Atlanta Falcons Release Dan Klecko

by Dave Choate on Sep 3, 2010 3:41 PM EDT in Falcons News

That didn't take long, did it? Dan Klecko is the first of many to pack his bags for less Falconly pastures, after the team cut him loose Friday.

I thought this was a nice, low-risk signing from the beginning, and it's easy to move on now that it hasn't borne fruit. Klecko has a lot of positional versatility—he can play fullback and along the defensive line—but it became evident that he can no longer do either one particularly well. At some point, the ability to play multiple positions is not worth the risk that you'll blow plays on both sides of the ball.

Ovie Mughelli is of course locked in as the starting fullback, and Jason Snelling is probably our emergency option.

So farewell, Dan Klecko. Any thoughts, readers?

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My favorite Falcon!

I guess I can never root for them again…

In all seriousness, I like the guy, but just not useful, and man it’s great to have flexibility throughout a roster.

by CubFan90 on Sep 3, 2010 3:58 PM EDT reply actions

Boooo

I think he really could have saved a roster spot. But I guess if they just keep 1 FB and have Snelling as the emergency backup, it doesn’t really make any difference. It just seems like we’ll be running a little thin in the running backs department…hopefully Turner and Norwood stay healthy, unlike last year, and it won’t make a difference.

by orion12 on Sep 3, 2010 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

Let me put it this way

Would you rather have Klecko—who can’t run or catch, but can block a little—or Antone Smith and/or Dmitri Nance, who can run and catch but probably can’t block.

I’m going with the latter.

by Dave Choate on Sep 3, 2010 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Good point

I just hate that Klecko couldn’t do either of those things particularly well. Having a DT/FB is gives us some wiggle room to keep, say, 6 wideouts on the 53-man roster. Oh well.

by orion12 on Sep 3, 2010 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Get them in open space.

Feeding the Monster since 1984

by brotherbrown on Sep 3, 2010 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Makes room for another slot back.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Sep 3, 2010 5:25 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Curious timing

53-man cutdown day isn’t until Saturday. I wonder if the Falcons wanted to give him a better chance to catch on with another team?

by tom slick on Sep 3, 2010 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

I'm sure it was a consideration thing.

After all the dude has more SB rings than anyone on the team. Why jerk his chain?

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Sep 3, 2010 5:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Really?

by ArthurDank on Sep 3, 2010 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah.

One with the Colts and two with the Patriots.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Sep 4, 2010 10:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

how ironic

Feeding the Monster since 1984

by brotherbrown on Sep 4, 2010 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

The Texans

Just released their kicker Brown. i wonder if we will get him.

by LORD91 on Sep 3, 2010 6:21 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I think the Falcons will pass on him

I think they’ll kick the tires, but he’s recovering from an injury and Bryant looked good last night.

by Dave Choate on Sep 3, 2010 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

He is still iffy in my book.

He looked good in the kicks you expect him to make. What about the big kicks?

by LORD91 on Sep 3, 2010 7:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm not disagreeing

I’m still extremely leery of him. But he may just be the best option we can get, without making some kind of crazy trade for another team’s kicker.

by Dave Choate on Sep 3, 2010 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I say we trade him but its so impossible

Its frustrating as hell. Hate to say it but kickers win Football games sometimes and with him the way he is idk about it all. Maybe he will be th opposite of Elam. Look bad in the pre season and shine during the regular season.

by LORD91 on Sep 3, 2010 11:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Let's hope so

by Dave Choate on Sep 4, 2010 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Yo Dave,

Do you think this locks in Antone Smith or will the FO look elsewhere? I like nance but it seems like Smith was getting all the snaps. He did fumble but so did MT33. I guess we find out tomorrow

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Sep 3, 2010 11:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

If they're carrying four backs, Smith will make it

Nance on the practice squad. Offers them cheap, young depth in case somebody goes down. Nance can bulldoze a little, too, so it’s not like they’re keeping identical players.

by Dave Choate on Sep 4, 2010 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

No, Smitty is too compassionate.

Not a good trait for a head football coach, maybe a male nurse or hair stylist but coach not so much.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Sep 3, 2010 6:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Reply fail.

About Bryant.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Sep 3, 2010 6:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Bryant

I really wish Our KOS Keonan(spelling?) could kick field goals for us. Mabey we should take a shot with Kris Brown. Its not worth a regular season loss to find out if Matt is going to get better. Sorry, but Business is Business. How in the world did the Texans end up with Neil Rackers and why didn’t we make a move to get him?

by VA Dirty Bird on Sep 3, 2010 10:04 PM EDT reply actions