Johnson, Giordano released to make it to 75
Falcons coach Mike Smith after the 16-6 win over Miami. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/Dledbetter@ajc.com)
Update
FLOWERY BRANCH – Defensive tackle Thomas Johnson, who started 10 games last season for the Falcons, was waived injured on Tuesday.
Also, safety Matt Giordano was terminated with an injury settlement in order to reduce the roster to 75 per the NFL rules.
The Falcons, who play at Jacksonville at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, will have to reduce their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Johnson was slowed in training camp by an Achilles injury. He played in 13 games last season and had 27 tackles, two sacks and a force fumble.
Giordano was signed by the Falcons as a free agent on March 16, 2010 after spending the 2009 season with the Green Bay Packers. Giordano was originally selected in the fourth round (135th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
Here’s a look at the roster:
Quarterbacks (3)
Locks: Matt Ryan, Chris Redman and John Parker Wilson.
Running backs (5)
Locks: Jerious Norwood, Michael Turner, Ovie Mughelli, Jason Snelling and Dimitri Nance.
Long shots: Dan Klecko and Antone Smith.
Wide receivers (5)
Locks: Michael Jenkins, Roddy White, Harry Douglas, Brian Finneran and Eric Weems.
On the bubble: Troy Bergeron.
Long shots: Andy Strickland, Tim Buckley, Brandyn Harvey and Ryan Wolfe.
Injured reserve: Kerry Meier.
Tight ends (3)
Locks: Justin Peelle, Ketih Zinger and Tony Gonzalez.
Long shots: Michael Palmer and Robbie Agnone.
Offensive line (9)
Locks: Todd McClure, Justin Blalock, Harvey Dahl, Sam Baker, Tyson Clabo, Will Svitek, Garrett Reynolds, Joe Hawley, and Mike Johnson.
On the bubble: Jose Valdez and Brett Romberg.
Long shots: Rob Bruggeman and Blake Schlueter.
Defensive line (9)
Locks: Trey Lewis, John Abraham, Kroy Biermann, Lawrence Sidbury, Corey Peters, Chauncey Davis, Peria Jerry, Jonathan Babineaux, Jamaal Anderson.
On the bubble: Vance Walker.
Long shots: Emmanuel Stephens and Maurice Lucas.
Linebackers (6)
Locks: Curtis Lofton, Mike Peterson, Stephen Nicholas, Sean Weatherspoon, Coy Wire and Spencer Adkins.
Long shots: Robert James, Weston Johnson and Bear Woods.
Defensive backs (8)
Locks: Brent Grimes, Christopher Owens, Dunta Robinson, William Moore, Dominique Franks, Erik Coleman, Shann Schillinger and Thomas DeCoud.
On the bubble: Brian Williams and Chevis Jackson.
Long shots: Rafael Bush, Dominique Daniels and Eric Brock.
Specialists (4)
Locks: Matt Bryant, Michael Koenen and Joe Zelenka.
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111 comments Add your comment
robdawg08
August 30th, 2010
11:55 am
Smith had Vinateri (automatic) while coaching in NE. Why would he setlle for a 80% kicker for his own team ?
newgafatboy
August 30th, 2010
12:08 pm
OK i have to take back some words, i couldnt figure out why the coaches were so high on william moore. he had a killer game against the fish, man he can hit, blew his own helmet off. sorry Mr. moore for doubting you.
JA98 definatley has a place on the D line, but it should inside not at an end position. i’ve heard he is at end on running downs, and bierman in on passing downs. so what happens when you play teams like New England, New Orleans, Greenbay, Indy, when every play is a passing down?
watching tape on Wolfe, i cant believe he couldnt get in a preseason game, and i really like palmer. i hope they can both at least make the practice squad.
Peahead Walker
August 30th, 2010
12:15 pm
Another Demon Deacon on the Falcons squad (3 total)? We’re definitely going to the Super Bowl this year!!!
Hey robdawg
August 30th, 2010
12:31 pm
When did Smith coach in NE? I must have missed that…
FrontRow
August 30th, 2010
12:33 pm
Yeah it makes sense put a vet on the bubble for trade bait. Notice the “Mike Smith says….” section of the headline.
D’Led any activity yet? If a trade is made do you get credit for an assist?
Falcon Fan 220
August 30th, 2010
12:35 pm
I agree Jamal Anderson is a much better defensive tackle than he was a defensive end. he has shown to be pretty darn good at stopping the run. As for Grimes, he maybe short, but he is the best cover corner we have. What he lacks in size he makes up in his coverage skills. The tall receiver may be a problem if QB throws a jump ball, but Grimes will right there in the receivers chest and he never gets any definsive interference calls. All I can say about Grimes is the little man can cover and its a plus that QB’s can’t see him in coverage… the end result, he gets more picks than any other falcon.No corner on the team has a bigger heart and a will to shut his man down.Grimes is the type of player I want on my team, he is always proving to people that he can play the position at the highest level.
FrontRow
August 30th, 2010
12:40 pm
@FalconFan220 wrong Grimes got called several times for interference last year; that is my main support for him the calls he got against the Saints were bogus and Brees et.al. will not get those calls this year.
NONE of the Dline play all downs; that is the name of the game. The Falcons have the Dline depth to wear teams down.
All you TD haters take note – after 3 years the Falcons have depth on both lines and will most likely waive a player (or 2) that winds up contributing for another team (see Ojinaka trade).
DHunt
August 30th, 2010
12:45 pm
I agree that Jamal Anderson is starting to look much better, both on the end and at tackle. He is noticeably bigger, looks stronger, and still has good speed for his size. It would be a couple years late, but I see no reason why he can’t have a break out year.
As for the roster, IF DOL is correct than there are only two open spots. at least one of them has to be a cornerback, and I can’t see them releasing Williams unless he really is PUP. Question then becomes where is the biggest area of need. I would rather they keep an extra defensive tackle than offensive lineman. Might not be a bad idea to look for another WR as well. Finn has been a wonderful guy, but Tony G and Roddy can make that endzone play just as well if not better so as a specialist, that’s not very special.
DOL any speculation on the makeup of the practice squad, or is it too early to even go down that road?
mountain_jim
August 30th, 2010
12:46 pm
Another vote for Palmer over Zinger – don’t want him poached off of our practice squad.
BeefATL72
August 30th, 2010
12:49 pm
Anyone who says they’re worried about this team, like there’s a chance we don’t have a winning season much less make the playoffs, is crazy. We have superstars all over this team. Most teams have maybe 2 superstars, a handful of above average, a dozen below average, & terrible depth. We’ve got like 8 superstars, loads of quality starters, & well above average depth. Our offense & defense have a great chance at both being top 10 this year. Our ONLY question mark is kicking. Other than that, you’re not going to find a more deeply talented team than the Falcons.
Bird Droppings
August 30th, 2010
12:50 pm
The difference between 11-5 and 9-7?
Getting rid of Bryant as soon as humanly possible. DLed, surely there’s someone out there (under the age of 50) that could come in and improve the kicking game. Right?
LK
August 30th, 2010
12:51 pm
Get rid of Finneran, ne has been hurt for most or part of the year for the last 5 years. Dump Norwood, he is hurt more than he plays. Demote Ryan to back-up. JP is much better, even as a rookie. Ryan has not grown, matured or improved his game for the past three years. If Turner doesn’t learn how to move the line, look for the whole and make more then 2 yards a play dump him. Now if Jonathan Babineaux has any more problems with drugs or the law get rid of him. And you brought in Dunta Robinson for what? He has been nothing but injuried since he joined Atlanta. Get rid of the heart and make this team a BUSINESS!! We in Atlanta want a succesful – WINNING team. I am tired of the slow moving, fast losing, and high paid NFL team we have. Why should I support them when they don’t play for the love of the game? They don’t make those OH YEA plays. They only know two plays, run Turner and an occassional pass to White or Gonzales. These boys play for the love of the money and that has become more evident with each passing season.
falconneil
August 30th, 2010
12:51 pm
Some on here clearly are not watching ay of the games. We could not get anything for Chevis Jackson. He has been terrible this preseason, just terrible. Even against the oppositions scrubs he has missed tackles, been in the wrong position etc. Why would anyone trade for him? Also, Jamal has looked much better at DT, so he’s a keeper there. Yu have to keep Brian WIlliams. He looks solid everytime he’s out there. And why do you have Schillinger as a lock? Apart from one interception in the first game has has done very little to distinguish himself.
LK
August 30th, 2010
12:53 pm
Make me coach for a game and I know we would win. I may be old but I know more about football then 99% of those young bucks playing in the NFL!
No fan at all
August 30th, 2010
1:01 pm
Another vote for Palmer. A great blocker, hasn’t dropped a pass, and will be tough in the trenches!
3rd on the depth chart, wake up Coaches.
Section242
August 30th, 2010
1:07 pm
Any trade of a DB would likely be this week so a team could get to see him play with their team in game 4.
TD makes too many tackles 5-6 yards down the field.
oranjucejonz
August 30th, 2010
1:23 pm
Palmer caught everything thrown his way it seems,he should be in
piggiee
August 30th, 2010
1:47 pm
Chevis Jackson couldn’t cover his own foot with a sock….he’s gotta go
Ted M
August 30th, 2010
2:01 pm
Dan Klecko was a lock 3 days ago which surprised me b/c I never heard of him.
Mike
August 30th, 2010
2:32 pm
I just hope the Falcons can hold the line against Jacksonville as well as the Bucaneer cheerleaders did.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Buccaneers-cheerleaders-hold-the-line-against-Ja?urn=nfl-265858
Dilla
August 30th, 2010
2:50 pm
@piggiee, I agree Chevis Jackson should be gone.
Ted Striker
August 30th, 2010
3:13 pm
Waynester — I agree with you. I’d like to see the 53 man roster increased because it would improve the quality of the game. Sure, some guys would never see the field during certain games however there are guys who would see the field other games and that might make the difference for those teams.
Pro football is much more of a grind than college football and college football teams have more players available to them.
SeenThisB4
August 30th, 2010
3:22 pm
Saints and ravens this year in the Super Bowl!.
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!
Dukester
August 30th, 2010
3:34 pm
@Mike that video of the Bucs cheereleaders holding there own is hilarious I mean how can you hold your concentration against that!!!. LOL Look at how #20 was looking at them instead the coach on the field. LOL
Flo-Ri-Duh!
August 30th, 2010
3:39 pm
Please get some one that can be consistent with field goals & extra points. This guy won’t cut it.
Manny
August 30th, 2010
4:18 pm
I agree with everything except Brian Williams being on the bubble.
Yori
August 30th, 2010
5:12 pm
Palmer has to be a keeper. He has had more catches than all TE’s (5) except for TG (7). He has shown great hands in his 5 catches catching everything thrown to him. He has shown he has a feel for getting in the crease. His blocking is adequate but will improve. He is bigger and younger than Zinger with way more upside. He has excelled at every level of football he has played from 5A HS to Div 1 in the ACC. IMHO, Palmer has been the one shining spot on the Falcons Offense this pre season. May actually give #2 a reason to work through his progressions past #84.
marcus
August 30th, 2010
5:12 pm
i say norwood should be on the bubble and smith has looked better than nance and realy i think he looked good enough to be the number two back
hiramsaint
August 30th, 2010
6:28 pm
why isn’t the falcons coaching staff on the bubble? or are they????
hmmmm..........
August 30th, 2010
6:38 pm
Please cut Jamaal Anderson
buckhead benny
August 30th, 2010
6:48 pm
Brian Williams will make the team- You have to have 6 corner backs in this league now- especially facing the saints twice- where you may have to have 4 cb’s on the field- someone is always going to be hurt. The rest looks about right.
GT GRAD
August 30th, 2010
7:21 pm
If Pittsburg cuts Dwyer, Falcons should DEFINITELY cut Nance and sign Dwyer (if not on the 53 man roster; he should be on the practice squad for sure). Dwyer has had some unfortunate minor injuries which have hurt his chances with Pittsburg……this will result in a long term steal for any well informed NFL teams searching the waiver wire (I hope the Falcons are the fortunate team).
Dwyer WILL be a stud RB in the NFL for several years & he fits the ATL Falcons style perfectly (intelligent, strong, fast, durable, high character & he also brings the big play possibility with every snap)…….he would be a great replacement for Turner in 2 years when it will be time for Turner to move on {my personal opinion; he is already starting to run as if he is trying to protect his legs/knees/ankles just like TJ Duckett did a few years back…….this is the first signal that his production will begin to diminish as he attempts to extend his carreer. He gets so low prior to impact that he has essentially no chance of driving through a potential tackler; he essentially falls down in front of the defensive player to prevent the possibility of injury}. Snelling is a definite keeper. I am also a huge Norwood fan; however, his days might be numbered if he cannot resolve the injury issues. Nance & Atone Smith have not looked like future NFL stars thus far.
Marko
August 30th, 2010
7:24 pm
Quit bashing Jamaal, The coaches seem to sincerely like the kid. He’s a beast on running plays. Sadly she don’t rush so good. By the way has anybody else noticed that he rushes better from the tackle position.
bcinbuford
August 30th, 2010
8:01 pm
Only the people who really pay attention to the game notices JA98’s better rushing from the DT position. Palmer is the future…don’t give him to someone else. I never understood cutting Houschka (spelling?), he might have missed his 53 yarder, but at least he was on target, not wide. A strong leg doesn’t matter if you can’t get it through the uprights!
Savannah Fan
August 30th, 2010
8:33 pm
Pull for Bear-he has attitude
Jimmy
August 30th, 2010
8:34 pm
Bryant is not the answer at kicker.
We should be turning over rocks looking for a kicker.
JB
August 30th, 2010
9:42 pm
Nice to see JA98 improving. I’m pulling for him.
Hope we can pick up a bargain at cutdown.
DrJ
August 30th, 2010
9:51 pm
I agree that Bryant needs to be replaced. We need a k who can kick under any kind of field conditions. I like Finn, but he has too many battle scars and has lost his speed, but has the height, and hands, and when the chips are down, he makes the catch. Palmer is a keeper, and more potential than Zinger. JA has found his nitch at DT. Nance has the moves thru traffic more than Smith.Chevis Jackson is wandering around the field. I wish that Turner would run north-south instead of jogging along the line looking for a hole, he’s not that fast, until he hits the secondary.
No more JA98
August 30th, 2010
10:22 pm
JA gets blocked back 5 yrds every play so that’s why he is “good against the run” only if he falls on somebody if that’s what you DAs are saying. What a joke. Please release me let me go..
Picker
August 30th, 2010
10:25 pm
Pick up Coles or another proven WR….now!
Calvin G. Sims, Sr.
August 30th, 2010
10:34 pm
What happened to Rafael Bush? I thought that he would be a lock. I was very impressed with him early on. If we do cut him, it may well come back to haunt us.
Go Falcons!!!
DR. FALCON
August 31st, 2010
1:13 am
OUR SECONDARY HAS QUIETLY SURPRISED ME. THEY HAVE HAD A GREAT SUMMER! BUT, I THINK THE STRNGTH OF OUR TEAM IS THE OL. I REALLY BELIIEVE THIS GROUP IS THE MOST UNDERRATED IN THE LEAGUE. HARVEY DAHL WILL BE ALL-PRO. HE IS THE 2ND COMING OF BILL FRALIC! FOR YOUNGER FALCON FANS, FRALIC IS ONE OF THE TOP 3 OL IN FRANCHISE HISTORY. TURNER WILL RUN FOR 1500YDS BEHIND THIS GROUP AND ALSO BE ALL-PRO! WITHERSPOON WILL BE A PRO-BOWLER IN 2 YEARS.
NES
August 31st, 2010
5:28 am
Here is my two cents worth! Don’t sweat the kicker Bryant, he is finding his comfort zone after battling for his job, he’ll be fine in regular season as has a 80 something percent accuracy for his career. Grimes has the heart of a lion but wait til we play teams with tall receivers and an accurate passer, example is Brady and Company in preseason game this year, Grimes will be toast in those situations. The secondary is much improved because of COACHING-TIM LEWIS! I have said for two years now and DOL may remember my questioning the drafts in not selecting a WR with hugh upside and some off field baggage(Dez Bryant this year and M. Crabtree last year), it is a shame to go into the regular season with such a glaring hole on the other side of R. White, i personally feel that not having a top receiver opposite White is going to cost us dearly in the red zone, alas, field goals not touchdowns and losing 2-3 games because of this weakness. Afterall, with Gonzo not having his separation speed like when he was younger means can’t go to him in the end zone either. Look at his earlier game films from KC, he ran like a WR, hence the reason he is one of the best tight ends ever, he still catches everything he can get his hands on, but is a step or two slower now, watch the last dolphins game, covered by one LB or Safety and barely open on most plays. Defense looks to be fine with T. Lewis back and addition of ‘Spoon, no substitute for SPEED! i still predict 11-5 anyway, go Falcons!
NES
August 31st, 2010
5:37 am
Well, one more observation! i just read where J.Perry and B.Williams will play at least 20-25 plays against Jags, what about William Moore,D.Robinson and J. Norwood? They need to be in game shape for Pittsburgh, i surely hope D.Robinson’s hammy-string isn’t more serious than the Falcons are letting on, Boy, what a heartbreak if he tweaks it again, it will be a longer recovery, probably 6-8 weeks then gotta slowly come back.
isproab
August 31st, 2010
10:58 am
You guys are so funny and don’t seem to understand ACL injuries. I said months ago that Brian Williams strikes me as a PUP type of player. I seriously doubt that he is gong to be ready to play CB at an NFL level less than one year after an ACL injury at his age.
Players are different and heal differently. But look at Mike McKenzie, he hurt his knee in October of 2008 and didn’t come back to the saints until late in 2009. I believe it was November when they signed him. I just don’t think a 30 year old kneed can be ready to work like it needs to after that kind of injury. Not attempt to be a doctor because I’m not. I’m just going by the trends of these kinds of injuries and being realistic vs. hopeful. I would rather Williams prove me wrong than to hope he is ok and then find out he is not and have to find a backup plan at the last second if I’m the Falcons.
BigTimeTECHFan
August 31st, 2010
3:39 pm
Can William Moore play middle LB?
Jack
August 31st, 2010
4:42 pm
any word on the cuts that are needed to be made. I believe we need to cut two more players prior to todays deadline.
Falcon Fanatic
August 31st, 2010
5:12 pm
Some of the comments are very funny, especially the one from “LK” who says demote Ryan to back up and start JP Wilson at QB because he is better. And the previous comment about William Moore playing middle LB. Ever heard of Curtis Lofton? Moore might be a big hitter but lets just see if he can keep healthy enough to stay on the field as a back up DB. I agree with the comments about TE Palmer, he has been a threat as a pass catcher. Also questions about Norwood and Finneran staying on the field. Will Baker stay healthy and be a dominant LT? Can JA #98 finally get more than a sack or 2 this year or is he just a run stopper? Can Bryant keep the kickers job? When will D. Robinson play in a game? Will Chevis Jackson or Brian Williams make the team? Who will we sign off the waiver wire? This will be an interesting weekend.
FrontRow
August 31st, 2010
6:10 pm
@Falcon Fanatic – I don’t think Moore will have a problem getting hurt at SS; both of his injuries last year came on special teams.
The Falcons are going to release a few players that can contribute elsewhere. How about that D’led using the previous headline of this post to setting Brian Williams out there as trade bait. If it works, does that mean D’led gets a check from the Falcons front office?
colorado bulldog
August 31st, 2010
6:12 pm
I agree with Falcon Fanactic on the funny comments. I would add when ‘LK” says he knows more about football then 99% of those young bucks playing in the NFL! after proving he doesn’t know one thing about football with the demote Ryan and start JP comment.
I’m not as convinced as all of you though that Bryant is our weak link. Dude has hit over 80% of his FG in his career with a long of 62 just a few years ago. He did fine for us last year. Yes, he missed an XP vs Miami in a pre-season game but he’s only missed 4 XP his entire career. I say chill. Maybe we can pick up another kicker on waivers but no guarantee he would be better than Bryant.