Shockley: ‘I can start in this league’
The words D.J. Shockley wants to hear from offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey: "OK, it's your turn now." (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
FLOWERY BRANCH – If we include this upcoming NFL season, D.J. Shockley will have been a starting quarterback in exactly one of his nine years of playing football since leaving high school. So this whole waiting his turn thing – kind of old hat.
Funny. It doesn’t seem to be affecting his confidence.
His expectations: “It’s always going to be the same as long as I’m here: I want to compete for the No. 1 job.”
His belief in his ability that he’s an NFL quarterback: “Oh, no doubt. There’s no doubt at all. I have all the confidence in the world that I can start in this league and play for many years.”
His resolve: “You can’t have the mind frame like, ‘I’m gonna be backing up,’ because you never know what can happen. You have to be ready for when your time comes. If you go in thinking, ‘Maybe, maybe not,’ you’re not going to be successful.”
It’s season four of Shockley’s NFL career. His confidence aside, we’re still waiting for some clarity. Since his long-awaited starting season at Georgia, which resulted in an SEC title and a Sugar Bowl, Shockley has had three head coaches and two general managers with the Falcons. I suppose it’s a good sign that they’ve decided to keep him. But you have to wonder about the shelf life, even for a local hero. As I mentioned in a blog a week ago, the term fourth-year, third string quarterback isn’t heard very often in the NFL. It’s logical to assume that this is the pre-season there needs to be some separation from the pack.
The exhibition opener at Detroit played to mixed reviews, including his own (3-for-8 for 31 yards). But considering Shockley’s physical skills, his maturity and the leadership qualities he exuded in Athens, this backup battle shouldn’t even be a contest: Shockley is better than Chris Redman, better than John Parker Wilson.
But there’s just not much of an NFL resume. He was the designated third QB in 2006 and 2008, and spent 2007 on injured reserve. Tangible evidence of his potential is minimal. Coach Mike Smith needs to see something in a game. “He’s going to get an opportunity again this week,” Smith said.
When asked if inexperience is working against Shockley in roster decisions, Smith said: “I don’t think so. What has to happen though is that we have to feel comfortable as a staff. That’s part of this preseason. We have to make a decision on who we feel is going to best help us win games.”
Smith and Thomas Dimitroff may want to take a straw poll on that in Athens. The respect Shockley earned while sitting behind David Greene was exceeded only by the respect he earned in his fifth-year/senior season. The raw numbers: 21 touchdowns, five interceptions, an SEC championship and a 10-3 season.
The Falcons drafted him in the seventh round in 2006. But since then, he has sat behind Michael Vick, Matt Schaub, Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich, Ryan and Redman. He feels he has improved every season. He says he has a feel for the speed of the pro game and what coaches want.
What he doesn’t have yet is an official NFL snap. But it hasn’t eroded his patience or confidence.
“What I went through in Athens helped me in terms of how to handle things, mentally and physically,” he said. “The biggest thing is patience. You can’t worry about things you can’t control. That’s just something I’ve learned over the years.”
Several years, actually.
Somebody will be out of a job (but No. 2 is safe). (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
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151 comments Add your comment
NeNe's Greg's boss
August 17th, 2009
4:55 pm
Start Shockley!
Kenny Powers
August 17th, 2009
4:56 pm
Question: Who is the bigger D-bag, Saint Simons or FALCONS SORRY?
gratefuldawghead
August 17th, 2009
4:58 pm
Good Luck to Shockley!
GO DAWGS!
WSP Dawg
August 17th, 2009
4:59 pm
FALCONS SORRY has the funniest post of the month. LOL! The sad thing is that people really think like that. They call into these talk radio shows all the time…
SatchelBuzz
August 17th, 2009
5:01 pm
JoeDawg,….let me get this straight. You’re down to using another teams victory over us to gleen some type of enjoyment. Man,..that is so rich. Ugag fans living vicariously through the Bengal Tigers,….guess it’s a good move since you couldn’t get it done.
THWG,..all day, every day.
Michael Vick
August 17th, 2009
5:04 pm
All you dumb fans such as Falcons Sorry and Vick Supporter. Stop trying to blame anyone else for my mistakes. I wasn’t man enough to handle my own business off the field. Arthur Blank supported me through the entire process and i repeatedly kept lying to him. I was the one that never prepared,studied for the game. I am thankful to the Falcons, they made me the richest player in the game, but i gave it all up because i didn’t tell my boys to stop. Everyone that is criticizing Matt Ryan and supporting me truly never was a Falcons fan to begin with. Falcon Fans, Thank you for your support and i look forward to being a productive citizen.
Brad
August 17th, 2009
5:07 pm
Who is this moron posting in all caps who thinks matt Ryan should be cut? Is Terence Moore visiting these blogs now?
Matt the Brave
August 17th, 2009
5:09 pm
Falcons Sorry,
2 things: 1, take off the caps. Dear Lord, they could hear you in Chicago.
2. What the heck are you saying about Matt Ryan? He was freakin’ NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last year and led us to 11 wins.
You crazy!
GT
August 17th, 2009
5:10 pm
I am thinking Shockley might have shadowed Vick in his day. An athletic quarterback that could run some of the same plays Vick did, kind of short, with mobility. Now that the playbook is for a 6′6″ pocket passer I am thinking Parker sticks, along with Redman, more conventional. Shockley might catch on with an Oakland or one of those kind of teams. He is a credit to Georgia making it this far and sounds like the kind of character someone will take a chance on.
Hoops McCann
August 17th, 2009
5:10 pm
Mike Vick eats poop and swims in it afterwards. DJ Shockley will be cut after this preseason. David Greene was a much better QB.
Todd G
August 17th, 2009
5:11 pm
The coaches have to put his guy in the game. He has more than earned it. No one know if he is better or not; but Chris has been given the chances, DJ simply ahs not. case in point, lst preseason, it ws said that each QB would start a game, the only one not to start was DJ.
P-Money
August 17th, 2009
5:13 pm
In my opinion, DJ is the second best QB on this team . If they make him third string behind sorry Chris Redman this year, he should consider a starting job in the new UFL for experience purposes. NFL teams will then see his talent and he could possibly get a look at Denver, San Francisco,Carolina,Tampa Bay,Dallas and Houston next year. They all could use his talent. Matty Ice is paid the big bucks, so he will always be the starter here in Atlanta unless he goes down during the season. I think DJ, if given a chance could be the next Montana. He does not fit your perfect QB up side 6′4″ 210 to 220lbs . But he has more heart and will to win than 80% of these perfect looking QB’s. Heart and will to win, can take a team to the top ( Ask UGA), upside has proven time and time again to get you nothing but hope. You build a team with a QB that has heart and a will to win. DJ just needs a chance. I am glad to know he has stayed confident in his abilities. One thing I know for sure from folowing his career, he has won everywhere he has played.Signs of a winner.
HDB
August 17th, 2009
5:24 pm
What people must realaize is that ALL athletes must maintain that air of confidence for them to be able to compete. What I’mreally hoping for DJ is that he’s getting something that Michael Vick NEVER got here in Atlanta: COACHING!!! Vick was thrown out onto the field without getting coaching from Dan Reeves or Jim Mora (note how John Elway improved when Mike Shanahan coached him….and how he performed when Reeves was coaching!)
IF DJ gets the opportunity and does not perform….then only two things should be considered: either he didn’t get coached…or he didn’t perform!! From what I’ve seen….it could be BOTH!!
DP
August 17th, 2009
5:29 pm
If any one of the other 31 NFL teams thought D.J. Shockley was a potential starting QB they would have called the Falcons and acquired him for a 5th or 6th round pick in the last draft.
BigMike
August 17th, 2009
5:34 pm
I
ConVick
August 17th, 2009
5:37 pm
I wish Shockley the best. This is the kind of young man that the Vickers should be supporting, not that thug. Shockley has supported every team he has been with and never bitch or griped about being in the background waiting his turn. I am glad we have him, but this was the kind of man the Eagles should have gone after if they are looking for a replacement for McNabb. If we ever do lose him, I would wish him nothing but the best, and if Ryan ever did go down, I wouldnt lose sleep over Shockley stepping in.
Bobby Coccyx
August 17th, 2009
5:40 pm
Am I in the right place?
Helluva Engineer
August 17th, 2009
5:41 pm
JPW owns Athens and the silly mutts.
41-30
BigMike
August 17th, 2009
5:51 pm
If this blog could get 90%of you know nothing about football sissys off here we would actually have a decent blog line going.BoB of Dahlonega, stop drinking cheap beer ! Anybody who knows football knows that this kid can play. Hate to break the news to ya’ll but isn’t D. Greene out the league now? Yes! Yes, and Yes again. Redmon wasn’t that good at L’ville, and was a complete bust in B-more. What makes anybody think he’d be worth taco sauce here! If JPW makes it in the NFL, I’ll officially know people at U.of A have contacts.To some degree, even if for the “wildcat” Shockley should be in there. “Shockley”, hold on young man because I know from inside the Houston locker that another guy you played behind is on a short leash, so see you in Texas real soon. This my blogheads is factual not fictional.
ugggh!
August 17th, 2009
5:58 pm
we beat JPW in his house the year before…remember ? of course not… How’s jaybone? Yall are screwed!!
Tide Rising
August 17th, 2009
6:18 pm
There is a reason why Redman is # 2 and Shockley is #3. He’s better than Shockley! JP Wilson doesn’t have a chance. He’s just like Shockley but with less athletic ability.
The thing I remember about Shockley is that when he was coming in every 3 or 4 series when greene was at UGA a reporter asked Tubberville if he was worried about the change of pace and dual threat ability of Shockley. Since everyone who watched Shockley knew he had a terrible habit of staring down and locking in on one receiver this is what Tubbs had to say. “I hope they do play Shockley. He’s good enough for at least 1 or 2 picks a game”. And this was when Shockley was only playing every 3rd or 4th series.
Tubbs was right and that habit of locking in on one receiver has always been his downfall. He is not starter material. And if it makes any of the Bama haters feel better JP Wilson isn’t starter or even top backup material either.
tupac elliot
August 17th, 2009
6:18 pm
Just FYI………why do some of you bloggers even stop to read Falcon srry……..I just scroll on past!
Shockley should be the back up…..he is a valuable back up….and redman…he was that coaches pick that deserted our team…wasnt he….
Go Falcons! ps….Bobby cox blew the game with his in adequte pitching decisons….fri…………uggghhhhhhhhh
chump falcons
August 17th, 2009
6:20 pm
Keep smoking Falcons Sorry. Dog fighter could not read a defense to save his life. Can only run so much and eventually you have to be able to pass which you cant do that if your running all the time. Number 7 is washed up. Hey hey hey hey good bye!!!
Falcons r the S***!
August 17th, 2009
6:27 pm
HEY! FALCONS SORRY. I LIKED VICK JUST AS THE NEXT PERSON DID B4 ALL THAT HAPPENED, BUT IF ALL THE CRAP UR TALKIN WAS TRUE, Y IS IT VICK NEVER GOT US THERE B4? AINT LIKE PRISON MADE HIM ANY BETTER THAN HE WAS. HELL HE MIGHT BE SLOWER SINCE GETTIN F***** UP THE A** IN PRISON ALL DAY.
Good Grief
August 17th, 2009
6:32 pm
Not trying to rip or hate on UGA, but DJ in the end will regret the day that he came to the decision that he was going to ride it out with UGA. Yes, it may have been a good program, but we all knew he was going to get no PT. That’s when he messed up his career…he should have transferred and played elsewhere and I’m sure that if he had chosen that option there’s a good chance we may not be having this conversation on a blog.
tpm
August 17th, 2009
6:39 pm
Maybe heis onto something. DJ Shockley is still collecting a check in the NFL. David Greene is not.
falcon man
August 17th, 2009
6:43 pm
Redman will be cut, and Shockley will be Backup, and Ryan better not get hurt, or this will become Shockley’s team like it was supposed to be before he got hurt!!
June Jones
August 17th, 2009
6:56 pm
When Vick contract ends with the Eagles, is it possible that the FALCONS gets Vick back now that we finnaly have talent at the skill positions, a top 10 back, and a solid line?
Charlie
August 17th, 2009
6:59 pm
If Shockley gets cut, he will get picked up. It was very unfortunate that he got hurt when he had his opportunity. It is kind of funny, because I have the utmost respect for Shockely and would love to see him be successful, but I think Vick is a loser. It has nothing to do with race, but everything to do with character. When the Falcons were losing with Vick at QB, anyone could see it was because Vick did not do his homework. Now he even admits that he was the last in, and the first out, and did not study, and it was obvious when he played. That, my friends, is the defination of a Sorry-A@@ “Falcon”. No wonder he is such an idle among his type, because he, like his fans, are looking for short cuts and are not willing to do what it takes.
Leighton Batiste
August 17th, 2009
7:01 pm
I’ve watched D.J. through college all the way to when he was drafted and they need to give him a chance at the number one spot because if you are a true falcons fan you know that Chris Redman, and John Parker Wilson can’t move the team down the field like D.J. or Matt but I don’t know how long Matt Ryan is going to last and then you’ll need a back up quarterback and Chris or John are not those back ups. If they don’t give D.J. the chance and trade him then they will regret it and realize how good of a quarterback D.J. is.
Charlie
August 17th, 2009
7:05 pm
I see people on here mentioned how Patick Kerney did not get in any trouble when a girl got raped at his house when making excuses. However, the same thing happened at Harry Douglas’ house, and he too did not get into trouble. Once again, fact and common sense prevails.
Charlie
August 17th, 2009
7:15 pm
I agree, DJ is a better QB than Redmon, but since he has never taken a snap, it is risky to keep him at #2. My guess is JPW gets put on the developmental squad.
Charlie
August 17th, 2009
7:18 pm
June, we had the same recievers today that we had when Vick was here. Do you really think Roddy white blossomed under Joey Harrington? Hahaha. Plus, he had Algie, where Matt did not have a tight end last year.
Paddy
August 17th, 2009
7:20 pm
Don’t fall for Falcon Hater. It is all agame, can’t you see that?
T-Rav and the Eastside Grainger
August 17th, 2009
7:28 pm
I hate to tell DJ this, but if you cant beat out Redman, not only do you suck, you cant start in the NFL.
observor
August 17th, 2009
7:30 pm
Listen up people, FALCONS SORRY is not a real person. It’s a character some loser is playing to get a reaction (and it’s actually working). That’s all it is. He does the same exact thing every post about the falcons and gets the same results. As long as you all keep falling for his simplistic routine, he’ll keep doing it.
BAN FALCONS SORRY
August 17th, 2009
7:35 pm
Please ban FALCONS SORRY’s IP address. FALCONS SORRY, please move on. Nothing to see here. Vick is in Phily, go harass their fans.
MiltonDawg
August 17th, 2009
7:42 pm
JPW needs to go. Shockley can be a great #2 for the team, possibly starting. I give a nod to Redman for experience though.
weston
August 17th, 2009
7:54 pm
FALCONS SORRY if you’re an adult, then you’re a sad (illiterate) specimen of what our public school system has become. I think however that you’re just a little 5th grader over here strutting your peach fuzz face around trying to act like a big boy. Now git in your room and do your homework.
I would make the QBs as Ryan, Shockley, JPW. I think JPW is a decent 3d string clipboard holding QB. I have never liked Redman so if he got cut tomorrow I wouldn’t be the least bit upset.
If Ryan were to go down in injury, i would feel confident in Shockley’s ability to carry the team.
ljdawg
August 17th, 2009
8:23 pm
Matt Ryan will never be “the man” in Atlanta because he is nothing but the bigot side of a racist argument! Do you see either Manning or Brady handing off the ball 30 times a game? No because they are not “carried” quaterbacks! Matt Ryan is going as far as Michael Turner takes him! Stop crying about Vick and move on! The man don’t owe any of you squat! He served his time and Roger Goddell, the Eagles organization, McNabb and millions of others have decided the man deserves a second chance and he got it! Go to NFL.com and click on jerseys and see who they have featured! Sanchez of the Jets? Yeah; Cutler of the Bears? Yeah; a Pink Romo? Yeah; #7 Vick? Yeah; Matt Ryan?……?…….? NO! STOP HATING!!!! AND GET A LIFE BUSTAS!!!! LMAO!!!!!!!
Hillbilly Deluxe
August 17th, 2009
8:27 pm
It would be interesting to see what Shockley could do but the only way anybody is going to get a shot with the Falcons is if Ryan gets hurt.
Truefan96
August 17th, 2009
8:31 pm
Well, I thought the article was about Shockley but I guess stereotyping QB’s is the best we can do here. Shultzy I don’t know if you’ll read this but I couldn’t tell if it was Shockley or you saying he is a far better option as a #2 QB than Chris Redman. But I can only wonder on what basis you can make this assumption. If he was good enough to start anywhere in the league don’t you think teams would be knocking down the Falcons door to trade for him. He’s barely qualified to play in the NFL. He has some ability, but he’ll never start for a team anywhere (SORRY UGA FANS). Everyone on this site has stereotyped him as some wildcat option QB. Since when did he become that??? He is and always has been a drop back passer. Which 90% of the NFL is. All of you people who love putting QB’s into categories here is the only criteria for getting a QB (read coverage, have arm strength to make tight window throws, be a leader in the huddle and off the field, don’t get your team killed by the way you play) THATS IT
observor
August 17th, 2009
8:55 pm
“Hating” or “Hater”
The new official term of the intellectually deficient.
Try coming up with an original thought you mindless lemmings.
Dawg Turd
August 17th, 2009
8:59 pm
FALCONS SORRY is a fake. There is no way, even a black person, could be that stupid and racist. I suspect he is a middle-aged umemployed WHITE person who has nothing better to do than screw around with everyone. He shows up on every topic ranting about how Ron Mexico was f’d over by Arthur Blank and whites in general. Please ignore that stupid jackazz. By the way, Ron Mexico is a straight up hoodrat thug and is only sorry that he got caught. FALCONS SORRY is a gigantic D****E BAG!!!
Rod
August 17th, 2009
9:01 pm
DJ is a better QB than Redman and has had a great camp but the decision is in the hands of the owner, management and coaches. It isn’t my call but I want DJ to be the backup and would be very disappointed in the falcons. Everything I’m reading and everything I saw at camp a couple times DJ is outperforming Redman. DJ has always had to work alittle harder and prove a little more but that is what I have always admired about him.
mr me
August 17th, 2009
9:10 pm
Shock has more talent than redman plus if you actually watched the game instead of looking at stats you would see that ryan and shock were the only ones to drive the team for a td. Plus every time shock has played has been with third stringers just wait until he actually gets some pt with the big boys. For all you people blinded by your hatred of uga you should at least see that redman is not a viable backup to ryan. I would feel more comfortable with shock if ryan went down. Btw I like the confidence that shock is exuding.
maddawg
August 17th, 2009
9:46 pm
Tide Rising:
*”He’s good enough for at least 1 or 2 picks a game”. And this was when Shockley was only playing every 3rd or 4th series.”*
i appreciate your non-biased and sincere opinion on this but did you read the article? his senior year he had 21 TD’s and 5 INT’s. this is a class kid who does have talent. no one will know until he gets a chance (not pre-season) but it is clear Matt Ryan is THE MAN. I admit I am a Dawg fan but trying to look at this impartially he has enough skills and intelligence to compete in this league and could be an effective starter.
in case no one noticed Falcon Sorry’s spelling got much worse and on obvious words after being answered and ridiculed. He is jus playying gaimes wif yall!!
Bluestreak
August 17th, 2009
9:50 pm
FALCONS SORRY, please stop the shtick or (if you are for real and that illiterate) please go show love for your hero on the Eagles board. He is done here, no longer (and never will be again) a Falcon.
I think you’re one of those Vick haters yourself trying to get something going with your token misspellings and ALL CAP TYPING. Seriously dude…
There are only 4 QBs on the Falcons roster, and there’s not one of them named Vick. Any other owner would have ran MV7 out of town. Arthur went through Hell for that guy and got burned. Even your ‘SUPPERMAN’ (is he hungry or something) admitted he did Arthur wrong.
He hasn’t played in Atlanta in 2 years…move on. The Falcons have and even he has!!!
"370 Yard Curse"
August 17th, 2009
10:15 pm
Turner in 2009, torn acl.
Falcons go 3-13.
Observer
August 17th, 2009
10:17 pm
Carolina is playing a whole lot better than the Falcons and they are playing against the Giants.
That’s professionalism!