Archive for September, 2010

Atlanta running back Michael Turner leaves the game during 2nd quarter action against Arizona. Turner returned to the sidelines in the second half, but did not return to the field to play. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com

Falcon running back Michael Turner suffered a groin injury in the 41-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

He finished with 75 yards on nine carries. He was cleared to return to the game, but the Falcons elected to let him rest.

“I don’t think it was significant,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said of Turner’s injury. “He was talking about going back in to the ball game. He was cleared to go back in. I don’t think it’s going to be anything significant. But I have yet to talk to the trainers. I have not had my post-game meeting with the trainers.”

After Turner went down, Jason Snelling picked up the slack. He rushed for 129 yards on 24 carries. He also caught five passes for 57 yards. He had two touchdowns rushing and one …

Continue reading Michael Turner’s groin injury is not significant »

William Moore to a start against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

The William Moore era is here.

After battling injuries his senior year at Missouri and last year with the Falcons, the second-round draft pick will start today against the Arizona Cardinals in the home opener. Here’s Moore’s bio.

Safety Erik Coleman suffered a left knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday and was declared inactive.

Wide receiver Michael Jenkins (left shoulder), running back Antone Smith, linebacker Spencer Adkins, tackle Garrett Reynolds, guard Mike Johnson and defensive tackle Trey Lewis are also inactive.

John Parker Wilson will serve as the No. 3 quarterback.

Running back Beanie Wells is inactive for the Cardinals. Other inactives are cornerback A.J. Jefferson, safety Hamza Abdullah, cornerback Brandon McDonald, center Ben Claxton, wide receiver Early Doucet and defensive tackle Gabe Watson.

John Skelton will serve as the No. 3 quarterback.

Get instant updates on …

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Continue reading Video report: 3 keys vs. Cardinals »

NFL Network's Jamie Dukes

FLOWERY BRANCH – NFL network analyst Jamie Dukes, a former NFL lineman, knew he had to do something.

Through his Put Up Your Dukes Foundation, he and his wife Angela started the Billion Pound Blitz program designed to help folks lose weight. You can “like”the “Put Up Your Dukes Foundation” fan page on Facebook.com.

“My story is that had surgery because I was a biscuit away from 400 pounds,” Dukes said. “So it was just one of those things where something had to be done.”

Six of his former teammates, including Reggie White, have died from weight related issues.

They figured out that folks don’t like working out, but they do like dancing and created some line dance workout videos called Chachersize.

They have partnered with with television station 11Alive, the Arthur Blank Foundation, the Arthur Blank YMCA and the AARP in order to battle weight related diseases.

“At the game on Sunday we are having Chachersize sessions so that people can work off that …

Continue reading Dukes invites Falcons fans to line dance their pounds away »

FLOWERY BRANCH – Starting strong safety Erik Coleman, who has not practiced all week after suffering a left knee injury against Pittsburgh, was listed as questionable on the team’s injury on Friday.

Wide receiver Michael Jenkins, who has a shoulder injury, was declared out for the second week in a row.

If Coleman is unable to play, second-year safety William Moore would take over at strong safety.

“He’s learning the game,” defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder said.

Moore has battled injuries since being selected in the second round of the 2009 draft. He missed most of last season with hamstring and knee injuries.

It would be his first NFL start.

“I think his big challenge as a young player, being out there the first time in a starting situation is just going to be consistency,” VanGorder said. “He’s a physical player who has great speed. So you are going to see those kind of flashes from him. But consistency and doing his job in a good fundamental way is going to be the …

Continue reading Injury report: Erik Coleman is questionable for Arizona game »

Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.

FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey met with the media after Friday’s practice.

He discussed how he plans to get the offense on track, the vertical passing game, the rushing attack and the Arizona Cardinals.

Q: What are some of things you all can do to get the offense going, and scoring some points? (D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

A: We all have to be a little bit more consistent. As players and coaches we all have to do our jobs and pay attention to the little things. We’re not going to panic after this. We are just going to continue to try to get better and hopefully when we have drives, when we get one going it flows on from there.

Q: How does their defense look? (Roger Hendler, radio veteran)

A: They look solid. Again, it’s a 3-4 front. . . they are solid up front. Just like last week.

WILL Ryan go vertical against the Cardinals on Sunday? 00813 Atlanta – Atlanta Falcons …

Continue reading OC Mike Mularkey: ‘We are not going to panic’ »

The Falcons want all of those empty seats (red) full at kickoff time, 1 p.m. Not by 1:30 p.m. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)

FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons are giving their typically late-arriving crowd some incentives to arrive early to the home opener against Arizona at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

The team will have food and merchandise discounts for fans who enter the Dome between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Over the last two seasons, the Falcons have gone 13-3 at home, but a large portion of the crowd is usually missing at kickoff. Falcons coach Mike Smith believes the team would benefit from the fans arriving early.

“We would love to come out of the locker room and see that place packed,” Smith said. “Our fans do a super job during the game, but it would be nice to get the juices flowing even before the kickoff.”

The discounted food options include a family plan with four hot dogs, four bags of chips, four sodas and four candy items for $40. There …

Continue reading Falcons want fans to be on time for kickoff »

091108 Atlanta – DOUBLE TAPPED – Washington Redskins quarterback # 17 Jason Campbell is hit from both sides as he is sacked by Atlanta Falcons defensive end # 55 John Abraham, left, and defensive tackle # 95 Jonathan Babineaux, right, for a sack during 2nd quarter action knocking him out of the game on the play at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com

FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux will host a group of youths from the Georgia Council for the Hearing Impaired’s Camp Juliena at the home opener against Arizona at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

This is the first time youths from the Camp Juliena for the deaf are attending a NFL game.

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of Mr. Babineaux to reach out to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth in Georgia.  This is not the kind of opportunity they (deaf kids) get often,” said Bonna Lenyszyn, GACHI’s Director of Camp Juliena, a week-long residential summer …

Continue reading Babineaux to host hearing impaired youths on Sunday »

William Moore may get to a start against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

FLOWERY BRANCH – Safety William Moore may start Sunday if Erik Coleman’s left knee doesn’t respond to treatment before the Falcons‘ home opener against Arizona at the Georgia Dome.

Coleman, who injured his knee last Sunday against Pittsburgh, didn’t practice with the team again Thursday.

“It’s an opportunity for both William and [reserve] Shann Schillinger if Erik is not ready to go,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We hope that Erik is feeling better and has an opportunity to participate.”

If Coleman is able to play, whether he starts will likely be a game-time decision.

Moore, the team’s second-round draft pick in 2008, missed most of last season because of hamstring and knee injuries. He missed some training time in the offseason with a pectoral and groin injury.

“It’s an opportunity and I’m looking forward to it,” Moore said. “I hope Erik comes back, because I know that would be good for the team. …

Continue reading William Moore may start at safety for Coleman »

Arizona Cardinals' Early Doucet (80) celebrates after catching a 15-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

FLOWERY BRANCH – Arizona wide receiver Early Doucet has a groin injury and has been declared out of Sunday’s game with the Falcons, according to the Arizona Republic.

He’s been battling with an abdominal area issue since training camp and underwent a battery of tests for a sports hernia on Wednesday.

Here’s the story from Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.

Running back Beanie Wells has a bruised knee.

“He (Wells) did some limited work (Wednesday),” Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said on the conference call. “We’re going to really test him tomorrow and hope with the idea that he’ll practice Friday and have a chance to play on Sunday. We’re getting Early (Doucet) checked out, he went to see the doctor today. Thought it was his …

Continue reading Arizona WR Early Doucet out for Sunday’s game »