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FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons were awarded Gino Gradkowski on waivers on Sunday. He was the third linemen picked up in the past few days which included the trade for guard Andy Levitre and picking up Byrce Harris off waivers from the Saints.
If you count Tyler Polumus and Chris Chester, the Falcons have picked up five cast-away offensive linemen since signing Polumbus on May 15.
Gradkowski (got beat out by a rookie in Denver), Levitre (fail out of favor in Tennessee), Harris (a former Falcons practice squader, was cut by the Saints), Chester (cut by the Redskins) and Polumbus (cut by the Redskins).
Gradkowski was more attractive than Hawley because he’s healthier. Hawley is trying to make it back for reconstructive knee surgery.
Gradkowski started 16 games for the Ravens in 2013. He played 1,181 snaps and gave up three sacks, quarterback seven hits and 26 hurries. He was the 30th rated center of 30 players, who played more than 50 percent of their teams snaps in 2013, according to profootballfocus.com.
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Gradkowski fell out of favor in Baltimore and was traded to Denver, where he was beaten out by rookie Matt Paradis.
So, it looks like James Stone will open the season at the starting center. Coach Dan Quinn will take questions later today after the team’s 10:30 a.m. practice.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
We’ll also be on the lookout for Jake Matthews (back) and wide receiver Roddy White (elbow).
After the flurry of moves, here’s a look at the projected depth chart. The team’s official depth chart should be out tomorrow.
HERE'S A LOOK AT THE UPDATED PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 11 Julio Jones, 85 Leonard Hankerson, 14 Eric Weems
LT 70 Jake Matthews, 79 Tyler Polumbus,
LG 67 Andy Levitre, 68 Mike Person,
C 62 James Stone, 66 Gino Gradkowski
RG 65 Chris Chester, 68 Mike Person
RT 73 Ryan Schraeder, 72 Bryce Harris
TE 83 Jacob Tamme, 80 Levine Toilolo
WR 84 Roddy White, 17 Devin Hester, 16 Justin Hardy, 15 Nick Williams,
QB 2 Matt Ryan, 12 Sean Renfree
RB 24 Devonta Freeman, 26 Tevin Coleman, 33 Terron Ward
FB 42 Patrick DiMarco
DEFENSE
DE 44 Vic Beasley Jr., 71 Kroy Biermann, 93 Malliciah Goodman
DT 77 Ra’Shede Hageman, 95 Jonathan Babineaux, 97 Grady Jarrett
NT 96 Paul Soliai
DE 94 Tyson Jackson, 99 Adrian Clayborn
LB 52 Justin Durant, 59 Joplo Bartu,
LB 55 Paul Worrilow, 54 Nate Stupar, 53 Allen Bradford
LB 56 Brooks Reed, 50 O’Brien Schofield
CB 23 Robert Alford, 32 Jalen Collins
CB 21 Desmond Trufant, 20 Phillip Adams, 22 Dezmen Southward
S 37 Ricardo Allen, 48 Robenson Therezie
S 25 William Moore, 36 Kemal Ishmael, 30 Charles Godfrey
SPECIALISTS
K 3 Matt Bryant
KO 5 Matt Bosher
P 5 Matt Bosher
KR 17 Devin Hester, 14 Eric Weems
PR 17 Devin Hester, 14 Eric Weems
LS 47 Josh Harris
H 5 Matt Bosher
PRACTICE SQUAD
LB Derek Akunne, OL Pierce Burton, TE Marcel Jensen, CB Akeem King, LB Stansly Maponga, NT Joey Mbu, QB Matt Simms, LB Tyler Starr
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