Shockley had been off Falcons’ radar for a while
It was over for D.J. Shockley when he lost the No. 3 job to John Parker Wilson.
FLOWERY BRANCH — It was two months ago when former Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley said, “I have all the confidence in the world that I can start in this league and play for many years.” He’ll need that confidence if he hopes to continue playing football. But you only get so long to prove it in the NFL.
It was clear after his fourth preseason in Atlanta that Shockley did not have a future with the Falcons. Whether he has a future in pros at all remains to be seen.
The quarterback who waited his turn behind David Greene at Georgia and then led the Bulldogs to the Sugar Bowl was released by the Falcons for the second time in a month Wednesday. This time carries a sense of more permanence.
Young backup quarterbacks don’t get a long lifeline in the NFL, unless their contract mandates it. Shockley’s didn’t, and he got a longer lifeline than most. When he was beat out by Alabama’s John Parker Wilson for the No. 3 job in the preseason, it sent a strong message about how the organization viewed him. Shockley was cut Sept. 5 and brought back a day later for the practice squad. Every general manager has had a shot at him for six weeks. Nobody has bit.
With injuries at running back now piling up, the Falcons needed a safety net at that position more than they needed Shockley. So they the signed Antone Smith for the practice squad. Shockley was gone.
Anybody who has met Shockley knows he’s a good kid. Anybody who saw him wait his turn in Athens knows about his mental toughness and his leadership abilities. But the NFL can be a harsh reality. Bottom line: He just hasn’t been good enough.
When I talked to him in training camp, Shockley said, “What I went through in Athens helped me in terms of how to handle things, mentally and physically. 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.”
Now it might be time to reassess career goals.
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
161 comments Add your comment
JRCRICKETS GUY
October 22nd, 2009
5:32 pm
Thanks for everything and the best of luck!
Pitbull
October 22nd, 2009
7:15 pm
Jeff, I know you have never really liked us but I think this has to be said:
One more comment: Let’s face it. When you go to UGA you are a Bulldog for life. When you got to Tech you are a Yellow Jacket for life. The hatred never ends and most enjoy seeing the other school’s team lose almost as much as they enjoy seeing their own team win.
With that in mind Tech grad Marc Curles should never be allowed to ref another Georgia football game. And do not forget that that Tech grad SEC Director of Officiating Rogers Redding is the one who assigns him to the Georgia games.
And let’s not forget how hard the SEC crews have been on Georgia for the past few years. Some say it is for the Georgia celebration two years ago but this has been going on for longer than 2 years. Georgia is one of the most penalized teams in the country and we have been willing to chalk it up to not enough discipline. The AJC has almost made a artical series our of that.
But perhaps Rogers Redding is not the fair minded head of SEC officiating that the SEC paints him out to be, Perhaps that Tech hatred for Georgia still burns deeply in his soul and his spoken or unspoken direction to his ref teams is throw the flag at Georgia if they even look like we can penalize them.
Don’t forget the Jaspe rSanks non-fumble that led to a Tech win and the suspension of the SEC refs from working the SEC CG about ten years ago. I ref’ed little league and the first thing they taught me was you can’t call what you can’t see and the ref’s admitted that none of them saw him fumble because he didn’t. The ball was ripped out after he was down and all the refs saw was a bunch of Tech players jumping up and down claiming there was a fumble on their home field so the refs called one.
I guess if Tech cannot compete on the field (until this year) then having Redding Rogers in the SEC home office over the refs is the next best thing. Perhaps Grant Field should be changed to Redding Rogers Field because he sure does more for Tech than whoever Grant was.
Redding Rogers needs to go and Marc Curles needs to be fired if the SEC is to maintain any integrity. Otherwise if the team Redding wants to win has the lock then why tune in? The only reason I can think of is to see which team Redding has picked to win.
Is anybody getting their pockets lined from all this? I don’t think so. I think the SEC is just Redding’s little toy and he has his refs call the shots for the teams he wants to win. What a jerk.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
October 22nd, 2009
7:44 pm
I will win a playoff game someday dammit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big XII
October 23rd, 2009
9:38 am
So when are you hillbillies going to realize NOT every player from Georgia can play in the NFL?
ChamberMaid
October 23rd, 2009
12:19 pm
DJ Shockely may not make it in the nfl, but he will be enshrined in the Georgia Football hall of fame for his contributions at the University of Georgia. Shockely will allways be remembered as the ULTIMATE TEAM PLAYER and someone who never complained ONCE although he knew he was being discriminated against by racists and knew he should have been the starter all along instead of David Greene. Shockely couldnt help it that he was black and because of that he was given a backup role instead of a starting role. By keeping silent about that it may have cost him his NFL career. Too bad. Good kid. Good luck DJ!
ChamberMaid
October 23rd, 2009
12:46 pm
Had Shockley had the opportunity to start at quarterback for the full years at Georgia, as he should have been, then Shockley would be performing at least as well as Matt Ryan is now for the Falcons for some other team in the nfl. Its too bad that our society still discrimnates against people just because of the color of the skin on their backsides.
GumbyWilliams
October 23rd, 2009
4:04 pm
I dont understand why Mike Vicks name keeps coming up in these BLOGS. Vick is a sick individual who should certainly not be wearing an Eagles uniform. Vick should have been kicked out of the league until eternity for the indiscretions he did to poor, helpless, innocent dogs. But whats interesting is that despite the fact that Vick has acted like the low life that he is, DJ Shockley has been the complete opposite of Vick and has been probably the nicest guy the Falcons have ever had on their roster; a model student of the game and a model citizen in the community. However Vick is welcomed back from jail with open arms, gets his Nike deals back, while Shockely is released from the Falcons team as if he has leprosy or something. Its so unfair the way people are treated in our society. The Eagles should have been trying to acquire DJ Shockely because Shockely can help them more than Vick can. Vick will get into trouble again and will be eventually kicked off the Eagles roster for good. But in the meantime, Vick is allowed to enjoy an NFL paycheck while Shockley must take his place in the unemployment lines. Its ridiculous and I am fed up with the system.
Obamawilldogreatthings
October 25th, 2009
3:14 am
Mr. georgiayankeesfan,
We love the guy because he showed loyalty, dedication and commitment to his teammates. And now because of it he doesn’t have the experience he would have had if he had left the Georgia program and gone somewhere else. So please don’t insult our athletes by saying “who cares”? Obviously, we do. Besides, if Harrington is good enough to start at qb in the NFL (for multiple teams) then certainly DJ has more than enough talent to do so as well. I believe the real problem is the excuse the owners and gms are using to deny him an opportunity……. experience on the field with the first string of an NFL team. Not a make believe team with a guy being touted as a genious because his first year guy drafted out of college had a good regular season. I believe he played well. But if Dimitroff was a genious then why can’t he find a good cb at 6ft or better? Some teams have several but we can’t find one. I also agree with one of the other bloggers who says this was a pre-arranged ploy by management to get the locals interested in the Falcons. A good PR man would have kept DJ on as a well liked classy kid to represent the franchise after the Vick era debacle. OOOPs! My bad! Maybe they did do that!
Obamawilldogreatthings
October 25th, 2009
3:39 am
Also, Mr. Davenpoop made a great suggestion for DJ to try the UFL to prove himself. It is funny how nobody wants you unless somebody else wants you too.
Finally, Mr. Keep it Real please check your facts again. The NFl does now and in the past has had stars from Georgia. Remember Denver and their running backs of the past. (UGA). Denver’s current cornerback…..known as a “shut down corner” (UGA). Former corner for redskins (UGA). Linebackers and receivers (Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia) (UGA). Just to name a few. Didn’t that guy from the steelers win an MVP award for his performance in the Super Bowl? Oh yeah, UGA! I think Dallas also took a guy from the UFL to play running back for them. I think he went to Georgia (H. Walker). The Miami Dolphins have one of the most storied franchises in the history of the NFl. They still have an undefeated season of 16 games culminating in a victory in the Super Bowl. Correct me if I am wrong but didn’t they have a guy starting in their defensive backfield from UGA? ( J. Scott). New Orleans Saints took a defensive tackle and defensive end from Georgia a few years ago. This past NFL draft had Denver take another running back from UGA (Moreno) and Detroit took a Georgia qb as the no. 1 pick in the draft (M. Stafford). Now you keep it real!
Sed99
October 27th, 2009
8:15 am
While in Athens, I thought Shockley was one of the best quarterbacks I’d seen in a long time. I was more impressed with him than I was Green. I can say that I’m thoroughly shocked that things are not going in a more positive direction for him in the NFL. Shockley’s leadership skills are unquestionable and there’s no doubt to the power he has in his throwing arm. D.J. I will keep my hopes up for you and keep confidence that you will find a home in the NFL. Best of fortune to you D.J.
dt
October 27th, 2009
1:21 pm
Good College QB NFL is such a different level Hope he Coaches he will be a good one