Leftwich has surgery; out 3-4 weeks

The Falcons announced that quarterback Byron Leftwich had surgery on his ankle Wednesday morning. And because of it he is expected to miss 3-4 weeks per Bobby Petrino. According to Petrino, Leftwich is shooting for a return in two weeks, but team doctors have indicated the 3-4 week prognosis as the more likely one.

Leftwich underwent a procedure in which he had screws inserted into his ankle in order to help promote and improve healing. Leftwich injured his ankle this past weekend against the New Orleans Saints midway through his first start of the season.

In the meantime, Joey Harrington will resume the starting position. Harrington started the first six games of the season, but was demoted last week in favor of Leftwich.

Jackson's release a football decision

Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino indicated that the team's decision to release veteran defensive tackle Grady Jackson was football-related, implying that it had nothing to do with Jackson's lawsuit filed against the organization during the off-season.

The Falcons had carried five defensive tackles on the roster all year long due to the injury to Rod Coleman which forced him to miss the first five games. Now that Coleman is healthy as well as Jonathan Babineaux who had also missed time due to injury, the team deemed it necessary to cut one of their "extra" tackles per Petrino. Jackson was the choice. Petrino also indicated how impressive rookie Trey Lewis has been. Lewis worked mostly at nose tackle during the summer, but had move to the other tackle position due to the injuries to Colemand and Babineaux.

However, not all parties deem Jackson's release to be purely about football. For the second time this season, cornerback DeAngelo Hall expressed some dissatisfaction with the organization and coaching staff over Jackson's release to the AJC. Hall also broached the topic of his contract status with the AJC, indicating his desire to be paid a lucrative contract overrides his desire to stay in Atlanta:
"I got one more year left on my deal. I feel I can go out and get a ton of money, whether it's here or somewhere else."

Falcons dump Grady

The AJC's Steve Wyche reports that the Falcons released starting nose tackle Grady Jackson today. No specific reasons were given why Jackson was released. The team plans to promote rookie Trey Lewis into the starting lineup.

Lewis has started two games opposite Jackson in relief of injured starter Rod Coleman and his replacement Jonathan Babineaux so far this season. Coleman returned to the lineup against the New York Giants. Lewis has played well, tallying 15 tackles and an interception in six games this year.

Jackson was embroiled in some off-season controversy involving a lawsuit filed against the Falcons. But it was resolved and Jackson received a one-year contract extension. It is unknown if this roster move stems from that or from something else more recent involving Jackson.

Foster out for season

Updating previous reports, Renardo Foster is the second Falcons left tackle to land himself on the injured reserve, meaning that he will no longer suit up for the team this season. Foster tore his left ACL on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. That is the same injury that Wayne Gandy suffered two weeks ago against the Tennessee Titans, which also landed him on injured reserve.

The Falcons plan to start Quinn Ojinnaka at left tackle in two weeks when they host the San Francisco 49ers. The team has a bye this week. To fill Foster's spot on the roster, the team signed ex-Buffalo Bills tackle Terrance Pennington.

Pennington, a 7th round pick out of New Mexico for the Bills last season, started 9 games at right tackle in 2006. He was released by the Bills at the end of training camp, having lost his job to free agent Langston Walker.

In other Falcons news, the AJC reports that the Falcons worked out free agent defensive Quentin Moses on Tuesday. Moses was released last week by the Arizona Cardinals, after being cut by the Oakland Raiders during the summer. Moses was drafted in the third round by the Raiders this past April. He worked out with the Kansas City Chiefs last Friday, and according to the AJC has another one scheduled with the Miami Dolphins today.

Moses likely is a candidate for the Falcons practice squad. The team added defensive end Derrick Jones last week. Jones was an undrafted rookie free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers this past summer, but was released by the Steelers at the end of the summer. The team also signed ex-Raiders end Kevin Huntley earlier in the season to the practice squad. The Falcons recently parted ways with defensive end Josh Mallard, which leaves the team with only three players at that position, creating some depth issues.

No update on Foster

Injured offensive tackle Renardo Foster underwent an MRI on Monday morning, but the Falcons have no disclosed the results. Foster injured his left knee late in this past weekend's loss to the New Orleans Saints. However, head coach Bobby Petrino did not sound optimistic in his Monday press conference indicating that the team might have to look at adding a free agent.

Foster, starting his second game on Sunday as a replacement for Wayne Gandy, went down in a similar way to Gandy in the loss to the Tennessee Titans two weeks ago. Gandy tore his ACL and is now done for the entire season. Foster suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in 2004 while he was at Louisville.

The Falcons are beat up currently at offensive tackle with Gandy out and fellow starter at right tackle Todd Weiner also injured. Weiner suffered a knee injury as well in the Titans game and has missed the past two weeks. The initial prognosis indicated that Weiner would be out for 2-6 weeks. He's already missed two games, being replaced by guard Tyson Clabo. If Weiner is able to return soon, the potential loss of Foster would dramatically be reduced. But without him, the team might be forced to start backup right tackle Quinn Ojinnaka on the left side. Ojinnaka replaced Foster on Sunday after his injury. The team also signed tackle Harvey Dahl off the San Francisco 49ers practice squad two weeks ago. Neither Ojinnaka or Dahl have started an NFL game.

The Falcons will have a bye this week, which should give Weiner extra time to recover and also more time to find a potential replacement for Foster if need be.

Former Falcons TE Mitchell dies

Former Falcons tight end Jim Mitchell died on Saturday from an apparent heart attack. Mitchell turned 60 on Friday. The Shelbyville Times-Gazette reports that a friend found him unconscious on the front steps of his house on Saturday morning, he died later that day at Bedford County Medical Center.

Mitchell played 11 seasons with the Falcons between 1969 and 1979. He finished his career with 305 receptions for 4358 yards (14.3 avg) and 28 touchdowns. Those marks rank him first among tight ends on the Falcons all-time receiving lists, while fourth overall in receptions and yards. He was originally a fourth round pick out of Prairie View A&M in 1969 by the Falcons. He earned Pro Bowl bids in 1969 as a rookie and also in 1972.

Following his professional football career, he coached at Morehouse and Morris Brown Colleges. He then returned to his native Shelbyville, TN to volunteer as an assistant coach at Central High and Liberty School and organized local football camps. Mitchell suffered from diabetes-related health problems in recent years.

Leftwich out 2-4 weeks

Per KFFL.com, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports that Byron Leftwich is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with a high right ankle sprain. Leftwich suffered the injury during the third quarter of today's loss against the New Orleans Saints.

Leftwich has battled injuries throughout his career. He has already suffered what was deemed a minor sprain to his right ankle earlier this season. Last season as the starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars he missed ten games due to an injury to his left ankle. He broke that same ankle in 2005 and was out for six weeks, missing five games. In 2004, he tore the lateral cruciate ligament in his left knee. He missed three starts due to that injury. Leftwich's inability to make it through a season healthy certainly played a major factor in why he was released by the Jaguars this past summer.

Even with the most optimistic prognosis thus far, Leftwich will miss at least one game. But the team's upcoming bye week may be slightly fortuitous, which will allow him an extra week to recoup without missing time. Leftwich was recently promoted to the starting position. In his absence, Joey Harrington is expected to replace him.

There has been no definitive injury update for offensive tackle Renardo Foster who was carted off the field in the fourth quarter with a left leg injury. Wayne Gandy, the player whom Foster has been replacing, was carted off the field two weeks ago against the Tennessee Titans after suffering a left knee injury. He was placed on injured reserve with a torn ACL. Foster, an undrafted rookie free agent, had only made his second NFL start on Sunday. Quinn Ojinnaka finished the game at left tackle. If Foster's injury is serious it is unknown yet if the Falcons will use the bye week to try and add more help at that position.

Leftwich injured in Saints loss

The "Byron Leftwich Era" may have already ended no sooner than it started. Leftwich went down midway in the third quarter in his starting debut with the Falcons, as the team lost to the New Orleans Saints 22-16. Leftwich played relatively well while in the game, but once again squandered opportunities hurt the Falcons as they fall to 1-6 on the season.

Leftwich completed 15 of 23 passes for 145 yards with a touchdown strike before getting hurt. Harrington entered the game and was 12 of 18 for 128 yards. On the ground, Jerious Norwood led the team with 38 yards on 6 carries, while Warrick Dunn had 13 carries for 28 yards. Roddy White played well at receiver, catching 8 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Michael Jenkins (6 catches for 69 yards) and Laurent Robinson (3 catches for 53 yards) also contributed. The Falcons offense dominated time of possession in the first half, holding onto the ball for more than 20 minutes. But they settled for field goals in two early red zone opportunities, and were unable to move the ball with the good field position after recovering an onside kick after the second field goal.

Defensively, the Falcons played tough for the majority of the game, but couldn't make stops at pivotal moments in the final quarter. They allowed 310 total yards by the Saints offense and only allowed them to convert 1 of their first 8 third down attempts. Keith Brooking led tacklers with 10 stops. Michael Boley (9 tackles), DeAngelo Hall (6 tackles and also had an interception negated by penalty), Demorrio Williams (7 tackles, 1 interception), and Chris Houston (4 tackles) had noticeable performances. Following Morten Andersen's third field goal to put the team up 16-14 in the fourth quarter, the Saints were successful in driving the ball 69 yards on 11 plays to take the lead. And then were successful on their two point conversion attempt to extend the lead to six. On that drive, the Saints converted 3 third downs, with the last one counting as a Reggie Bush touchdown.

On special teams, Andersen was 3 for 3 on field goals, making attempts from 38, 33, and 21 yards out. Michael Koenen had 6 punts for an average of 44.2 yards, putting 3 inside the Saints' 20-yard line. Adam Jennings had 4 punt returns for an average of 9.3 yards. Jennings also recovered Koenen's successful second quarter onside kick.

The Falcons will get a break and a chance to regroup with a bye next week. Then they will host the 2-6 San Francisco 49ers on November 4. During 35 years as a divisional rival in the old NFC West, the Falcons were consistently dominated by the 49ers as their record during that span was 25-43-1. But in their only matchup since the divisional realignment five years ago, the Falcons won 21-19 in their 2004 season opener. They are slightly better at home against the 49ers, having won 3 of their last 4 there.

Crumpler and Sanders on injury report

The Falcons released their Friday injury report and there weren't any significant changes from a week ago. For the second straight week, tackle Todd Weiner (knee) and linebacker Stephen Nicholas (ankle) are both listed as out for this Sunday's matchup against the New Orleans Saints. The notable changes occurred with tight end Alge Crumpler listed as doubtful due to a knee and ankle injury. Fullback Corey McIntyre, the team's special teams captain is also doubtful with a hamstring injury. Cornerback Lewis Sanders (shoulder) is questionable.

Weiner will be replaced for the second straight week with Tyson Clabo at right tackle. If Crumpler does not play, then Dwayne Blakley is expected to make the start. Whether Sanders is healthy enough to play on Sunday may not determine if he starts or not since it is believed that rookie Chris Houston may already be very close to passing him on the depth chart.

Also on the injury report listed as probable are defensive tackles Jonathan Babineaux and Rod Coleman, quarterback Joey Harrington, and wide receiver Joe Horn. Babineaux and Coleman were limited in practices on both Thursday and Friday, but still should play. Harrington had limited participation in practice all week, but with his recent demotion, his health is less of an issue. Horn's injury probably won't threaten his chance to play due to his eagerness to play against his former team.

Leftwich promoted as starter

The Falcons announced today that quarterback Byron Leftwich will start this weekend against the New Orleans Saints. He takes over for Joey Harrington, who has been the starter through the first six weeks leading the Falcons to a 1-5 record. This move seemingly became an inevitability when head coach Bobby Petrino opted to bench Harrington in the fourth quarter two weeks ago against the Tennessee Titans. Leftwich, then the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart entered the game. It only seemed a matter of time before a more permanent move was made.

Petrino explained in his Wednesday press conference that this move is expected to be permanent. Harrington will move to the No. 2 position, while Chris Redman who has served as the backup for the entire year will move to No. 3.

Giants roll over Falcons

The Falcons lost to the New York Giants on Monday Night football by a score of 31-10, in which they were soundly beaten on both sides of the ball. Very few positives result from a loss which takes the Falcons to 1-5 on the season.

Joey Harrington led the team passing, completing 18 of 39 passes for 209 yards and an interception. On the ground, Jerious Norwood had 6 carries for 87 yards, including the team's lone score on a 67-yard scamper in the first quarter. Warrick Dunn added 8 carries for 15 yards. Roddy White and Norwood both led receivers with 4 receptions each for 64 and 51 yards, respectively. Offensively, the Falcons struggled, only able to convert 3 of 13 third downs (23%).

On defense, the Giants had little issue moving the ball early on in the game, carving up the Falcons for 491 total yards. The Giants also nearly held the ball for twice as long as Atlanta, with a time of possession of 39:38 compared to the Atlanta's 20:22. DeAngelo Hall and Lawyer MIlloy both led the team with 11 tackles each. Hall also had an interception. Keith Brooking (8 tackles), Chris Houston (5 tackles), Demorrio Williams (6 tackles), Michael Boley (5 tackles, 1 interception), Grady Jackson (4 tackles), and John Abraham (1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble) had notable performances.

On special teams, Morten Andersen connected on 1 of 2 field goals, making a 47-yarder but was short on a 48-yarder in the 2nd quarter. Michael Koenen had 7 punts for an average of 39.7 with 3 inside the 20-yard line. Jerious Norwood averaged 17.4 yards on 5 kickoff returns.

Next week the Falcons will square off against division rival New Orleans Saints (1-4) in the Super Dome. The Falcons were swept by the Saints last season and have lost three of their last four against the Saints on the road.

Coleman could get first action of the season on Monday night

Updating this week's injury report, the Falcons are listing only two players as out for Monday night's contest against the New York Giants. Those player are offensive tackle Todd Weiner and linebacker Stephen Nicholas. Weiner is expected to miss two to six weeks with a knee injury and Nicholas suffered a high ankle sprain last weekend and will miss two weeks.

Defensive tackles Jonathan Babineaux (knee) and Rod Coleman (knee), along with linebacker Keith Brooking (hamstring) and quarterback Byron Leftwich (ankle) are all listed as questionable for the game as well. Babineaux was the only one among the four the participated in Friday's practice. Coleman had limited participation on Wednesday and Thursday, and Petrino expressed optimism earlier in the week that he'd be ready to play on Monday. This game would mark the first for Coleman this season, as he's been unable to practice for the most part since April. The extra day of rest should benefit the Falcons, as reports indicate that Leftwich's injury is relatively minor, and he was held out on Friday so that he could extra rest.

Leftwich was promoted ahead of Chris Redman as the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart this week. If Coleman and/or Babineaux are unable to go, Trey Lewis will make his third consecutive start of the season.

As for the players listed as probable on the injury report, they included tight end Dwayne Blakley (chest), safety Chris Crocker (knee), tight end Alge Crumpler (knee/ankle), defensive tackle Grady Jackson (back), and cornerback Lewis Sanders (shoulder). All are expected to play and/or start.

Weiner out as well

The AJC reports that offensive tackle Todd Weiner is out 2-6 weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee. Weiner injured the knee during last weekend's game against the Titans, missing a part of it, but managed to return at the end when left tackle Wayne Gandy went down with a torn ACL. On Tuesday the Falcons placed Gandy on injured reserve, ending his season. Now they will be without their right tackle for a lengthy period of time.

Reserve guard Tyson Clabo is expected to fill in for Weiner while he is out. Renardo Foster is expected to play for Gandy on the left side. Quinn Ojinnaka is expected to work as a swing tackle, backing up both positions. Clabo started 10 games last season, most of them coming at right guard, but has worked at tackle in the past.

The Falcons will miss Weiner against the Giants this upcoming week. In five career starts against the Giants going up against Pro Bowl defensive Michael Strahan, Weiner has only allowed one sack.

Falcons can reclaim $20 million from Vick

NFL Special Master Stephen Burbank ruled in favor of the Falcons after hearing last week their arguments in their attempts to recoup millions in signing bonus money from suspended quarterback Michael Vick. Burbank's ruling says that the Falcons are entitled to $19.97 million in bonus money that has been paid to Vick over the past three years since he signed his landmark $130 million deal in December 2004.

The ruling is interesting because it breaks with a previous ruling made by Burbank last year in this case of Ashley Lelie. Burbank ruled that the Denver Broncos could not recoup option bonuses paid to Lelie because they were payments for time already earned. Some experts believed that because that most of the payments made to Vick were in the form of roster bonuses, they would be treated the same as option bonuses.

According to Burbank's ruling, per the Associated Press, the Falcons are entitled to half of the $7.5 million bonus paid to Vick in December 2004, $13.5 million of the $22.5 million roster bonus paid to Vick the following year, and $2.72 million of the $7 million bonus paid to Vick this past year, totalling to $19.97 million.

In his ruling on the Vick case, Burbank indicated that because Vick's bonuses were payments for future services, which won't be earned because of his league-imposed suspension.

The Falcons released a statement today:
“We are certainly pleased with today’s ruling by NFL Special Master Stephen Burbank. It is the first step in a process that our club has undertaken in an attempt to recoup significant salary cap space that will allow us to continue to build our football team today and in future years.”

The NFL Players Association has indicated that they plan to appeal the ruling. Now it will be up to U.S. District Court Judge David Doty in Minneapolis to either overturn or uphold Burbank's ruling. The that there is no timetable for when a decision will be made by Doty, but it could take months, per the AJC.

If it is upheld and when payments are actually received from Vick, the Falcons would receive credit towards the following year's salary cap in that amount.

Gandy goes on IR

The Falcons placed injured offensvie tackle Wayne Gandy on injured reserve today. He suffered a torn ACL in Sunday's matchup against the Titans. To fill his spot on the roster, the team promoted Renardo Foster to the starting lineup, and signed Harvey Dahl off the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.

Gandy's injury came on the Falcons final drive, and he was carted off the field as he was unable to leave under his own power. Foster entered the game and was immediately called for holding on what would amount to be the Falcons last chance at tying up the game. Foster filled in for Gandy during the Jaguars game in Week 2, and was also flagged for holding late in that game as the Falcons attempted to tie up the game on their final drive.

Next week, Foster is set to face Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who tallied six sacks two weeks ago against the Philadelphia Eagles, going up against second-year player Winston Justice who was an injury replacement for William Thomas.

This injury, although not career-threatening could potentially and effectively end the career of 36-year old Gandy. As he was being carted off on the field on Sunday, there were tears in Gandy's eyes.

Dahl was originally an undrafted free agent out of Nevada-Reno in 2005 with the Dallas Cowboys. He never went to camp with the Cowboys, but was picked up by the San Francisco 49ers. He spent most of the '05 season on their practice squad, although he was inactive on their 53-man roster for the final two games that season. The following spring, he played with the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe. In 2006, he played in 4 games with the 49ers mostly on special teams. He was cut this past summer by the 49ers, but spent the first five weeks on their practice squad.

The team also announced that defensive end Kevin Huntley was released from the practice squad. He was added prior to Week 2 of this year.

Titans take down Falcons

The Falcons record drops to 1-4 as they lost to the Tennessee Titans 20-13. It was a game marred by poor offensive play on the Falcons part despite five Titans turnovers and several big plays on special teams.

Joey Harrington struggled, completing 16 of 31 passes for only 87 yards with an interception that was returned 76 yards for a score. He was replaced by Byron Leftwich in the fourth quarter, who also failed in providing a spark. Leftwich finished the day 2 of 8 for 28 yards and an interception. On the ground, the Falcons really struggled. Artose Pinner led the team with 49 yards on his lone carry, which came on a fake punt. Warrick Dunn added 27 yards on 10 carries with Jerious Norwood carrying 6 times for 23 yards. Laurent Robinson led receivers with 4 catches for 27 yards. Roddy White caught 3 passes for 55 yards. The offense only was able to convert 4 of 18 third down attempts, with their first successful conversion not occuring until the second half. Most of Dunn's yards came on an 18-yard run that put the Falcons in position to tie the game with little more than 2 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. That run put the ball on the Titans 1-yard line, but a botched pitch from Leftwich to Dunn and 3 incomplete passes by Leftwich culminated in the Falcons being unable to take advantage of that great opportunity.

Defensively, the Falcons forced four turnovers. They limited the Titans to 247 total yards, their lowest allowed output of the season. DeAngelo Hall returned a fumble forced by Jamaal Anderson 56 yards in the first quarter for the team's lone touchdown. Michael Boley led the team with 14 tackles and had one of the team's 3 interceptions. Trey Lewis (5 tackles, 1 interception), Demorrio Williams (5 tackles, 1 interception), Grady Jackson (5 tackles), Chris Houston (5 tackles), Keith Brooking (5 tackles, 1 hurry), Lawyer Milloy (5 tackles), and Jamaal Anderson (4 tackles, 1 forced fumble) had notable games. Hall finished with 1 stop and also broke up a pass.

Special teams was able to provide a few sparks that the offense was unable to capitalize on. Morten Andersen made 2 of 3 field goal attempts, coming up short on a 48-yarder. Michael Koenen got 2 opportunities on longer kicks but missed both from 53 and 50 yards. Koenen also had 6 punts for an average of 38 yards. Jerious Norwood had 3 kickoff returns for 144 yards (48.0 avg), almost scoring on a 76-yard return. A fifth Titans turnover was created on a muffed punt by Chris Davis. Dunn's 18-yard run was set up on a botched punt in which Demorrio Williams came free, which forced Titans punter Craig Hentrich to be tackled for an 8-yard loss.

The Falcons will get some national exposure next week as they face off against the New York Giants at home on Monday Night Football. The road team has won this matchup each of the past 11 outings. The last time the home team has won in this matchup was in 1979, when the Giants won.

Coleman and Hall questionable

Despite being able to participate on a limited basis in practice this week, including working with the first team defense, defensive tackle Rod Coleman is not completely back. He is listed as questionable on the team's injury report for this Sunday's matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Also listed as questionable is cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who suffered an ankle injury in practice.

Coleman has yet to play a down this season, suffering from a thigh injury in the spring and recently recovering from knee surgery. His normal replacement has been Jonathan Babineaux, but he is suffering from an injured knee and the only Falcon to be listed as out this week. Rookie Trey Lewis replaced Babineaux in the starting lineup last week, and will do so again if Coleman does not suit up.

If Hall does not play on Sunday, then he'll likely be replaced by Chris Houston. Houston started in place of Hall last week when Hall was benched for the first quarter against the Texans.

In other injury news, tight end Dwayne Blakley who has missed the past two games with a chest injury is listed as probable this week and expected to play.

Falcons trying to recoup $16M from Vick

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reports that the Falcons have are seeking to have Michael Vick return about $16 million in bonus money due to him pleading guilty to federal dogfighting charges. A previous report by ESPN had that figure reported at $20 million.

University of Pennsylvania Law School professor Stephen Burbank will oversee a hearing that is scheduled for tomorrow. The NFL Players Association will argue against the Falcons claim indicating that because most of the Vick's bonus money was paid as roster bonuses which cannot be recouped by teams. Vick signed a ten-year $130 million contract in December 2004, which included $37 million in bonuses. About $29.5 million of that was due as roster bonuses.

Last season, prior to his acquisition by the Falcons, wide receiver Ashley Lelie was involved in a dispute with the Denver Broncos involving his absence from training camp. It was resolved in that case that because Lelie's bonuses were option bonuses and thus deemed already earned, the Broncos could not recoup that money. Based on the NFLPA's interpretation of the rule and, roster bonuses are treated as option bonuses. Because of this rule, some experts have contended that the Falcons may receive as little as $3.75 million or up to $6 million instead of the $16-20 million they seek.

According to Paolantonio, the Falcons will argue that because of his involvement in dogfighting that according to federal charges began in 2001, Vick was already in defraud of the contract he signed in 2004 and that the current Collective Bargaining Agreement in which the "Lelie rule" applies was not signed until 2006 and thus is not applicable to Vick's contract.

Also the Falcons plan to file another separate grievance against Vick that will seek over $22 million from him in damages. That grievance is not expected to be heard until after the case that will be heard Thursday is resolved.

Virginia trial date set for Vick

Today, Michael Vick was arraigned in Surry County on two felony charges and a trial date of November 27 was set.

Vick is set to be sentenced on December 10 involving his guilty plea to federal conspiracy charges.

Falcons sign Pro Bowl snapper

The Falcons announced today the signing of long snapper Mike Schneck, formerly of the Buffalo Bills. The team released snapper Boone Stutz.

Schneck is an eight-year veteran snapper in the NFL, spending the past two years with the Bills after six with the Steelers. He joined the Steelers in 1999 as an unrafted rookie out of Wisconsin. He was cut by the Steelers following training camp in 2005, and then joined the Bills. He earned a Pro Bowl bid that season in Buffalo, but was released this past summer after the Bills decided to go in a different direction.

Stutz was an undrafted rookie last year, originally starting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But he was released in July and picked up by the Falcons. He wound up winning the snapping job from Derek Rackley, who had been the team's snapper for the previous six seasons.

This marks the third major change the Falcons have made on special teams so far this season. Return specialist Allen Rossum was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers just a few days before the start of the regular season, being replaced by Adam Jennings. Veteran kicker Morten Andersen was signed after Matt Prater struggled during the first two games of the season.

Hall asked to be traded

Jason Cole Yahoo! Sports reports that cornerback DeAngelo Hall asked the Falcons to trade him last week, and that the team denied his request.

Hall was benched for the first quarter of the team's victory over the Houston Texans following incidents during the Panthers game last week. He was also fined $100,000 and said earlier this week that he planned on appealing that punishment.

The relationship between Hall and head coach Bobby Petrino has been reported as less than cordial. Hall indicated that it had been rocky from the start when Petrino was hired back in January.

Hall is signed through the 2008 season. Hall indicated this summer that he was looking forward to when his contract expired in order to seek a large contract similar to the $80 million deal that cornerback Nate Clements signed with the San Francisco 49ers this past March.

The deadline for when teams are allowed to make trades is Tuesday, October 16.

UPDATE: On Monday, the AJC's Steve Wyche dispelled the rumors that Hall asked to be traded. Indicating that the rocky relationship between Hall and the team has been somewhat reconciled.