Woods, Valdez and Bush released by Falcons
Dan Klecko released by the Falcons.
Jose Valdez was in attendance at Kanoheda Elementary School in Lawrenceville as part of the Falcons First Down for Fitness Program and in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month in Sept. 2009
UPDATE, Saturday 1:18 p.m.
Linebacker Bear Woods, offensive lineman Jose Valdez and safety Rafael Bush were released Saturday by the Falcons, according to their agents.
Woods, who played at Troy, was vying for the backup middle linebacker spot. He led the team with five tackles and a sack in the preseason finale against Jacksonville.
Valdez started at left tackle for the Falcons against Jacksonville. He was originally signed by the Falcons as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Arkansas on April 27, 2009.
He was released last season before he was signed to the Falcons practice squad on September 6, 2009. He was on the practice squad for the entire season.
If Woods, Valdez and Bush clear waivers, they could end up on the team’s practice squad.
FRIDAY
– Safety Eric Brock and fullback Dan Klecko was released by the Falcons on Friday, according to their agents.
Brock was on the practice squad last season. He went on the active roster on Dec. 22, 2009 after safety Antoine Harris was placed on injured reserve.
Brock was waived on Feb. 9 and was re-signed August 17.
ESPN’S Adam Schefter tweeted earlier in the day that Klecko was released before his agent confirmed the move.
The Falcons would not confirm any moves and said the roster moves would be released on Saturday.
Here’s Schefter’s tweet: “Saints released DE Bobby McCray. Falcons cut fullback Dan Klecko.Jaguars will release running back Kolby Smith
090616 Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons defensive back Eric Brock teaches 2-year-old Tayvion Mann, Atlanta, how to play the card game UNO as Falcons defensive backs give back to the community during a visit with patients at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes-Spalding, Tuesday, June 16, 2009. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
tomorrow. about 1 hour ago via ÜberTwitter”
Klecko, son of former New York Jets’ great Joe Klecko, was signed to a reserve/future contract by the Falcons in January.
Klecko was selected by New England in the fourth round of the 2003 draft. He’s played with New England, Indianapolis and Philadelphia.
Check back here later for updates as the agents start to check in with the moves.
Here’s a look at the roster (the numbers are how many players were at the position at the end of the 2009 season):
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: 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: 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 and Weston Johnson.
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: Dominique Daniels.
Specialists (4)
Locks: Matt Bryant, Michael Koenen and Joe Zelenka.
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67 comments Add your comment
Howie Long
September 4th, 2010
12:51 pm
Nique I totally agree.
Nique
September 4th, 2010
1:24 pm
The Bucs just cut M. Clayton as well, so if the $ issue keeps us from going after T.J. which it shouldn’t (bc you have to be willing to show some cash for worthy causes in this league to win & T.J. is that!), we could pick up Clayton for very little & still upgrade at Wr. Crayton would have been great but we missed out on that, let’s get T.J. or Clayton front office! We need the upgrade, you saw that in Gonzo, now see it again!
Mrknowitall
September 4th, 2010
1:32 pm
Did THe Qb ERIC WARD ever get a Chance????
Rev Blake
September 4th, 2010
1:42 pm
Hate that the team cut Bear. I hope he gets on the practice squad at least. He looked to have a lot of potential.
Don’t NEED a new receiver. Our current roster of receivers are good enough. If the Falcons *do* decide to pick up T.J. I’m certainly fine with that, but, my personal opinion is that one extra receiver will not make the team any better than it currently is. Again, if that is who the coaches want, I’ll support him. If not, I’ll continue to cheer for my Falcons, anyway. I think it’s a bit simplistic to assume one receiver will bring this team a championship. Either they are there now or not…we’ll find out.
GregKennesaw
September 4th, 2010
1:52 pm
Hope Bush, Valdez and Woods all clear waivers and end up on practice squad. I think if Hawley was ready to back up McClure, they would have cut Rhomberg and kept Valdez. . keep Bear Woods for the name alone! I wonder if Williams will end up on the PUP list for first 6 weeks
Big O
September 4th, 2010
2:07 pm
Man! Am I glad some of you guys above aren’t in charge of the Falcons team!
I believe another team can pick up a player the Falcons release today if they do it promptly before Sunday’s naming of the 8 Taxi Squad(the old name) Falcons.
Am I right DOL?
There are two players the Falcons might release whom I think would be immediately picked up by another team – Valdez and Palmer. They’re showing lots of potential and are to good to lose. They both looked very good against the Jaguars second team. Valdez at left tackle was impressive. Given Baker’s injury habits, it might be wise to have a third man (Valdez) who can play left tackle. If fact he seems to have the talent and size to play anywhere but center. Zinger stands a better chance of making it to the taxi squad than Palmer, so release Zinger and make Palmer the 3rd TE.
Nique
September 4th, 2010
2:09 pm
Rev Blake since you believe that’s so simplistic, is it a bit simplistic to say that 1 Wr, M.J. to be spacific cost us a playoff spot last year with his drops? Remember 1 more game has us in there? i.e. The Giants game…..& to clarify bc some bloger make it seem as if anyone who wants a few changes made aren’t Falcons fans, I’ll support the Falcons regardless of what they do, bc I’m a true fan! & a fan is a fan, that’s it cut & dry, but all ya’ll acting as if we don’t NEED, not want but NEED an upgrade at the # 2 Wr position particularly are killing me & the delusions are sad honestly! Just watch, if we don’t & the Vikes do………it’s all on us!
Nique
September 4th, 2010
2:16 pm
Big O
Great point on the TE’s, I totally agree! I really like Palmer & I’m sure others throughout the NFL have noticed him as well. Zingler’s not a hot commodity
Rev Blake
September 4th, 2010
2:18 pm
Nique, I appreciate your loyalty to the team. Wasn’t questioning that. Still don’t see one receiver (who’ll come in late, play very little at the start while he’s learning the playbook) is going to put us over the top. I’ll stick with the coaches choices. Also, I think Douglas will be a major contributor this year.
Nique
September 4th, 2010
2:20 pm
It’s offical
The Seattle Seahawks has cut wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, a team source told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. The Seahawks signed Houshmanzadeh to a five-year, $40 million contract last off-season, and Seattle will wind up having paid him $15 million for his one season with the Seahawks.
The 32-year-old Houshmanzadeh caught 79 passes last season and will be a bargain for another team this season.
Nique
September 4th, 2010
2:28 pm
Just cut & pasted that from ESPN, (so the grammatical issue is them not me). I hear that Rev but i argue that if we got T.J. he’d be ready to start & really contribute week 3. & then be fully immersed in the offense before the bye week. I mean he just had an off year & caught 79 balls. Your right Douglass will a major contributor, but from the slot. They might line him up at the 2 spot for a minute but he’s a true slot Wr.
Rev Blake
September 4th, 2010
2:29 pm
The problem last year wasn’t losing games by one dropped pass or one missed field goal. The real problem was defense. While the Falcons did a decent job of stopping the run, they couldn’t stop the pass. We lost the games because our defense couldn’t slow the better quarterbacks down. Especially on third and long, we were creamed. Several touchdowns from opponents occured on third and long. Hopefully, that area will be fixed this year. Again, if the Falcons should decide that they can use T.J.’s services, I’m sure he would be productive in the receiver rotation.
Saints LSU
September 4th, 2010
2:31 pm
you gonna need more than T.J. to beat the champs (SAINTS)
BravesFanSince1961
September 4th, 2010
2:32 pm
Falcons cuts listed here: http://www.atlantafalcons.com/2010/09/final-cuts-made-as-falcons-reach-deadline/
Nique
September 4th, 2010
2:36 pm
Dan Klecko, Brett Romberg, Robbie Agnone, Troy Bergeron, Tim Buckley, Dimitri Nance, Blake Schlueter, Andy Strickland, Ryan Wolfe, Keith Zinger, Rafael Bush, Eric Brock, Dominique Daniels, Chevis Jackson, Weston Johnson, Maurice Lucas, Emmanuel Stephens, Jose Valdez and Bear Woods, & Brandyn Harvey all cut.
Nique
September 4th, 2010
2:40 pm
I agree that the D was a big problem but if you drop a winning TD at the end of a game, then that drop cost you the game! You can slice it however you want 2 but that drop cost us that game regardless of what else happened bc if he catches it we win, THAT SIMPLE! So Ill have to respectfully disagree with you on that one.
Atlanta Falcons Talk » Blog Archive » The Atlanta Falcons 53 Man Roster Open Thread
September 5th, 2010
1:02 am
[...] The Falcons released Bear Woods, Jose Valdez and Rafael Bush. All three are believed to have invitations to the practice [...]