Falcons sign seven players to reserve/future contracts
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
The Falcons signed seven of their practice squad players to reserve/future contracts on Tuesday.
They signed tight end Marquez Branson, center Rob Bruggeman, wide receiver Tim Buckley, wide receiver Brandyn Harvey, defensive end Emmanuel Stephens, wide receiver Andy Strickland and guard Jose Valdez.
The big name in this group is Valdez, who’s been developing nicely according to offensive line coach Paul Boudreau. After two full seasons on the practice squad, he’s expected to make a strong roster bid next season.
Three of the Falcons starting offensive linemen – Justin Blalock, Harvey Dahl and Tyson Clabo – are in the final year of their contracts. Depending on the labor negotiations, they all could be free agents of some classification.
Branson and Harvey were the only players that were not on the practice squad for the entire season. Branson was signed on October 28 and Harvey was signed on December 29.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
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
80 comments Add your comment
bgfalcon
January 18th, 2011
10:43 pm
lol at the saints fans coming on the blog to act like they are better than us. last i remember you got embarrassed by the seahawks… why dont you focus on how you are gonna fix your sorry tackling D while we try to think about how to fix ours
LT
January 19th, 2011
12:43 am
I’m sorry, how can it be a good year when you lose home-field advantage and your team is kick out the first game they play…statistic do not win Super-bowls.. Dan Marino’s, and Matt Ryan, statistics are the same for the first three years but you must remember Marino never won a Super-bowl, got one chance a failed…Check the final Stats..Miserable…Marlarkey, can’t open his play book because of the limitations of Ryan..As long as teams in the State of Georgia lose pretty the old boy network is happy while the Saints, and the Bucs win Super-Bowls…Sad State of Affairs…
Priest2004
January 19th, 2011
12:45 am
HAHAHA no superbowl for you HAHAHAHA ………. First seed team, blah blah, Matty MeltedIcewho this and that, HAHAHA yea HAHAHA specially @ Roddy Avatar White……..
No superbowl for you guys, HAHAHAHAHA
Brad
January 19th, 2011
1:07 am
We need better LBs CBs and another WR, Falcons need more weapons than just Roddy. Look into a threat like Fitzgerald
Samuel
January 19th, 2011
5:52 am
You really need to ban any ingnorant comments. Some of these bloggers are real stupid.
Jake
January 19th, 2011
6:02 am
-Get a DB (Example-Nnamdi Asomugha,Richard Marshall,ect.)
-Resign Tony G,Grimes,O line
-Get rid of Jason Snelling and Draft Mark Ingram
-Sign Mathias Kiwanuka
-SUPERBOWL
Big Ray
January 19th, 2011
7:38 am
TiredofExcuses
January 18th, 2011
4:59 pm
We as fans need to stop being okay with mediocrity. What happened Saturday night was not a “Aw man, we were so close”, it was a “Why are we 13-3″. We are the laughing stock of the NFL. The Saints did what we couldn’t with the same type of schedule and team structure. I am so tired of “The Process”, “Rebuilding Years”, as I am sure everyone else is. It was a debacle, but a symbol that we as fans need to DEMAND more. This couldn’t have happened in Pittsburgh, Green Bay, or even New England. Matt Ryan has had three years to get it done. Ben Rothleisburger, Eli Manning, and it looks like Mark Sanchez could get it done in two. Those fans are not standing for it. I am seeing that people here are okay with what happened, okay well next year…..What is going on??? What is up with us not being okay with this and demanding more. We as season ticket holder, game attendees, or even Sunday watchers support this team and we can’t even get by the Packers in our own Dome…the Super Bowl on a platter. I don’t get it. And quite frankly, I am tired of the excuses. Maybe Mike Smith isn’t the coach to take us there, maybe Matt Ryan needs to take a seat…who knows. But there needs to be some sort of accountability. I am tired of the whole…okay we made it to the playoffs….what about taking it all?
Yeah? Well it happened to Drew Brees and Tom Brady in their first playoff games this year.
Demand more? You don’t think that the Saints and Patriots fans aren’t pissed? Get a grip.
@Pick6TV
January 19th, 2011
8:22 am
Alot of you guys are way off. namely Tyger and Fanfavorite. The falcons need a vertical threat on the other side of White. That why Douglas was brought in, but his knee injury last year hurt his productivity this season. I like Jon Baldwin outta PITT 6′5 230 lbs, runs a 4.4 with a 32 inch vertical he is a potential NFL superstar/play maker the Falcons offense would quickly improve with him in the lineup. We need a DT to back Abe or replace JA98 (He hasn’t lived up to his potential) that can get a pass rush I like Jared Crick 6′6 300 lbs. outta Nebraska he’ll make in impact like Suh did in Detroit and they’re were both coached by the same coaching staff at Nebraska. A speed back must be obtained any Norwood must go.I love Norwood and wish he could remain healthy enough to play a whole season. He hasn’t played 16 games in NFL regular season yet. The popular pick at RB of course is Mark Ingram, or LaMichael James but myself i like Noel Devine or Demarco Murray. The Falcons really have no need for a CB at this time. That is a young group of guys and will be a great defensive unit with the development of the current players but if we had to make a change there it would have to be Chris Owens gets released and the Falcons go after Nnamdi Asomugha in free agency. In my opinion Asomugha is at least the #3 corner in the NFL. He’ll be #1 if he gets outta the Black Hole in oakland. If the Falcons can not get Asomugha BRING CHAMP BAILEY HOME!!!. Even though his up there in age he still demands respect on the field and QB’s tend not to throw his way. His teachings and leadership would greatly improve the falcons secondary for years to come. If the Falcons can grant my wish list in the off-season they will be the Team To Beat in the NFC and earn a Super Bowl appearance. The Red&Black Nation is alive an well but we need weed out the bandwagon riders and fair weather fans. And the idiots who keep hating on The #1 Team in the NFC south 3 yrs straight cause of YKW are the ones posting negative comments. Here’s the memo in case you missed it. The Ga. Dome, The Falcons, and The City of Atlanta doesn’t want you here either. You are not needed, wanted, or respected. If you don’t like where I stay then fly away. Hartsfield-Jackson is open for business.
Watch my sports show on facebook
Pick6TV
or twitter
@pick6tv
@Pick6TV
January 19th, 2011
8:35 am
Also I know the Saint won the super bowl last year but here is why i say we were the best team in the NFC south 3 yrs straight.Turner missed 8 games and Ryan missed 6. If Drew Brees misses 6 games and Reggie Bush misses 8 games the saints go 6-10 8-8 at best. We went 9-7 if we had Ryan and Turner all season we win 3 more games putting us at 12-4 and the Saints at 11-5 and they don’t make the play-offs. I know its an ‘IF’ and if ‘IF’ was a fifth we’d all be drunk. I’m just saying
D man
January 19th, 2011
9:28 am
We just need a better defense. Our offense scored enough points to win every game this year except the Pittsburgh game. Matt can’t play a perfect game every time. 21 points should have been enough to win last Saturday night. Defense needs to improve on pass rush and coverage.
D man
January 19th, 2011
9:30 am
Compared to where we were three years ago, this is a fantastic team that will improve in the off season. I’m still excited. The hangover from Saturday night is starting to wear off. I’m looking forward to a pro bowl for the first time in many years. 7 of our Falcons, WOW!!!
Go Falcons!!!
Conservative HC
January 19th, 2011
9:36 am
None of them are defense play makers so I could give a d***. This team is lacking defensive players on the DL, free safety (because it’s not Decoud) and CBs. Time for Smitty to cut the political/seniority BS and put the best players on the field. Could Franks have done any worse than that clown Owens? I don’t think so.
Conservative HC
January 19th, 2011
9:48 am
Also, our defense needs to grow a pair. Only one I see bringing the wood was Willie Mo…the rest of the offensive defense stood around watching GB run all over the field. What a joke! Arthur ought to be so pissed he should call in Smitty and Dimitroff and slap them both silly.
Matt Ryan can't read coverage
January 19th, 2011
10:00 am
-Someone explain why we passed on Rex Ryan to take Mike Smith????
-Dump #12 and get a real deep threat on the outside opposite of White.
-Get the OAK db to sign
-Move to a 3-4 instead of 4-3 on D
-Get a faster back to help out Turner, Snelling is to much like Turner
-Need a new OC/ DC, or make both of them play more aggressive
-Ryan makes to much, have him learn to read coverages
-Should of taken Dez in the draft, instead we let the Cowboys get him
-Draft TE’s like the pats
-Use Harry Douglas in the offense
-Teach Owens how to cover without the penalties
Squirming Falcon Fan
January 19th, 2011
10:11 am
1 st of all Dimitroff needs to quit picking his “cute” picks in the draft. The long shots no ones heard of. When he drafted Chris Owens, Asher Allen from Ga. was available. Last year they needed game changers and the little running back from Miss. McCloskey was available along with Jacoby Ford of Clemson. This team needs to drop Norwood and bring in a real game changer. They desperately need a pass rusher , CB, and a left tackle. Also the offense needs to be less vanilla. There’s no real vertical passing game. The Packer game revealed all the weaknesses of the the Falcons. Matt Ryan had 3 critical plays in that game that could have changed possibly the outcome. 1st the sack by Woodson. He saw it coming and instead of dropping it off to the rec. on that side he was coming from like an idiot he looked away to another rec. The rec. was wide open. 2nd When he threw the ball late to Jenkins in the endzone. Jenkins had a step and a sure TD. Ryan what were you thinking. 3rd The play before half time. I need say no more. Ryan played scared. With all that said I do want to thank the Falcons for a great season. We as fans are lucky to have an owner like Mr. Blank . The Falcons are on the right path. With a good draft and 1 or 2 FA signings we could easily be in the superbowl next year. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Falcons.
ASHCAN.
January 19th, 2011
11:59 am
Why is everyone on tyger? matty icemelt ryan aint all that.Definately don’t deserve a probowl spot.What has he done? records and wins don’t mean jack! when you can’t finish(win the BIG game).Thats right,yall make him out to be something he’s not by a hype name.Im with tyger get rid of the punk and get someone else.it will be 8 years from now and Dumb blind fans will still be saying he(matty lice)will come around.
Stuart
January 19th, 2011
12:01 pm
Let us all agree that tyger may have used the old football helmet back in the day since he has no common sense.
As for where the Falcon needs are, I would say add some depth especially on defense, maybe another wide receiver and a pass catching tight end that could be ready in 2012.
I would almost be tempted to have Dimitroff trade a couple of picks to move up in the draft for A.J. Green but those picks could be the tight end and may be the DL that will be needed for the future.
Falcon fan
January 19th, 2011
12:02 pm
I don’t agree with most of the haters on here but someone made an interesting point. We passed on Dez who everyone said was going to be a beast just like we passed on Moss. If we can take a chance on longshot small school players then we can take a chance on a character guy. Secondly, everyone had us drafting Matthews from USC a couple of years back and we spend the pick on a smallish DT that is about the same size as Babs? I thought this team wanted to stop the run and run the ball but all I see on the lines are small players. I can’t count how many games I watched this year that the commentators were showing size disparity charts between the falcons and their opponents. No wonder we get pushed around…
ifunotafalconfandonttwitt
January 19th, 2011
2:06 pm
if u didnt see we still need a qb. then u dont know football !
ifunotafalconfandonttwitt
January 19th, 2011
2:09 pm
a guess we gonna be like the braves , maybe next year !
Doggoneit
January 19th, 2011
4:01 pm
Draft a defensive lineman, put last years number one pick on the line . Free agency get a playmaker wide reciever. We will go to the superbowl.
TrueFan
January 19th, 2011
10:25 pm
wow, all the fingers pointing at Matt Ryan when our defense was exposed several times during the season? How many leads did they give up after Matt Ryan led the offense to a comfortable lead? Our DC has the idiotic tendency to back off once we get ahead and allow them to get into a rythm. I suppose that’s Matt Ryan’s fault too. An offense needs to try to go downfield at least a few times a game, which we did not do. We need a receiver with some height, Douglas could get down field only to not be able to reign the ball in. We desperately need a CB and someone please drill our defense on finishing tackles. I can’t count the number of times we had a QB in our crosshairs only to try for the big hit instead of wrapping up and looking stupid as they stepped up in the pocket. Kiwanuka, Sidney Rice, Floyd(broncos), Oakland’s CB or Champ Bailey, maybe a Darren Sproles or similar speed back, one that can take a hit unlike Norwood. Sign at least one big time free agent to open of the offense or improve the defense and go to the draft for the rest and I will be happy. All the haters out there make no sense, Falcons had a great season and pulled out some tough games, but the signs of our 22nd ranked defense against the pass were evident throughout the season. As shown by the Saints, if your defense survives by turnovers, it’s only a matter of time before it comes back to bite you
TrueFan
January 19th, 2011
10:43 pm
Correction: WR Malcolm Floyd from Chargers not Broncos obviously
Tom
January 19th, 2011
11:26 pm
The only way we can really evaluate Matt is to get him some WR’s who can run,catch the ball and go deep. We have way too many possession type WR’s that can not break tackles and go to the house. Besides Roddy, do not think any of our other guys could start for any other team. Will be a difficult task to find a couple of WR;s to fit this bill? Would like to see Matt with Green Bays WR’s?
Drexel Gal
January 20th, 2011
1:08 am
PREDICTION: Cam Newton will FLOP in the NFL, if he is drafted as a QB. If he is switched to RB/FB or even DB, he will do better. But he is NOT an NFL-caliber QB. (Remember, you heard it here FIRST.)
MattyIce Supporter
January 20th, 2011
1:09 am
First off trading matt ryan be the dumbest move this franchise made since trading brett farve one game is not a career its ONE bad game. Second we should draft JJ watts from Wisconsin to help Abraham get less double teams and finally no saints fan can talk when your team missed nine tackles on one play to a team with a losing record at least the packers are a good team
Captain Kirk
January 20th, 2011
1:37 am
y’all are smokin crack….until Dimitroff & CO learn the art of drafting to cover your matchups, theyll continue to draft ham n eggers…
in ‘09 they had a chance at Clay Matthews and unless he texted them that he wasnt gonna play here instead, they drafted..drum roll……
Peria Jerry
has he even been on the field??? while CM is Haonolulu bound and might have a shot at a SB ring…
The list of Falcon draft busts dating back to the 70’s would fill a wing in the Smithsonian
and since the “New regime”..it hadnt improved at the level like other teams in similar draft positions have…
Perhaps Dimitroff & CO need a draft day consultant..ie one who can evaluate defensive talent given who we face in our conference and division..
or better yet..just hire the Jets guy who’s done it along with whoever signed all their DBs
or just continue with mediocrity
Priest2004
January 21st, 2011
12:53 am
Truth hurts Samuel? Hahaha at least my team has a superbowl ring with 44 diamonds on it!!!
Go Saints!!!!!!!!!!!
Jne
January 21st, 2011
4:20 pm
Jose, good for him man. Lets see if he gets off the bench and flies.
bird dog
January 24th, 2011
12:41 pm
falcons rocked falcons stink falcons gone back to flowery branch !