of you Vick aint a pocket passer haters, goto the Falcons website and pull up Vicks stats from when Reeves was the head coach. 95% pocket passing and his highest passing yards to date as a Pro. If Vick had been given an opportunity (like Shockley will have) to carry a clip board for a couple of years, who knows where he will be.

Some QB’s hit the ground running ( Rothlesburg for example) and others need time. There are so many intangibles its really hard to say. I think the Falcons can 10-6, but I am still not impressed with the defense. I think Hartwell should be arrested for theft of service and the Falcons need a way to get D. Williams in the game ( as a starter ). If we cant stop the other team our only hope is to outscore them. Matt Schaub would be 1-1 as a starter if the defense could have stopped New England.

Go Falcons! ! ! !

By JB

September 2, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this

THANKS GUYS!!!!! DJ IS A QB STOP TRYING TO ALWAYS MAKE A SLASH OUT OF A MOBILE QB. DJ WILL LEARN HE’S SMART. RIGHT NOW HE IS BETTER THAN VICK WAS AS A ROOKIE. EXCEPT NOT FASTER. BUT BETTER. DJ WILL BE FINE HE’S THE FUTURE FOR THE FRANCHISE.

By georgia_clarinet08

September 4, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

I had the honor of seeing Shock play his INCREDIBLE senior year and some play time for the previous year. I will admit that I wasn’t sure about his abilities at first because he was so inconsistent; however, he is a young man with a good head on his shoulders who was patient enough to wait before he took over as the leader of the team. As a rookie, he has a lot of learning to do…he’s not perfect but his positive attitude and intelligence is what makes him a winner. I don’t believe that he is better than Vick because he looks up to him and imitates some of the things Vick can do. There are some things that he does better than Vick but as a benchwarmer he can learn a lot about being on the pro level. To those that hate on DJ, don’t forget he was voted in 3rd place for AP Player of the year…that is quite an accomplishment based on the fact that the #1 and #2 were Reggie Bush and Vince Young, two athletes that played in the National Championship last year. To say that DJ is close to that level is an honor. And to all the Georgia haters from the SEC, who won the SEC Championship game last season? I rest my case.