Practice Squad Notes

2004 will mark the first time the league expanding the practice squad from five to eight players. The reasons for the changes would help teams open spots for developing talent and also have more players to use in the potential of emergencies and injuries. Expects have indicated it will now be easier for teas to justify keeping a fourth quarterback in order to develop him further. In the past, having only five players, meant a team kept players at positions that were particularly prone or susceptible to injuries, rather than keeping players they felt were the best available candidates. Now with three extra spots, one would assume that they would better be able to keep talent.

Player's eligible for the practice squad:

QB Matt Schaub
QB David Rivers
RB Zack Abron
RB Quincy Wilson
FB Tim Burrough
WR Michael Jenkins
WR Terrence Edwards
WR Willie Quinnie
WR Kendrick Mosley
WR Chris Curd
TE Jason Rader
TE Spencer Nead
OL Rodney Reed
OL Steve Stewart
OL William Henry
OL David Ashkinaz
OL Jason Jowers
OL Mookie Moore
DE Charles Alston
DE Bruce Adrine
DE Will Overstreet
DE Ray House
DT Chad Lavalais
DT Antwan Lake
DT Demetrin Veal
LB Demorrio Williams
LB Rod Royal
LB Deryck Toles
LB Terrence Melton
LB Terrence Robinson
CB DeAngelo Hall
CB Pat Ricketts
CB Curome Cox
CB Brandon Williams
S Etric Pruitt
K Damon Duval
P Glenn Pakulak

• Over the past three seasons, only 1 player has been signed to the opening day practice squad without spending some time with the team in training camp. (Jason Jowers)
• Over the past seven years, the Falcons have kept 8 offensive linemen, 7 wide receivers, 5 linebackers, and 4 tight ends on the opening day practice squad. They've also kept three defensive ends, two defensive tackles, two cornerbacks, and one safety, quarterback, and kicker each.
• Often the makeup of the opening day practice squad is based on injuries. In 1999, the team kept two wide receivers on the practice squad in Jammi German and Eugene Baker, because they only kept four on the active roster.
• Many times players on the original practice squad don't last very long. Eight players in the past six years have not lasted a month on the practice squad. Three times it has been because they were cut, but the other four times it was because they were promoted to the active roster, and once it was due to them signed a contract with another team.
• The Falcons have always kept a tenth offensive lineman on the practice squad.
• Last year was the first time the team ever began the season with more than six wide receivers combined on the roster and practice squad.
• Since 1997, 14 draft picks have not made the opening day roster. Of those, three have been signed to the practice squad, and another one was placed on injured reserve.

Because of the new rules, I think Rivers has a good chance of making the practice squad as the team potentially plans to phase Ty Detmer out, with the potential of Rivers being able to step in as a No. 3 in 2005. The team will try to keep an extra receiver, and with Quinnie's abilities to contribute both on offense and special teams makes him a little more valuable than say a player like Terrence Edwards. I think the team will keep two offensive linemen. I suspect Gibbs will be impressed with Reed's intelligence. Moore I think will be considered a good reserve and provides some extra veteran depth. Alston is a gifted pass rusher that probably won't make the roster unless due to injuries, but I think the team fits him in on the practice squad. Veal will probably make the practice squad because he offers further depth in the middle of the line. Toles I think makes because of his hard work and ability to contribute on special teams, since if he was promoted to the roster, that's all he would do. Cox should stick because of his size and potential at cornerback.