NFC South: Robert James
The Falcons have signed receiver Kevin Cone and linebacker Robert James. They also added linebacker Matt Hansen to their practice squad.
With linebacker Stephen Nicholas also injured, the Falcons are expected to start Spencer Adkins in Sunday’s regular-season finale against Tampa Bay. But James has a chance to be active and get some playing time on special teams. With wide receiver Kerry Meier also injured, Cone also has a chance to be active.
John Parker Wilson returns to Falcons
A day after waiving Wilson, the Falcons announced he has been signed to their practice squad. Starter Matt Ryan and backup Chris Redman are the only two quarterbacks on the active roster. Wilson served as the team’s No. 3 quarterback last season, but a change in rules allowing 46 active players on game days this season has prompted more teams to keep only two quarterbacks on the regular roster.
Also signed to Atlanta’s practice squad were safety Rafael Bush, receiver Kevin Cone, receiver Drew Davis, guard Andrew Jackson, linebacker Robert James and tackle Jose Valdez. The Falcons still have one unfilled spot on the practice squad.
They released center Brett Romberg and waived safety Rafael Bush, wide receiver Kevin Cone, wide receiver Drew Davis, guard Andrew Jackson, linebacker Robert James, defense end Emmanuel Stephens, tackle Jose Valdez and quarterback John Parker Wilson. The Falcons reached an injury settlement with tight end Ryan Winterswyk.
I’ll be back in a bit with an analysis of Atlanta’s roster.
I’ve stockpiled that from earlier in the day and just collected some links from around the division to bring you up to date on the latest.
- The Panthers have hired former NFL lineman Ray Brown as assistant offensive line coach to work with John Matsko, who was hired last week. Brown has coached previously with San Francisco and Buffalo and spent 20 years playing in the NFL.
- The Falcons have agreed to terms with linebacker Robert James on a two-year contract. James was on Atlanta’s practice squad for much of 2010, but also served a suspension early in the season. He’s been with the Falcons since 2008 and has bounced back and forth between the practice squad and regular roster.
- In this radio interview, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees reflects a bit on the season and is asked about Jay Cutler's knee injury. Brees dealt with a knee injury during the season and played through it. But he is quick to point out he doesn’t know the exact nature of Cutler's injury.
- A medical and legal website decided that Atlanta ranks No. 2 on a list of the most-depressed cities whose teams have never won a Super Bowl. Charlotte also cracks the top 10.
- Tampa Bay center Jeff Faine, who is the team's player representative, isn't optimistic about the labor talks.
NFC South links: Panthers ink Edwards
Atlanta linebacker Robert James has been suspended the first four games of 2010 for violating NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.
With quarterback Matt Ryan in charge, the Falcons are excited about 2010, writes Tom Pedulla of USA Today.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers signed third-round pick Armanti Edwards to a four-year deal. The deal is worth $2.5 million and includes a signing bonus just over $710,000.
New Orleans Saints
Former Saints coach John North died Tuesday at age 89.
Former kick returner Michael Lewis is enjoying his new role as a team ambassador for the Saints.
Saints fans are excited about rookie defensive end Junior Galette.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Fifth Down blog of the New York Times has a Buccaneers preview.
In a text message to the Tampa Tribune, right tackle Jeremy Trueblood said he was not involved in the incident that sparked a traffic stop that led to him being held for 13 hours in an Indiana jail Tuesday night.
The Bucs appear to have interest in supplemental draftee and BYU running back Harvey Unga, writes Roy Cummings of the Tribune.
Hauschka previously kicked for Baltimore, where he also served as a kickoff specialist. Atlanta punter Michael Koenen handles kickoffs and he and Bryant both were injured in Sunday’s game. Koenen suffered a concussion and that created a bit of a desperate situation.
The Falcons were forced to have defensive end Kroy Biermann kick off and had backup quarterback Chris Redman prepared to take over punting duties. There remains optimism that Koenen can play in Sunday’s regular-season finale, but Hauschka should help stabilize the situation on special teams.
The Falcons also placed guard Harvey Dahl and cornerback Chris Houston on their practice squad. They also elevated linebacker Robert James from the practice squad to the regular roster.
Shockley back with Falcons on practice squad
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
D.J. Shockley is back with the Atlanta Falcons, a day after he was released.
The quarterback was one of eight players signed to the practice squad Sunday, the Falcons announced. In addition to Shockley, the Falcons also signed receiver Troy Bergeron, offensive lineman Michael Butterworth, linebacker Robert James, defensive end Maurice Lucas, cornerback Glenn Sharpe, guard Jose Valdez and defensive tackle Vance Walker were signed to the practice squad.
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
The Falcons have announced their cuts as they got down 53 players.
The following were released: wide receiver Troy Bergeron, running back Thomas Brown, offensive lineman Michael Butterworth, wide receiver Robert Ferguson, linebacker Robert James, wide receiver Aaron Kelly, defensive end Maurice Lucas, cornerback William Middleton, tight end Jason Rader, quarterback D.J. Shockley, offensive guard Jose Valdez, defensive tackle Vance Walker and linebacker Jamie Winborn.
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
A quick trip through the NFC South's local headlines.
PANTHERS
There have been some talks about signing quarterback Jake Delhomme to a contract extension. But it doesn't sound like the process is very far along. Delhomme, who is heading into the final year of his contract, is scheduled to take up about $11 million in salary-cap space. The Panthers could free up a lot of space with an extension, but the league's lack of a long-term labor agreement makes any long-term deal a little fuzzy.
Coach John Fox said he could see the proverbial light coming on at the end of receiver Dwayne Jarrett's second season. It better stay on because the Panthers don't have much else behind starters Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad.
SAINTS
Coach Sean Payton said the idea of moving cornerback Usama Young to safety is just a possibility at this point. The Saints don't really need a starter after signing veteran Darren Sharper. But there's growing depth at cornerback and that means the best long-term move for Young's career might be a switch to safety.
BUCS
Coach Raheem Morris said cornerback Ronde Barber survived the offseason purge of veterans because he's still playing at a high level. Barber did slump early last season, but finished strong. Keeping Barber might not be the most popular move with fans. But Morris, who was the defensive backs coach last year, should have a better idea than anyone what Barber has left.
FALCONS
Defensive tackle Trey Lewis, who hasn't played since 2007 because of two knee surgeries, has been medically cleared to participated in the offseason program. Quietly, this could be a big boost for a team that's looking for help in the middle of the defensive line after the departure of Grady Jackson. Running back Thomas Brown and linebacker Robert James, who each missed their rookie seasons with injuries, also have been cleared to participate.
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
Time for a quick trip through the mailbag as we wait for news out of the NFL owners' meeting.
Shane in Hickory, NC writes: Hey Pat, I just wanted to know if you can tell me when you guys are going to do the "On the Clock" series for the Panthers... they don't have a first rounder right now and I know that's the order they're going in, so when are we going to get it?? Thanks!
Pat Yasinskas: Hang loose just a bit. Right now, we've got the Panthers and Cowboys, who don't have first-round picks to run later in April as part of the On the Clock series. But, hey, there's always the possibility we'll have to shuffle that if the Panthers trade for a first-round pick.
Tim in MN writes: Hey Pat, I like the blog. I am wondering two things, what would you think of the Bucs getting Derek Anderson to give Luke some competition, what would they have to give up for that? Second, who are the three most likely/available DT's the Bucs could snag before the draft?
Pat Yasinskas: Let's assume that the Broncos don't trade Jay Cutler or they do, but the price tag is too steep for the Bucs. I think Cleveland, where the Browns have Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn and could shop one for trade, would be a logical spot for the Bucs to look. The price tag for one of the Cleveland quarterbacks would be a lot cheaper than Cutler. The Bucs have said all along they want competition for Luke McCown. Whether it's Cutler, Anderson, Quinn or some other quarterback, I think the Bucs will have a legitimate challenger to McCown before they go to training camp. As for defensive tackle, it sure sounds like Shaun Rogers could be available. Tank Johnson's already available. That's about it as far as "names," right now.
Sean in White Plains, NY writes: Pat - After reading your column about the Falcons options at LB, one play that you didn't mention was Robert James, who was drafted last year but didn't play due to injury. Is he another option at LB or are they waiting to see how he comes back from the injury?
Pat Yasinskas: Robert James should be in the mix for a backup job and a role on special teams. But I think Mike Peterson, Coy Wire and Stephen Nicholas are the guys the Falcons are looking at now for the starting jobs at outside linebacker.
Adam in Pensacola writes: I believe everybody will agree that the New Orleans secondary did not really do what they needed to but in their defense half of the starters were out with injuries. I believe New Orleans have the talent to have a top ten secondary so long as they stay healthy. I think they should look to trade up and maybe get Aaron Curry or Brian cushing to compliment the already talented Vilma. A lot of mock drafts have New Orleans taking cornerback. What do you think?
Pat Yasinskas: I like what the Saints have done so far with their secondary, bringing in cornerback Jabari Greer and safety Darren Sharper. I think getting some of the injured guys, like Tracy Porter, back should help a lot. I think the Saints now have the talent to have a good secondary. They still could draft a defensive back at No. 14, but they have other options and needs. I don't see them moving up in the draft, simply because they have only three other draft picks as ammunition. In fact, a trade down is more likely and that would allow the Saints to add a pick or two. If they stay at No. 14, I think a linebacker like Brian Cushing is a possibility as well as a defensive back. But don't rule out a defensive lineman or a running back.
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
Here are some headlines from around the division Wednesday morning.
- There are rumors swirling that Tampa Bay general manager Bruce Allen had dinner with Brett Favre in Tampa on Monday night. Allen strongly denied that, but stayed silent when asked if the Bucs are interested in Favre.
- The Falcons signed linebacker Robert James, a fifth-round draft choice, to a four-year contract. Atlanta has signed nine of its 11 draft picks.
- The Saints haven't been nearly as active in getting their picks signed.
- The Panthers signed tight end Gary Barnidge, giving them two picks under contract, and are close to a deal with seventh-round pick Mackenzy Bernadeau.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Pat Yasinskas
Yasinskas joined ESPN.com in January 2008 after covering the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer for nine seasons. He began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990.
