Atlanta Falcons Waive K Steve Hauschka, TE Colin Peek
by Dave Choate on Aug 15, 2010 7:40 PM EDT
in Falcons News
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PrintThat was certainly fast.
The Falcons evidently saw something they didn't like from Steve Hauschka, because the ex-Ravens kicker is out the door. Despite nearly identical numbers in Friday's pre-season games, the team felt confident enough to move forward with Matt Bryant. I really don't understand how this decision has been made already, but I'll set that aside. This coaching staff deserves the benefit of the doubt, even after the Jason Elam fiasco.
But hell, could we please think about locking down a young kicker in 2011 and beyond?I don't like wondering from year to year if our kicker's leg is going to come off and outfly the football. I really, really don't.
Also, the Falcons waived promising tight end Colin Peek on an injury settlement. It's unfortunate for Peek that he never got a real chance to compete for the third tight end job in Atlanta, because I somehow doubt that Keith Zinger is supremely established in that role. Michael Palmer may give him a run for his money.
To fill those spots temporarily, the Falcons re-signed safety Gabe Derricks and are apparently mulling bringing in another defensive back. DOL at the AJC speculates that it could be Eric Brock.
Thoughts on these moves?
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Umm, I don't get the DB signing.
That guy looked really bad in OTAs. We already have Grimes, Owens, Williams, Franks, Jackson, Robinson and now Derricks. Why?
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Aug 15, 2010 8:05 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Im just saying why not another DB on waivers or something.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Aug 15, 2010 8:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
He's a Saftey not a corner
With Moore still being Less, we have to consider him.
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 15, 2010 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
He's a CB.
Information is conflicting but that’s what he has played in the past and it’s where the Falcons were lining him up at during OTAs. I remember watching him get burned a number of times.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Aug 15, 2010 10:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well forgive me
for bandwagoning with Dave
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 15, 2010 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Not interested in
more DBs. Why not replace a TE with another TE? I guess it doesn’t really matter.
confused?
i dont get it. we are CLEARLY set at DB..unless they know something we dont and one of our starters is injured and we need more depth..but i wont go there. why release peek? if this turely is tony g’s last year then why not keep the young promising ttalent around?
new orleans saints superbowl 44 champs SCREW DAT!
I think it's a depth issue
I’m not feeling great, or I probably would’ve thought to expound on that.
Apparently, per DOL, the team was concerned that Chevis Jackson risked getting hurt in a meaningless game, so the new guy is going to take his snaps in the second pre-season game. Pretty easy.
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by Dave Choate on Aug 15, 2010 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Cut Bryant too! We don't need no stinkin kickers!
TD and 2 pt conversions every drive! Koenen on the kickoffs!!! lol
Amen!
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 15, 2010 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Confused by the Peek release
unless he was hurt much worse that the reports indicated. Hopefully the front office will keep it’s eye on the TE’s that will be released by other teams or any good UFA’s that might still be floating around.
Yeah, we have tom of DB’s in camp right now. I’d rather ATL bring in another kicker to push Bryant.
Hopefully the front office will keep it’s eye on the TE’s that will be released by other teams or any good UFA’s that might still be floating around.
Maybe I’m not seeing something – but is our depth a TE really a pressing issue? Pro Football Focus just became a pay site, but if I had to guess, I’d say we’re talking about maybe 20-25 offensive snaps this fall. Sure, Tony G won’t play forever, but there’s an entire off-season between now and his likely retirement.
Short answer
I don’t think we need to be concerned. Ideally, our third tight end would offer a well-rounded skill set, which Zinger doesn’t really have, but I don’t think it’s imperative.
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by Dave Choate on Aug 15, 2010 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Good question Franky
I think we have five in camp with TG being the starter unless he gets hurt. Zinger is a great blocker but not as good a receiver. Peele and Palmer would probably be good back ups. So it’s probably not a concern.
William Moore
William Moore is a safety. William Moore is always hurt and rarely practices, much less plays in real games. Gabe Derricks is a safety. Thus, since Moore is unavailable to practice or play, we need another safety to take Moore’s spot.
by Nick Mike-Mayer on Aug 15, 2010 9:39 PM EDT reply actions
That is not a conern
as far as having someone to replace Moore if he can’t play. There are currently 7 safeties in camp, counting the new fellow. Bush might have a let up on Derricks and Shann-wow looked good Friday night. Even if Moore can’t start the season the safety position should be covered, and probably was before bringing Derricks back.
Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant is money from 40-yards in. We just won’t be trying any 50-yard-plus field goals. I’m ok with our kicker being reliable from 40 yards in and knowing that it’s a huge risk to try it from 50 yards out. We’ll either punt or go for it if we’re in the 50-yard range.
by Nick Mike-Mayer on Aug 15, 2010 9:40 PM EDT reply actions
They realized you are more needed at the Falcoholic than as a Falcon
I couldn’t bear to take you away from being the head blogger here.
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
Dumbest movie ever
Colin Peek was going tp be a Stud at TE!!! So stupid!!! I rather have Peek than Zinger. Just stupid
by !AtlFalcons-fan! on Aug 15, 2010 9:47 PM EDT reply actions
Your a bama fan obviously...
It’s ok. How can we keep an untested guy around when he can’t play. We got cuts in a couple of weeks, it’s hard enough with people who can play. There are only so many spots.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Aug 15, 2010 9:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
You're drunk on Falconahol...
SBN is a tribute to homerism…
Football is played with an oblong ball. Take your roundball and GTFO...
Occasionally reasoned homerism, though!
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by Dave Choate on Aug 16, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
We’re pretty okay at TE for the time being, so maybe the Falcons have a long-term plan at TE that Peek didn’t fit into, sucks that he didn’t really get to compete though. I can understand bringing in another safety but any more CBs is really going to be pushing it, I know we were hurting for quality depth there last year but how many can we realistically need?
bryant???
Our kicking game this year seems kinda week. I don’t know if bryant can but we need someone who can at least hit a 47 yarder. Hauschka barley misses that 53 and bryant bricked a 50. I guess bryant’s reliable inside of 40 is that good enough? I mean this is a points game
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Aug 15, 2010 10:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Before we go bashing the front office ...
Consider the following: what if, by the grace of Vishnu, TD and company waived Hauschka this early because, contrary to popular belief, actual concern for players re: their careers in general (even the ones who won’t break camp w/ the team) isn’t completely non-existent in the NFL and, again by the grace of Vishnu, TD and company are actually setting the bar when it comes to recognizing when it’s no longer a competition and it is therefore appropriate to allow a player to go on his way?
I mean, should they have kept him around until week 4 of the pre-season, essentially delaying his signing with another team (hopefully before the season starts)?
Relax people.
YOU RELAX!
Totally valid point.
But I guess I don’t see how this wasn’t a competition any more? Clearly, they had a good reason for doing this, but the fact that it’s happening so quickly after that pre-season game leads me to believe that something in that game clinched it. Aside from the way they missed their kicks, though, Bryant and Hauschka basically performed the same.
Maybe I’m just crazy.
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by Dave Choate on Aug 15, 2010 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
i still cant beilive
they cut you Steve. I guess your gonna have more time for the blog now you dont have a job anymore
If only you knew how close to home that hits
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Haha!
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by Dave Choate on Aug 16, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, it was an interesting move
but I’m not to worried about the kicking game. The main reason we depended on kicking for points so much last year is that the offense did not finish drives within the 30 yard line. If ATL will fix that then the kicker won’t be quite as important.
... yeah
But – regrettably – performance on the field doesn’t always get ‘er done. Look at JA98. He’s gotta be doing something in practice, otherwise they’d have waived him a while back.
Reminds me of some jobs I applied to
They already decided they didn’t want to hire me but they let me come to the interview anyways. However one guy at work the other day was telling me essentially they do it as an insurance policy in case things don’t work out they already got some other candidates already in the system.
Maybe something like that is going on with the Falcons.
If something happens to Bryant, maybe #6 comes back.
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 16, 2010 2:25 AM EDT up reply actions
One thing to remember too folks is...
that we have a head coach that is a defensive strategist. He is always gonna error on bringing in more gefensive positional players for depth rather than offens, i.e- kickers and TE’s!! LOL
WARNING!!
Talking $h!+ about the Atlanta Falcons may result in an A$$ whooping you'll never forget!! (Avatar sign)
NO, but we shoulda kept Hushpuppy...
Every kicker needs to be pushed in preseason. There has to be SOME kind of competition for the easiest job in the NFL, right? if not, sign me up baby. I can inconsistently make it from 35 and in- whats up Mr. Blank??
WARNING!!
Talking $h!+ about the Atlanta Falcons may result in an A$$ whooping you'll never forget!! (Avatar sign)
I guess it sort of makes sense
If you want to compare them, Matt Bryant wins the mental game
I would say he’s also the most accurate
Bryant has more experience
and from what it looks like, Steve has only a little stronger leg.
I did like the competition though
Bryant unquestionably wins the mental game.
The man is probably one of the most mentally strong people on the whole planet, let alone the NFL. The death of a baby son and a father within a few years (I believe it was a few years.) would be enough to kill an average man.
4 years ago or not, this kick should be an automatic positive for him. He could probably still do it, with a little bit of luck (and someone turning the big Dome fans on for a nice tailwind)
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
Maybe he might do that for us in one of our games
But which one?
(Even if it’s only a 45 yarder – it would still be big)
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 16, 2010 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Any of them, so long as he makes it.
I go back to the ‘08 season, where Elam made the FG against Chicago and the playoff-clinching FG against Tampa Bay that year. Those were big time field goals. I only hope Bryant will be able to help us in that regard, even if it’s just one or two times the whole season. It’s amazing how little credit kickers get but it’s just as amazing how crippling/helpful they are to a team.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
Actually it was against Minnesota
in which we clinched the playoffs
But yes that TB win was huge. I couldn’t believe we won (both of those) that game after all the tension that went on.
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 16, 2010 2:42 AM EDT up reply actions
was it Minnesota?
I thought we were mathematically in because somebody lost during the TB game. My memory’s a bit fuzzy, but regardless, that was the last Falcons game I was at. It was intense, to say the least.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
There was so much competition and unsettled records
After the TB game, the Falcons were 9-5 and the Bucs were 9-5
Cowboys were 9-5 Eagles were 8-5-1 and had a tiebreaker over us and could have won the last two to go to 10-5-1 but loss against the redskins the next week, and would could have loss both or any of the next two games.
Saints had a vague chance at 7-7 to be 9-7 if the could have won out and would have had a tiebreaker over us if we loss our next two games.
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 16, 2010 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I remember the 2008 season. The Buccaneers were playing the Falcons for the second time. I think Matt Bryants kid had just died, and I was thinking of how hard that would be. I think the score was really close. I was silently rooting for Matt Bryant when he was kicking a field goal, even though it would have given them the lead or tied it or something.
Anyway, now I don’t have to choose a side, and the Falcons have a kicker who is one of the best people in the NFL.
Its been a long time
Sorry its been to long since I’ve posted life happens right? Its better that they release now since its easier for any of those guys to get tried again by another team. Willie Moore needs to step it up. We need a safety to go with DeCoud. I still want to see Norwood give it another shot but, to me i think he might get cut. We also need better looks at our O Line. I know its one preseason game but lets face it its the damn Chiefs.
Bryant
Maybe its just the fact that I’m a former kicker (maybe I should walk on?), but I’m really worried about this role. Letting Hauschka go puts the money on Bryant. We all saw him last year and in TB. He’s good. But so was Elam until last season. Age isn’t a problem for more kickers, but it is a problem for all athletes. There are still a handfull of young free agent kickers out there. Swisham and Medlock come to mind. I wouldn’t mind ATL making a play for one of them as insurance.
Suisham missed that horrible chip-shot for Washington
which pretty much lost them the game against the Saints, if I remember correctly.
You’re right. But perhaps my hope is that a young kicker can learn from a solid year of coaching and mentorship under Bryant. My first choice would be Medlock though.
Medlock appears to have regained confidence
His situation really got under my skin at the time.
Here’s a guy who is generally known to be one of the most accurate kickers in college football. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, not a powerful leg but one good enough to hit most everything from 40 yards and in, and so forth. Decent option.
So the Chiefs draft him, and all throughout training camp Herm Edwards drops hints that well, we don’t know what kind of leash we’re going to have with a rookie kicker. Keep in mind that the Chiefs kinda sucked at the time, too. And then Medlock missed ONE field goal in the first game of the season…and he was gone.
I know how critically important an accurate kicker is, but it’s so stupid to draft a young kicker and expect him to nail every single kick in high-pressure situations right off the bat.
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by Dave Choate on Aug 16, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree entirely. I will remind people that he was also the most accurate kicker in the CFL last year. Which by some accounts is not much. But I think we should be looking up there. The CFL has produced some amazing talent. Warren Moon and Joe Montana top the list. I’d remind people that the CFL also only carries one K/P; meaning Medlock can double as a back-up P. His old team in Toronto has since replaced him with a K who doubles as a reserve DB. (Not relevent, but that might make him my favourite player in all of professional football.) What this means is one of the best college players I’ve every seen sits jobless for very little reason at all. He’d be affordable and right now we are fans of a team that needs a quality K that will last more than a partial season.
Kickers aren't guarantees
If we continue to see Kickers kick themselves, maybe teams will start phasing them out in the next few seasons….if there are any seasons after this one.
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 16, 2010 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
BOOOOO!
Just saw this. I don’t like it. Not this soon. I had high hopes for Peek…And I agree, the kicking situation is questionable at best.
"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones
Over under on the week we start looking for a new kicker
Week 6
Any takers?
(I would have kept Hauschka)
meh
and meh. Between the UFL, USL, MLS, NCAA, AARP, TDY, and every other acronymed league, I’m sure they can find a kicker who is serviceable for each game of the season. I agree that maybe we should look for a long term solution in the off-season either through the draft or free agency.
As for Peek, it sucks that he didn’t get much of a chance but injuries happen, and if you are a fringe FA signing to begin with, then your chances are even more slim than most. As it relates to our team though, it’s really not much of a loss, at least not enough to give more than a passing though to.
"Everybody talks about SEC speed. The 27 fastest guys at the (NFL) combine, how many of them were from the SEC? Three. But if you say it enough, everybody will believe it."
-CPJ
"You could spend the next fifteen seconds of your life watching a man and a tiger scream together, or you could be an idiot."
Fact.
Brandon Coutu is right there for you guys
Seahawks cut him because Olindo Mare is way better but Coutu was money in the preseason. His weakness is kickoffs and he’ll never get you a touchback but he’ll get you points.
Nick Garcia is the Brian Russell of MLS but 10 times worse.
We'd take that...
Koenen is money on kickoffs…
"It's called Thanksgiving for a reason. If I can give and people thank me for it, that's kind of the thing that makes me feel great inside." - Dunta
So we still not letting Koenen be triple threat?
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 17, 2010 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Kick the ball, not the bucket!
“… could we please think about locking down a young kicker in 2011 and beyond? I don’t like wondering from year to year if our kicker’s leg is going to come off and outfly the football.”
That’s an interesting concept, and one that might eventually have to be considered, especially if AARP ever becomes involved with a few of those older special teams players. In fact, it may well happen that a leg through the uprights will be worth at least two… maybe even three on the scoreboard. (Medicare supplements will pay for the replacement part even if the league balks.)
George Blanda, where are ya when we need you?
"There's nothing wrong with Florida that a rise in ocean level wouldn't cure."
Uncle Morty
Usually, any kicking related posts by my end in in recommending we bring back Uncle Morty. I think we are pretty OK with the kicking situation. Bryant is a proven veteran who can pull out the occasional 50 yarder out of his butt if need be and of course Koenen has some skills kicking the long ones as well. If you have to worry about whether or not your kicker can hit from 50 yards out, then you might want to be more worried about your offense.
On a side note, remember that crazy notion a while back that Koenen would kickoff/punt AND be the regular kicker? It seemed to work just fine in the preseason, but MAN did he stink it up at the beginning of the regular season. How nutty was that? Which brings me back to who we got to replace the FG duty… Uncle Morty!
In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.
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