Archive for December, 2010

The Falcons' Jonathan Babineaux (left) and his younger brother, Seattle Seahawks' Jordan Babineaux (27), meet after their game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, in Seattle. (Associated Press)

FLOWERY BRANCH — Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (shoulder) did not practice on Friday and was listed as questionable for the Sunday’s game against Carolina.

Defensive end Kroy Biermann (calf), middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (knee) and center Todd McClure (ankle) were all limited in practice and listed as questionable for the game.

Wide receiver Roddy White (knee) fully participated while defensive end Abraham (groin) was limited in practice. Both were listed as probable for the game.

Out  = definitely will not play

Doubtful  = at least 75% chance will not play

Questionable = 50-50 chance will not play

Probable = virtual certainty will be available for normal duty

All Clubs are required to provide the NFL office and issue to local media the names of injured players …

Continue reading INJURY REPORT: Babineaux’s shoulder keeps him out of practice »

Continue reading Video: Falcons look to finish strong »

NFL fans are colorful to say the least. And Falcons fans will have a chance to win some prizes on Sunday. Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com

FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons will host their third annual Fan Appreciation Day at this Sunday’s season finale against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome.

The Falcons are awarding and distributing a number of items for the fans in attendance. The first 50,000 fans to enter the Dome will receive red and black “Rise Up” bracelets compliments of the Falcons and one lucky fan will receive a $10,000 shopping spree compliments of Tara Fine Jewelers.

There will be numerous fan appreciation videos on the stadium Jumbotron from Falcons players thanking fans for their strong support in 2010.

“This is a way for the Falcons to thank our fans for their tremendous support this season,” said Falcons chief marketing officer Jim Smith. “For the third year in-a-row, we have dedicated the final regular season home game to our fans and salute them for …

Continue reading Falcons to hold Fan Appreciation day on Sunday »

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson’s fine was reduced by $25,000 by the league for a hit

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson knocks Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson out of the game during the 2nd quarter of play in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sunday, October 17, 2010. The Eagles defeated the Falcons, 31-17. (Clem Murray/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT)

he made on Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson on Oct. 17. He appealed his original fine of $50,000.

“I feel a little bit better,” Robinson said. “I appealed and it took a long time. I guess they had to really sit down and think about it and just decided what they wanted to do.”

Robinson was not given a rationale behind the reduction.

“I just stressed that I’ve never been a dirty player,” Robinson said. “We went over some of the other hits that I had throughout my career and maybe that made a difference, not being in trouble before for spearing or hitting illegally. That ultimately was probably the …

Continue reading NFL reduces Dunta Robinson’s fine by $25,000 »

Matt Ryan stepping into a throw against Seattle. (Associated Press)

FLOWERY BRANCH – Here’s how the NFC playoffs will shake out if all of the favorites win this week.

In the NFC,

1. Atlanta Falcons

2. Chicago Bears

3.  Philadelphia Eagles

4.   St. Louis

5. New Orleans

6. Green Bay

Outside looking in: Tampa Bay, New York Giants and Seattle.

OFFICIAL PLAYOFF SCENARIOS  FROM THE LEAGUE OFFICE

2010 NFL PLAYOFF SCENARIOS FOR WEEK 17

NFC

CLINCHED: Chicago – NFC North and a first-round bye

Philadelphia – NFC East

Atlanta – playoff spot

New Orleans – playoff spot

ATLANTA FALCONS

Atlanta clinches NFC South and a first-round bye with:

3)    ATL win or tie OR

4)    NO loss or tie

Atlanta clinches homefield advantage with:

3)    ATL win or tie OR

4)    NO loss or tie + CHI loss or tie

CHICAGO BEARS

Chicago clinches homefield advantage with:

1)    CHI win + ATL loss + NO loss or tie

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

New Orleans clinches NFC South and homefield advantage with:

1)    NO win + ATL …

Continue reading OFFICIAL PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: Here’s the breakdown »

Tyson Clabo (right), Harvey Dahl and Todd McClure and Justin Blalock (Sam Baker not pictured) received kudos from Coach John Madden. (Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com)

FLOWERY BRANCH –  The Falcons Pro Bowl contingent could swell to nine members.

Right tackle Tyson Clabo and place kicker Matt Bryant are first alternates at their positions, according to the Falcons.

“It’s an honor to be in that group,” Clabo said on Thursday. “It’s a good deal.”

Clabo and Bryant would take the place of players at their position it they can’t play because of injury in the all-star game set to be played on Jan. 30 in Hawaii.

However, the Falcons hope they are not playing in the Pro Bowl, because it’s the week before the Super Bowl.

“I have no intention of being out there, but even still it’s an honor to be in that group of guys,” Clabo said.

Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) kicks the game winning field goal that defeated the 49ers 16-14 on Sunday, Oct 3, 2010 inside the Georgia Dome. Johnny …

Continue reading Clabo, Bryant are first alternates for the Pro Bowl »

S.C. State safety Raefel Bush delivering a shot against Clemson. Bush is from the same school that produced former Steelers great Donnie Shell (1970-73).

FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons promoted safety Rafael Bush from the practice squad to the roster on Wednesday.

A roster spot became available when safety Shann Schillinger, who was playing on special teams, was placed on injured reserved with a fractured ankle.

The Falcons also added wide receiver Brandyn Harvey to the practice squad.

Bush, 5-11, 195 pounds, was signed as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina State by the Falcons after the 2010 NFL Draft.

Bush was waived as part of the NFL’s mandatory roster cut down on September 4 and signed to the practice squad on September 5.

Bush was voted the S.C. State’s most valuable player as a senior after finishing the season with 54 tackles and three touchdowns.

Harvey was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Villanova by the Falcons after the 2010 NFL Draft. He was …

Continue reading Falcons bring up Bush to take Schillinger’s spot »

Former Falcons defensive line coach Bill Johnson posing with some of the Saints on the Falcons logo after Monday Night's game.

The Falcons are ticked off about the Saints posing for pictures on the team’s logo.

Also, Saints defensive end Remi Ayodele told CBSSportsline’s Pete Prisco that he urinated on the Falcons’ logo.

The Saints were celebrating after beating the Falcons 17-14  and securing a spot in the playoffs.

After the game, the Falcons were unaware of the Saints celebration. The team didn’t practice on Tuesday or Wednesday.

However, one team official, did speak with NewOrleans.com’s Brian Allee-Walsh about the Saints’ celebration.

“Believe me, that didn’t go unnoticed, not just by our players and coaches but by our owner (Arthur Blank) and front office people,” the Falcons’ official said. “It did not go unnoticed and it will be remembered.”

Ironically, if the playoffs break a certain way, the Saints could return to the Georgia Dome for a divisional round playoff …

Continue reading Falcons ticked with Saints for posing on their logo »

Falcons special teams player Eric Weems was selected to the Pro Bowl team along with six other players.

FLOWERY BRANCH – The league’s fans, players and coaches recognized the special season the Falcons are having by placing seven players on the NFC Pro Bowl team on Tuesday.

Quarterback Matt Ryan, wide receiver Roddy White, running back Michael Turner, tight end Tony Gonzalez, fullback Ovie Mughelli, defensive end John Abraham and specialist  Eric Weems were named to the team. The Falcons are 12-3 and have the best record in the NFC.

The players, while flattered by the honor, are hoping that they will not be available to play in the game, which is set for Jan. 30 in Hawaii.

The game will be played the week before Super Bowl XLV.  If the Falcons, who have clinched a playoff berth, reach the league’s grand game the players will be exempt from playing in the all-star game.

Matt Ryan stepping into a throw against Seattle. (Associated Press)

This is White’s third straight Pro …

Continue reading 7 Falcons selected to the NFC Pro Bowl team »

Falcons head coach Mike Smith screams at an official after a first down catch by Roddy White was called back by a penalty, killing a Falcons drive during 1st half action against the Saints. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com

Falcons coach Mike Smith was gracious in his post-game media session.

He gave the Saints credit for shutting down the offense and explained his fourth quarter decision to give the ball back to the Saints so they could basically run the clock out.

Here’s what he had to say:

OPENING STATEMENT: “I thought it was a very hard fought ballgame tonight. It was two pretty good football teams playing against each other. I liked the preparation throughout the week; we just didn’t get the outcome that we wanted. Defensively, I thought we had a good plan and executed it; we just didn’t make some plays. We left some plays out there. We did some things very uncharacteristic in terms of turnovers in the ballgame. We’ll regroup, we’ll get back together, and we’ll put this …

Continue reading The aftermath: Coach Smith explains decision to punt »