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 Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who went through the federal
dog-fighting investigation with former star quarterback Michael
Vick, was involved in the swift decision to release Shembo.
"We are aware of the charges that have been filed against Prince
Shembo," a Falcons spokesperson said in a statement. "We are
extremely disappointed that one of our players is involved in
something like this. Accordingly, we have decided to waive Prince
Shembo."
The announcement came after NFL business had closed Friday, so the
transaction won't be official until Monday.
Shembo, who was set to make $510,000 in 2015, played in all 16 games
last season and made three starts. He was moving to outside
linebacker and had a chance to earn a spot in the team's
pass-rushing rotation.
Shembo, 23, has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, a
felony, Gwinnett County police Cpl. Michele Pihera said.
A Yorkie named Dior died of blunt force trauma, according to a
necropsy report. Denicia Williams had reported to police on April 19
that her former boyfriend killed the dog.
She said she took the Yorkie to Shembo's apartment and at one point
left the dog with him. When she returned, she found the pet
unresponsive and took it to an animal hospital, where it died.
The day after the dog's death, Williams told police that Shembo
allegedly made comments about killing the dog.
Veterinarians determined that the dog had a fractured rib, lacerated
liver, abdominal hemorrhage, thoracic hemorrhage, extensive bruising
and hemorrhage in the muscles in her front leg and shoulders, head
trauma, hemorrhage and edema in the lungs, hemorrhage between the
esophagus and trachea, and hemorrhage in the left eye with internal
injuries.
While at Notre Dame, Shembo was arrested for an alleged sexual
assault of a S
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NFL Note - Atlanta Falcons Southward, Dezmen
DB Dezmen Southward, who is being moved to cornerback, had a minor
knee procedure. He did not practice with the team during OTAs on
Tuesday, which was open to the media.
It is not known how long Southward will be out. He could be
available for the team's minicamp, which is set for June 16-18.
He'll likely be cleared before training camp starts in late July.
Southward, a third-round pick from Wisconsin in 2014, played 257
snaps last season in some of the Falcons' nickel and dime packages.
-----------------------------------------------
NFL Note - Denver Broncos Clady, Ryan
T Ryan Clady, who suffered a torn ACL in an OTA practice Thursday
(May 28), was placed on season-ending reserve/injured by the Broncos
Friday.
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NFL Note - St. Louis Rams Watts, Trey
RB Trey Watts received a four-game suspension from the NFL on Friday
(May 29) for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy.
Watts will sit out the first four games of the regular season before
he is eligible to return on Oct. 5 after the Rams' game against the
Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 4.
[to top of second column] |
But before the suspension takes effect, Watts will be eligible to
participate in all offseason activities and in preseason games with
the Rams.
Watts made the team as an undrafted free agent from Tulsa last year
and played in 14 games as a rookie, rushing for 30 yards on seven
carries.
Watts is the son of former Oklahoma quarterback and U.S. Congressman
J.C. Watts.
-----------------------------------------------
NFL Note - Atlanta Falcons Malone, Jr., Derrick
LB Derrick Malone was waived by the Falcons Friday (May 29).
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NFL Note - * Free Agents Tuel, Jeff
QB Jeff Tuel was waived by the Bills Friday (May 29).
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NFL Note - Atlanta Falcons Godfrey, Charles
S Charles Godfrey was working with the first team at free safety.
The former Carolina Panther has played both free and strong safety.
"The range in the middle of the field is what we see," head coach
Quinn said. "If he can do that and have an impact to go get the
ball, those are things that kind of jumped out to us through his
career up until now and through the first few practices."
-----------------------------------------------
NFL Note - Buffalo Bills Simms, Matt
QB Matt Simms was claimed on waivers by the Bills from the Jets
Friday (May 29). Simms, the son of former New York Giants
quarterback Phil Simms, entered the NFL in 2013 when he signed as an
undrafted free agent with the Jets. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound
Tennessee product has completed 19-of-39 passes for 195 yards and
one touchdown in his NFL career.
-----------------------------------------------
NFL Note - * Free Agents Yount, Christian
LS Christian Yount had his contract terminated by the Browns Friday
(May 29). Yount has appeared in 53 games with the Browns since
joining the team in 2011.
-----------------------------------------------
NFL Note - Baltimore Ravens Vaughn, Cassius
CB Cassius Vaughn, who wasn't tendered as UFA by the Lions on May
12, was signed by the Ravens Friday (May 29).
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