Falcons Cut Rex Grossman, T.J. Yates
By John Buhler
The Atlanta Falcons have made two major moves at quarterback on their roster, cutting both Rex Grossman and T.J. Yates.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Atlanta Falcons have decided to part ways with veteran QB Rex Grossman. Grossman was familiar with new Atlanta OC Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system from their time together in Houston and Washington.
Falcons released QB Rex Grossman, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 4, 2015
Rex did not impress in his lone preseason appearance with the Falcons on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Grossman went 4-of-9 for 41 yards and a QBR of 58.1. Grossman was also sacked twice in the his fourth quarter of action.
In related news, the Falcons have also reportedly cut ties with Atlanta native T.J. Yates,according to Zach Klein of WSB (Atlanta).
NFL league source tells me #Falcons have cut quarterback TJ Yates
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) September 4, 2015
Yates was the primary backup to Matt Ryan last year, coming over from the Houston Texans in a trade that sent linebacker Akeem Dent to Bill O’Brien’s team. Yates did not play in the preseason finale on Thursday against the Ravens, though he looked decent against the Miami Dolphins last Saturday at Sun Life Stadium.
In Week 3 of the preseason, Yates completed 18-of-28 passes for 187 yards and an 83.5 QBR, getting sacked three times by the dominant Dolphins’ front seven. It seems that the Falcons have decided to go with Sean Renfree as their primary backup to Matt Ryan. Renfree is a former seventh-round pickout of Duke University, playing for quarterback-whisperer David Cutcliffe. Renfree spent the last two seasons on the Falcons’ practice squad.
TJ Yates confirms his release to go with Rex Grossman. Sean Renfree stays for now behind Ryan but Falcons likely to look around for an arm
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) September 4, 2015
After an efficient game against Baltimore (10-of-15, 75 yards, 1 touchdown, 100.7 QBR), Renfree is the man behind Ryan in Atlanta, assuming that general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn decide to trade for a third quarterback in the coming days.
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