Eric Ward, SW DeKalb High grad, signed by Falcons
Eric Ward was impressive enough at the minicamp to land a contract with the Falcons. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/AJC)
Quarterback Eric Ward, an Atlanta native, and cornerback Daylan Walker were signed by the Falcons on Monday.
Both players received tryouts during the teams three-day, five-practice minicamp, which concluded on Sunday.
Ward, who guided Richmond to the Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) national championship in 2008, played at Southwest DeKalb High.
Ward completed 784 of 1,264 career passes for 8,969 yards and 61 touchdowns over his career at Richmond.
Last season, he passed for 2,396 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Ward also ran for 1,406 yards on 420 carres and scored 22 touchdowns.
In 2008, he set Spider single-season records in passing yards (2,808), completion percentage (64.1), attempts (359), completions (230) and touchdown passes (tied with 17).
Walker played at Arkansas State and was voted to the All-Sun Belt Conference team by the media and the coaches.
Iowa's Brandon Wegher, right, tries to break a tackle by Arkansas State's Daylan Walker during the third quarter of this NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 24-21. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
67 comments Add your comment
nes
May 10th, 2010
6:39 pm
Well, a mighty deep subject, but here’s my two cents worth anyway. Seems all the excitement was around the free agent receivers and tight ends! Just a little on weatherspoon, sounds like another busted draft except for free agents,weatherspoon and add guard johnson to the plus side! T.D. can’t draft LB Norwood in fourth round and reaches too much with the draft picks, but sure knows free agents! Back to school Mr. Demiroff!
carpenter
May 10th, 2010
7:00 pm
our recieving corps will be fine even with jenkins gone. that mier kid and douglas will add performance like atlantans haven’t since terrance mathis. our defence will be on the verge of greatness. all those guys needed was one full year of playing together and the addition of weatherspoon will help ten fold because not only can he cover the tight ends and backs coming out of the backfield but he can also rush the passer. remember how brooking would rush the passer and always give the rush away and get blocked by the guard or fullback—- well weatherspoon can disguise his blitz and wont get blocked.
waynester
May 10th, 2010
7:03 pm
DLed
I noticed in your other piece on Ward that this is Smith’s 1st rookie mini-camp. What are the league’s rules on such camps and why the change? Thanks!
Leighton
May 10th, 2010
7:15 pm
D.J. is still a good QB and it would be great if the had both Ward and Shockley backing up Ryan cause we all know that Parker and Redman are giant failures and Shockley has the potential he just needs to be given the chance to play in a game becuase all we see is pre – season for him but know one takes pre – season seriously really for reals so we have to see in action in a real NFL game.
chris taylor
May 10th, 2010
7:46 pm
I used to want to see Shockley get a chance too, should have picked up Jason Campbell for a back up. Campbell could have been great trade ammunition later. Otagwe or however you spell his name will probably be out of St. Louis on the 1st of June. We already got a great competition in the secondary but this guy is a playmaker. As for the players we have now, seems like the staff has alot of talent to evaluate & some hard decisions to make. Glad I don’t have their job…..it’s good to be a fan.
JCW_ATL
May 10th, 2010
8:14 pm
DOL in the words of Obama, the last time the Pirates lost a football game to the Bison… the Fugees were together…lol!!!!
Rod
May 10th, 2010
8:19 pm
DLed, Is this how you have to work in blogs about DJ Shockley these days? We know Shockley moves the meter for the ajc. I know you would fill silly giving updates and asking questions of the coach after practice about DJ at this point but his fans me included want know!
Quenton Dixon
May 10th, 2010
8:20 pm
The Falcons did a good thing by signing this guy someone tell me who on the QB deth chart as far as what you have seen and what you see will be Ryans backup
waynester
May 10th, 2010
8:58 pm
I’m a Dawg, but Shockley has 3 years in the league and this coaching staff has had more than enough time to evaluate his performance pre-season or not. Redman will be the #2 and JP Wilson and Ward will fight it out for #3. DJ is a wonderful person and he’s played the role he was assigned–but he was given that role for a simple reason–others on the roster performed better. There’s no charity in the NFL. The only way to get a job is to take it from someone else–Shock hasn’t done that. With 3 years more experience, he should have easily taken the #3 job from Wilson but HE HASN’T. I’ve read comments suggesting that racism is the cause–that the color of his skin is holding him back–utter nonsense. this is a results-driven league and an owner that made an African-American QB one of the highest paid athletes of all time. That argument simply doesn’t hold up to the slightest scrutiny. If TD/MS thought that DJ was the answer, he’d already be in the job. Unfortunately for those of us who have been pulling for him, he hasn’t shown them that he’s up to the task of leading this franchise. This off-season is make-or-break and I don’t see him making it past the cut-down…..
chris taylor
May 10th, 2010
11:08 pm
I agree with Waynester. Shockley’s had ample time but maybe not enough shots at 1st team reps or real game time but hey, my neighbor just bought his 16yr old son a 2008 mustang for his b-day. I had to work my a$$ off for beat up mid 80’s chevy pick-up. Life’s not fair. We have a QB for years to come with Ryan, lets not squable over spilled milk. Wish DJ the best, but it probably won’t be with us. I just want our D to be able to get off the field.
waynester
May 10th, 2010
11:40 pm
chris taylor
Those 3rd and long conversions by opposing teams had me ready to take a 12 gauge to my TV–please, G-d, no more!
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
May 10th, 2010
11:55 pm
Great additions.
fruitbowljoe
May 11th, 2010
11:51 pm
Tired of hearing about Shockley. Just stop it.
NOLA
May 13th, 2010
4:34 pm
When you folks get a real QB who is not afraid of getting hit you might have something brewing.
MV777##1
May 14th, 2010
11:55 am
WARD AND SHOCKLEY NEED TO TAKE OVER THIS TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kiarah
May 16th, 2010
8:24 pm
eric go on and do your thing. my dad still has to get a number 13 shirt ant tell every body elese too.
JT
May 17th, 2010
10:17 am
Chris Taylor…FYI, Jason Campbell is a STARTER in the NFL, not a backup. Know your personnel please!