Atlanta Falcons: McCown signed, Redman released (updated)
Luke McCown when he was playing with Jacksonville. (Mel Evans/Associated Press)
Vivlamore reporting from Flowery Branch.
The Falcons shakeup at quarterback continued with the signing of Luke McCown and release of backup Chris Redman Tuesday. The move comes two days after the Falcons waived John Parker Wilson, who was the No. 3 quarterback the last three seasons behind Matt Ryan and Redman.
McCown (6-foot-3, 212 pounds) played the past three seasons for the Jaguars, where new Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter was on staff. In eight games, including two starts, McCown completed 42 of 78 passes for 418 yards. He signed with the Saints prior to training camp and was released Monday when the team trimmed its roster to 75 players.
McCown, 31, was a fourth-round draft pick (No. 106 overall) by the Browns in 2004. For his career, he has appeared in 20 games, including nine starts, completing 184 of 316 passes for 2,035 yards with nine touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also played for the Buccaneers after being traded from the Browns in 2005.
Redman, 35, spent five seasons with the Falcons. He appeared in five games last season in relief of Ryan, completing 18 of 28 attempts for 188 yards. He was re-signed to a one-year, $825,000 deal during the offseason after completing a two-year, $5.6 million contract. With the Falcons, Redman appeared in 20 games, including six starts, and completed 286 of 500 passes for 3,179 yards with 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
The Falcons also have undrafted rookie quarterback Dominique Davis on the roster. According to coach Mike Smith, a decision has not yet been made on how many quarterbacks will be on the 53-man active roster. Last season Wilson started the season on the practice squad after clearing waivers. He was moved to the active roster when Minnesota wanted to sign him in December.
Davis would have to clear waivers in order to be signed to the practice squad.
“In terms of putting your active roster together, it is so fluid in the last five or six days of training camp and you try to massage it based on a number of factors,” Smith said. “Injuries are going to take a part in the decision making process as well. No roster since we’ve been here has been the same in terms of the number of players we are going to have at each position.”
- Chris Vivlamore
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213 comments Add your comment
Esquire
August 28th, 2012
3:06 pm
Dominique Davis at
Quarterback
3 yr/$1,440,000
Luke McCown at
Quarterback
1 yr/$825,000
Judge Smails
August 28th, 2012
3:08 pm
I want some of what Rey is smoking!
mark
August 28th, 2012
3:09 pm
Davis clearly has the most upside plus with the way teams look for mobile/athletic quarterbacks he is a guy who would generate some trade interest a few years down the road. I love it b/c the Davis kid is good and will only get better, McGown is just a stop gap for this year look for Davis to be named the the number two next year.
theight
August 28th, 2012
3:12 pm
I’m not going to say great move yet because Luke really isn’t an upgrade over Redman but I Davis is creeping in a couple of years to take over the starting position from Ryan if he continue to play the way he has. @ParanoidAndroid: If any QB gets a chance to throw the ball as much as matt ryan did last year, they would also break the Falcons passing record which was that great. I can see if you said Miami Dolphins or Green Bay Packers passing record but come on man the falcons!! I love my birds but history shows there isn’t much to brag about. One last thing, I am a falcons fan but why is it that everybody else in the world can see that The team has arguably had the weakest schedule in the past 4 or 5 years. Matt Ryan is an above avg. QB but he isn’t that great. Too many fans want to continue to believe that because The haven’t had much to celebrate in multiple year and they use Ryan to get over Mike Vick. This is coming from not only a Falcon fan but fan of the game. Don’t get me wrong, some fan really do believe he is that great and I respect those that honestly believe that. Its no different than majority of America believes that Scotty Pippen is one of the 50 greatest BBall player but I don’t. IJS!!
Hurricane Issac Hayes
August 28th, 2012
3:12 pm
I agree with Slick. I hope Davis turns out to be a great player, but so far, he has played against 2nd and 3rd teamers. Every NFL team had a chance to scout Davis and draft him in the eight rounds. Not one team was willing to spend even an 8th round pick on him! Let’s hope the Falcons have done well in signing him, but the real test is ahead.
KeithB
August 28th, 2012
3:14 pm
Surprised a little. McCown is the same, and a little younger. I am not sure DD will clear waivers. They may have to carry 3 just to avoid getting him snatched away.
tt44
August 28th, 2012
3:15 pm
Thanks Chris..I wish you well! Go Falcons…we need OT …DL…get um and lets win the Super Bowl Gooooooooooooooooo Falcons!
DC Dirty Bird
August 28th, 2012
3:17 pm
This had to be done. CRed was making too much money and wasn’t playing well in the new system. Now you have McCown who can continue to tutor DD. Look for DD to slide into the #2 spot later in the season.
Glodar
August 28th, 2012
3:18 pm
Why are some of you worrying if he will be ready if Ryan goes down. Matt started as a rookie, RG3 is starting Luck is starting, Russell Wilson is starting for the Seahawks and the list goes on. He will be able to handle the back the backup if needed. GO FALCONS
dean
August 28th, 2012
3:19 pm
Anybody remember DJ Shockley? What other NFL team’s roster is he on? (None) He too looked great against the camp fodder. How many regular season passes did he even attempt, much less complete? (None)
Rey, your limb has already broken and you have landed on your gourd if you think Davis will compete for Ryan’s job in the next 3 years…at the very earliest.
ParanoidAndroid
August 28th, 2012
3:21 pm
Playing against 2nd and 3rd string players also means he is playing with 2nd and 3rd string blockers and receivers. im sure julio and roddy can catch a lot of those balls the receivers were dropping in preseason. Anways, Go Falcons.
Jimmy Crack
August 28th, 2012
3:25 pm
For those worrying if DD can step in and play as a rookie, remember there are 5 other NFL teams STARTING a rookie QB fresh out of college in Game One. All Dom has to do is be a back up. Relax folks.
Glen
August 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
Keep Davis on the active roster,give him a chance to be the #2 quarterback
jaz
August 28th, 2012
3:30 pm
Really surprised that they let Redman go, but glad that they finally came to that decision. I guess they felt they needed a veteran backup, but his TD/INT ratio is scary. With all our penalties, we don’t need interceptions. I just feel that Dominique has great accuracy and that his td/int ratio will be much better, given the chance. So that’s the problem. Will they put him in at #2 where he can get the reps, or put the #2 position up for grabs. After all, McCoen just got the playbook. He might still have some others too…(I hope).
steven a smith
August 28th, 2012
3:32 pm
I called for Vince Young or Luke McCown on yesterdays’ Blog. Maybe T. Dimitrioff is “Finally” taking my advice! WOW!
Rey
August 28th, 2012
3:35 pm
Sorry folks, but Davis has a prettier deep ball than Matt Ryan does. It has that Aaron Rodgers like float to it (see touchdown pass to Toone).
falconjonk
August 28th, 2012
3:35 pm
Hail NO, not Luke McCown…. He aint got nothing to show for,,,Mr Blank needs to tell em front office to get somebody else….Jeese.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
August 28th, 2012
3:39 pm
WOW….like everyone else I did not see this one coming……However it was way over due. John Parker Wilson….now Chris Redman…..hopefully Sam Baker can be replaced by someone on the waiver wire next.
Curlygreg
August 28th, 2012
3:40 pm
Guys, exercise a little common sense. Why do you put DDavis in the same realm as RG3 and Luck? Those guys were top draft picks for a reason. Davis went undrafted for a reason. He will never see the field this year. He has potential for the future, but not this season. He was a solid pick up, but won’t be ready to start this year.
Ken
August 28th, 2012
3:40 pm
Good move McCown knows Koetter’s system gives Davis time to study and be ready when and if the time comes hopefully the offensive line will protect Matt Ryan well so that neither one has to come off the bench. This gives the improves the Falcons depth at QB.
gl
August 28th, 2012
3:41 pm
The NFL will see five rookies start at quarterback for the first time in history. Quarterbacks are coming into the league more prepared and as athletic as any time since 1983. To say that we should be nervous to have Dominique Davis as the number two doesn’t make sense given the progress of rookie quarterbacks recently. The Falcons cannot ignore the success of Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Cam Newton and Andy Dalton to the detriment of the development of Davis. This move should not be about hating on Redman or JPW but about making the team better. If Davis has earned the #2 qb position it would a good move for the Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons: Depth chart for Jacksonville game (Updated) | Atlanta Falcons
August 28th, 2012
3:43 pm
[...] Luke McCown has since been added to the roster and the team has released Redman. We are going to slo… [...]
Mike Franklin
August 28th, 2012
3:46 pm
I like DDavis… he looks like a natural for the position.
Wilson Pickett
August 28th, 2012
3:47 pm
There is not 15 good QB’s in the NFL and after that most are the same…average at best.
True Falcon Fan
August 28th, 2012
3:47 pm
The OC is paid to know the quality of players in every position re offensive side of the ball. Luke is obviously the backup Dirk was looking for Matt Ryan, also in his pecking order and offensive scheme moving into the upcoming season. That being said, Folks that means Dominique Davis is soon gone, he will not clear waivers. Somebody will grab that kid for sure. That’s too bad, Davis played well when he got his time.
Good Luck # 8 Chris Redman
Go Falcons!!!
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
August 28th, 2012
3:48 pm
Were there any other teams lined up to sign Luke McCown? If not, the Falcons hopefully won’t risk putting D. Davis on the practice squad. If they do some other team will sign him before they can finish deciding what 8 players to put on their practice squad. All other NFL teams have access to the preseason game tapes too.
jaz
August 28th, 2012
3:49 pm
Very Interesting: a shootout between McCown & Davis at jax.
jJoel Holtzman
August 28th, 2012
3:50 pm
Redman sorry to see you go. You’er a team player. Someone who knew his role and stayed in there when the going got tough. Great QB eyes to have on the side lines during games. Hard to beat experience on the side lines. I hope the Falcons can find a place for you. I hope you would like to be part of the Falcon family. Best wishes and good luck on your next assignment.
mcclee
August 28th, 2012
3:53 pm
OK for those who think Matt ryan will loose his job, man yall funny. I will take matt over flacco, cassel, KOLB, alex smith, fitzpatrick, jay cutler, hell rg3 sanchez, carson palmer. The falcons have never had a quarterback like matt in franchise history or since bartkowski. I will miss redman because he was reliable.Davis has been going against 3 stringers come on now, put him against ray lewis or troy palamalu then call me. Im glad be got julio but i hope we never trade that much ever again. as far as i know we need a new mlb please. let’s get cooley he plays fullback.
Drew could hand you the entire Saints playbook and hold a training session
August 28th, 2012
3:58 pm
And the FAILCANTS would still lose….fact….you’re an inferior team to the Saints….You don’t have a SB ring or playoff victory in 3 years….lmao…joke of the NFC South…
Falcon James
August 28th, 2012
4:01 pm
I guess alot of are surprised by this move. I though Redman was a career back up. I am a big DD fan, but I can’t see him as the #2 guy this year. I would say that McKown will fill that slot simply because he already knows the system.
Clifton
August 28th, 2012
4:02 pm
Certainly this puts the Falcons over the top…..NOT
Royalty
August 28th, 2012
4:03 pm
Davis will be the #2, Luke has too much of a learning curve unless he looks flawless this week.
THE MAJOR DAWG
August 28th, 2012
4:04 pm
Davis will get cut. He needs a lot of work. It is one thing to shine against guys who now have been cut by other teams and play in the NFL.
Royalty
August 28th, 2012
4:05 pm
Just because we have JAX old coach doesn’t mean our system is the same as the one McCown played under.
Royalty1
August 28th, 2012
4:07 pm
Same coach doesn’t mean he is running the exact same system. ATL talent is a big difference compared to JAX. McCown will have some learning to do.
Michael M.
August 28th, 2012
4:07 pm
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa ! Ha ! Ha ! So long you two Bums ! ! ! ………………………………………..
What have I been saying on here for a few weeks now ? ………………………
They were doing nothing but taking up the roster space…………good riddens………….and they are still several on that Falcon’s Roster that need a swift kick in the pants as well on the way out the door………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Think anyone will sign Red…………..what about JPW ?……………………
Clifton
August 28th, 2012
4:07 pm
You clowns who actuallly think Davis will replace Ryan need some water splashed on your faces. Ryan and Smitty are the conservative, clean-cut look that Blank wants after the Vick and Petrino debacle. No way will the brass let an undrafter rookie free agent start over the franchise QB….that would only make them look that bad….e.g. Jerry and Baker….hint, hint.
PMC
August 28th, 2012
4:10 pm
Um, what’s the difference? Luke McCown has been in the system I guess, same reason #8 had a job in the league when his former coach was hired.
Basically pray to God #2 is healthy and upright, we don’t have much of a chance after that.
True American Hero
August 28th, 2012
4:13 pm
Matt is clearly the starter, and for a while. Management has made it clear they have invested in Matt to run this offense for the near future. Bad move cutting Redman. He’s not going to win any records, but for this year he could have carried us if Matt gets hurt. DD, he is the future #2. JPW, well he had to go. New guy McCrown, waisted money, get an LT, we need that more.
Bye Bye
August 28th, 2012
4:15 pm
Thank you for not bringing in Vince Young. More important than ever that O line learn to block. Redman was decent back up but looked lost this year in preseason.
PMC
August 28th, 2012
4:16 pm
This is basically on the same level as Doug Johnson/Kurt Kittner. Falcons fans will remember as one of the most miserable seasons of our existance.
kingdaddy
August 28th, 2012
4:16 pm
I will be very upset if we lose Davis. Young man will be very exciting when he gets his chance. Carry 3 qbs if you have to, but don’t take a chance on losing DD…
Clifton
August 28th, 2012
4:18 pm
From my close observation of the Falcons’ dress rehearsal game last week, Falcons will go undefeated this year…..music to the homer clowns’ ears I hope. I’d like to add that I am blind and my hearing is severely impaired.
Michael M.
August 28th, 2012
4:22 pm
I just up the Falcons wins this year by them being so bold…………………………..its a step forward into the future and not going backwards and if anyone can’t see it then they must be lacking………………………………………………………………………..
abby normal
August 28th, 2012
4:25 pm
Obviously, Redman was used up and Parker Wilson never was an NFL caliber player….they had to do something at QB.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
August 28th, 2012
4:35 pm
PMC – You forgot about Woddy Dantzler as your Wildcat QB that season. (Why did you have to bring that up?)
Rodster
August 28th, 2012
4:44 pm
Good move, I think. I just never had any confidence in Redman. I was pretty surprised we kept hiim as long as we did. I don’t know if McKown will be appreciably better but it feels like a good move.
South ga boy in the atl
August 28th, 2012
4:50 pm
Easy on the “Davis is the No. 2″ talk guys. He will be, most likely next yr. I’m really high on the young man but keep it real. He’s looked good at the end of games against backups and cannon fodder with vanilla look defenses. That’s not the same thing as winning a crucial game in the regular season against a good nfl defense that needs the win just as bad as us and throws the kitchen sink at DD. I believe he will be a great backup and maybe a starter at some point but if we had to have a game or two THIS YEAR then we have to turn to the veteran.
Delbert D.
August 28th, 2012
4:52 pm
Good move, he knows the offense. It may take Davis a couple of years.