Wurzell
Rookie
Monday, October 28
Falcons release WR Jackson
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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
ATLANTA -- In a somewhat surprising move, but one likely fueled in part by unhappiness on the part of Willie Jackson, the Atlanta Falcons released the veteran wide receiver and elevated wideout Quentin McCord from the club's practice squad.
Jackson, 31, had played in all seven games for the Falcons this season, and had started one contest. The veteran saw action primarily in three-receiver sets and, in recent days, had been dissatisfied with his playing time. He had 18 catches for 199 yards.
The team has used Shawn Jefferson and Brian Finneran as its principle wide receivers in 2002.
The Falcons outbid several teams to sign Jackson in July, rewarding him with a three-year, $3.4 million contract that included a $350,000 signing bonus. Because he is a vested veteran, Jackson is entitled to his full base salary of $650,000 for 2002, so Atlanta will not receive a salary cap break for this year.
A second-year veteran and the team's seventh-round choice in the '01 draft, McCord has been sharp in practices, sources said, and might provide Atlanta the deep threat it has been lacking. The former Kentucky standout appeared in seven games as a rookie and had three catches for 53 yards.
There is a chance that one of the teams interested in Jackson this summer will pursue him as a free agent. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2001 with the New Orleans Saints, catching 81 passes for 1,046 yards and five scores.
For his career, he has 277 receptions for 3,583 yards and 23 touchdowns. Jackson has appeared in 108 games and started 38 of them.
Falcons release WR Jackson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
ATLANTA -- In a somewhat surprising move, but one likely fueled in part by unhappiness on the part of Willie Jackson, the Atlanta Falcons released the veteran wide receiver and elevated wideout Quentin McCord from the club's practice squad.
Jackson, 31, had played in all seven games for the Falcons this season, and had started one contest. The veteran saw action primarily in three-receiver sets and, in recent days, had been dissatisfied with his playing time. He had 18 catches for 199 yards.
The team has used Shawn Jefferson and Brian Finneran as its principle wide receivers in 2002.
The Falcons outbid several teams to sign Jackson in July, rewarding him with a three-year, $3.4 million contract that included a $350,000 signing bonus. Because he is a vested veteran, Jackson is entitled to his full base salary of $650,000 for 2002, so Atlanta will not receive a salary cap break for this year.
A second-year veteran and the team's seventh-round choice in the '01 draft, McCord has been sharp in practices, sources said, and might provide Atlanta the deep threat it has been lacking. The former Kentucky standout appeared in seven games as a rookie and had three catches for 53 yards.
There is a chance that one of the teams interested in Jackson this summer will pursue him as a free agent. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2001 with the New Orleans Saints, catching 81 passes for 1,046 yards and five scores.
For his career, he has 277 receptions for 3,583 yards and 23 touchdowns. Jackson has appeared in 108 games and started 38 of them.
