The Atlanta Falcons signed running back Verron Haynes and released wide receiver Troy Bergeron on Wednesday.
Haynes is a local product who spent his high school years at North Springs High School where he was voted an all-city, All-Fulton County and all-area performer as a senior along with being named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution North Fulton Formidable Four team.
He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2001 after leading the Bulldogs in rushing with 691 yards as a senior. Haynes was selected in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In six seasons he compiled 174 carries for 738 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught 58 balls for 429 yards and two touchdowns.
Atlanta hires new assistant special teams coach
The Atlanta Falcons named Eric Sutulovich the team’s assistant special teams coach on Wednesday.
Sutulovich, a five-year NFL coach, previously served as an offensive assistant for the Detroit Lions. He also was a football assitant at the University of Kansas before spending four seasons from 2002-2005 as assistant special teams coach for the Houston Texans.
Sutulovich has also coached at Fort Scott Community College, the University of Pittsburgh and Louisiana Tech, as well as one year with Casper Calvary of the Indoor Football League.
While with Houston, the Texans ranked first in the NFL in punts downed inside the 20-yard line (120), fourth in punt return average (7.4) sixth in the AFC in kickoff touchbacks (12) and seventh in the conference in kickoff return average (22.1).