CHS grad waits

First NFL cuts today

August 30, 2005

JEREMIAH BARTZ\Frontiersman sports editor

At noon today Cole Magner's future in the National Football League should be a little more clear.

Each team in the NFL must reduce its roster to 65 players by 4 p.m. EST today, and Magner - a former Colony Knight and Bowling Green State University standout - is among players battling for a spot on the Atlanta Falcons squad.

Magner, a rookie wide receiver, was signed as an undrafted free agent in April. Currently Magner is listed fourth on the depth chart at one of Atlanta's two wide receiver positions. Magner is also the Falcons' third-string punt returner.

Wide receiver could be the most contested position, as Falcon coaches prepare for the first mandatory cut-down deadline. As of press time Monday, 10 receivers, and 79 total players, were still on the Atlanta roster. Derrick Tinsley, a free agent battling with Magner for a wide receiver spot, was cut on Monday. That leaves veterans Dez White, Peerless Price and Kendrick Mosley and Brian Finnernan, along with Michael Jenkins and Roddy White - first-round draft selections in the last two years - ahead of Magner on the depth chart.

Rookie free agents Brian Bratton and Will Pettis are behind Magner on the Falcons' list of receivers.

If Magner survives the swing of the first ax, he will have at least another week with the Falcons. Atlanta plays Miami on Thursday in its final preseason game. On Saturday NFL teams are required to cut their rosters to 53 players. If Magner is still on the roster after the second set of cuts, he will be eligible to sign a contract with the team. The rookie minimum for a player on the final roster is $230,000 per year.

Magner has played in each of the Falcons first four preseason games this season. He has five catches for 55 yards, and has four punt returns for 51 yards. Magner leads the Falcons in punt return yardage, during the preseason.

During his four-year career at Bowling Green State University, Magner recorded 215 receptions. He set a school record with 99 grabs during his junior year.

In high school Magner was named the 2000 Alaska Player of the Year, and led the Knights to the state championship game his senior year.