Quarterback John Parker Wilson, who had a poor showing in the final exhibition game against Baltimore, was in the group of 10 players released by the Falcons on Saturday.
Also released were center Brett Romberg, offensive tackle Jose Valdez, guard-tackle Andrew Jackson, wide receiver Kevin Cone, wide receiver Drew Davis, safety Rafael Bush, linebacker Robert James and defensive end Emmanuel Stephens.
The team also reached an injury settlement with tight end Ryan Winterswyk, who suffered an ankle sprain. He should be healthy in six weeks and will be a practice-squad candidate.
Wilson played extensively against the Ravens and completed 16 of 33 passes for 146 yards. He also had two interceptions and finished with a quarterback rating of 35.7.
Running back Antone Smith, cornerback Darrin Walls, offensive lineman Rob Bruggeman and defensive tackle Carlton Powell made the initial roster.
Smith made the team after rushing for 114 yards against the Ravens on 11 carries. He also caught two passes, including a screen-pass play that gained 42 yards.
Walls, an undrafted rookie free agent from Notre Dame, had a strong training camp.
Other practice candidates include running back Philip Sylvester, who was released earlier, Cone, Davis and Jackson, who was the team’s seventh-round draft pick this year. The team can add up to eight players to the practice squad Sunday.
Scouting report
Defensive end Ray Edwards, who came over from the Minnesota Vikings, has an NFC North scouting report on the Bears. The Falcons open the season in Chicago on Sept. 11.
“We played those guys twice a year,” Edwards said. “They like to run the ball at you, then hit you with the play-action pass and go deep. We definitely have to be on our toes and ready to work.”
Edwards played two series against the Ravens in the exhibition finale Thursday.
“I felt good,” Edwards said. “It felt like I knocked the rust off a little bit. Last week [against Pittsburgh], I looked a little sluggish, but [against Baltimore] I felt a whole lot better.”
Making a dent
Linebacker Akeem Dent, the team’s third-round draft pick, injured his left knee running down on a kickoff in the exhibition opener against Miami.
He was slowed for much of the exhibition season, but the Falcons made a point of getting him some action at middle linebacker against Baltimore.
“That was an important thing for him to get out in front of the huddle,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.
Dent finished with one tackle against the Ravens.
“It was good for me to get out there and get some reps,” Dent said. “I just tried to go out there and play ball. ... The injury kind of set me back, but being able to go out there and get reps was key for me.”
Hawley ready
Joe Hawley is set to start for center Todd McClure, who underwent right knee surgery Aug. 29, against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 11.
“He did good [against Baltimore],” quarterback Chris Redman said. “That was a good opportunity for him to go out there and see some live bullets.”
Etc.
For the second year, running back Jason Snelling will donate 25 tickets to every home game for the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia. Jason was diagnosed with epilepsy as a teenager and that has led him to embrace his role in speaking about this condition. ... Cornerback Brent Grimes intercepted a pass in three of the Falcons’ four exhibition games this season, Since 2009, Grimes’ 11 interceptions rank tied for second in the NFL. Only Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel (16) has more picks in the past two seasons.
About the Author
