Falcons Promote Kevin Cone, Robert James Off Practice Squad

by Dave Choate on Dec 28, 2011 5:00 PM EST in Falcons News

I wondered who the Falcons would be bringing up to replace Mike Peterson and Kelvin Hayden, who went on injured reserve yesterday. We've got our answer.

According to D. Orlando Ledbetter, the Falcons have promoted wide receiver Kevin Cone and linebacker Robert James off the practice squad.

James has been here before. Drafted in the fifth round back in 2008, he's never gotten on the stat sheet in the NFL, bouncing between the practice squad and active roster. He served a suspension for violating the league's PED suspension. Somehow, he's stuck around the team for most of four seasons.

James is a tough linebacker who could be a decent backup, but he hasn't had a chance to show the fans anything. The Falcons will get a look at him on special teams, most likely, but I'd expect the bulk of the playing time behind the team's three starters to go to Spencer Adkins and Akeem Dent.

Cone's a more interesting case. An undrafted free agent who was impressive in pre-season practices and game action, Cone has excellent speed and sure hands. He's considered a project, but one with enough upside to eventually crack the roster. He, too, will likely get a little run on special teams, if he's active at all. While has to be thrilled to get a cup of coffee, it's much more likely you'll see Cone do something in 2012 or 2013.

I suspect the Falcons chose not to bring in another corner because Darrin Walls has acquitted himself well thus far and the team does have five healthy cornerbacks.

These are purely depth moves, but both players are still interesting. We'll see if they get any run.

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Wow

For those of you from around Atlanta, Cone is a local product, played his high school football at St. Pius X and then college at Georgia Tech. Great to see him get a promotion.

"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
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by TurnerTheBurner on Dec 28, 2011 5:35 PM EST reply actions

nice optimism

by YokoFalcon on Dec 28, 2011 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

Wow, like the local products...good story!!

"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders

"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster

by Blood_Talon on Dec 29, 2011 12:59 AM EST up reply actions

Robert James...a waste of a practice squad spot and now a waste of a roster spot

Not much could be done there I guess but god, we are looking real rough in LB depth now. I sure hope roid man can handle our high school zone scheme if he has to stumble in every now and then. Guess there’s something else that Smitty has to work on.

Like bringing up a young wide out. Wonder how we’ll underuse him and retard his growth. I’m all tingly just thinking about it!

by aces666high on Dec 28, 2011 7:43 PM EST reply actions

I saw Cone in preseason

at the open practices in Flowery Branch. Saw him catch several nice balls.

by LuvGems on Dec 28, 2011 7:45 PM EST reply actions

Well, might as well not even have 3 LBs

On the field if James is gonna start. He counts for maybe 0.5 of a player.

by dirtybirds233 on Dec 28, 2011 11:04 PM EST via mobile reply actions

hold on now guys

He might show us something. Look at El Sid, he didn’t get much burn but, he begins to show form. Another, heavily criticized, under achiever to emerve in flashes is Chris Owens. Who knows, maybe Spence stepped his game up…

by birdwatch on Dec 29, 2011 2:38 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

*emerge, not emerve

by birdwatch on Dec 29, 2011 2:39 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

dammit!

*James not Spence.

Its late, worked ALL day, and am now typing on my phone using only one eye.

Sorry

by birdwatch on Dec 29, 2011 2:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Dont get the cone promotion at all

by superfalcon on Dec 29, 2011 3:39 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Kid is FAST

I imagine they want him helping out on returns, given their struggles recently.

by Dave Choate on Dec 29, 2011 8:40 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, but can he tackle?

It’s not like he’s going to be helping us as a receiver…

by randomaxe on Dec 29, 2011 11:50 PM EST up reply actions

I think Kev's speed is a bit of a myth

When he ran at his pro day it wa raining really hard and they did the whole pro day inside on basketball courts, and ran the 40’s on a track surface, and let’s put it this way I run. 5.0 on grass and a 4.7 on the track do yeah it makes a huge difference. But he works hard and he will come up an hit you, great special teamer.

by GTbacker on Dec 30, 2011 1:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I heard he ran the 40 in 1.1 seconds

by Dave Choate on Dec 30, 2011 9:30 AM EST up reply actions

Thats fast.

"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.

by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 30, 2011 9:45 AM EST up reply actions

With the same old tired zone defenses, it don’t matter who they call up. Neither OC or DC can adjust during the game. It takes about a quarter to a half for the really good teams to figure us out. Do we adjust? No. Plus the OL and DL are the biggest problem this teams got.No pass rush. Which mite be helped with some different schemes. The OL would be better with some fresh plays. More play action. Or just try something other than up the gut 2times and pass.With all that talent on O, we shouldn’t be so boring.

by Grey Rider on Dec 29, 2011 6:10 AM EST reply actions

Robert James? Really?

C’mon – excite the fanbase and see if Bear Woods is around. His dreads alone would strike fear into whoever we play next… hopefully the Cowboys.

by Mnemonic on Dec 29, 2011 10:30 AM EST reply actions

Hell i will take Bear Woods any day over Robert James

Woods has showed me something in the last 2 preseasons James has never showed me anything why do they still have that loser on the roster get rid of him he is undersized to be an nfl linebacker and he often gets hurt a bit too much.He does have great speed and average tackler at best. Kevin Cone is a intrigueing prospect that i am interested in seeing if the offense actually gets him on the field in some 4 or 5 wide formations i bet he is a better receiver than Eric Weems Kevin Cones size and speed are his assets i think he has alot of upside why not try to get him some small role in the offense when they spread the field.

by falconpower on Dec 29, 2011 2:45 PM EST reply actions