FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons today signed linebacker Mickey Pimentel and placed linebacker Robert James on injured reserve.
Pimentel, 6-2, 238 pounds, was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Carolina Panthers in May of 2007, but was waived following training camp on September 1, 2007. He remained unsigned until December 12, 2007 when the Kansas City Chiefs signed him to the practice squad where he spent the rest of the season. Pimentel competed at the University of California for two years after transferring from Pima Community College. In his senior campaign with the Golden Bears, he appeared in 13 games and ranked third on the team with 64 tackles (28 solo), 4.5 sacks, five passes defensed and one interception returned for a touchdown.
James, 5-11, 218 pounds, was selected in the fifth round (138th overall) by the Falcons in the 2008 NFL Draft. The Arizona State graduate started 19 of 42 games in his collegiate career and contributed with 174 tackles (102 solo), 5.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, eight passes defensed and five interceptions.
The Falcons will battle the Jacksonville Jaguars in the preseason opener at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on Saturday, August 9. The game will be shown locally on WATL-TV with coverage starting at 7 p.m. Fans can also listen to the game on the Falcons flagship radio station, 92.9 dave FM.
RELATED LINKS:
- COVERAGE: Click here for complete coverage of 2008 Russell Falcons Training Camp
- NOTEBOOK: Versatile Jenkins showing moves with first team
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- RELEASE: Falcons place James on injured reserve, sign linebacker
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith
- BIRDSEED: J. Mike reviews and comments on Falcons news
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: Safety Net
- FALCON AL'S BLOG: An ESPN Shoot
