One Last Crack At The Atlanta Falcons 53 Man Roster

by Dave Choate on Sep 2, 2011 1:01 PM EDT in Falcons News

The deadline for cuts down to a 53-man roster is Saturday, so it seems like a good time to take another stab at a final roster.

I decided to draw up my depth chart before looking at Aaron Freeman’s at FalcFans, who is a pretty potent prognosticator. Our final rosters were still pretty similar, as you’ll see, but with a couple of big exceptions.

First, I cut John Parker Wilson. He was such a train wreck in that game that ultimately I couldn’t bring myself the Falcons keeping him around. Instead, I put another developmental quarterback on the practice squad. If things got dire in a real game situation, maybe Kerry Meier throws a few passes.

Second, I cut Rafael Bush, and didn’t put him on the practice squad. This wasn’t an easy decision, because Bush clearly has some talent. Ultimately, though, Kamaal McIlwain and Darren Walls are more intriguing players, I think the Falcons will keep Chris Owens around and the safety depth chart is set. Someone had to go, and it ended up being Bush.

Also, I wound up keeping Antone Smith as a fourth running back, cutting Trey Lewis and rolling with Spencer Adkins as a seventh linebacker. Chauncey Davis gets the axe due to his salary and the fact that both Lawrence Sidbury and Cliff Matthews are young and have potential. Brett Romberg is around until Todd McClure is healthy, and then I think he’ll be cut in favor of somebody else.

Without further ado, check out my list and share yours.

QBs
Matt Ryan
Chris Redman

RBs
Michael Turner
Ovie Mughelli
Jason Snelling
Jacquizz Rodgers
Antone Smith

WR s
Roddy White
Julio Jones
Harry Douglas
Kerry Meier
Eric Weems

TEs
Tony Gonzalez
Reggie Kelly
Michael Palmer

OTs
Sam Baker
Tyson Clabo
Will Svitek
Andrew Jackson (Also OG)

OGs
Justin Blalock
Garrett Reynolds
Mike Johnson

Cs
Todd McClure
Joe Hawley
Brett Romberg

DEs
John Abraham
Ray Edwards
Kroy Biermann
Lawrence Sidbury
Cliff Matthews

DTs
Jon Babineaux
Corey Peters
Peria Jerry
Vance Walker

LBs
Sean Weatherspoon
Curtis Lofton
Stephen Nicholas
Mike Peterson
Akeem Dent
Coy Wire
Spencer Adkins

CBs
Brent Grimes
Dunta Robinson
Kelvin Hayden
Dominique Franks
Chris Owens

Ss (?)
William Moore
Thomas DeCoud
James Sanders
Shann Schillinger

ST
Matt Bryant
Matt Bosher
Joe Zelenka

Practice Squad
QB Adam Froman
WR Brandyn Harvey
TE Marquez Branson
OG Jose Valdez
DE Emmanuel Stephens
LB Bear Woods
CB Darrin Walls
CB Kamaal McIlwain

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Comments

Posted this on the fan post about the 53 man roster

but just wanted to post it here, also, to see what you all think.

If Chauncey Davis is cut, what do the Falcons do with that extra space under the cap?

I wouldn’t be surprised to see them keep Davis and invite Cliff Matthews to the practice squad. Fans may not see a tremendous value in keeping Davis, but I’m pretty sure Coach Mike Smith does. Having an experienced guy like Davis that can stuff the run and be rotated in pretty regularly is very important to Coach Smith.

by JoshuaG on Sep 2, 2011 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

I'll agree it's important

But does it justify the cost? If the coaching staff believes in Sidbury and Matthews, I wouldn’t be keen on losing either of them for a known, average quantity. But if the team thinks they can sneak Matthews on to the practice squad without losing him, maybe they do it.

You’re right, though: Davis is valuable, and it’s not clear what the Falcons would do with the money they save. In case something goes awry during the season, though, that cap space might be important.

by Dave Choate on Sep 2, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Better to have room to work with under the cap

I agree Davis gets cut. By every measurable metric, the guy is just not a good DE – and certainly not for 3 million/year. I also don’t think the FO takes the chance that Matthews gets signed by another team that is weak at DE – he’s shown enough as a rookie to not take that risk, especially since he was a draft pick.

by The DW on Sep 2, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe

Cox makes the PS instead of Froman or Branson or the 2nd CB, although both of these corners look promising.

by BigFalcon84 on Sep 2, 2011 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

Agree on Cox

I think he makes PS in lieu of Froman.

by The DW on Sep 2, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

agree

I agree with you on keeping Cox and ditching Froman. I don’t think we’ll carry a QB on the practice roster this year.

by dr3dd1ne on Sep 2, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

After his performance last night ...

I hope you’re right about John Parker Wilson. In his third year, against Baltimore’s back-ups (at best), he should have been better than that. MUCH better.

by Reid Adair on Sep 2, 2011 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

JPW

Agree with that. Makes me wonder if we won’t just go wtih (2) QBs on the active roster at this point? Granted he was with the 2nd and third string OLines though so we need to weigh that into the conversation.

by dr3dd1ne on Sep 2, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree on JP WIlson.

I hope KM can get some reps as a QB in case you need an emergency QB after Redman. I am not sure about Spencer Adkins though, carrying 7 LB with the team is a luxury.

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Sep 2, 2011 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

I'll admit my fondness for Adkins may be blinding me

by Dave Choate on Sep 2, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Adkins too, and I could see him sticking.

If we go with 3 qb’s though, I think he goes. Considering the rather conservative nature of our coach, I would assume we are probably going to go with JPW as a 3rd stringer, which I disagree with, but who am I to argue with this regime?

by jgentry425 on Sep 2, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

This is the one thing I will argue with them about

I know it’s pre-season, but a third-string, third-year quarterback should be able to do SOMETHING against practice squad and training camp-only types, and JPW did nothing. I really have no idea what’s going on.

by Dave Choate on Sep 2, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

3rd string QB

God forbid, but if anything DID ever happen that we had to go to our 3rd option at QB, I think we would sign a veteran immediately after that game.

But yes, JPW needs to go. He had his chance and if he can’t produce points against 3rd string defenders, he won’t do it against anyone.

by The DW on Sep 2, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I bring mine over from the "Fan Post" section as well...

So…I guess the signings of Sanders and Hayden kind of edged out a couple of hopefuls?? I was hoping for Woods to make it, every time I saw him play he was ALL OVER the ball and tackles really well too…

I always turn to the sports pages first, which records people's accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man's failures.
--Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States.

by Blood_Talon on Sep 2, 2011 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

Woods might make it next year.

He can probably replace Coy Wire by next year. Bush and Walls fell off the grid after we signed Sanders and Hayden. There is still a slight hope for Walls if release Chris Owens.

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Sep 2, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

If we release Chris Owens.

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Sep 2, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm going to miss Chauncey

I was looking for the video of his pick six against NO but I can’t find it. The memories are already fading away

"You come at the king, you best not miss."

by a hooter's baby on Sep 2, 2011 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

http://www.nfl.com/videos/atlanta-falcons/09000d5d81d42a7b

by bwendys724 on Sep 3, 2011 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions

My crack at final roster

Granted this was before Romberg but should hold true other than maybe Bruggeman now. Don’t think we’ll keep Froman even for the practice squad.

Alright after seeing the preseason games here are my projected cuts:

Practice Squad (if elligible) – WR Harvey, RB Smith, FB Cox, DB Walls, LB Woods, DB McIlwan, C Bruggeman, DT Powell,

Cuts
WR – Davis, STickland, Cone
OL – Fenaroli, McMahon, Murphy
TE – Branson, Winterswyk
RB – Johnson
DL – Davis (salary cap casualty to sign new DBs), McCarthy, Tripp, Stephens
LB – James
DB – Owens, Bush, Priest, Hanson, Tuimaunei

/ discuss

by dr3dd1ne on Sep 2, 2011 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

re:

Just don’t see us keeping 4 backs on active roster even after Smith’s performance last night. The other question is do we keep 3 QBs on active roster?

by dr3dd1ne on Sep 2, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Owens

At this point I think we’ve seen all Owens has to offer, and we just can’t keep him on the roster anymore. I think Franks, Walls, and McIlwan have more upside based on preseason performance.

by dr3dd1ne on Sep 2, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I was thoroughly unimpressed with Svitek last night.

Baltimore’s 2nd and 3rd stringers took his luch money all night long.

by GritsBlitz on Sep 2, 2011 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I think I'm leaning towards Jose Valdez over Svitek

And Dave, I love that you have Andrew Jackson making it. If they try to sneak him onto the Practice Squad, he’s going to get snatched by another team for sure…

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on Sep 2, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

That was my thinking

There’s no way they can let the president who abolished the Federal Bank get away…

by Dave Choate on Sep 2, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Love it

A football comment wrapped in politically charged bread.

by The DW on Sep 2, 2011 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

A sourdough, perhaps

by Dave Choate on Sep 2, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

A "political chowder" sourdough bowl perhaps...lol

I always turn to the sports pages first, which records people's accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man's failures.
--Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States.

by Blood_Talon on Sep 2, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Practice Squad Eligibility for Valdez ?.......

….he has spent the past 2 seasons on the practice squad, don’t think he’s eligible for a 3rd ?

by jkaflagg on Sep 2, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Apparently...

…a third year of eligibility is possible IF the team has always had 53 men on the roster. I believe they have, so I think Valdez has another year.

by Dave Choate on Sep 2, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Thanks for the explanation....

….didn’t know that…..on the other hand, if a guy who played at an SEC school can’t stick after two years, not sure how much upside there can be…..

by jkaflagg on Sep 2, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Lawrence Sidbury makes the final roster?

Stephens and Matthews have both outplayed Sidbury, I don’t think he makes the roster over Davis. If we were worried about Davis’ contract he would have been cut when Jenkins and Anderson were cut. Not many teams who have an idea of where they’re at and where they should be financially are making cap moves these days. Davis sures up the rotation, I’d scratch out Sidbury, insert Davis. You can’t just let Davis go and go with Sidbury because he’s cheaper, that’ll mess up our whole rotation because Sidbury isn’t going to give you what Davis is on a consistent basis.

by dirtybirdy84 on Sep 2, 2011 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

good point

and your probably right. but JUST IN CASE, he’ll get cut for cap space

by dirtybirdie on Sep 2, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope they don't make that mistake.

by dirtybirdy84 on Sep 2, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

money

From what I’ve seen Matthews has more burst than Sidbury. After two years I think we know what we have in Sid and Matthews has more upside, and he’ll turn out to be a steal if he keeps progressing. I think we would have kept Davis and dumped Sid before we got the two DB signings ( Sanders & Hayden) after that though we need cap space. So here’s my two cents.

If we don’t get a ruling from the league on getting some cap room from Vicks new contract then:
Starters = Abraham, Edwards, Biermann, Matthews, Sidbury
Cuts = Davis, Stephens, McCarthy

If we DO get a positive ruling from the league and clear around 6 – 7 mill cap space then:
Starters = Abraham, Edwards, Biermann, Davis, Sidbury
Cuts = Stephens, McCarthy
Practice Squad = Matthews

by dr3dd1ne on Sep 2, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

As of right now we're fine where we're at salary cap wise....

even after signing Hayden and Sanders, which we couldn’t have done unless we were within league/team cap requirements. At some point your rotation is more important. Sidbury weakens that rotation, Davis strengthens it.

by dirtybirdy84 on Sep 2, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

agree

by JT131 on Sep 2, 2011 3:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Davis

I agree that Davis is better than having Sid on the roster. That’s a no brainer, but I don’t think we will be within league cap reqs when the paperwork dries on the Hayden / Sanders deals. According to reports we had 1.1 million of cap space left before Thursday. Hayden was due like 8 mill and Sanders mid 2 mills I believe. So even if they take a pay hit we’re not signing them for 550k each. So it comes down to the league ruling or dumping payroll somewhere else. Unless my math is wrong.

IF we do dump Davis (which I don’t want them to do mind you), we still have the following equation. Abe + Edwards + Biermann > (the old rotation) of Abe + Biermann + Davis so we’ll be fine

by dr3dd1ne on Sep 2, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Davis is gone

They just cut Davis, Coy, Wire. So smell test was right on cap space.

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/2011/09/falcons-cut-first-wave/

by dr3dd1ne on Sep 2, 2011 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Davis is not that good to get paid 3 M.

Ray Edwards signing made Chauncey Davis more or less expendable. KB 71 was our best run defender among DE’s last year, KB71 can get plenty of snaps with Abe and Ray Edwards. It depends if the training staff will see value in taking a cap hit of 3M for Davis who might see 10-15% snaps. They rather lock up Brent Grimes for a longer deal with that money.

Agreed Chauncey Davis made a great play against Saints last year. However Chauncey Davis and JA 98 made the bottom 20 DE list from 2008-2010.
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/06/20/three-years-of-pass-rushing-productivity-edge-rushers/.

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Sep 2, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Linebacker corp

is gonna be a 6 man group in my opinion. Why would we keep 7 this year as opposed to the normal 6? Coy Wire gets released IMO. Peterson is the veteran backup now. Dent will be backup MLB and Adkins the 6th LB.

by Kushion on Sep 2, 2011 3:51 PM EDT reply actions

Coy Wire is a lock because of ST.

Adkins is not a good ST player,it will be a big surprise if Coy Wire is released.

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Sep 2, 2011 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh well

Coy Wire has been released….and Davis.

by Kushion on Sep 2, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

The Falcons will also

IMO carry 3 QB’s. Wilson may not be the guy but I think you need to carry 3.

by Kushion on Sep 2, 2011 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

I always give

my opinions because I don’t work at Flowery Branch therefore I am clueless about whether a guy like Coy Wire is a “lock” or not. I do know Eric Weems got more ST tackles than Coy Wire last season so….

by Kushion on Sep 2, 2011 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

Good that you got it right!

It was a surprise considering every report out of training camp pretty much said Wire was a lock. You don’t need to work at Flowery Branch to make predictions and discuss about your team based on what you know and read about the team.

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Sep 2, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions