Roll Call – Falcons Week 2
All of Atlanta’s players have reported and there aren’t any contract holdouts but due to injuries, there were a few transactions this past week, which altered the landscape of the roster.
Who’s here?
Running back Jacquizz Rodgers wasn't properly used last season as the Falcons only threw him one screen pass all season, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com. You can be sure that new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter will utilize the shifty back as a complement to power runner, Michael Turner. Rodgers had only 57 attempts last season but rushed for a respectable 205 yards and one touchdown.
Defensive tackle Corey Peters, who in two years with Atlanta has recorded 73 tackles and four sacks, was placed on the non-football injury list after sustaining a foot injury this offseason. He remains on the active training camp roster but won’t be able to participate until he passes a physical.
The Falcons signed defensive tackle Elisha Joseph, who was on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad last season. Atlanta also signed wide receiver Tim Toone, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2010 draft by Detroit but spent last season bouncing around various practice squads.
Who’s not?
On July 25th, the team officially released linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who tore his pectoral muscle lifting weights. He was signed this offseason and was expected to challenge Akeem Dent for time at middle linebacker.
On July 28, the Falcons also released 32-year-old G Vince Manuwai, whom they had signed earlier this offseason. Manuwai missed all of last season with a significant foot injury but had spent the prior eight years with Jacksonville.
After releasing both Tatupu and Manuwai, the Falcons have given up on both of their free agent signings this offseason.
Looking ahead:
The Falcons, whose roster sits at 89 players – one below the league maximum for training camp – had an off day on Wednesday and will resume camp with a walkthrough on Thursday morning followed by a practice in the afternoon.
Just because the players had an off day doesn’t mean the coaches did. Head coach Mike Smith said that the coaches would review film on Wednesday and analyze how the first six days of camp have gone.
Say what?
"No comment," CB Asante Samuel said when asked if he has Oct. 28 highlighted on his calendar, the day he'll face his former Eagles team. "We'll see who's in steep decline."
Samuel was referring to a comment made by his former head coach Andy Reid, who was OK with trading Samuel for a Falcons seventh round pick because Reid evidently felt Samuel's play had slipped a bit.
For more Falcons coverage, follow Mike Singer @CBSSportsNFLATL.