Atlanta Falcons Roster 2013: Latest Cuts, Depth Charts and Analysis

The Atlanta Falcons started making roster cuts on Sunday, cutting 11 players well in advance of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline to get to 75 players.

On Monday, the team let go of three wide receivers to safely land at the 75-player limit, more than 24 hours prior to the NFL deadline.

There’s still a lot of work to put in for the remaining 75 players over the next week before teams must cut down to 53 players on August 31. Who will make the cut?

Here’s a tracker we’ll be updating throughout the chaos.

List of 53-Man Roster Cuts

The Falcons waived 11 players and placed two more on injured reserve Friday, more than a full day in advance of Saturday's deadline to get to 53 players. After the cuts the roster is at 62 players. The Falcons will have to lighten their roster by nine more players before 6 p.m. ET Saturday.

The players removed from the roster Friday:

• Brian Banks, LB (waived)
• Theo Goins, G (waived)
• Neal Huynh, DT (waived)
• Terrence Johnson, CB (waived)
• Charles Mitchell, S (waived)
• Micanor Regis, DT (waived)
• Alec Savoie, T (waived)
• Pat Schiller, LB (waived)
• Jeremy Shelley, K (waived)
• Peyton Thompson, CB (waived)
• Ronnie Wingo, RB (waived)
• Sean Renfree, QB (injured reserve)
• Andrew Szczerba, TE (injured reserve)

Atlanta finalized it cuts Saturday by waiving nine players:

• Patrick DiMarco, FB
• Robert James, LB
• Darius Johnson, WR
• Jordan Mabin, CB
• Phillipkeith Manley, G
• Jacques McClendon, OL
• Martel Moore, WR
• Adam Replogle, DT
• James Rodgers, WR

There weren't a whole lot of surprises on Friday. Linebacker Brian Banks was a fantastic human interest story, but at the end of the day his time away from football was too much of a tool on him being able to get back to being NFL ready. It was apparent for some time through camp.

Pat Schiller was a practice squad linebacker last season and was a front-runner for the 53-man roster through offseason workouts. But Joplo Bartu and Paul Worrilow exploded in training camp, making Schiller expendable.

Robert James led the team in special-teams tackles last season. In year's past his job would have been safe, but the emergence of Paul Worrilow and Joplo Bartu gave the Falcons enough ammunition to waive James.

The Practice Squad

The Falcons signed eight players to their practice squad Sunday:

• Patrick DiMarco, FB 
• Seth Doege, QB 
• Darius Johnson, WR 
• Jordan Mabin, CB  
• Adam Replogle, DT
• James Rodgers, WR 
• Mickey Shuler, TE

Everyone but Shuler was in camp with the Falcons this season. Shuler was a seventh-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2010 and has bounced around from them to the Dolphins, back to the Vikings' practice squad and then to the Raiders' practice squad last season before landing in Atlanta.

Phillipkeith Manley was injured in practice Monday and was waived/released on Tuesday. The Falcons will stay at seven players on their practice squad and see if Terren Jones (whom the team released Tuesday) will make it through waivers.

Final Depth Chart

53-Man Roster

Offense (25)

WR: Julio Jones, Harry Douglas, Kevin Cone

LT: Sam Baker, Ryan Schraeder, Jeremy Trueblood

LG: Justin Blalock, Harland Gunn

C: Peter Konz, Joe Hawley

RG: Garrett Reynolds

RT: Lamar Holmes

TE: Tony Gonzalez, Chase Coffman, Levine Toilolo

WR: Roddy White, Drew Davis

QB: Matt Ryan, Dominique Davis

RB: Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, Jason Snelling, Antone Smith, Josh Vaughan

FB: Bradie Ewing

Defense (25)

RE: Osi Umenyiora, Jonathan Massaquoi, Stansly Maponga

DT: Corey Peters, Peria Jerry

DT: Jonathan Babineaux, Travian Robertson

LE: Kroy Biermann, Cliff Matthews, Malliciah Goodman

OLB: Sean Weatherspoon, Joplo Bartu

MLB: Akeem Dent

OLB: Stephen Nicholas, Paul Worrilow

CB: Desmond Trufant, Robert McClain

CB: Asante Samuel, Robert Alford, Dominique Franks

S: William Moore, Shann Schillinger, Zeke Motta

S: Thomas DeCoud, Kemal Ishmael

Specialists (3)

K: Matt Bryant

KO: Matt Bosher

P: Matt Bosher

KR: Jacquizz Rodgers

PR: Dominique Franks, Harry Douglas

LS: Josh Harris

H: Matt Bosher

Starters and Injury Notes

Training camp is never easy; it’s a grueling process like no other during the regular season that teams are lucky to make it through unscathed. Other than the season-ending leg injury to right tackle Mike Johnson, the Falcons have remained relatively healthy. There were some bumps and bruises that needed attention, but for the most part, when Week 1 rolls around, this team will be healthy.

Projected Starters

QB: Matt Ryan

RB: Steven Jackson

WR: Roddy White, Julio Jones, Harry Douglas

TE: Tony Gonzalez

LT: Sam Baker

LG: Justin Blalock

C: Peter Konz

RG: Garrett Reynolds

RT: Lamar Holmes

DT: Jonathan Babineaux, Corey Peters

DE: Kroy Biermann, Osi Umenyiora

OLB: Sean Weatherspoon, Stephen Nicholas

MLB: Akeem Dent

CB: Asante Samuel, Desmond Trufant

FS: Thomas DeCoud

SS: William Moore

(author’s note: The Falcons play in their nickel package more than their base. When that happens, Dent will come off the field and either Robert Alford or Robert McClain will enter as the team’s nickelback. There’s also a possibility that Nicholas will be replaced by Joplo Bartu in this nickel package as well.)

Injury Notes

Mike Johnson, RT (leg): Johnson and Holmes were supposed to battle for the right tackle spot with Johnson the likely winner because of his experience. With Johnson’s injury, Holmes—and his seven career professional snaps—was forced into a starting role.

Sean Weatherspoon, LB (finger): Weatherspoon dislocated a finger early in training camp and missed the first two games. He played in Week 3 of the preseason and has been declared healthy with zero limitations.

Roddy White, WR (ankle): White sustained an ankle sprain in the first quarter of Atlanta’s preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. Falcons head coach Mike Smith announced Monday that White would be ready for the regular season when Atlanta travels to New Orleans.

Asante Samuel, CB (thigh): Samuel suffered a thigh injury in Atlanta’s third preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. Coach Smith said Samuel would be back in the lineup for Atlanta's first regular-season game at New Orleans. 

Matt Bryant, K (back): Bryant was a mysterious scratch from Atlanta’s third preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. During the game broadcast, general manager Thomas Dimitroff was in the booth and mentioned Bryant’s injury was a sore back. Like Samuel and White, Smith announced Monday that Bryant would be ready for the Week 1 matchup against the Saints.

First Round of Cuts

The Falcons made the following cuts to get to the required 75-man roster limit:

• Tim Biere, TE
• Devonte Campbell, FB
• Nick Clancy, LB
• Colin Cloherty, TE
• Seth Doege, QB
• Cam Henderson, DE
• Jeff Nady, T
• Donald Russell, RB
• Troy Sanders, S
• Matt Smith, C
• Brandon Thurmond, DE
• Rashad Evans, WR
• Marcus Jackson, WR
• Marcus Sales, WR

There really weren’t any surprises among Atlanta's first round of roster cuts. Linebacker Nick Clancy started hot for the Falcons in camp, but after the first few weeks, he was passed quickly by Joplo Bartu and Paul Worrilow and ultimately appeared to be the weaker of the linebacker options left.

If not for the extreme depth at the top end of Atlanta’s depth chart at wide receiver, Marcus Jackson might have stuck around longer. He was on the practice squad last season but didn’t offer enough benefit on special teams this season to require his sticking on the roster.

Previewing 53-Man Roster Cuts and Depth Chart Post-75-Man Roster Cuts

The Falcons released a 75-man depth chart for the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Here's how it was laid out.

Post-75-man Depth Chart

Offense

WR: Julio Jones, Harry Douglas, Kevin Cone, Martel Moore

LT: Sam Baker, Ryan Schraeder, Terren Jones

LG: Justin Blalock, Harland Gunn, Theo Goins

C: Peter Konz, Joe Hawley, Jacques McClendon

RG: Garrett Reynolds, Phillipkeith Manley

RT: Lamar Holmes, Alec Savoie

TE: Tony Gonzalez, Chase Coffman, Levine Toilolo, Andrew Szczerba

WR: Roddy White, Drew Davis, James Rodgers, Darius Johnson

QB: Matt Ryan, Dominique Davis, Sean Renfree

RB: Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, Jason Snelling, Antone Smith, Josh Vaughan, Ronnie Wingo

FB: Bradie Ewing, Patrick DiMarco

Defense

RE: Osi Umenyiora, Jonathan Massaquoi, Stansly Maponga

DT: Corey Peters, Peria Jerry, Micanor Regis, Adam Replogle

DT: Jonathan Babineaux, Travian Robertson, Neal Huynh

LE: Kroy Biermann, Cliff Matthews, Malliciah Goodman

OLB: Sean Weatherspoon, Robert James, Joplo Bartu

MLB: Akeem Dent, Pat Schiller, Brian Banks

OLB: Stephen Nicholas, Paul Worrilow

CB: Desmond Trufant, Robert McClain, Peyton Thompson, Jordan Mabin

CB: Asante Samuel, Robert Alford, Dominique Franks, Terrence Johnson

S: William Moore, Shann Schillinger, Zeke Motta

S: Thomas DeCoud, Charles Mitchell, Kemal Ishmael

Specialists

K: Matt Bryant, Jeremy Shelley

KO: Matt Bosher

P: Matt Bosher

KR: Jacquizz Rodgers

PR: Dominique Franks, Harry Douglas

LS: Josh Harris

H: Matt Bosher

Previewing 53-Man Roster Cuts

Playing general manager is always fun, but remember only Thomas Dimitroff has all the answers, and he's not telling anyone just yet. Here's a look at how the Falcons might get to 53 players.

• Martel Moore, WR: Moore started off camp hot but then fizzled. The Falcons will likely only keep five receivers on the 53-man roster with the top three spots solidly filled by White, Jones and Douglas. Moore doesn’t offer enough security for injury or special-teams play to warrant a roster spot.
• Darius Johnson, WR: Johnson just didn’t do enough in camp to secure a roster spot as a backup or special-teams ace.
• James Rodgers, WR: The only way Rodgers was going to make this team is as a return specialist. It looks as if Douglas and Alford are going to handle punt returns for the Falcons in 2013 and Rodgers' brother Jacquizz kick returns.
• Terren Jones, T: Jones was a longshot to make this roster, even with the injury to Michael Johnson. He didn’t show enough in camp to warrant a job.
• Theo Goins, G: Not only was Goins a longshot in camp, but he lost battles against teammates and against players from the Cincinnati Bengals in combine practices.
• Jacques McClendon, C: The Falcons only need two centers on the roster and Konz and Hawley aren’t going anywhere. There’s no room for McClendon.
• Alec Savoie, T: Savoie was splitting reps early in camp with Holmes and Schraeder at tackle, but fell off in that competition as camp progressed.
• Andrew Szczerba, TE: With Coffman securely the backup, and the upside potential of Toilolo, there’s no room on the roster for a fourth tight end.
• Sean Renfree, QB: Renfree had some good moments in camp and could be back on Atlanta’s practice squad if some other team doesn’t scoop him up.
• Josh Vaughan, RB: The Falcons will likely only carry four running backs and the top three spots are filled. Vaughan didn’t do enough to overtake Antone Smith on special teams.
• Ronnie Wingo, RB: It’s a numbers game at running back with the Falcons and the position is too crowded right now for Wingo.
• Micanor Regis, DT: The defensive line depth chart is crowded with young pass-rush specialist and ends that can cross-train to the inside. There was no room for Regis on the team.
• Adam Replogle, DT: With Matthews being able to step inside and play tackle, the Falcons only need to keep four tackles.
• Neal Huynh, DT: Huynh didn’t make the cut at this ultra-competitive spot on the Falcons roster.
• Robert James, LB: James is a team leader on special teams but doesn’t bring a lot on defense. Either Bartu or Worrilow can replace James’ special-teams numbers and offer more in case they need to play defense.
• Brian Banks, LB: Banks’ story is one of the best feel-good adventures in the NFL. But at the end of the day he spent too much time away from football and age, unceremoniously, caught up.
• Peyton Thompson, CB: Thompson’s camp claim to fame was a pick-six to end Atlanta’s Friday Night Lights scrimmage. After that, preseason action wasn’t too kind to him.
• Jordan Mabin, CB: The Falcons have room for probably five cornerbacks and Mabin didn’t push through the field to take one of the spots.
• Terrence Johnson, CB: Johnson was briefly on the team last season but depth at cornerback now kept him from returning in 2013.
• Shann Schillinger, S: Schillinger is coming off a 2012 injury to find a crowded landscape at safety. If the decision were just about skill and experience, Schillinger would stick around. But money also plays a factor too, forcing Schillinger away.
• Jeremy Shelley, K: Shelley absolutely impressed in camp and preseason. Unfortunately Bryant holds down the job of kicker firmly. If something happens to Bryant, Shelley’s number will be handy to Dimitroff, possibly even on speed dial.

Recently Cut Free Agents Falcons Are Rumored to Be Pursuing

There are whispers that Atlanta might be on the lookout for a veteran backup quarterback and some help for the offensive line at tackle.

• The Atlanta Journal-Constitution looks at five recently cut offensive tackles that the Falcons might consider.
• The Atlanta Journal-Constitution looks at five recently cut quarterbacks that the Falcons might consider.

The Falcons signed a veteran right tackle on Tuesday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jeremy Trueblood played with the Washington Redskins during camp and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2006 - 2012. He was released when the Redskins cut down to 75 players.

In corresponding moves the Falcons waived/injured Phillipkeith Manley and released tackle Terren Jones.