National Football League

Falcons trim roster in emotional 'Hard Knocks' finale

Published Sep. 3, 2014 12:23 p.m. ET

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The final episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks" aired on Tuesday, wrapping up the popular sports documentary series as the Atlanta Falcons wrapped up their preseason, and whittled down their roster to 53 players.

There are three big reasons why people watch "Hard Knocks," outside of the appeal of getting an inside look at an NFL training camp. Viewers love to see the camaraderie that's developed at camp, the fight-for-your-dream story line from fringe players is a must-see and the process of waiving or releasing players keeps folks tuned in.

Tuesday's episode focused largely on head coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff paring Atlanta's roster down, and informing the players that didn't make the team.

Here are three observations from the final "Hard Knocks" episode:

The main goal of every NFL training camp is to prepare a team for the regular season. An unfortunate side effect is that of the 90 players that start camp, only 53 will make the roster.

It's fairly easy to determine who the top 45 players are on most rosters. It's similarly simple to pick out the 25 guys who stand little chance. That means there are 20 players who, each season, fight for the remaining eight spots to make the 53-man roster and 10 more spots to fill out the practice squad.

Elation comes to the eight who make the cut to the 53-man roster. A sense of disappointment hits the other 12 until some of those are invited back to the practice squad. And there are a handful of players who get released and are never picked up. That has to be an earth-shattering event.

Jacques Smith and Tyler Starr, two players playing for the same spot on the final roster, could have been adversaries. Instead, they bonded.

It's possible the duo connected because they were both lesser-known rookies--Starr a seventh-round pick and Smith an undrafted free agent. There was also a common bond in the fact that both became parents while in college. Whatever the reason, Starr and Smith got close at training camp.

They were sounding boards for one another, and partners to get extra practice reps when the others were done for the day. And in the end, the friendship paid off.

Starr was informed by Coach Smith that he'd made the 53-man roster. Smith was released, but told he had the makings of an NFL player, and re-signed to the Falcons' practice squad.

The newest Falcons can continue working together, which is likely a great idea. Their bond is one of the big things that seemed to help them through the toughest job application of their lives.

The Falcons' organization from the front office down to the coaching staff is there to help players develop and learn in the NFL. And while players can get just about everything they need from the team, it's good to have someone outside football to rely on.

"Hard Knocks" has been chock-full of those people. Kierra Douglas (Harry's wife), Kim Zolciak (Kroy Biermann's wife) and Megan Wheeler (Starr's fiance) played huge roles in the HBO series this season. In the season finale, Prince Shembo took his mother shopping, giving back to her for many years helping him get to where he is now.

But the biggest impression from outside the organization came from Grace Quattrocki, rookie cornerback Ricardo Allen's girlfriend.

Throughout the course of the series, Quattrocki has been seen pushing Allen out of his comfort zone, grounding him through playful antics, and on Tuesday she offered tender advice to Allen after he'd been released by the Falcons.

Everyone, football player or Average Joe, should have someone on their personal support staff like Quattrocki--someone with a "Words of Wisdom" jar, and the perfect way to get them focused in the proper direction.

Allen is going to need Quattrocki as he begins his journey on Atlanta's practice squad.

On the cusp of potentially making the roster, Boldewijn injured his hamstring in practice and missed the final preseason game. The wide receiver depth chart in Atlanta is lined pretty well with talent, so it's unlikely he would have made the 53-man roster.

But Boldewijn could have been brought back to the practice squad. Instead, he reached a injury settlement with the Falcons. He'll leave the team, but no one expects him to stay gone for long.

While receivers coach Terry Robiskie (and the rest of the veteran receivers) marveled at Boldewijn bench-pressing 275 pounds three times, Smith was fascinated by the development from the undrafted rookie in such a short time period.

Kevin Winston, senior director of player affairs, met with Boldewijn after he'd reached his settlement agreement.

"This is nothing but a pause," said Winston. "In a couple of weeks we'll be able to hit go."

Once Boldewijn's hamstring has fully healed, expect the Falcons to find a way to bring him back into the fold.

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