Roster

The New York Jets got their roster down to the maximum of 53 players Saturday by getting rid of 21 players. S Cameron Worrell was waived/injured and both LB Matt Chatham and DB Hank Poteat were released. The following players were waived outright: WR David Ball, OL Jacob Bender, WR Larry Brackins, DB Rudy Burgess, RB Jehuu Caulcrick, OL Stanley Daniels, OL Stanley Daniels, OL Kyle DeVan, OL Nate Garner, DB James Ihedigbo, DL Thomas Johnson, DL Bryan Mattison, OL Matt McChesney, LB Blair Phillips, DL Ropati Pitoitua, TE Jason Pociask, WR Paul Raymond, LB Brandon Renkart and TE A.J. Schable.

The Atlanta Falcons have signed cornerback William Middleton, their fifth-round draft pick, and defensive tackle Vance Walker, their seventh-round selection. Middleton, an Atlanta native, had seven career interceptions at Furman, including four in his senior season. Walker had 13 sacks and 110 tackles in his career at Georgia Tech.

With the trade of TE Tony Gonzalez to the Falcons, players at the position already on the Falcons roster will be pushed back on the depth chart and possibly off the roster. This includes TEs Justin Peelle, Ben Hartsock, Jason Rader and Keith Zinger.

The Falcons placed running back Thomas Brown, another former Bulldog, on injured reserve Saturday as the team cut its roster down to 53 players.

The Falcons listed QB D.J. Shockley, WR Laurent Robinson, DB Brent Grimes, DB Jamaal Fudge, LB Tony Gilbert and DL Simon Fraser among their inactives for Week 13 at San Diego.

Falcons LB Michael Boley, who last year was considered a player the Falcons could try to sign long-term, lost his starting job Week 15 against the Buccaneers to career reserve Coy Wire. Coach Mike Smith, however, wouldn't indicate if the decision was because of problems on the field, off the field or both. Boley still faces domestic violence charges in nearby Gwinnett County for an incident with his wife at their home seven months ago.

The Falcons listed DL Jamaal Anderson among their inactives for their Wild Card game at Arizona on Saturday. He had missed practice all week with an ankle injury.

Falcons K Jason Elam hit a 30-yard field goal Saturday in a Wild Card playoff game at Arizona. He also had three extra points.

The Falcons listed QB D.J. Shockley, WR Laurent Robinson, DB Brent Grimes, DB Antoine Harris, LB Tony Gilbert and DL Simon Fraser among their inactives for Week 14 at New Orleans.

The Super Bowl champions waived recently signed linebacker Edmond Miles and signed linebacker Rich Scanlon and cornerback Rashad Barksdale. Miles played two games with the Giants after signing Dec. 17. He assisted on a special teams tackle. Barksdale spent most of the season on the Giants' practice squad. He played 10 games with the Kansas City Chiefs last season. Scanlon has played in 40 games, 31 with Kansas City from 2004-06 and nine with Tennessee in 2007. Never a starter, he has 51 career tackles on special teams.

The Falcons have added another defensive player through the draft, grabbing Missouri safety William Moore in the second round. Moore, who set a school record with eight interceptions in 2007, struggled through an injury plagued senior season. But he still managed to make 86 tackles and return an interception for a touchdown. He'll get a chance to replace Lawyer Milloy, one of five defensive starters who left in the offseason through free agency.

The following Falcons did not record an offensive statistic in Week 5 at Green Bay: QB Chris Redman, TE Ben Hartsock, RB Jason Snelling, LS Mike Schneck, WR Adam Jennings and WR Brian Finneran.

Falcons cornerback Von Hutchins, projected as the team's nickel back, was placed on Injured Reserve and is out for the year after injuring his foot on the first day of training camp. The Falcons had hoped it was only a sprain, but surgery was deemed necessary after Hutchins saw a specialist in Charlotte, N.C. Hutchins started 15 games for the Houston Texans last season.

The Ravens have waived the following players Saturday: TE Adam Bergen, QB Casey Bramlet, DL Darrell Campbell, WR Patrick Carter, DT Amon Gordon, WR Justin Harper, RB Alex Haynes, TE Keith Heinrich, LB Robert McCune, RB Allen Patrick, CB Ronnie Prude, LB Gary Stills, WR Ernie Wheelwright, DL Lorenzo Williams and WR Matt Willis. The Ravens have also placed the following players on Injured Reserve: DB David Pittman and RB Cory Ross.

The Falcons listed the following players as inactive for Week 17 against St. Louis: QB D.J. Shockley, DB Lawyer Milloy, DB Glenn Sharpe, LB Tony Gilbert and DL Jamaal Anderson.

With the trade of TE Tony Gonzalez to the Falcons, second-year WR Harry Douglas loses his spot in the club's offense. Douglas, who is sort of a change-of-pace receiver who typically might work best out of the slot, will now likely see fewer targets since Gonzalez will catch his fair share of short- and mid-range passes. Douglas totaled 320 yards on 23 catches (13.9 avg.) with one receiving touchdown in 2008, adding 69 yards on 12 carries with a rushing touchdown and a fumble.

Atlanta signed the following players to its practice squad on Sunday: WR Noriaki Kinoshita who serves as the International practice squad player, TE Keith Zinger, WR Eric Weems, DBs Glenn Sharpe and Eric Brock and DE Brandon Miller.

The Falcons have signed LB Mike Peterson to a two-year deal. The signing reunited Peterson with former defensive coordinator Mike Smith, now the Falcons head coach. "I had the pleasure of coaching Mike for five seasons in Jacksonville," Smith said. "He is a passionate player who brings a great deal of intensity to the game."

According to the official team web site, Falcons RB Jerious Norwood will be more involved in the offense this year. The Falcons are considering using Norwood as the QB in their version of the Wildcat. "We have a plan every week that involves Jerious," offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey said. "We have a plan for every guy. Really, situations dictate whether those plans or plays get called. A lot of it is based on down, distance, field position, score… If those things evolve to get them. I think sometimes people believe we don’t use him enough but he has some plays."

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Atlanta WR Roddy White and the Falcons are in discussions for a contract extension. White, who made the Pro Bowl for the first time last season, is entering the final year of a five-year contract. "We haven't come to an agreement," said White, who is set to make $2.28 million next season under his current contract. White said he would like to enter the season with his contract situations resolved. "Whenever it happens, it happens," White said. "We'll just wait around for it."

The Falcons inactives for Week 6 against Chicago include QB D.J. Shockley, WR Laurent Robinson, FS Thomas DeCoud, CB David Irons, LB Tony Gilbert and DT Jason Jefferson.

The Falcons have signed former Georgia running back Verron Haynes, who spent much of the last six seasons as a backup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. To make room for Haynes, the Falcons cut receiver Troy Bergeron Wednesday, who had only been signed a day earlier.

Falcons DL Jonathan Babineaux, signed to a contract extension earlier this week, celebrated with 1 1/2 sacks Week 13 at San Diego. He also recorded two tackles, including one solo.

Falcons RB Ovie Mughelli, WR Eric Weems, TE Jason Rader and QB Chris Redman didn't record offensive statistics Week 16 at St. Louis.

The Steelers signed RB Verron Haynes at the end of 2007 after starting RB Willie Parker broke his leg. Haynes appeared in the season finale against Baltimore but did not get a carry.

The Falcons' list of inactives for Week 11 against the Broncos includes QB D.J. Shockley, DB Brent Grimes, DB Thomas DeCoud, LB Tony Gilbert, DL Simon Fraser and DL Kindal Moorehead.

With the trade of TE Tony Gonzalez to the Falcons, players at the position already on the Falcons roster will be pushed back on the depth chart and possibly off the roster. This includes TEs Justin Peelle, Ben Hartsock, Jason Rader and Keith Zinger.

The Atlanta Falcons released WR and return specialist Adam Jennings on Tuesday and signed defensive end Brandon Miller from the practice squad. The Falcons also signed receiver Chandler Williams, a former seventh-round pick, to their practice squad.

The Falcons placed WR Laurent Robinson and CB David Irons on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, elevating DB Eric Brock from the practice squad and signing free-agent TE Marcus Pollard to take their place.

With the trade of TE Tony Gonzalez to the Falcons, players at the position already on the Falcons roster will be pushed back on the depth chart and possibly off the roster. This includes TEs Justin Peelle, Ben Hartsock, Jason Rader and Keith Zinger.

Chris Barclay made stops in Cleveland, Tennessee and New Orleans in 2007, and totaled a 3-yard rush and 12 yards on two catches.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports new Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez had a good first mini-camp. He appeared to catch everything thrown his way. On Sunday, he drove out to tip a pass that was too far in front of him. While falling to the ground, he caught the ball. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey had him run a couple of vertical routes and it doesn't look like the 33-year-old has lost a step. "He's everything that I've seen for the last nine or 10 years," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "He's the prototypical tight end. He can block. He can catch. He can run after the catch. He's just a guy who's going to make everybody on this team, offense and defense, better."

With the trade of TE Tony Gonzalez to the Falcons, WR Michael Jenkins loses his prime spot in the club's offense. Jenkins, who like Gonzalez offers big size without amazing hands, had 50 catches for a career-best 777 yards and three scores last season.

Falcons RB Jason Snelling ran three times for 12 yards Week 16 at Minnesota. He also caught a 13-yard pass.

Falcons rookie DL Kroy Biermann recorded the first sack of his career Week 13 at San Diego. He finished with three solo tackles.

The Atlanta Falcons have signed their sixth-round draft choice linebacker Spencer Adkins. Adkins, 5-foot-11, 246 pounds, had 72 tackles including 10 for a loss, five sacks and one interception in 31 games at Miami. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Falcons listed QB D.J. Shockley, DB Glenn Sharpe, DB Eric Brock, LB Tony Gilbert, DL Simon Fraser and TE Marcus Pollard among their inactives for Week 16 at Minnesota.

The Falcons waived the following players Saturday as they cut their roster down to 53 players: QB Joey Harrington, OL D'Anthony Batiste, S Eric Brock, OL Michael Butterworth, S Deke Cooper, C Doug Datish, DE Willie Evans, CB Wilrey Fontenot, OL Kynan Forney, DE Brandon Miller of Georgia, DT Rashad Moore, OL Terrance Pennington, LB Mickey Pimentel, TE Marcus Pollard, CB Glenn Sharpe, DT Montavious Stanley, S Daren Stone, LB Cameron Vaughn, WR Eric Weems, WR Chandler Williams, TE Keith Zinger.

The Falcons listed WRs Michael Jenkins (shoulder), Harry Douglas (shoulder, toe) and Brian Finneran (calf) as questionable for Week 17 against the Rams. All three practiced on a limited basis on Friday.

Lingering symptoms from a concussion have forced rookie linebacker Robert James to be shut down for the season by the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons waived James, a fifth-round draft pick from Arizona State, on Tuesday after a specialist determined the linebacker was not recovering from a concussion as well as expected.

The Falcons listed the following players as inactive for Week 17 against St. Louis: QB D.J. Shockley, DB Lawyer Milloy, DB Glenn Sharpe, LB Tony Gilbert and DL Jamaal Anderson.

Falcons DL Chauncey Davis recorded his third sack of the season Week 16 at Minnesota. He also recovered two fumbles.

The Falcons took Richmond DE Lawrence Sidbury with a fourth-round pick in the 2009 draft. Sidbury was considered a capable 4-3 defensive end before the draft, and he'll be able to match that consideration with the Falcons.

Falcons DB Chris Houston recorded his second interception of the season and the second of his career Week 10 against the Saints. It came off Saints QB Drew Brees. Houston also had five tackles -- three solo.

Falcons punter Michael Koenen missed two long field goals at the Titans in Week 5.

The Falcons listed QB Byron Leftwich (ankle), TE Alge Crumpler (knee, ankle), RB Artose Pinner (coach's decision), LB Stephen Nicholas (ankle) and DL Tim Anderson (coach's decision) as inactive for Week 9 vs. the Falcons.

The Falcons listed the following players as inactive for Week 17 against St. Louis: QB D.J. Shockley, DB Lawyer Milloy, DB Glenn Sharpe, LB Tony Gilbert and DL Jamaal Anderson.

Matt Ryan's teammates say the QB will be even better in 2009 than he was when he won widespread acclaim as the NFL's offensive rookie of the year last season. "By leaps and bounds," Atlanta FB Ovie Mughelli said of Ryan on Wednesday. "It's actually scary how much he's improved and it's only his second year. People thought he couldn't get much better than last year. In the weight room, what he's done out here, his arm strength, the way he reads plays, he's gotten better in every aspect." Ryan said he began studying film after the Falcons' playoff loss to Arizona as he focused on making better decisions in key situations. "The No. 1 thing going into the offseason for me was to improve the decision making and so I've watched a ton of film, just trying to get better and to sharpen up for next season," he said. "I'm going to continue to do that for the next two or three months."

With the trade of TE Tony Gonzalez to the Falcons, players at the position already on the Falcons roster will be pushed back on the depth chart and possibly off the roster. This includes TEs Justin Peelle, Ben Hartsock, Jason Rader and Keith Zinger.

The Rams waived linebacker David Vobora, the last overall pick of this year's draft, to clear roster space for WR Eddie Kennison. Vobora was re-signed to the practice squad after clearing waivers, and cornerback Darius Vinnett was released from the practice squad.

The Falcons listed QB D.J. Shockley, WR Laurent Robinson, DB Brent Grimes, DB Glenn Sharpe, LB Tony Gilbert and DL Simon Fraser among their inactives for Week 15 against the Buccaneers.

Falcons LB Curtis Lofton has been listed as questionable for the Falcons' Wild Card playoff game at Arizona.

The Atlanta Falcons signed linebacker Coy Wire and cornerback Blue Adams, placed defensive tackle Trey Lewis on the active/non-football injury list, reached an injury settlement with linebacker Travis Williams and waived cornerback Glenn Sharpe.

Among those cut by the Eagles on Friday are RB Ryan Moats, WR Bam Childress, CB Therrian Fontenot, CB Nick Graham, WR Jamal Jones, LB Pago Togafau and DB Marcus Paschal.

The Gainesville Times caught up with Falcons RB Michael Turner following the club's May minicamp and learned that last year's sensation is not content with where he's at in football just because he had one big year. Turner is aware that he's no longer an unknown runner, but he also knows that defenses can't stack up against him and expect to corral him when TE Tony Gonzalez is there to offset his presence and improve the pass attack. Additionally, Turner refuses to slow down after his breakout 2008 season. "I've still got something to prove. I can't be a one-year wonder." Turner said. "Now that I know I can do that, I can set bigger goals. The sky's the limit."

The Atlanta Falcons have signed cornerback William Middleton, their fifth-round draft pick, and defensive tackle Vance Walker, their seventh-round selection. Middleton, an Atlanta native, had seven career interceptions at Furman, including four in his senior season. Walker had 13 sacks and 110 tackles in his career at Georgia Tech.

Falcons DB Erik Coleman had nine tackles, including eight solo, Week 12 against the Panthers. He now has 67 on the season.

Falcons RB Ovie Mughelli, WR Eric Weems, TE Jason Rader and QB Chris Redman didn't record offensive statistics Week 16 at St. Louis.

Falcons coach Mike Smith says first-round draft pick Peria Jerry has a mild right knee sprain. A day after leaving practice early with the injury, Jerry stood on the field with other defensive linemen Sunday, but didn't participate as Atlanta finished its three-day mini-camp. The former Mississippi tackle walked without a limp and wasn't wearing protection on his right knee. Drafted No. 28 overall, Jerry had arthroscopic surgery on the same knee last August to repair a torn meniscus.

Knee - Probable for the start of training camp

Falcons RB Ovie Mughelli, WR Eric Weems, TE Jason Rader and QB Chris Redman didn't record offensive statistics Week 16 at St. Louis.

Falcons DL John Abraham, listed as questionable with thigh and shoulder injuries, played in Saturday's Wild Card playoff game at Arizona. He recorded two solo tackles but went without a sack.