Atlanta Falcons Cut Seven Players, More Yet To Come

by Dave Choate on Sep 5, 2009 8:00 AM EDT in Falcons News

We knew the axe would be falling again following Thursday's pre-season game against the Baltimore Ravens, and it claimed seven Friday afternoon.

There's not a name on this list that blew me away, but this signals that bigger names are to come. Perhaps the biggest surprises were Chandler Williams, who had been excellent in special teams duty but probably didn't show enough as a receiver to stick around, and Ben Wilkerson, who had been a sturdy backup center for the better part of the last two seasons. Cornerbacks Glenn Sharpe and Tony Tiller were clearly heading out, safety Erick Brock was only a mild surprise and Ryan Stanchek and Adam Speer weren't long for this offensive line. This is depth on its way out.

With a 4 p.m. deadline Saturday to cut all the way down to 53, we haven't seen the last of the cuts, and it's likely that a few rookies from the 2009 draft are on the block. Feel free to discuss your own thoughts on the roster and who will make the final team, and I've posted my own 53-man following the jump. Let's see what Saturday brings.

QB Matt Ryan
QB Chris Redman
QB John Parker Wilson
RB Michael Turner
RB Jerious Norwood
RB Thomas Brown
FB Ovie Mughelli
FB/RB Jason Snelling
WR Roddy White
WR Michael Jenkins
WR Brian Finneran
WR Marty Booker
WR Eric Weems
TE Tony Gonzalez
TE Justin Peelle
TE Keith Zinger
T Sam Baker
T Tyson Clabo
T Garrett Reynolds
T Michael Butterworth
G Quinn Ojinnaka
G Justin Blalock
G Harvey Dahl
C Todd McClure
C Brett Romberg
LS Mike Schneck

DE John Abraham
DE Jamaal Anderson
DE Chauncey Davis
DE Kroy Biermann
DE Lawrence Sidbury
DT Jon Babineaux
DT Peria Jerry
DT Trey Lewis
DT Vance Walker
OLB Mike Peterson
OLB Jamie Winborn
OLB Stephen Nicholas
OLB Coy Wire
MLB Curtis Lofton
MLB Tony Gilbert
CB Chris Houston
CB Brent Grimes
CB Tye Hill
CB Chevis Jackson
CB Chris Owens
SS Eric Coleman
SS William Moore
FS Thomas DeCoud
S Jamaal Fudge
S Antoine Harris

K Jason Elam
P Michael Koenen

Poll

Is Dave the Falconer's final roster projection realistic?

You can see into the future! Get out of my head!

30 votes

Don't quit your day job...if you even have one

20 votes

I'm going to wait and see before passing judgment

19 votes

What, no Steve Bartkowski? This is an outrage!

30 votes

99 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I think Middelton makes the roster

probably over Antoine Harris

I agree with you that Spencer Adkins is going to get the cut.

I doubt Middelton will stay on the roster for long though as I think (hope) TD has someone in mind that will be on the waiver wire or a free agent before too long.

I think your list was well done and seems like the most likely final roster, but I am sure our coaching staff has some surprises up it’s sleeve. We’ll see what happens.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Sep 5, 2009 8:24 AM EDT reply actions

I would...

Put Thomas Johnson in and Vance Walker out. Johnson has been making plays. I think Walker goes to the practice squad.

I’d think the Falcons keep Adkins for his special teams play, and his potential to be a very good SOLB in a couple of years with some coaching. I think he takes the place of Butterworth on this mock roster.

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 Sep 5, 2009 9:39 AM EDT reply actions

Teams like to keep their draft picks

I think you have to be careful projecting a team to cut it’s draft picks. Unless by cut, we mean — send to the practice squad.

I have not seen much of the team this year so I can’t say on Middleton. I think Adkins, if they think that there is anyone sniffing at him to pull him off the practice squad, will make the team.

Williams who you listed as a surprise cut has a chance to show up on the practice squad as well.

Falcons, Seahawks, Huskers!

by Seadogs on Sep 5, 2009 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

I believe Middleton and Adkins are headed to the practice squad in this scenario

by Dave Choate on Sep 5, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

The only thing that stick out to me

Is the 5 Safeties. I would think they’d keep 4 (with maybe Fudge cut) – except Moore’s been hurt. I still think Thomas Johnson would be ahead of Vance Walker, too… I think the TE’s are correct.

I thought Svitek’s been mostly lining up as #2 LT, so I would think he’d be in ahead of Butterworth (he’s mostly been playing Guard, I think). But maybe Ojinnaka and Butterworth’s versatility will help them stick.

Mostly looks pretty good to me.

by orang3b on Sep 5, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

Vance Walker

had a pass defensed at the line against Baltimore… I think he presents a pretty solid case. I’d be surprised if he and Johnson didn’t make the team and they carry 5 DTs (but 5 DTs seems unlikely with so many other question marks on the field, i.e. safety and corner).

I dunno really… this would be a tough call… I’m glad I’m not our coaching staff right now and I can just curse them out later after they make their decisions.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Sep 5, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Shockley has been cut.

Martians Attacking Indianapolis

by joshmassey on Sep 5, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

Goodnight, sweet prince

by Dave Choate on Sep 5, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

... poor kid...

he never saw it coming

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Sep 5, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

good job

couldn’t have said it better myself although i would like to see middleton over harris but harris brings more special teams value i think

by ATL Forever on Sep 5, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

wrong about Walker and Brown...

tsk tsk…

what are you good for, Dave?

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

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

oh yeah...

…and Winborn

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Sep 5, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm mostly good for inaccurate predictions

So in that case, I guess I’m actually quite valuable, sir.

by Dave Choate on Sep 5, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

We need a new thread to follow all the CB,S,SS that are being cut. Some solid veterans we need to consider.

by Jon Cushman on Sep 5, 2009 10:53 PM EDT reply actions

Thomas brown?

I’m a little behind on the training camps and preseason. I knew DJ was struggling but is anyone else surprised that Brown didn’t make the team at least as a special teams player?

by atlfan30605 on Sep 6, 2009 5:10 AM EDT reply actions