Archive for October, 2010

Marquez Branson (85) caught an 11-yard touchdown pass in front of Detroit Lions linebacker Zack Follett (49) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010, while a member of the Denver Broncos. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons signed tight end Marquez Branson to the practice squad and placed tight end Robbie Agnone on injured reserve with a foot injury today.

Branson, 6-3, 247 pounds, was originally signed by the Denver Broncos as a rookie free agent following the 2009 NFL Draft.

Branson spent his rookie season on the Broncos practice squad after playing in 23 games in two seasons at Central Arkansas.
The Starkville, Mississippi native totaled 82 career receptions for 1,236 yards (15.1 avg.) while at Central Arkansas. His 18 touchdowns ranked fifth in school history and in his senior season he posted 45 catches for 737 yards and 11 touchdowns, which earned him All

Tight end Robbie Agnone making a catch at for the …

Continue reading Falcons sign TE Marquez Branson to practice squad »

Continue reading Video: Falcons downshift into bye week mode »

101024 Atlanta – ONE HANDED CATCH – Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White makes a one handed catch against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones for a 1st down during 2nd quarter action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 24 , 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

FLOWERY BRANCH –  For his electric performance against Cincinnati,  Falcons wide receiver Roddy White was named the NFC offensive player of the week on Wednesday.

White caught 11 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns in the 39-32 victory over the Bengals and their reality show star receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens.

White was 10 yards short of breaking the team record of 210 yards that he set last season against San Francisco. The 201 yards was the second-best day in the team’s history. Terance Mathis has a 198-yard game in 1998.

With a league-leading 54 catches for 747 yards, White is on pace to catch 123 passes, which would shatter Mathis’ record of 111, set in 1994. …

Continue reading Roddy’s World: WR wins award, reality show next? »

101024 Atlanta – Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner breaks a tackle as he slips away from Bengals cornerback Leon Hall for some of his 121 yards during 2nd half action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 24 , 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

FLOWERY BRANCH – Quarterback Matt Ryan was nominated for the FedEX Air player of the week and Michael Turner was nominated for the FedEX Ground player of the week for their showings against the Bengals.

Ryan completed 24 of 33 passes for a season-high 299 yards and three touchdowns.

Turner rushed for 121 yards on 23 carries and scored two touchdowns.

Running back Jason Snelling was nominated for the ground award after his fine showing against Arizona earlier this season.

101024 Atlanta – Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan tosses to running back Michael Turner for some of his 299 passing yards during 2nd half action against the Bengals at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 24 , 2010. Curtis Compton …

Continue reading Ryan, Turner up for FedEx weekly awards »

101024 Atlanta – Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer during 2nd half action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 24 , 2010. The Falcons beat the Bengals 39-32. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

FLOWERY BRANCH –- For the second game in a row, the opposing head coach paid major homage to the Atlanta defensive line rotation.

Philadelphia’s Andy Reid raved about defensive end John Abraham, defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux and the rest of the crew.

“They are explosive now,” Reid said. “Abraham has been in this league a long time. I think he’s playing at a very, very high level. I can go right down the list. Kroy (Biermann), that play first of all that he made (against Cleveland), that’s the way he’s playing. He’s playing fast and aggressive.

“Jonathan is a Pro Bowl player.

“They are getting great production out of Corey (Peters). If you can follow Corey with a (Peria) Jerry, then that’s pretty deep right …

Continue reading John Abraham moves past Travis Hall on sackmaster list »

Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner breaks through the Cincinnati defense for some of his 121-yards during 2nd half action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 24 , 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

FLOWERY BRANCH – Here’s a DVR alert for you all.
The 39-32 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals will be featured on NFL Network’s NFL Replay show on Wednesday, October 27 at 9:15 p.m.

The game will be shown in an abbreviated, 75-minute format featuring interviews from Sunday’s winning postgame locker room as well as an interview with wide receiver Roddy White.

Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.

Continue reading DVR alert: Win over Bengals on NFLN’s Replay show »

Continue reading Video: Who’s the best team in the NFC? »

Harry Douglas could end up winning a starting spot. Curtis Compton/Ccompton@ajc.com

Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas is hosting a Bowl for Babies event to help raise funds for the March of Dimes at 7 p.m. tonight at Tin Pen Alley at Atlantic Station.

Several other Falcons will take part in the benefit.

A VIP experience awaits lane sponsors which will include food, drink and photo ops galore. Visit marchofdimes.com/Georgia to purchase  tickets or sponsor a lane.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com/georgia or nacersano.org.

Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.

Continue reading TODAY: Bowl for Babies with Harry Douglas »

101024 Atlanta – The Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders wear hot pink for cancer awareness during the game against the Bengals at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 24 , 2010. To learn more about breast cancer screenings it nfl.com/pink . Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris proclaimed the Buccaneers to be the best team in the NFC after their 18-17 win over the St. Louis Rams.

The good thing about the NFL is that he and his team will get a chance to backup his big talk. The Bucs are off to a surprising 4-2 start and quarterback Josh Freeman is looking kind of special.

After the bye week, the Bucs come to the Georgia Dome for a Nov. 7 NFC South Showdown. The Bucs play the Arizona Cardinals next week and have a chance to  move into a tie with the Falcons for first place.

Falcons coach Mike Smith was a lot more subdued in his post-game remarks.

Here are the highlights from his post-game media chat:

SMITH’S OPENING REMARKS:  “I know it’s a …

Continue reading Don’t you wish Smitty would say, ‘Hey Raheem, bring it on!’ »

101024 Atlanta – ONE HANDED CATCH – Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White makes a one handed catch against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones for a 1st down during 2nd quarter action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 24 , 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

Falcons linebacker Mike Peterson gave the media a little tip in the post-game locker room session.

“Just listen,” Peterson said. “You

hear all of the chatter. Guys are upbeat. We could easily be 2-5 vs. 5-2.
“We just have take this momentum and good spirit and try to carry it with us to the end of the season.”

The Falcons were giddy after beating the Bengals 39-32 and heading into the bye week.

Here’s what the players were talking about after the game:

JOHN ABRAHAM, defensive end

ON OCHOCINCO AND T.O.: “I don’t pay any attention to them. I was talking trash myself, just to the offensive lineman. My thing is to get to the quarterback.”

BRIAN FINNERAN, wide receiver

ON HIS TD CATCH: “A lot …

Continue reading The Aftermath: What the players were saying . . . »