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ROSSUM SIGNS FREE AGENT CONTRACT WITH FALCONS
Atlanta Falcons Press Release
posted 03/13/02
 | | Allen Rossum |
The Atlanta Falcons announced today the signing of CB/KR Allen Rossum, a veteran of four NFL seasons. Though his agreeing to terms was widely reported throughout the past week, Rossum did not officially sign a deal with the Falcons until Wednesday. Terms of the contract were not announced by the team.
Rossum, 5-8, 178 pounds, spent the last two seasons with Green Bay after joining the Packers on August 25, 2000 in a trade with Philadelphia. He originally joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a fifth-round draft choice out of Notre Dame in 1998 and spent his first two pro seasons with the Eagles.
Rossum has been utilized as both a punt returner and kickoff returner and also contributed on defense in nickel situations during his four NFL seasons. He made an immediate impact as a rookie with the Eagles, playing in 15 games with two starting assignments at corneback. He finished his rookie campaign ranked seventh in the NFC with a 24.5-yard average on kickoff returns, including nine kickoff returns of 30 or more yards.
In 1999, he set the Eagles single-season records for kickoff returns (54) and kickoff return yards (1,347) while ranking fourth in the NFC (and fifth in the NFL) with a 24.9-yard average. Rossum was seventh in the conference with an 8.9-yard average on 28 punt returns. In addition, he finished with 17 tackles on special teams and was voted the Eagles Special Teams MVP.
After being acquired by the Packers on the eve of its final preseason game when Green Bay sent Philadelphia a 2001 fifth-round draft choice, Rossum immediately provided the Packers return game a spark. He was selected as the first alternate for the NFC's Pro Bowl squad, largely on the basis of his career-high 25.8-yard kickoff return average. He finished with 12 tackles in his situational role from scrimmage with the defense and also saw limited action on offense, gaining 16 yards on one rushing attempt and then played a role on a fake reverse that netted the Packers 36 yards.
Last season, Rossum was limited to six regular season games due to a hamstring injury early in the year, and by a cartilage tear in his knee that required arthroscopic surgery later in the season. In addition to contributing on passing downs as a defensive back, he averaged 9.9 yards on 11 punts and 18.7 yards on 23 kickoff returns. Rossum had a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown with 3:03 remaining in an eventual 21-20 triumph over Tampa Bay (11/4).
Overall, Rossum has career average of 24.2 yards on 171 kickoff returns and has scored two touchdowns. He has average 24 or more yards in every season until 2001 when he was slowed with injuries. He has returned 90 punts for an 8.6-yard career average and one touchdown.
courtesy Atlanta Falcons
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