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
WS
August 28th, 2012
4:54 pm
I agree with Redman cut. Two years too late. Davis will not be cut or on practice squad this year.
I think they could have done better than Luke McCown. I watched him play with Jags last year. He was worst that Gabbert.
Th
August 28th, 2012
4:56 pm
I thought it was dirty pool for the Falcons to put JPW back on the roster so he could not be signed by a team that actually wanted him last year. It was pretty clear he had no future with us so why not let him try at another team? I hope he gets a look somewhere else.
Redman, thanks for doing your job, but it was time to go. Your excellent accuracy had already deserted you and then you couldn’t get the ball past the D line. Good luck. There’s a sports talk station in Louisville, isn’t there?
Wasn’t going to watch the last preseason game but now I guess I will.
cb795
August 28th, 2012
5:00 pm
Comparing apples to apples, how did Redman look when he was in the line up. Better players on both teams and yet there he was having passes batted down, throwing at the feet of the receivers and the deer in the head light look. Yet when Davis came in the energy level seem to increase for the Falcons, maybe they believed something good was going to happen. Our best corner was drafted when? Yes, he wasn’t drafted. Maybe lightening does strike twice,
Atlanta Falcons: McCown signed, Redman released | News-ON Atlanta
August 28th, 2012
5:05 pm
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moorman
August 28th, 2012
5:26 pm
funny how things never change. its CLEAR that dominique davis is the BEST quarterback on the falcons roster, and yes, im including matt ryan, who julio jones is always 2 seconds from injuring himself trying to adjust to ryans deep floaters. pete caroll showed how its done in seattle. he gave two cents about hurting matt flynns ego or the fact they gave him all that money. he rolling with the BEST quarterback on that roster……….
steven a smith
August 28th, 2012
5:27 pm
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)
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.
The reason why the “Electoral College” was created, some of us ar just plain “Idiotic” and cannot “see the forrest for the tress”.
thouhtful
August 28th, 2012
5:28 pm
WOW!!!! Redmon is smart maybe the Falcons can give him a front office job and then always pull him in case of emergency, the same JWP. Thanks guys for help making us legit contenders
Isaac
August 28th, 2012
5:31 pm
Hide your kids. Hide your wife.
Jimmy Crack
August 28th, 2012
5:31 pm
To those who don’t think Dominique could step in and play, look at Ryan Tannehill. He started just 19 games at A&M after switching from receiver to quarterback, and last year he threw 15 interceptions while going only 1-4 against Top 25 teams. In 2 seasons at East Carolina, which plays SEC and ACC teams on a yearly basis, Davis broke every passing record in school history by throwing 62 touchdown passes and running for another 14 TDs.
moorman
August 28th, 2012
5:32 pm
falcons been in the league since 1966……………………………..when are they gonna put the best players on the field, regardless???????
moorman
August 28th, 2012
5:33 pm
they know dominique can play, thats what scares the vick haters……………………..lol. they see michael vick number two……..lol
REAL BIG FAN
August 28th, 2012
5:33 pm
I must admit I am a HIGE FAN of the Falcons and Matt Ryan.
I love his style and his confidence. I have never been a big fan of the deep ball.
I like short passes and running on second down.
I like to play it safe.
I keep most of my assets in T-Bonds.
Back to you, Arch.
Frank
August 28th, 2012
5:34 pm
Redman needed to go,at 35 he couldn’t heip in the long run anyway.
Frank
August 28th, 2012
5:34 pm
Redman needed to go,at 35 he couldn’t heip in the long run anyway.
old qb
August 28th, 2012
5:35 pm
Chris Redman played well for the Falcons whenever he was called upon. At age 35 and relegated to a backup roll he played well (in real games that mattered).
We’re in a danger zone. Whenever a new coach comes in he grabs players from his old team. McCown failed to ever be thought of as a starting quarterback and has a lousy record as a backup when called to play in a real game. Hey, 9 touchdowns and 14 interceptions–hell we could hav gotten Vince young–he’s also a bum, but younger than McCown.
All this is a waste of time as Davis is now strongly entrenched as the number 2 quarterback for the Falcons.
The only way McCown plays in a regular season game is minutes after the announcement that Arthur Blank has sold the Falcons to Al Davis (I know Al is dead, but that just illustrates my point as to how little chance McCown has of ever stepping on the field).
steven a smith
August 28th, 2012
5:37 pm
steven a smith
August 27th, 2012
8:39 pm
Also, I would have more trust in Vince Young over Chris Redman, should Matty “meltdown” Go down!Saints also cut Luke McCown. McCown and Young are major upgrades over Chrissy Redman, IMO!
Not one to say “I told you so”, however, anyone with half a brain could Clearly see that Chris Redman and John Bob Parker, did not belong on the same football field as Matt Ryan. Some Bloggers were flat out in denial!
steven a smith
August 28th, 2012
5:40 pm
old qb
August 28th, 2012
5:35 pm
I think that Dirk Koetter is a “little” more qualified to evaluate Luke McCown than you are my friend.
Maybe you ar a retired NFL Scout or something? Just Saying….
steven a smith
August 28th, 2012
5:44 pm
old qb
August 28th, 2012
5:35 pm
I am sure that Vince Young has more football in his little toe than you have in your whole body! Young can probably outplay Matty Meltdown right now.
Teddy KGB
August 28th, 2012
5:49 pm
@moorman
You might want to change that moniker to moronman. Davis is nice little story but he is in fact an undrafted free agent that has played a few downs against other free agents. I’m glad he made the team because he may add more that Wilson or Redman but he will NEVER be as good as Matt Ryan. If Pete Carroll had Ryan on his roster then Russell Wilson would be on the bench.
Clifton
August 28th, 2012
5:53 pm
Im just kidding I really like this team and I think they can go all the way, also I think by seasons end Marty ice will be better tha drew brees
Clifton
August 28th, 2012
5:54 pm
U guys are some great people and I agree with most of ur comments
Kyle
August 28th, 2012
6:10 pm
I’m glad to hear this. Redman might have been a nice guy but if Ryan went down you knew your season was over. I had hoped Wilson would have worked out but it wasn’t going to. Hopefully we will have two good ones that will eventually be able to come in if needed.
Ueeediot
August 28th, 2012
6:31 pm
I heard Chris Redman was going to toss his towels and jersey in the laundry basket on the way out, but they got blocked by a lineman.
FalconFan
August 28th, 2012
6:34 pm
Redman looked real bad in the preseason and DK just felt more comfortable with McCown. DD has been very good but let’s pray Matt stays upright. McCown has lost in every opportunity he has ever had. JPW was one of the worst QB’s I’ve seen at this level. Maybe worst all time that held a roster spot this long. Worse than Tony Graziani
RedGADawg
August 28th, 2012
6:37 pm
Seems as if the Falcons had no backups at QB, curious that no one on talk radio was wondering why #2 or #3 wee cut.
What does it take to be a backup?
Warm body?
Ueeediot
August 28th, 2012
6:43 pm
Has to laugh at the comments about Redman being a good back up.
He came into a game in 2009 vs a 1-10 TB team and was down 17-13 with seconds left on the clock, got a gift PI call and took 7 attempts to make a 5yd play. And made it, and won the game…against a 1-10 team…
Proceeded to lose the next two games in a row and had about 7 passes a game blocked at the line.
All in all, Redman started 6 games, was 1-5, had 14TDs and 9INTs, took 17 sacks, and a whopping 6yd per pass play avg.
Its laughable that anyone saw him as any kind of value on this team. My #2 QB has to be a perceived asset coveted by teams like Arizona, Seattle, and the Browns.
Matt
August 28th, 2012
6:44 pm
I’m totally psyched at all the Jacksonville Jaguar connections coming to Atlanta. They were so great last year!!! Oh wait….
Ueeediot
August 28th, 2012
6:50 pm
The lack of talent development from this coaching staff is troublesome. Watch this week for the last youll see of RB Antoine Smith #35 and RB Dimitri Nance #30 until next preseason, same as 2010 and 2011.
If these guys are progressing then why are you not getting them into the game and why are they not challenging for jobs?
If they are not progressing, why are they on the roster?
papason100
August 28th, 2012
6:54 pm
Antoine Smith has looked good during the preseason,, I would like to see the Falcons start playing more backs than just Turner who clearly has lost a step or two… try Rodgers more and utilize Smtih too..
FootballTopFan
August 28th, 2012
7:06 pm
The quarterback is the most important player on the field !!!
The Atlanta Falcons have made a tremendous upgrade in this position by signing Luke McCown.
The true gem of the quarterback corps is Dominique Davis. He adds a new dimension to the offense and will prove to be invaluable to the Falcons.
Whadda Ya Know?
August 28th, 2012
7:06 pm
Ueeediot…preach on!!! I know exactly what you’re saying. Anyone who believes this coaching staff has open competition, I got some $3 dollar bills for ya. Redman and JPW should have never been backups on anyone’s team. Tells you how pitiful this team is at selecting and evaluating top talent. These two clowns made Dom Davis look like an all pro already. Smith has twice the speed of both Turner and Rodgers–and hits the holes faster. Someone on the team is playing favorites. I wonder who?
Whadda Ya Know?
August 28th, 2012
7:07 pm
DLed let my other post out of that dark hole it’s trapped in!
Mikey
August 28th, 2012
7:11 pm
I trust Dirk Koetter. He saw both of these guys in action a LOT and he has more football knowledge in his pinkie than we on this blog do multiplied by a million. I am happy to see that there are no sacred cows though and that our new coordinators are able to play the individuals they feel give us the best chance to win; regardless of how long they have been with the team, where they were drafted or how much they make. The Falcons ultimately have to advance the skill and capability of the team or they don’t continue to improve. These changes have to be made and I see them as part of the impovement we got when we hired two new coordinators. I am looking forward to watching the last pre-season game and hope to see more of D. Davis… he just might be the 2nd string QB at some point during the season but you just can’t go with an unproven rookie and hope for the best when you have a schedule like the Falcons. They seem to be thinking of getting better and of winning… I like that! GO FALCONS!
What Pass Defense?!
August 28th, 2012
7:19 pm
I am as surprised as the rest of the surprised folks about the release of Chris Redman. I was not surprised by the release of John Parker Wilson.
Luke McCown has his work cut out for him. He may know the Jaguar offense, but he does not know ours. Dirk Koetter brought some of the Jaguar offense with him, and kept some of the Mularkey offense we ran last year. He also kept the Falcons terminology which made him have to learn it instead of our players having to learn the Jaguar terminology. Luke McCown does not know the Falcons terminology or the portions of the Mularkey offense kept by Dirk Koetter.
Just Sayin.....
August 28th, 2012
7:25 pm
Cut Wilson…..check
Cut Redman…..check
Start Davis…..in progress
Just sayin…..
Just Sayin.....
August 28th, 2012
7:29 pm
It’s only a matter of time before Davis gets the starting job.
4 years is a long time to evaluate a winner in the post season. This is not the old NFL.
That’s why so many rookies are now expected to win on day 1. I think Art is fed up.
True Falcon Fan
August 28th, 2012
7:29 pm
@moorman —- sir you are a “RACIST” —- “Go find a life” !!!!!
True Falcon Fan
August 28th, 2012
7:32 pm
@moorman – should “MoronicMAN” – you & ZERO have alot in common!!!
I hope Dominique Davis makes this team!
Go Falcons!!!!
easynow
August 28th, 2012
7:45 pm
why are we in love with worthless ex jag players???????
Redman has been around for TOOOOO many years..how in the hell any team can sign him is beyond me! D.Davis has shown MORE than any prospect we have seen in years!
Falcon Fan
August 28th, 2012
7:45 pm
If they were going to release Redman, the Falcans should have had a better plan. They will need Redman if Ryan is injured early in the season. No QB can join a team and be ready early. Is Glanville back with the Falcons?
Charleston Jacket
August 28th, 2012
8:01 pm
Great – Now can we go back to the old uni’s?
Jay
August 28th, 2012
8:07 pm
You know, the jokes about us becoming the Jacksonville Jaguars were funny until they started become true. This will not end well.
Jim
August 28th, 2012
8:14 pm
Forgot to say first!!!
Ryan’s #1 – Hey’s finally past the skinny kid phase (got married) and will now hold his own against the rush.
Davis/McCown #2 – So, you have to say who is the inactive QB. The first 3-4 weeks that is Davis. After that McCown. Let McCown hold the clipboard and show DD the plays.
Jim
Just Sayin.....
August 28th, 2012
8:32 pm
The Davis era has started folks.
Just sayin…..
D man
August 28th, 2012
8:50 pm
WOW! Didn’t see that one coming. Davis should be #2 now.
Esquire
August 28th, 2012
8:51 pm
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.
_______________________________
Can you spell dumb ass any other way?
Esquire
August 28th, 2012
8:53 pm
ust Sayin…..
August 28th, 2012
8:32 pm
The Davis era has started folks.
Just sayin…..
_______________________
Oh please…………..you ain’t saying S_it.
gcs
August 28th, 2012
8:54 pm
Redman stuck around much longer than he should have. The Falcons are lucky Ryan has never gotten seriously hurt (knock on wood).
ATL needs to draft a QB in 2013. It will be a QB rich draft.
regina
August 28th, 2012
8:59 pm
why are we settling for all of Jacksonville Jag players? If DD doesnt make this team, something is clearly wrong with this entire organization.
WTF
August 28th, 2012
9:09 pm
Never understood how Redman was ever in the NFL. Hope he saved his $