Falcons’ Arthur Smith Admits Final Cutdowns Are ‘Traumatic’
Like all NFL teams, the Atlanta Falcons will need to cut their roster down to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Aug. 29.
So even though the Falcons -- who lost 24-0 to the Pittsburgh Steelers this past Thursday -- have completed their preseason slate, coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot are in the midst of one of the most stressful 72-hour periods in the NFL calendar.
One thing that Smith pointed out in his most recent meeting with the media is that while the initial 53-man roster draws all the attention, it's hardly set in stone.
“I mean, we make transactions all the time," Smith said. "Everybody has different ways that they do it. I’ve been around some programs who don’t make a lot of moves. They throw a pizza party when they have their 53[-man roster]. They have some big announcement with the fireworks like here you go.
"I’ve said this many times, more transactions are made in the league, There’s more roster mechanisms that you can use: standard elevations, practice squads are bigger. So, there’s a lot that goes into it and a lot’s going to change. Maybe a spot or two may change after the first day on Tuesday, maybe the next week."
Even as Smith prepares for his third season leading the Falcons, he did admit that one thing that never gets easier is the process of letting plenty of quality players -- and human beings -- know that they haven't made the 53-man roster.
"It’s an ongoing process, so it’s daily. Yes, it’s a traumatic [experience] – and I’m being serious here, because a lot of these guys – we have a great group in here and we do have to make some tough decisions," Smith said. "But it’s a daily evaluation and we stay on top of it day to day. And then ultimately, Tuesday morning will be the majority of the moves.”
The silver lining for Smith is that for the first time since he's taken over in Atlanta, there's optimism surrounding the team's chances to compete for a playoff spot in 2023, especially in a wide-open NFC South division.
The 53 players who do make the roster will then prepare for a divisional matchup in Week 1, as the Falcons welcome No. 1 pick Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to kick off the season.
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