Falcons Release CB Von Hutchins, TE Ben Hartsock

by Dave Choate on Sep 1, 2009 3:21 PM EDT in Falcons News

Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to really flesh this out at the moment, but I wanted to deliver this news as fast as possible.

The Falcons released Ben Hartsock, our best blocking tight end, along with cornerback Von Hutchins and defensive end Willie Evans. I don't need to tell you that Hartsock's release is a huge surprise, and must indicate that Tony Gonzalez and Justin Peelle have shown a lot as blockers this off-season. With the acquisition of Tye Hill, the Falcons are announcing a complete and total youth movement at cornerback by releasing Hutchins, who was kind of off everybody's radar this off-season. Evans was not expected to make the roster.

Kind of a surprise all the way around, though. What do you guys think?

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Dude.

Holy Crap

Trust in the Comrade.

You have opinions. Share them.

by Adam Schultz on Sep 1, 2009 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

Darn you Dave!

Beat me to it. Not surprised by Evans at all. Not really surprised by Hutchins – he still isn’t 100% after his Lisfranc…

Hartsock was a bit of a surprise, though. But I’m not sure that Peele doesn’t come close to matching him as a blocker. I’ve seen him absolutely bury guys this pre-season. Still a bit of a surprise. I guess if they were seen as fairly equal, Hartsock’s salary ($2.8M+ last year, including Signing Bonus) compared to Peele ($645K) got him the axe…

by orang3b on Sep 1, 2009 3:32 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

THIS

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Sep 1, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Word.

Echoing the sentiments above, I can only say I’m a little surprised about Hartsock, but not at all about Hutchins or Whatzisname.

by ATLAndrew on Sep 1, 2009 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

Meh...

I’m not really that concerned with us dropping an underachieving corner, a defensive end who might not even see the field during the season given our rotation, and a second or third string TE.

by Leon07 on Sep 1, 2009 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

a little shocked about harstock

but apparently Brick for Hands doesn’t have a role here… perhaps this is leaning towards a more pass catching TE movement with blocking as a secondary skill (though still above average I presume).

I had predicted Von Hutchins would get cut out of our corners, Middelton was apart of Dimitroff’s brilliance and he seems to take pride in his picks. When I say I predicted this… I still didn’t expect it though.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Sep 1, 2009 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

The last line in the AJC article stands out to me

“Hutchins…signed a four-year, $9-million deal with $2.35 million guaranteed.”

Not bad for a few weeks work.

by zooker on Sep 1, 2009 5:32 PM EDT reply actions

Completely Random... but

What was the name of the DE From Green Bay… Two years ago? The one that was a pass rush specialist?
If he hasnt signed anywhere, or like retire anything. I think we should give it a shot…

by FlyYouFalcons on Sep 1, 2009 8:26 PM EDT reply actions

KGB

Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila?

by ATL Forever on Sep 1, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure, that sounds right, I remember there was like 3 days of GB Releasing him...

And then nothing.

by FlyYouFalcons on Sep 1, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Bleh bleh bleh.

Three days on sportscenter about GB Releasing him

by FlyYouFalcons on Sep 1, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Rich McKay was on NFL Radio today

I was able to catch a portion of an interview of Rich McKay on “Movin’ the Chains” today on Sirius NFL Radio. I think it came just after the news of this release came across the wire. He indicated that Hutchins came off last year’s injury without the burst that made him attractive to the Falcons in the first place. It sounds like his career might be at a sunset.

I’m also not certain Hill will make this roster. In the interview McKay referenced his less-than-stellar pro career to this point, and hinted at the trade maybe being more a hope for the past than a clear vision of his present NFL career. My guess is that the coaching staff gets Hill integrated in the system as much as possible before this last preseason game, and he gets a few plays to see if he is a ballhawk or not. If he is, he can make the last set of cuts. If not, I’m guessing curtains. I certainly would not anticipate seeing him near the starting lineup within the first four games of the season.

by FalconCrazie on Sep 1, 2009 9:16 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

He may not even make the team

I’m being ridiculously, foolishly optimistic when it comes to Hill, but I’m not backing off my position until he forces me to. I really believe the change of scenery will boost his career tremendously.

Rec’d your comment, by the way. Well said.

by Dave Choate on Sep 1, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I can't imagine the Comrade

trading away a pick, even a 7th rounder, to not make the squad.

I think he’ll learn the system like Foxworth did and maybe make a play to be a starter mid season.

"There were far too many penalties on both sides of the football," said Coach Smith. "Some things that we'll have to address and I can assure you we will."

by Pregame with Pabst on Sep 1, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah,

Final Roster Cuts are this Saturday (9/5/09), and he’s not going to play in the Ravens game Thursday night. I don’t think 4 or so days of practice is enough to give up on him. I think Dimitroff probably already had somebody else in mind to cut (Hutchins, plus Middleton?) when he pulled the trigger on the trade.

by orang3b on Sep 2, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Protecting your corners

we must get penetration up front to cover for our corners. hill…now the jury is out on him too. houston better get a short (like his height) memory & play his position! if u r gonna get burnt be agressive about it & not laid back passive!!!

by EagleTop4 on Sep 2, 2009 9:27 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed

With Houston, I really think it’s a mental rather than a physical issue. He’s playing a little timidly at times, and that’s not helping him or us.

Welcome to the site!

by Dave Choate on Sep 2, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

BELEIVE IN COMRADE DIMITROFF...

he made good moves last year, lets ASSUME he makes good moves again this year. I’ve already heard aboot the falcons trading for a CB from ST. Loius (Hill?). So now the comrade just needs to get us a decent pass rusher to line up opposite from Abe.

LETS GO FALCONS!!
L-DAWG

by ATLsince1972 on Sep 2, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions