John Parker Wilson: 3rd Slot QB Dark Horse?

by Adam Schultz on Aug 23, 2009 7:00 AM EDT in Editorial

Let's just get this out of the way; Shockley has been horrendous the past two preseason games, and not just against first team defenses. Going from the second quarter to nearly the fourth quarter against the Rams Friday night, Shock's stats shaped up thusly: 5/12, 63 yards, 1 INT, 1 FUMB.

That puts him at 8/20, 94 yards, 1 INT, 0 TD, 1 FUMB for the preseason. That's a dismal 40% completion rate. That's also a lowly 34.2 QB rating.

John Parker Wilson, the QB currently battling Shock for the third roster spot (because, let's face it, Redman's locked in as #2) has managed the following stats in his admittedly limited time on the field: 6/8, 55 yards, 1 INT, 0 FUMB.

That's only 8 attempts for the rookie out of University of Alabama, but he's looking at a 75% completion rate and a QB rating of 53.6. With just over 30 minutes of football this preseason (compared to Shock's 45 minutes), that stacks up very well. He is certainly not prolific and has been matched against the bottom feeders of our opponents' depth charts, so I hesitate to vault him over Shockley at present. I do, however, feel that his true test will come this weekend against the Chargers.

With Redman sitting yesterday's game out, I'm 99.9% sure he's won the backup spot behind Matty Ice. Now, the rest of the preseason belongs to Shock and Wilson; Shock got his time to shine Friday, seeing nearly two full quarters of action. This week, I expect JPW to do just the same against what I consider a tougher team. I'm sure Matt Ryan and the 1st team will likely play till at least half-way into the second quarter, so I'm going to be looking for JPW to start in the third and get at least 20 minutes of play under his belt. If he continues to show poise and decent decision making when likely facing a hybrid 2nd/3rd team Charger defense, I do honestly feel he will pull ahead in the race for the number 3 QB slot.

For now, I'll still predict a Ryan, Redman, Shockley QB lineup. The next two preseason games will be critical in this contest. JPW's true test is yet to come. I believe Shockley got his against St. Louis and I'm not so sure the coaching staff gave him a pass.

Poll

Who will be our #3 QB when the season starts?

D.J. Shockley

167 votes

John Parker Wilson

930 votes

Chad Ochocinco

87 votes

1184 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Adam DiMichele should be available soon from Eagles, let's get him!

Adam DiMichele played great in the Eagles preseason game. Scrambled great! Really had the defense off balance, and Andy Reid was really coaching and liking the kid. Laughingly, he played like a white Mike Vick!

Falcons keep going to these local fan favorite quarterback draftpicks, and they never work out.

I’m still pissed about Richt putting Shockley in the 2003 Florida game which blew Georgia’s undefeated national championship season hopes.

Coaches have been kowtowing to Shockley and he does nothing to deserve it.

Cut him!!!

by Teamfastpitch on Aug 23, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

Shockley

is a lot like Vick both have great arm stregnth but no touch

by TRUBIRD1 on Aug 23, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

JPW

based on playing alone its JP for the taking. The only reason I consider him a “dark horse” is how much more DJ knows the play book.

Speaking of final roster cuts do ya’ll think the birds are happy with who we have depth wise in our secondary? The titans look to have good depth back there and they’re gonna have to cut some of them.

by gritzblitz on Aug 23, 2009 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

Cornerback

is the only position I’m a little worried about , safety I’m comfortable with ( not relaxed … but comfortable ) also worried about the return positions … but I have come to put alot of faith in The good Comrad , Smitty , and our entire coaching staff …Give Em The Bird Atlanta…Go BIRDS…Curse The Curse

by TRUBIRD1 on Aug 23, 2009 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

We have to develop the young guys we have...

Going after every “name” in FA doesn’t work. But, if Dimitrov finds another Foxworth after the other teams have their cuts, he’ll sign him…

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

by NaGaNole on Aug 23, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

JPW

Has a shot at it. Shock has looked like crap so far. Actually, he is the one who looks like the undrafted rookie. Here’s to hoping the coaching staff gets JPW into the game earlier than Shock to see what he can do against stiffer competition…

by orang3b on Aug 23, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

Shock has the tools he’s just inconsistent. Yes similar to when we had Vick. You knew their athleticism could wins games at any time, but you could never build a team around such inconsistency. I’ll take a less athletic but more consistent QB anytime. Vick taught us a lot but Ryan is showing us what we need. Solid consistent dependable play.

by Jon Cushman on Aug 23, 2009 3:44 PM EDT reply actions

reason I’d take JPW/Redman over Shockley….

by Jon Cushman on Aug 23, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't count out Ochocinco

The dude’s kicking extra points and handling kickoffs for the Bengals right now!

by Dave Choate on Aug 23, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

Ochocinco for California's next Governor!

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Aug 23, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

About time you guys see it

I’ve only been talking about getting rid of Shockley for the last three years. Now we have someone serviceable in JPW to replace him on the roster.

The UFL needs more QB’s Shock, give ’em a call.

"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick

by Jesse28 on Aug 24, 2009 8:14 AM EDT reply actions

I am praying

to every known version of god that is known to man that JPW is not on the roster when the season starts. Please lord?

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Aug 24, 2009 9:13 AM EDT reply actions

Why?

If we need our #3 QB, then the season is ruined anyway… Why not carry a #3 with some sort of potential to develop? (If Shockley keeps tanking…)

by orang3b on Aug 24, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

He's just saying that because JPW and the UA squad made UGA look appropriate in all black last year.

You have opinions. Share them.

by Adam Schultz on Aug 24, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

It's a question of physical tools, I think

Shockley shouldn’t necessarily make the roster just because he’s more athletic than JPW, but unless his arm suddenly improves and he can make some moves with his feet, JPW’s upside is probably limited.

by Dave Choate on Aug 24, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

At this point

I think one could argue that JPW’s arm looks considerably better than Shockley’s. And, seeing as how he is a rookie, probably a better pocket passer overall, and still has two good knees, would that not lend itself to having the better potential “upside” that so many speak of? How many more years before we find this mythical “upside” of Shockley’s?

by Jesse28 on Aug 24, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

And I'm not saying Shockley has a ton of upside at this point

I’d just have to say that I don’t believe—and you know how often I’m wrong—that JPW will ever make it any higher on the depth chart than third. Given that Shockley hasn’t managed to either, maybe that’s not a bad thing, but at some point I’d like to get a young guy who has a good shot of grabbing that backup spot.

by Dave Choate on Aug 24, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

I suppose

But at this point, haven’t we seen everything Shockley has to offer? JPW just got here like five minutes ago and we’re already writing him off as not being a viable #3 QB. Are we sure that given a year to learn the playbook and possibly run with the first team during practice/training camp/preseason/etc that JPW can’t exceed what Shockley has to offer at this moment?

On a side note, I still find it amazing that the third string QB position has generated this many posts in the last two years. I mean, really? Shockley has more posts as the main topic than say Jerry or Owens or Middleton or Moore? Or anyone that can actually contribute to the Falcons in a game for that matter. We fans are a strange bunch, that’s for sure.

by Jesse28 on Aug 24, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Speaking to the second part

I like to focus, during the off-season, on positions where there’s going to be a close battle. While the cornerbacking corps certainly qualifies, I’m not sure Middleton’s going to be able to rise into the top four this season. Moore is hurt, or we would be talking more about his battle with DeCoud, and Jerry is likely to start no matter what happens.

I’m not saying JPW can’t exceed Shockley, either. Given what we’ve seen from Shockley so far, it’s pretty fair to say he can offer more. I just would like to bring a young quarterback on the roster that I think has a good chance of rising into the backup spot when Redman poops out in a year or two. I don’t think JPW’s that guy.

by Dave Choate on Aug 24, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

That said...

…if you want to hear more about those guys, I’d be happy to oblige. Perhaps it’s time to look at what Jerry might do this season….

by Dave Choate on Aug 24, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I smell a Jerry post coming.

You have opinions. Share them.

by Adam Schultz on Aug 24, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

It's either that

Or this great pot roast I’m cooking.

by Dave Choate on Aug 24, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Can you smell what the Falconer is cooking?

Mmm, pot roast.

You have opinions. Share them.

by Adam Schultz on Aug 24, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Well

I saw how the guy played at Bama. Not too keen on him myself. He has looked better than Shockley so far but this is preseason. I dont think anyone is playing at full speed yet. We will see. If they do keep him then I dont want them keeping Redmon too. I would rahter have Shockley than Redmon. Hell I would rather have Ocho cinco than Redmon.

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Aug 24, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions