HEADLINES

Tyrell Johnson

Falcons Cut 10 Players

August 24th, 2014 at 4:16pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Falcons have slimmed their roster all the way down to the 75-man limit by cutting 10 players, the team announced in a press release:

  • Theo Agnew, DE
  • Brenden Daley, LB
  • Darin Drakeford, LB
  • Devonta Glover-Wright, S
  • Tyrell Johnson, S
  • Julian Jones, WR
  • Jeff Matthews, QB
  • Walker May, LB
  • Jerome Smith, RB
  • Tramaine Thompson, WR
  • Brian Wozniak, TE

Of the 12, only Johnson, a former second-round pick of the Vikings, was released rather than waived, as he has accrued more than four years of service time.

NFC Notes: Romo, Falcons, Packers, Patton

August 5th, 2014 at 10:07pm CST by Zachary Links

Bad news for the Cowboys: quarterback Tony Romo‘s recent back surgery is affecting his deep ball, writes Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram. “It’s been OK. I think the deeper the ball goes down the field, it’s a little bit more inconsistent,” quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson said. “He’s thrown all the intermediates — the fours and the seven routes and the deep outs – have been fine. It’s just the nine routes and the deep posts. Those things have been a little inconsistent. I think that’s all due to his back.” More from the NFC East..

  • Tyrell Johnson‘s deal with the Falcons is a one-year, $730K deal with a cap hit of just $570K, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Johnson, 29, was a second-round draft choice by the Vikings in 2008, and started 27 games with the team. The concussion suffered by Dwight Lowery on Friday created a need in the secondary for Atlanta.
  • There was some speculation about former NFL tight end Randy McMichael and the Falcons since he was at their facility today, but he confirmed via Twitter that he was just visiting there with his little league team. McMichael, 35, last appeared with the Chargers in 2012 where he made ten starts but hauled in just nine receptions.
  • Packers swing tackle Don Barclay could be out for the season after suffering a torn ACL during this afternoon’s practice, a league source tells Weston Hodkiewicz of Press-Gazette Media. Barclay was carted off the practice field after falling awkwardly on his right knee. After starting all 14 games at right tackle for the Packers last season in place of an injured Bryan Bulaga, he was positioned to be the primary backup at both guard spots and right tackle.
  • Quinton Patton is working to fight through the 49ers‘ logjam at wide receiver, writes Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle. Patton had some bad luck in his rookie season, suffering a broken finger in training camp and a broken foot during the season that sidelined him for ten games. He’ll be duking it out with Brandon Lloyd, rookie Bruce Ellington, and others for his place.
  • LeSean McCoy‘s praise of Eagles rookie wide receiver Jordan Matthews continues, as Tim McManus of Philadelphia Magazine writes. “That rookie we got, Matthews, is looking real good. There’s been a lot of talk about this draft class being deep at wide receivers, but I’m real confident in this one being the best of the class,” McCoy said. “It’s still early, you got to go through the season and see how he does, but he looks amazing.”

Falcons Sign Tyrell Johnson

August 3rd, 2014 at 2:23pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Falcons have added some depth at the safety position by signing Tyrell Johnson, reports Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. Johnson is the latest in a group of veteran safeties who have found new homes this week, joining Jim Leonhard (Browns) and Steve Gregory (Chiefs). To clear a roster spot, Atlanta released fullback Roosevelt Nix, an undrafted free agent out of Kent State.

Johnson, 29, was a second-round draft choice by the Vikings in 2008, and started 27 games with the team. Per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), he was effective as the Minnesota’s starter at strong safety during his first two seasons in the NFL. Since 2010, however, the former Arkansas State Indian has dealt with degraded play and injuries. Johnson spent time with both the Dolphins and the Lions over the past two years, but took the field for only four games (with Detroit in 2012).

The Falcons’ secondary was stretched a bit thin after Dwight Lowery, the projected starter at free safety, suffered a concussion on Friday. Lowery also missed time last season with a concussion, so the injury is concerning; in the above tweet, McClure even notes that Lowery’s season could be “in doubt.” Strong safety is in the hands of William Moore, but a competition at FS in now likely, with third-rounder Dezmen Southward, who is dealing with a minor knee injury, a candidate for increased playing time.