Thursday, July 08, 2004
Tight end Goodwin retires
The retirement of Falcons tight end Hunter Goodwin became official Tuesday, and with it came a degree of uncertainty as the Falcons head to training camp in three weeks.
Goodwin, an eight-year veteran signed in March to be the No. 2 tight end behind Alge Crumpler, ended his career because he could not overcome a nagging hip injury. It led the Falcons last week to sign Justin Swift, who played for the 49ers from 2000 to 2002. He was out of football last season after getting cut by the Houston Texans in training camp.
New coordinator Greg Knapp, who coached Swift in San Francisco, won't use two tight-end formations as much as former coach Dan Reeves, but should run them some of the time. Swift has played 49 NFL games but has only 23 catches. Last year's No. 2 tight end, Brian Kozlowski, signed as a free agent with Washington.
"He was a good match for us for now," coach Jim Mora said of Swift. "We're still hunting, though."
If the Falcons make another move at the position, it would likely come during training camp as other teams trim their rosters.
Goodwin, an eight-year veteran signed in March to be the No. 2 tight end behind Alge Crumpler, ended his career because he could not overcome a nagging hip injury. It led the Falcons last week to sign Justin Swift, who played for the 49ers from 2000 to 2002. He was out of football last season after getting cut by the Houston Texans in training camp.
New coordinator Greg Knapp, who coached Swift in San Francisco, won't use two tight-end formations as much as former coach Dan Reeves, but should run them some of the time. Swift has played 49 NFL games but has only 23 catches. Last year's No. 2 tight end, Brian Kozlowski, signed as a free agent with Washington.
"He was a good match for us for now," coach Jim Mora said of Swift. "We're still hunting, though."
If the Falcons make another move at the position, it would likely come during training camp as other teams trim their rosters.
