Atlanta Falcons Trim Roster To 53, Announce Practice Squad

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Falcons Final Roster Breakdown: Powell, Walls Make The 53-Man Team

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Atlanta Falcons Practice Squad Includes John Parker Wilson, Kevin Cone

Seven of the players released by the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday have been brought back to Flowery Branch to serve as the team's practice squad. Quarterback John Parker Wilson, wide receivers Kevin Cone and Drew Davis, guard Andrew Jackson, tackle Jose Valdez, linebacker Robert James and safety Rafael Bush. 

Falcons fans react, mostly just to complain about Bear Woods' exclusion.

Cone and Davis made the practice squad as undrafted free agents, an impressive achievement considering only Darrin Walls made the final 53 from Atlanta's UDFA crop. Both were renowned blockers out of college, with Davis being named one of his team's best blockers and Cone ... well, playing for Georgia Tech.

Wilson is apparently of more value to the team on the squad than he would be at No. 3 on the depth chart. With a little advance warning, he could be called up to serve as the backup in a system with which he's familiar, plus he'll be able to help prepare the defense each week.

At one point, Jackson and Bush were believed to be in line for potential backup spots, but the Falcons have decent depth at offensive line and just picked up a pair of veterans for their secondary.

For more, head to Falcons blog The Falcoholic.

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Falcons Roster Cuts: John Parker Wilson Among Final Round

The Atlanta Falcons have whittled their roster down to 53, and longtime third-stringer John Parker Wilson is the biggest name on the board. Expect him to come back as the practice squad quarterback. Here's the rest of the list:

Center Brett Romberg, safety Rafael Bush, wide receiver Kevin Cone, wide receiver Drew Davis, guard Andrew Jackson, LB Robert James, defense end Emmanuel Stephens, tackle Jose Valdez and quarterback John Parker Wilson. The team also reached an injury settlement with tight end Ryan Winterswyk.    

Former sometimes quarterback Kerry Meier could serve as the team's emergency passer, with only Matt Ryan and Chris Redman left on the roster. But if the team falls that far, all is pretty much lost anyway, so get ready for the Jacquizz Rodgers wildcat experience, which sounds awesome to me.

Jackson's name is a little bit of a surprise, as he was actually drafted this year. The Falcons have cut very few drafted rookies during Thomas Dimitroff's time in town.

For more, head to Falcons blog The Falcoholic.

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Falcons Roster Cuts: Atlanta Releases Chauncey Davis, 16 Others

The Falcons made yet another round of cuts today, releasing 17 players as they continue their quest to trim the roster down to the 53-player maximum by September 3.

The Falcons released or waived DE Chauncey Davis, LB Coy Wire, DT Trey Lewis, RB Gartrell Johnson, FB Lucas Cox, WR Brandyn Harvey, TE Marquez Branson, OG Paul Fenaroli, C Ryan McMahon, DE Tom McCarthy, DT Kiante Tripp, LB Bear Woods, CB Kamaal McIlwain, S Rafael Priest, and S Suaesi Tuimaunei. The team also reached an injury settlement with WR Andy Strickland.

Most notable among those cut today was Davis, who has been with the team since 2005. Davis had become a coachfavorite over the last few years, serving as a valuable contributor to the DE rotation employed by Mike Smith. His pricey $3.5M salary, however, is likely what led to his ultimate release.

Other notable names no longer attached to the Falcons are Wire and Lewis, both whom spent all last season on the 53-man roster. Wire actually surprises me, as he was both a special teams captain and considered a great locker room guy. However, with both Spencer Adkins and Robert James younger and more able, it might be better for the team in the end. As for Lewis, the team seems to be content rolling with Carlton Powell as the fifth defensive tackle.

Let's update Jason's nifty spreadsheet, shall we:

The team will still have to cut 10 more players in the next day or so to bring the roster down to 53 men. However, they can also sign eight players to the practice squad as soon as September 4. I wouldn't be surprised at all if guys like Woods, Tripp and McIlwain return as PS members. Stay tuned, folks.

For more on the Falcons, check out The Falcoholic.

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NFL Roster Cuts: Falcons Drop Adam Froman, Matt Murphy To Make Room For Additions

We'd thought we had a look at the Atlanta Falcons 80-man roster, but then the team went and picked up veteran defensive backs James Sanders and Kelvin Hayden. Thus, the team announced Thursday that former Louisville Cardinals quarterback Adam Froman and UNLV Rebels offensive lineman Matt Murphy must seek opportunity elsewhere.

Froman has likely earned a consideration as the practice squad passer, but the pickups of Sanders and Hayden likely just accelerated the process of sending him down that path. I'll be totally honest and say I still don't know a great deal about Murphy, but if he made it through several rounds of cuts so far, the team must at least think something of him. 

The next round of roster cuts will come on Saturday, when the team has to put together its best 53. It's a good thing the Falcons play the Ravens Thursday night, giving them an extra few hours of evaluation.

To the updated spreadsheet: