Ex-Bulldogs on bubble with Falcons

ATLANTA --- The Falcons took care of the easier decisions Friday, releasing seven players less than 24 hours after their final preseason game.

Now, the tougher calls.

D.J. Shockley or John Parker Wilson or someone else as the third quarterback? Should Thomas Brown be kept as a backup running back and kickoff returner? And what about that defense, which looked shaky over the final two exhibitions?

Atlanta was still 13 players over its regular-season roster limit after releasing safety Eric Brock, cornerback Glenn Sharpe, offensive tackle Adam Speer, offensive guard Ryan Stanchek, cornerback Tony Tiller, center Ben Wilkerson and wide receiver Chandler Williams.

"This year, it will be different," second-year coach Mike Smith said. "We are a lot more familiar with these guys. We've spent an off-season, a regular season and another off-season together. We are more familiar with these guys, so I think the familiarity with it makes the decisions a little bit more stressful."

The Falcons must get down to 53 players by 4 p.m. today, but there could even more changes before they open the season Sept. 13 against Miami. GM Thomas Dimitroff brought in four new players after last year's final cuts and he undoubtedly will be scanning the waiver wire again, looking to fill the most glaring holes.

Defense will certainly be a priority, especially at linebacker and in the secondary. The Falcons already dealt a seventh-round pick to St. Louis for cornerback Tye Hill and might not be done yet.

Much of the attention is on the third quarterback, though he is likely to be little more than a clipboard holder during the regular season. There's also a chance the Falcons will look to sign someone with more experience to work behind Matt Ryan and Chris Redman.

Shockley, a former Georgia star who hasn't done much in three years, played the final 11/2 quarters. He was 2 of 6 for 15 yards with an interception.

Brown, another former Georgia player, has battled injuries in his two years with the team. There are three running backs ahead of him on the depth chart -- Michael Turner, Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling.

"At the end of the day, I tried as hard as I could, gave everything I had out on the field, and hoped for the best," Brown said.