Falconreporter is back

By: T. Love

Just by the number of comments, I can tell that I was truly missed. Since the mighty Mountaineers of Appalachian State knocked off the Michigan Wolverines, a lot has happened in Flowery Branch as the Falcons prepare for their Week 1 showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.

On Sept. 1, after a promising preseason in which he rushed for 172 yards on 39 carries, seventh-round pick Jason Snelling was cut in order to make room for Artose Pinner who was recently released by the Vikings. Last season, Pinner rushed for 190 yards on 43 carries with three touchdowns. As a traditional running back, Pinners’ 5-10, 232-pound frame is the typical size of a power back in Bobby Petrino’s offense. I thought that Snelling could be that guy, but obviously Petrino and GM Rich McKay saw more in Pinner.

I think it is safe to say that McKay’s seat is getting hotter. I’ll get to him about midseason, but another one of his great picks is looking for a job.

A third-round pick in the 2005 draft, linebacker Jordan Beck was handed his pink slip on the first as well. This guy had some incredible special teams play during the preseason, but never managed to find his way onto the field during the regular season. Not a huge surprise here, especially with the emergence of undrafted free agent Tony Taylor out of Georgia. However, you could assume that a third-round pick would be able to hold on with a team for longer than two seasons. I said he was a reach back when the Falcons took him and looks like I was right.

The Falcons also added help on both lines with the addition of DT Remi Ayodele and offensive lineman D’Anthony Bastiste.

Ayodele was recently released by the Dallas Cowboys, who incorporate a 3-4 defensive scheme. He was originally signed by the Patriots in 2006, who also run a 3-4. Obviously this guy is more suited in the 4-3 scheme and any additional help the Falcons can get on their paper thin offensive line is welcome.

Batiste, 6-4, 318 pounds, was inactive for nine games last season with the Carolina Panthers. He began the 2006 season with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League and also competed with the Bossier City Battlewings of af2 in 2004.

The Falcons also put together their practice squad which consists of quarterback Casey Bramlet, defensive back Brent Grimes, wide receivers Eric Weems and Todd Watkins, offensive lineman Kurt Quarterman, linebacker Travis Williams and tight end George Cooper.