Is QB D.J. Shockley's Roster Spot In Jeopardy?
by Dave Choate on Aug 12, 2009 8:00 AM EDT
in Falcons News
20 comments
Buried deep in this Atlanta Journal-Constitution column from Jeff Schultz is the mention that D.J. Shockley, he of the Georgia pedigree and backup job, could well be fighting for his roster spot right now. Opinions on Shockley have been so mixed since the point he was drafted that it's nearly impossible to parse exactly what's going to happen to him.
That's where I come in.
I'm here to tell you that I really do not believe that Shockley's going to get the boot from the roster. I also don't think he's going to leapfrog Chris Redman for the backup job. No, what Shock's going to do is once again seize the third quarterback spot on the roster. The reasons for this are fairly simple.
First, Shock won't pass Redman because Rojohombre is the far more consistent quarterback. He got it done starting during the Dark Ages of Bobby Petrino, and he's simply the best option we have to come in if something happens to Matt Ryan. That said, he's physically miles upon miles ahead of John Parker Wilson and has the advantage of spending last year learning Mike Mularkey's offense, two advantages that will probably kick JPW to the practice squad.
It's frustrating in a way to acknowledge this, because I've always been a staunch Shockley defender and have always believed he had the talent to be a competent #2 quarterback in the NFL. Whether through injuries or inconsistency, he hasn't gotten there yet, but he'll have at least one more shot this season.
Remember, if I said it, it's got a 45% of being correct. Do you have an identical or perhaps better prediction for Shock's fate?
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He looked like the third backup during Roam the Dome.
Overthrew some receivers, but never made any bad decisions. JPW has not developed well since minicamp. Definitely going to be headed to the practice squad.
You have opinions. Share them.
To answer the question, though
“Is Shockley’s roster spot in jeopardy?” Maybe, but I’d say he’s probably safe until next year. I’d be a little surprised if they re-signed him after this season. I’m sorta expecting the team to re-sign Redman, though (he’s only 32 and has proven somewhat effective as a spot starter). Whether the team has JPW on the Practice Squad this year and makes him #3 next year, or they draft another developmental type next year, I think Shockley’s days are numbered…
3rd QB
I think Shockley will make the team. He is a versitile player which allows him to mimic another QB (minus the Bradys/Brees’ of the world) during practice. I’ve heard resonably good things out of camp about him. Will he surpass Redman? No, but he’ll make the roster. I doubt he’ll ever see a regular season game (rather, I PRAY that he’ll never see a regular season game), but he is active in the community and is a hometown favorite.
"If you can’t get excited for Ryan throwing to Gonzalez, you’re either a robot or clinically dead. Or you’re a zombie robot, which is just plain awesome."
Dave the Falconer
by Pregame with Pabst on Aug 12, 2009 9:23 AM EDT reply actions
Trade him
Its not that I have anything against Shockley or don’t think he has the potential to be a solid #2 qb one day. But right now I just don’t see how he is contributing to the team now or in the long term. Given the premiums placed on qbs in the NFL and the injuries to starters and backups that always happen this time of year, if we could get an competent backup at another position of need or special teams stud for Shockley in a trade I think we should do it.
By default......
he’ll make the team. But how many bulldog fans would be pissed to see a Alabama QB make the team over a former UGA start
I wouldn't know. I'd love to see JPW take over Shockley's spot.
But Wilson just doesn’t seem to have the talent to do it. Shock can play. Keep him at number 3.
You have opinions. Share them.
by Adam Schultz on Aug 12, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you sure about that?
If Shockley could play, then how come he has never even been able to crack the backup QB spot? If I had to choose between either of them, I would choose neither. He has a decent arm, but two blown knees. If his dream was to earn a minimum keeping the backup QB’s bench spot warm, then good for him, but if he wants to ever get on the field again, he needs to start looking at the UFL, the CFL, or the AFL if they decide to have another season again.
If something were to happen to Ryan, you know the team isn’t going to look at the rest of the QB’s on the roster and say, “We’re good.” No, they are going to go looking for a somewhat decent QB who has actually played, much like they did when they grabbed Leftwhich, sign them on the cheap, and make them the new #2 while Shockley clings to this most important #3 QB spot.
As much as I hate to say it, he’s Joe Hamilton V2.0, except Hamilton was a much better QB.
Bah, spoken like a true Techie...
Since I am unbiased in the UGA vs GT war, I can say with a clear conscience that Shockley > Hamilton. However, as a peace offering, I say to you… “45-42”
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.
Elayne Boosler
Just the last part, haha
But I only added that in an attempt to lighten the overall mood of my comment. I re-read it and it reads like I am all angry at Shockley when that’s the furthest from the truth. Where he played in college is irrelevent. I only mention Hamilton because Shockleys career thus far closely resembles what happened to Hamilton.
Hamilton got drafted by the Colts and he got to sit behind arguably one of the best QB’s to have ever played the game in Peyton Manning, got shipped off to Tampa I think, then sent to NFL Europe, led a team to the championship before blowing a knee. He then ended up in the AFL leading Orlando to the championship, I believe three times while blowing his knee again. If I were Shockley I would be lining these other leagues up now so I would be prepared for a full time job when my rookie contract is up with the Falcons so I could get paid.
Plain and simple, he’s never going to see the field, even if Ryan goes down, so why bother with it. Is he better than JPW, sure and he’ll probably win the #3 QB spot easily. But I would much rather have someone else than either of those.
Hamilton was clearly better than Shockley, but we can bounce this over to the Rumble Seat site since it’s not Falcons centric.
Bah, errors suck, as does my memory
Hamilton was drafted by Tampa and traded to Indy, then went off to Euro league and AFL.
And while I can’t seem to find it right now, and I don’t have much time, it’s possible that Shockley could not have won the number 2 QB spot because he was out with blown knees. SO, there’s me not being completely biased, yet anyways, haha!
There's no way Shockley's better
Hamilton couldn’t stick because he’s only 5’10". But he was Runner-up for the Heisman, won the Davey O’Brien award (for best QB), and was First Team All-American. Heck, they were both drafted in the 7th round. Senior stats (since DJ only started one year):
-———————-PassYds—TD—INT—Comp%—QBRating—RushYds—TD
Hamilton (1999)—-3060——29—-11——66.6%—-175.0———-734———6
Shockley (2005)—-2588——24—-17——55.8%—-148.3———-322———4
Thank you.
I spent forever looking up the stats and you beat me to the punch.
If Joe Hamilton was 6’1" he would still be playing.
"If you can’t get excited for Ryan throwing to Gonzalez, you’re either a robot or clinically dead. Or you’re a zombie robot, which is just plain awesome."
Dave the Falconer
by Pregame with Pabst on Aug 12, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Shock can play because Wilson will not give him any competition.
I’d say he’s more a Joe Harrington with a smidgeon more talent.
You have opinions. Share them.
by Adam Schultz on Aug 12, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Shockley could have started
When Vick went to jail if he hadn’t torn his ACL. I don’t think he is a long term answer for anything but I like him as a #2 love him as a #3. Call me crazy but I think we have the best “emergency” qb. Most teams don’t even carry 3 qbs, at least not qbs I can name
by FLA_Falcon on Aug 12, 2009 8:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I was surprised Shock made the team last year
He seems like a nice kid and had a pretty good game towards the end of preseason but Harrington was far more proven. I assume it was a money decision
Now Shock can help us...
prepare for the Eagles game.
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