The Atlanta Falcons today announced that they have placed fullback Bradie Ewing on injured reserve, signed tight end Chase Coffman, and fullback Lousaka Polite. The Falcons have also waived-injured tight end Adam Nissley, and waived punter Dawson Zimmerman.
Ewing, 5-11, 243 pounds, was selected by the Falcons as the first of two fifth round picks (157th overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft. He began his career at the University of Wisconsin as a walk-on running back and ended it as a team captain and first team All-American. Ewing started 10 of 52 games at Wisconsin, rushing for two touchdowns and adding two more receiving scores. According to NFL Draft Report, Ewing's 30 touchdown-resulting blocks in 2011 are the most ever by a blocker in a season and were more than 99 teams at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level.
Coffman, 6-6, 250 pounds, was originally selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round (98th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. He spent the 2011 season on the Bengals practice squad after playing in six games in 2010. Coffman has recorded three receptions for 30 yards in six career games. He played four seasons at the University of Missouri where he set an NCAA record for tight ends with 247 catches. Coffman also ranks second among tight ends in NCAA history with 2,659 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns.
Polite, 6-0, 245 pounds, was originally signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a college free agent following the 2004 NFL Draft. After spending three seasons with the Cowboys, Polite played in Chicago and Miami prior to being released by the Dolphins in 2011. He was signed as a free agent by the New England Patriots on December 27, 2011 and saw action in the season finale as well as three postseason games, including Super Bowl XLVI. Polite has totaled 95 carries for 296 yards with one touchdown in 76 career games. He has also posted 41 receptions for 233 yards and one touchdown during his career.
Nissley, 6-6, 267 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on April 30, 2012. He played in 51 games with 38 receptions for 465 yards with two touchdowns at Central Florida. Nissley played at South Forsyth High School and is a Cumming, GA native.
Zimmerman, 6-2, 205 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent out of Clemson on April 30, 2012. He was named an Academic All-ACC selection and team specialist of the year in 2010, posting a 42.7-yard average on 60 punts along with 19 punts inside the 20, nine punts of 50 yards, and a 40.6-yard net average.
