Falcons announce 53-man roster

By: T. Love

Yep, I called it. The Atlanta Falcons announced their 53-man roster for the 2007-08 season on Saturday afternoon when the mandatory rosters were due to the league office. The most shocking (not to me) aspect of the depth chart is second-year Adam Jennings as the No. 1 kickoff and punt returner. Former return man Allen Rossum was dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2008 conditional draft pick. Just like I predicted, maybe not this way but Rossum was shipped out of Atlanta.

Jennings has been impressive this season in kickoff returns averaging 33.8 yards per return with a long of 48. This move for Jennings was not only about getting younger, but about salary cap manage. Prior to the 2005, Rossum signed a new deal with the Falcons which rewarded him for his performance against the Rams in the NFC Divisional playoffs the previous season. No. 20 hasn’t really lived up to the contract since then and when that happens, you get replaced.

Former UGA standout Tony Taylor also warrants some attention in depth chart news after working his way to the No. 2 position at middle linebacker after being an undrafted free agent. Taylor has great awareness while in the game and he has playmaking skills. The only knock is his size and obviously this has not been an issue. 2005 third-round pick Jordan Beck makes the roster by the skin of his teeth, but this guy has not lived up to his billing. He’ll see a ton of action on special teams.

As for the fallen 22, quarterback Casey Bramlet, running backs Arlen Harris and Justin Vincent, wide receivers Vincent Marshall, Eric Weems, Otis Amey and Noriaki Kinoshita, tight ends George Cooper and Daniel Fells, offensive linemen Bo Lacy, Kurt Quarterman and Frank Omiyale, defensive ends Nic Clemons and Paul Carrington, defensive tackles Tommy Jackson and Darrell Shropshire, linebackers John Leake and Travis Williams and defensive backs Tony Franklin and Brent Grimes.