DEL.ICIO.USFalcons trade for Denver cornerback
Atlanta gives up 7th-round pick next year for Foxworth
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff continued to put his finishing touches on the team’s roster Tuesday by adding two defensive backs.
Looking to add some experience in the secondary, Dimitroff executed a trade with Denver for cornerback Domonique Foxworth and claimed safety Jamaal Fudge off waivers from Jacksonville.
AP
The Falcon acquired cornerback Domonique Foxworth from the Denver Broncos in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft.
“We are please to have the opportunity to work with Domonique Foxworth,” Dimitroff said. “He brings increased athleticism, speed and intelligence to our secondary.”
The Falcons gave the Broncos a seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft, which is contingent on Foxworth’s playing time.
To make room for the newcomers, the Falcons released cornerback Blue Adams and fullback Corey McIntyre.
Foxworth, who’s set to enter his fourth season in the NFL, was a third-round draft pick by the Broncos in 2005 (97th overall).
Foxworth, 25, played collegiately at Maryland and has been a versatile defensive back in the NFL. He’s played mostly cornerback, but has also started at strong safety and free safety.
The Falcons view him strictly as a cornerback.
Kansas City was also interested in Foxworth. Brian Mackler, his agent said about six teams called when it became clear the Broncos were going to trade Foxworth.
“It wasn’t necessarily the depth chart, but Atlanta was my preference,” Foxworth told the Denver Post. “I’m quite appreciative of Mike Shanahan and everybody else for making it happen.”
The Falcons signed Von Hutchins as a free agent and expected him to compete for a starting cornerback spot or win the nickel-back position. But Hutchins was lost for the season with a fracture in his foot that required surgery.
With Hutchins out, the Falcons played the exhibition season with second-year men Chris Houston and Brent Grimes at cornerback. Chevis Jackson, a rookie, played nickel during the preseason.
Foxworth is a solid tackler, who averaged 55 tackles and 11 pass breakups a season mostly as a nickel back in Denver. He became expendable behind starters Champ Bailey and Dre’ Bly when the Broncos claimed defensive back Calvin Lowry off waivers from Tennessee.
“I just wanted to get out from behind Champ Bailey and Dre’ Bly, so I got out of there before they had a chance to change their mind,” Foxworth told the Post.
Foxworth also struggled in coverage during the exhibition season, getting beat on some underneath routes, and Anquan Boldin beat him on a stop-and-go route in the exhibition finale against Arizona.
The Falcons will likely try to get Foxworth ready to play against Detroit this week. The combination of Detroit quarterback Jon Kitna throwing to receivers Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams, might be too much of a baptismal for the Falcons’ young corners.
“Ultimately, Domonique comes in and competes as a full-blown contributor on this team in the secondary, whether if it’s a starting position, a nickel position, whatever that it may be in our [defensive] backfield,” Dimitroff said. “We are hoping that he will be a significant contributor with us.”
Last season, Foxworth was named the Broncos’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner for his community work.
He helped to build the Darrent Williams teen center, in honor of his slain teammate who was killed in a shooting. The center is the new home for the Boys and Girls club of Denver.
Fudge spent the past two seasons with Jacksonville, where Falcons coach Mike Smith was the defensive coordinator
“It’s a good situation in that Mike Smith has worked with Jamaal Fudge in Jacksonville,” Dimitroff said. “He brings to the table, elements of quickness and speed as well as aggressiveness and urgency in his game.”
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