Wednesday, July 14, 2004
FB cut by Bears earlier this year
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
ATLANTA -- Unrestricted free agent fullback Stanley Pritchett, released by the Chicago Bears earlier this spring, has signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
The versatile Pritchett, an eight-year veteran, is expected to vie for the backup fullback spot behind second-year pro Justin Griffith, but might have an edge in the competition with journeyman George Layne, because he can also play H-back. The fullback and H-back spots, not necessarily high priorities for the Falcons in recent seasons, figure to be more prominent in 2004, since the team has installed the West Coast offense.
Griffith was the only fullback on the roster for much of the 2003 campaign, but rookie head coach Jim Mora and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp might want to carry two players at the position this season.
Contract details were not yet available, but it is believed that Pritchett signed a one-year deal for a base salary of $660,000 -- the NFL minimum for a player with his seniority.
Pritchett, 30, is an Atlanta native and a former star at the city's Frederick Douglass High School, where he was the football team's most valuable player as a senior and where he also lettered in track.
The former South Carolina star originally entered the NFL with the Miami Dolphins in 1996, as a fourth-round draft pick. He has played for the Dolphins (1996-1999), Eagles (2000) and Bears (2001-2003), appearing in 107 games and starting 55 contests.
Known as a solid blocker and receiver, Pritchett has 143 career rushes for 531 yards and five touchdowns, and 160 receptions for 1,239 yards and seven touchdowns. He started in 11 games for the Bears in 2003 and totaled 176 yards from scrimmage.
His best season was in 2000, with the Eagles, when he rushed for 225 yards. He had 25 or more catches in three different seasons and, in the West Coast design, the fullback is a key in the passing game.
Pritchett had re-signed with the Bears just after the 2003 season concluded. He became expendable, though, when Chicago traded in April for former Washington Redskins starter Bryan Johnson.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/s ... id=1841466