Falcons' Shockley cleared to play
Quarterback missed last season with a knee injury

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/28/08

Flowery Branch — Falcons quarterback D.J. Shockley has been medically cleared to take part in all football-related activities and even ran some sets with the first-team offense at Wednesday's offseason workouts.

Shockley tore ligaments in his left knee in a preseason game at Buffalo that caused him to miss all of last season.

"When I first came out in [offseason workouts], I was doing all the individual stuff but now I'm doing more of the team stuff and I'm feeling really good," said Shockley, who is battling for the No. 3 job and a possible roster spot. "I've gained so much confidence. When you're in the huddle and you've got Todd McClure, Laurent Robinson and all the No. 1 guys in there and then to have things click and have McClure say, 'Good job running the offense,' that feels good.' "

Said coach Mike Smith: "You see D.J.'s athleticism. He brings a different dynamic then the other three guys. He feels like he's getting more comfortable moving around on his leg, which is positive. It's good for him to get out and actually run the offense and get a feel for the verbage and to get a feel for the shifts and motions of the offense."

Chris Redman is the No. 1 quarterback with rookie Matt Ryan, Joey Harrington and Shockley working as backups.

Ryan: No brace

Ryan, the $72 million first-round draft pick, did not wear a knee brace on his left knee during Wednesday's workouts. The reason: He forgot to put it on.

Ryan said he did not realize that he did not have it on until the team was well into the practice session. Ryan wears the brace out of habit. While at Boston College, quarterbacks wore knee braces on their lead legs.

Weiner still sidelined

Offensive tackle Todd Weiner, who is recovering from major knee surgery, has not been cleared to do any running or similar activity. Weiner said he had hoped to be doing some light jogging by now. General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said he thinks Weiner will be healthy by the start of training camp in late July.