FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- D.J. Shockley's touchdown pass to Brian Finneran in last week's preseason finale provided more than a go-ahead score.
The 20-yard pitch and catch finished off a 76-yard scoring drive and proved the difference in the team's 10-9 victory at Baltimore. It also marked the return of two players fighting for roster spots after months of fighting their bodies.
Shockley and Finneran each made it on the team's 53-man roster after knee surgery to repair torn ACLs. Finneran spent the last two seasons recovering from back-to-back ligament tears. Shockley missed all of 2007 after a knee injury during the preseason.
To say they made the team off one play would be melodramatic, but that one snap certainly meant something to the quarterback and his receiver.
"Shock and I spent a lot of time together the past year rehabbing our ACLs," Finneran said earlier this week. "To catch (a touchdown) from him was special and it brought everything to a close as far as rehab for he and I and all the work we put in. It was nice to catch a touchdown pass from him and I'm sure he felt the same way."
Shockley, who enters the season as the Falcons No. 3 quarterback, looks back on his battle with Joey Harrington for a roster spot and Finneran's battle against depth and injury. Both players knew a spot on the team wasn't guaranteed.
To them, a key touchdown pass was more than symbolic.
"The last preseason game, he and I both were on the bubble," Shockley said. "We were both making plays and coming back out."
Recovering from injury is a full-time job in the NFL. In some cases, Shockley and Finneran were forced to work harder -- and sweat more -- than their teammates in an effort to be ready for off-season workouts, organized team activities, mini camp and the preseason.
Finneran, 32, missed two complete seasons. That forced the team to make adjustments and additions at wide receiver. But the receiver didn't lose his work ethic in the face of injury and contributed on offense and special teams through the exhibition season.
He caught nine passes for 106 yards and a score in the preseason. Only one player had more yards and only Michael Jenkins surpassed him with catches (10).
"It's been a while," Finneran said. "It feels great to be on this team and not be on IR. It was rough the last couple years being on injured reserve, having to come in here and rehab, go through the motions and see the team go out on the football field and practice and be together. It's been tough so it's going to be nice to be in the meetings, on the field and hopefully helping the team get some wins this year.
Shockley led both the team's scoring drives in Baltimore and had the longest completion of any quarterback in the preseason (31 yards).
"I do (feel a sense of accomplishment) because so many people say it's hard to come back from an ACL injury," the former Georgia quarterback said. "It feels good to go out and put your best foot forward and have a good effort. Being able to make this team is a huge privilege."
Shockley also considers it honor to work with Finneran. The two developed a friendship during hours of rehab. Maybe that didn't have much to do with that key scoring play, but it certainly helped each focus on making the final roster.
"Finn is one of the most sarcastic people I know. He keeps it funny and lively," Shockley said. "He actually motivated me a lot through the whole process. I was glad we were able to spend that time together. By doing that we bonded a bit more and got to know each other's personalities."
"(The touchdown pass) felt good. I wouldn't have wanted to throw to anybody else."
RELATED LINKS:
- NEWS: Falcons trade for Foxworth
- BLOG: J. Mike talks about time spent with Foxworth | Birdseed
- VIDEO: Interview with Foxworth on CBS4 (Denver)
- NEWS: Falcons acquire Peelle, Gilbert and release Taylor
- NEWS: Six signed to practice squad, Jefferson claimed
- NEWS: Falcons make roster moves, get to 53-man limit
- ROSTER: Review the Falcons current roster
- DEPTH CHART: Check out the team's updated depth chart
- FANS REACT: Talk about the moves with other fans on FalconsLIFE
- TRANSACTIONS: Review the Falcons official 2008 transactions page
