FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (Aug. 27, 2006) -- Unless Michael Vick and Matt Schaub both are hurt during the regular season, D.J. Shockley might get his last chance to play this year for the Atlanta Falcons in a preseason game this week.
But at least the former Georgia star now knows he faces no more competition to become the Falcons' No. 3 quarterback.
Among nine players the Falcons released Aug. 27 was quarterback Bryan Randall, the former Virginia Tech standout whom Shockley passed on the depth chart last week.
Atlanta picked Shockley in the seventh round of the NFL draft four months ago. This marked the second time in two years that the Falcons placed Randall on waivers.
"I just really appreciate the way they've handled this whole thing, especially Bryan," coach Jim Mora said. "It hasn't been easy on Bryan to be the guy who's in D.J.'s shadow. I think D.J. has shown great humility in handling all the attention he's gotten, even though he's just fighting for the third quarterback job."
The Falcons (2-1 preseason) play their fourth and final exhibition Aug. 31 when Jacksonville (2-1) visits the Georgia Dome.
