Randall Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 ATLANTA -- A quarterback depth chart already perilously thin because of the ongoing absence of Michael Vick became even more threadbare Sunday, as the Atlanta Falcons lost second-year veteran D.J. Shockley for the season to a left knee injury. Shockley tore the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee and also suffered damage to the medial collateral ligament in Friday night's preseason victory over the Buffalo Bills, two league sources confirmed. The injury was also reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which cited sources with knowledge of the injury. Team officials on Friday night termed the injury a sprain. Shockley underwent an MRI exam on Saturday and the club's medical staff huddled on Sunday to evaluate the procedure. The Falcons announced on Sunday afternoon that they would not have an update on Shockley's condition until coach Bobby Petrino addressed it following the Monday practice session. A local favorite because he played at North Clayton High School in suburban College Park, Ga,, and then at the University of Georgia, where he starred as a senior in 2005, Shockley was battling Chris Redman for the No. 2 job behind starter Joey Harrington. Shockley, 24, was a seventh-round choice in the 2006 draft, but didn't play a snap as a rookie, and he was designated as the team's No. 3 or "emergency" quarterback for all 16 regular-season games. In two preseason games this year, he completed nine of 17 passes for 123 yards, with no touchdown passes and one interception. Shockley also ran four times for 19 yards. He was injured in the fourth quarter on a scramble on which he gained 10 yards. Shockley escaped the pocket on a third-and-5 play that originated from the Buffalo 24-yard line, ran to his left and turned upfield. But as he went to cut, his foot appeared to stick in the surface at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The young quarterback went to the ground in obvious pain and was carted from the field. Shockley unofficially logged 30 snaps in the two preseason games. Although the coaching staff had yet to determine who would serve as the primary backup to Harrington, Redman appeared to have an edge in the competition. He has played 59 snaps, in part because he was forced to re-enter the game on Friday following Shockley's injury. The only other quarterback on the roster is Casey Bramlet, who was signed last week after the Washington Redskins released him. Bramlet, 26, starred in the final season of the NFL Europa league this spring and led his team to the championship, but the former Wyoming standout has yet to play in a regular-season NFL game. Redman, who played for Petrino at Louisville, when the Falcons coach was the offensive coordinator there in 1998, has not taken a snap in a regular-season game since 2003. A former Baltimore Ravens third-round draft choice, his resume includes six starts, but he has spent much of the past three seasons recovering from shoulder problems. One advantage he does have is his familiarity with Petrino's offensive design. The loss of Shockley could force Atlanta to try to acquire another veteran quarterback, which was a possibility even before the injury. The Journal-Constitution reported that the Falcons had earlier inquired about the availability of Philadelphia backup Kelly Holcomb, who is a long shot to make the Eagles' roster because of a crowded depth chart. Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 Seems like the Schaub thing is really working out well now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterMan Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Looks like Harrington will lead this team to the Superbowl this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 It will be interesting to finally see if even a marginal QB like Harrington can provide a passing game in Atlanta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 (edited) Looks like Harrington will lead this team to the Superbowl this year. Well, he and Vick do have the same # of Super Bowl appearances......... Edited August 21, 2007 by Hitman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman_Nick Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Uh-oh...better call Bledsoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Score 1 Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 One of ESPN's talking heads (Clayton I think?) mentioned that the Falcons are talking to the Skins about trading for Brunell ,now that Campbell has been medically cleared. It was mentioned that Petrino does know Brunell from his time in Jax & Brunell could pick up the offense Petrino runs, pretty quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belushi Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 I think the Falcons are interested in just about every QB that's available at this point. They know that Harrington was brought in as a decent backup, maybe start a game or two. But no way do they want him starting 16 games. I really don't think Brunell's the answer, but he's better than whoever else they have (is Chris Redman still on that team?). I'm surprised the Falcons don't make a play for Brian Griese, since Lovie seems devoted to keeping Grossman in as a starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 (is Chris Redman still on that team?). Yes he is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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