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
steven a smith
August 28th, 2012
9:13 pm
Matt Ryan’s “lack of mobility” eis a concern for this coaching staff, Scrubs. He will most likely get injured during the season. Both guys behind “Matty playoff meltdown” have superb athletic ability.
Ken
August 28th, 2012
9:17 pm
NO WAY the Falcons will put Davis on the waver wire to put him on the practice team. Coach Smith might get fired on that stupid move…
Patrick Romano WAR DAMN EAGLE
August 28th, 2012
9:43 pm
5.6 Million for two years as a backup-wow, We’re definitely in the wrong biz!!! Didn’t know they paid that damn much for a backup, WTH???
Ackshun
August 28th, 2012
9:56 pm
Redman has been on borrowed time since the whole Petrino fiasco. He is a good guy and I hope he catches on somewhere, but if not he is smart enough to have seen this coming and he won’t need a 9 to 5 anytime soon.
scott
August 28th, 2012
10:00 pm
Rey
put down the crack pipe. Davis equal to Ryan?
Just Sayin.....
August 28th, 2012
10:01 pm
Considering the 13-14 million Ryan made per season, was Redman really over paid?
I mean neither one of them has won in the playoffs.
Just sayin…..
Just Sayin.....
August 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
With Davis’ mobility and legitimate threat to hit Roddy & Julio further downfield, he won’t need
the extra protection that will be required for an immobile Ryan.
Peaches
August 28th, 2012
10:06 pm
The Falcoons could line up in the Saints huddle and still couldn’t stop the New Orleans offense.
birdfan
August 28th, 2012
10:08 pm
why do we have to get our staff and players from Jacksonville? and now we are getting our backup player from there. well actually New Orleans had Mc Cowan who was trying to get on there and got cut so if New Orleans doesn’t want him why do we? especially when we have a great back-up in Davis. if Matt Ryan goes down this season and McCowan is our backup our season will be lost cause someone elsewill have already snatched up Davis
Bird Brain
August 28th, 2012
10:39 pm
I thought Greeny and Shefty did a good summary of Matt Ryan this morning on Mike and Mike. Matt’s numbers are similar to Peyton Manning after first 4 years. Peyton won his first playoff game in his 5th year. Go Matt. It’s your year to shine. I like DD for #2. Too many Jags for me except the one we need (MJD).
Big Crimson 75
August 28th, 2012
11:04 pm
Ryan is the Guy.
Davis has earned the right to be on the Team.
I would have kept Redmon over any of the McCowns.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
August 28th, 2012
11:31 pm
I totally agree with all of the folks who have stated that the Falcons don’t do a good job of developing talent. As an example…..why would you not put in D Nance and/or A. Smith when the game is out of reach in the 4th quarter in order to give them some playing experience in a “real” game??????
But then again…..one might ask why did it take sooooooo long for the Falcons to release JP Wilson and C Redman??????
GT GRAD
August 28th, 2012
11:45 pm
I assume we saved some salary cap money when we cut Redman and signed McCown………does anyone know the numbers.
They are close to the same in talent……….McCown is a little younger……Redman was very loyal/dependable. However, Redman was not looking good during preseason this year. He is a great person and I liked him; we must face reality that he was paid starting QB money for several seasons while playing as a back-up (this helped him stay loyal & dependable). McCown also brings important information regarding New Orleans……I hope the Falcons coaching staff are willing to listen to what he has to offer regarding the New Orleans scheme, player strengths/weaknesses, etc.!!
D Davis will be the 3rd string QB this season…..he has a future as a solid back-up; but he will not threaten Matt Ryan for the starting QB position (get real people!). He needs time and experience before we should count on him as a dependable 2nd string QB.
Tdawg
August 28th, 2012
11:46 pm
You can bank it. Davis will be lining up behind center for some team before his contract is up with Atlanta. Atlanta needs to give this kid all the game time experience they can for two reason’s. In case for whatever reason he has to replace Ryan. The other reason is trade bait. People this kid can flat out play. In my opinion he is ahead of what Ryan was when he first came into the league. Falcons has a gold mind if they play their cards right.
LOL at the Aints
August 29th, 2012
12:24 am
LOL
LOL at the Aints
August 29th, 2012
12:25 am
Havent heard from STBFoe,, guess hes’ evacuating,, LOL
Ueeediot
August 29th, 2012
12:47 am
1-5, 14TDs, 9INTs, 17 sacks, and 6yds per completion. This is what youre defending when you want Redman on the team.
Redman is a known entity. If Ryan gets hurt, Redman comes in the game and you lose.
Why do some think the Falcons could care about the Aints right now. Let’s see where you are week 9….
old qb
August 29th, 2012
12:53 am
TP: Steven A. Smith
Not sure what the “A” in your name stands for, but I think I could make a pretty accurate guess. First, do you think it was a coincidence that Koetter opted for a quarterback from Jacksonville. And getting a 31 year old guy that’s bounced around from one team to another without a sniff at being a starter and finally coming to the Falcons from that NFL offensiv juggernaut with a record of 9 TD’s and 14 interceptions does not require the mind of Bill Belichek to know the guy may not even be qualified to hold a clipboard. What is this guy to you, your brother or cousin.
Fats Johnson
August 29th, 2012
1:58 am
Redman was solid and did a decent job. Kinda hate to see him get thown overboard,but he will catch on somewhere else
FALX UP!
August 29th, 2012
3:35 am
Ayy you ppl need to chill out dissin Redman. He came in for Ryan and did GREAT. Its just age caught up with him. Farewell Red! THe DOMinator will make the roster over McCown right? I sure hope so.
phillip binens
August 29th, 2012
4:52 am
davis should start and matt should behis back up!
BUZZ 2011
August 29th, 2012
5:09 am
Redman is better than Matty Ryan.. Why would you release him?
Mike
August 29th, 2012
5:48 am
I live in Orange Park FL. right outside of Jacksonville, I’m a Falcon fan and have be most of me life. I watch the Jags and I see what kind of players they have and the players they let go. Having said that in the past few year when McCown was put in a game to show what he could do….he bombed!!!!, Redmen is better QB than McCown, your see.
TomDawg
August 29th, 2012
6:34 am
Would you people stop with the “Dominique Davis is the greatest thing since sliced bread” stuff. He has done well………against 3rd and 4th stringers!! Lets see how he handles a real pass rush from like say, the Giants or the Packers. Yes I like the kid but he has shown he is about like DJ Shockley. And no, he will not take Matt Ryan’s job. Get over it.
Titletown USA
August 29th, 2012
6:54 am
If these other rookie QBs come in this year and do well, then the pressure will be higher on Ryan to produce. This is close to his last year or two being close to edge…..the Davis kid is an obvious talent with an incredible upside and if they place him on waivers he is gone.
I jusut wish Matty Ice would have taken dancing lessons to learn how to move his feet under pressure.
Whadda Ya Know?
August 29th, 2012
6:56 am
TomDawg, don’t compare Davis to DJ Shockley because they’re NOTHING alike. DJ had his opportunities as was always off game. It may be too early to say what Davis’ capabilities are, but none of us (including you) know if this kid and move the ball like he’s done against starters until he plays them. Afterall, no one expected Russell Wilson to take the starting job in Seattle. The job is Ryan’s to lose. If he continues looking like he has in preseason we will go deep this year into the playoffs, but if he falls back into that panic mode the front office will have a decision to make.
TomDawg
August 29th, 2012
7:15 am
Exactly alike WYK.
Dirty Bird since 71`
August 29th, 2012
7:56 am
Good.. Gotta get rid of the old stuff and in the with new.. Now get rid of Baker and we will be cooking with Crisco.. Stop being so attached to players who are losers. Get some winners iin here.. Let everybody know they are not safe. Forget friends.
Mike is Back
August 29th, 2012
7:57 am
Dled, I wish Redman and Parker Wilson the BEST…however, I felt that those were good solid choices by the coaching staff…they were pretty much the same type of guy. Like the pickup of McCown…VERY high on Davis…now it feels like we have some real dept @ tha QB position.
GO BIRDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dirty Bird since 71`
August 29th, 2012
7:58 am
If Ryan gets hurt.. This kid Davis is gonna Tom Brady him.. Watch..
BobbyDawg
August 29th, 2012
8:05 am
It was time for Redman to move on. He proved time after time that he just couldn’t move the team. Whether McCown can do any better remains to be seen, but at least it’s a change. As for D.D. I’m sure he’ll get his opportunities. Go Falcons!
I usually just read but...
August 29th, 2012
8:58 am
Some of the scouting report on Davis:
Negatives — Sub-par arm strength, doesn’t get much velocity on his throws… Will struggle with his deep outs and anything down the field… Seems to float some of his deep passes, just doesn’t the arm to chuck the ball down field… Overall production fell off as a senior as his yards and touchdowns decreased and his interceptions increased… Struggled in big games, threw for a combined two touchdowns and six interceptions against North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Houston this year… Mechanics will fall apart when he’s under pressure, footwork gets sloppy and doesn’t set his feet… Terrible decision maker who will force throws and doesn’t seem to understand that his arm isn’t a howitzer… A bit on the thin side, looks frail and could get crushed by NFL defenders… Played in a spread offense which definitely helped pad his stats a bit… East Carolina’s offense relies on receivers to get a lot of yards after the catch, most of his throws weren’t for more than ten yards down the field… Throws a lot of check down passes and screens which aided in his high completion percentage.
Read more at Sideline Scouting: http://www.sidelinescouting.com/rankings/2012/qb/dominique-davis/#ixzz24wJNQA9g
I Saw No Wonder | Sitting Pugs: Sports Movies
August 29th, 2012
9:17 am
[...] Chris Redman and Ovie Mughelli Falcons no [...]
Paddy
August 29th, 2012
9:24 am
DD is a rookie backup QB,nothing more. Get Ryan ready and lets win alot of games. You have to play DD you can guarentee a high draft pick next year. Just give him the clipboard, already. He will be ready when he learns how to play the position..
Augustabred
August 29th, 2012
9:29 am
McCown was brought in solely to tutor Daivs on the system. It was a smart move by the front office! Davis has been getting too much print for them to even think about putting him on the practice squad. As soon as Peters comes off of IR, McCown will be cut! Davis is will be set at #2 for the long haul or until his trade value rises. He’s not going anywhere!
Bluto
August 29th, 2012
10:11 am
Give Matt Ryan a really good dark tan and most of his haters would go away…
Shane
August 29th, 2012
10:16 am
on atlantafalcons.com Davis is listed as #2
jaz
August 29th, 2012
10:24 am
After a read of sidelinescouting it made me recall that Matt Ryan said that DD had bulked up and was bigger than he is, and a guy that go to a draw with Cam Newton in a shootout, he must have a lot more on the ball that some are seeing. And as far as arm strength, I’ll go by what I have seen in these no-count games and his strength looks good to me, especially the long throws are on target at the end.
Frankie
August 29th, 2012
11:22 am
@ I usually read…..and Matt Ryan has a deep ball…sounds like your scouting report is talking abuot Matty melted ICE
Frankie
August 29th, 2012
11:24 am
Chris Redman better than Matt Ryan…is that why redman was cut…hmmmm, you know this is football and not tiddly winks….
ATLER
August 29th, 2012
11:25 am
Davis is the future is Falcons Football. Sorry Matty Patty …….
Jakadame
August 29th, 2012
11:56 am
The decision to release Chris Redman was a good one. Like some others, I am concerned that the Falcons are becoming a “franchise” of the Jacksonville Jaguars – a group that did not win any titles. I hope that Mike Smith will give D Davis an ample amount of playing time on Thursday. I seriously believe that, at this point, he can compete for and win the #2 position. I hope that the Falcon coaching staff GIVE HIM A FAIR CHANCE! If Davis is released, I will really question the motives and the goals of the Falcon organization. There are those who say that Davis has only played against subs – obviously that was not his design.
His ability to scramble and make a throw in the Cincinnati game and his accuracy in the Miami had nothing to do with the calibre of his opponents – that was a display of sheer mobility and talent. LET’S GIVE A CHANCE – AGAINST SOME OPPOSING STARTERS and see what happens!
jalex49
August 29th, 2012
12:16 pm
Like the move but feel sad for Redman as he was a class act as a player and really helped the Falcons. He will always be a Falcons for most of the fans.
I like Davis but he needs more time to be a back-up of Ryan. I would go with the experience this year and give Davis the opportunity to continue to develop his skill set.
Ryan is and will be the starting quarterback for awhile unless he begins to drastically diminish and that’s not going to happen. He is a talented quaterback who now has WR’s that are productive and very competitive.
Roddy White in my book is still a threat anytime he is near the ball! Jones is a rising star and I am really impressed with Tooms and Jackson in the receiving corp.Douglas is a threat underneath!
As far as Michael Turner, he has earned the right to play in Atlanta and will be a contributor. I do feel that Snelling and Smith should have a lot more playing time. There are going to be a lot of productive running backs being released by teams due to over crowded backfields and I do believe Atlanta has already targeted some.
I don’t put lot into pre-season because if I did I would be depressed about the team’s productivity. But I do feel with the right chemistry they can be extremely competitive. Possibly going deep into the play-offs at the very least and a long shot opportunity in the Super Bowl !
Enkinan
August 29th, 2012
12:37 pm
I’d like to see DD get some quality snaps earlier in the game against some better defenses to see how he holds up. I think he has earned the backup position and is ready for a bit more of a challenge.
That said, anyone that thinks anyone other than Matt Ryan should be our starter is out of their freaking mind.
St Simons
August 29th, 2012
2:11 pm
dang boys, you gotta learn how bidness operates –
this move is not a reflection on Redman-good man, 35, thanks
this move says Davis is ready to be #2. Good news.
the other guy? we bought a saints playbook. good move
now,
LEFT TACKLE LEFT TACKLE LEFT TACKLE LEFT TACKLE
PlanB
August 29th, 2012
2:16 pm
I like the posts better that weren’t hating on Redman & JPW. Guy’s did their best and have now, moved on.
With all the excitement DD has brought and bloggers insisting on seeing more of him, gives you an idea that he has something to offer. Sure, we don’t know exactly what that is but I do know that the Jaguar’s game should provide some better answers if the coaches don’t hide him like they have done with so many other players. I don’t think he will clear waivers and I don’t completely trust MS & TD to make the right decision. DD has made too good a mark to not give him an opportunity. I don’t understand why we would try to clear him instead of a 31 year old that not too many teams want.
Hard Truth Soldier
August 29th, 2012
2:53 pm
Betcha D.J. Shockley is saying Finally somebody has seen the light and damn I lost a lot of money. Now let’s look at facts. Fact one: Redman was really only in Atlanta due to Bobby(The Skirt Chaser) Petrino, and his Louisville connection. Fact # 2: John Parker Wilson did absolutely nothing at Alabama besides be surrounded by Talent that mask his Lack of talent yet. Fact # 3. Why is it that NFL Clubs lie and say the # 2 QB needs more work when it;s a known fact that by pre-season they’ve mastered it. Domnique Davis doesn’t need extra work, Luke McCown just knows his old coach and is getting “free” money. I mean $825,000 for one year to come in and do what ! The Fans in Atlanta deserve better than this, they deserve the best Player on the field, and it’s obvious that D. Davis is the better product. Is Ryan Tannyhill gonna be any more experienced than Davis is? But yet he’ll be a starter come opening day. People go back and check the facts, This Kid Davis was a threat to take Ryans place at B.C. before he had problems academically at B.C. as a FRESHMEN. Once this season is over the whole process will start to do what there doing now. This time Coach Smith want be showing others the door, he’ll be getting it shown to him.
Atlanta Falcons: Here’s a look at who’s on the bubble | Atlanta Falcons
August 29th, 2012
4:04 pm
[...] Backup quarterback Luke McCown signed, Chris Redman released [...]
Teddy KGB
August 29th, 2012
4:25 pm
@ Hard Truth Soldier
Do you know the meaning of the word truth?
Davis never threatened Ryan at Boston College. Ryan was a Senior in 2007 and was pre-season all ACC. Davis was a red shirt. Then in 2008 Davis lost a competition to some guy named Chris Crane.
Here is the wikipedia write up: After sitting out the 2007 season with Matt Ryan leading the Boston College Eagles, in his second season he and Chris Crane vied for the position of quarterback early on in the 2008 season. Dominique got his first snaps in a game against University of Central Florida following a poor showing by Crane. He also played in the following game against University of Rhode Island, but then was benched by head coach Jeff Jagodzinski as Crane solidified his position.
MrsBanks
August 29th, 2012
9:49 pm
If the Falcons don’t sign Dvis…ughhhh….we need an arm on the field….Matt Ryan is on his last leg I think….clearly, he did not hit the gym to bulk those arms up….we’ll see what the season brings though.