National Football League News

Falcons Release Cundiff, Backup QB Bramlet, 20 More

Sep 2, 2007, 4:19 GMT

Flowery Branch, GA - Kicker Billy Cundiff and quarterback Casey Bramlet were among the 22 players released by the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday, as Bobby Petrino's squad was reduced to the 53-man limit.

Cundiff, who formerly kicked in Dallas and New Orleans, was widely expected to make the team after doing most of Atlanta's kicking throughout the preseason. But late camp arrival Matt Prater had a strong showing in the Falcons' preseason finale against Baltimore, rendering Cundiff expendable and at least temporarily giving Prater his first meaningful NFL job.

Also excised was Bramlet, who was vying for the third-string quarterback job behind starter Joey Harrington and backup Chris Redman. Bramlet did not get much of a chance to display his talents in the preseason, however, completing just 5-of-9 passes for 80 yards before facing the chopping block.

The other players waived by Atlanta on Saturday were offensive lineman P.J. Alexander, wide receiver Otis Amey, defensive end Paul Carrington, defensive end Nic Clemons, tight end George Cooper, tight end Daniel Fells, defensive back Tony Franklin, defensive back Brent Grimes, running back Arlen Harris, defensive tackle Tommy Jackson, wide receiver Noriaki Kinoshita, offensive lineman Bo Lacy, linebacker John Leake, wide receiver Vincent Marshall, offensive lineman Frank Omiyale, offensive lineman Kurt Quarterman, defensive tackle Darrell Shropshire, running back Justin Vincent, wide receiver Eric Weems, and linebacker Travis Williams.

Of that group, notables include Alexander, who started four contests for Atlanta a year ago; Carrington, who played in 15 games last season and started two; Harris, who has started tilts with the Rams and Lions in his pro career; Leake, a 14-game contributor on special teams last season; and Shropshire, who played in 13 contests last season, opening one.

Also, as reported earlier, the Falcons shipped return specialist and reserve defensive back Allen Rossum to Pittsburgh in exchange for an undisclosed 2008 Draft choice.

Atlanta opens the 2007 regular season on the road against the Minnesota Vikings Sept. 9.

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