Archive for August, 2011

We'll have to wait another week to see the Falcons new defensive end tandem duo in action. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

JACKSONVILLE  – Defensive end Ray Edwards, the team’s prized free agent signee who is recovering from knee surgery, will not play against Jacksonville on Friday night.

Kroy Biermann will take his spot in the lineup.

Also, cornerback Christopher Owens has been announced as the starter for Dunta Robinson (hamstring) and defensive tackle Peria Jerry will start for Corey Peters. At center, Joe Hawley was not announced as the starter for Todd McClure at center, but coach Mike Smith said McClure wasn’t playing on Wednesday.

Jacksonville rookie Will Rackley, from Lehigh and Riverdale High, will start at left guard for the Jaguars. He’s starting for Jason Spitz.  Also for the Jags, Jeremy Mincey (Florida, Statesboro High) will start at right defensive end for Aaron Kampman.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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Continue reading Ray Edwards will not play vs. Jaguars »

Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback Adam Froman throws a pass during practice at training camp in Flowery Branch on Thursday, August 4, 2011. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

JACKSONVILLE — I felt bad about not talking to former Louisville quarterback Adam Froman before last week’s game.

He was in a tight spot down the stretch against Miami and I figured only the very diligent readers knew much about the “FRO – MAN!”

It looked like was going to guide the Falcons to victory, but he tossed an interception with 50 seconds left in the game.

So if it comes down to Froman tonight, we’ll at least have some background on him.

Here’s a Q&A with Adam Froman:

Q: How did you end up at Louisville?

A: I went to Santa Rosa Junior College. The head coach at Louisville played for my junior college head coach. He played for his dad at Idaho State. So they kind of had a connection. He got a hold of him and said he needed a quarterback and the rest was history.

Q: How’s camp been so …

Continue reading MEET THE ROOKIES: QB Adam Froman »

110812 Atlanta – Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan throws a pass to Julio Jones during 1st quarter action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Friday, August 12, 2011. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

JACKSONVILLE – Despite missing work because of the lockout, quarterback Matt “Matty Ice” Ryan believes the Falcons are ahead of schedule compared to last season.

Last season, the Falcons went 13-3 and won the NFC South before being eliminated in the divisional round of the playoffs.

With the 132-day lockout, the Falcons did not have any team-sanctioned practices or any minicamps.

“I think we are ahead of where we were last year,” Ryan said.  “We talk about it every day. You are either getting better or you’re getting worse. We are just trying to get better every day, and even year-to-year.”

Ryan led the team’s players-only practices in May and June. About 20 to 30 players met twice-a-week at Buford High to practice.

He believes the Falcons are ahead of last …

Continue reading THE ICE MAN: Falcons ahead of last year’s pace »

790TheZone is on the scene. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)

 

JACKSONVILLE – Here’s the TV and Radio info on the Falcons’ second exhibition game against the Jaguars at 8 p.m. Friday night.

RADIO COVERAGE – Star 94 (94.1 FM/790 AM): Play-by-play: Wes Durham, Color Analyst: Dave Archer and Sideline: Hans Heiserer.

TV COVERAGE BY FOX: Play-by-play: Kenny Albert, Color Analyst: Daryl Johnston and Color Analyst: Tony Siragusa.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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Continue reading TV, Radio: Falcons vs. Jags, 8 p.m. »

Falcons tight end Justin Peelle (87) in action against the St. Louis Rams. AP

UPDATE 8:20 a.m.

The Falcons have reached an injury settlement with Justin Peelle, the team confirmed. An announcement will be made later today.

Earlier post:

JACKSONVILLE – The Falcons are expected to announce that they have reached an injury settlement with tight end Justin Peelle.

He suffered a knee injury in the exhibition season opener against Miami.

“Peelle has been a big part of our offense since we’ve gotten here,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We have a lot of things that are based on tight end play. We try to have at least three tight ends on our roster.”

The Falcons signed Reggie Kelly on Tuesday to takeover Peelle role as the No. 2 tight end behind Tony Gonzalez.

Michael Palmer, Marquez Branson, Ryan Winterswyk and A.J. Simmons are the other tight ends on the roster.

Peelle, 32, was signed by the Falcons on August 31, 2008 and played a few days later in the season opener …

Continue reading Falcons reach injury settlement with Peelle »

Continue reading VIDEO: Preview of the Jacksonville game »

FILE PHOTO: Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder emphasizes a point with head coach Mike Smith during defensive drills. Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com

JACKSONVILLE — Falcons coach Mike Smith was pleased with how the joint practice with the Jaguars turned on Wednesday.

Smith said that center Todd McClure (resting), cornerback Dunta Robinson (hamstring) and newly signed tight end Reggie Kelly would not play on Friday night.

Linebacker Robert James (groin) will be a game-time decision. Also, he didn’t rule out defensive end Ray Edwards (knee).

Here are the highlights from Smith’s post-practice presser:  

ON HOW THE JOINT PRACTICE HELPED THE FALCONS: Well it helps us a whole bunch because we spent most of training camp working against each other, and it was good to get down here. I thought the way we organized it we got some good work tonight.

ON HIGH EXPECTATIONS: Every team has expectations and every year’s a new year and we’re trying to put our roster …

Continue reading Q&A: Mike Smith pleased with Jax practice »

JACKSONVILLE — Tight end Reggie Kelly was promptly worked in at the No. 2 tight end position on Wednesday.

Kelly is expected to provide blocking and help keep the running game rolling. He had a visit to Pittsburgh, but wanted to play with the Falcons.

“I never retired,” Kelly said. “I don’t know where that report came from. It was a false report. It was a rumor that got started and from that point it just took off like a wild fire.

“I didn’t retire. When I became a free agent I still wanted to continue my career. Therefore, that’s why I took a visit to Pittsburgh and also came to the Falcons. I’m glad I got an opportunity to play with such a great team here.”

After tight end Justin Peelle suffered a severe injury that will cause him to miss some major time, the Falcons worked out Anthony Becht, who had been out of football for a year and Kelly. Becht weighed in at 287 pounds and was not in good football shape.

Kelly worked out for the Falcons on Monday and …

Continue reading Reggie Kelly ready to jump in as No. 2 tight end »

The Falcons are about to practice right outside of EverBank Field. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/DLedbetter@ajc.com)

POST-WALK THROUGH UPDATE  11:15ish

JACKSONVILLE – Newly signed Falcons tight end Reggie Kelly, wearing No. 89,  was promptly worked in at the No. 2 tight end position on Wednesday.

He’s expected to provide blocking and help keep the running game rolling.

In an exclusive interview after practice, he talked about coming back to the Falcons, his “retirement” and his days with Dan Reeves. (We’ll post all of that later).

He visited the Pittsburgh Steelers, but wanted to play with the Falcons

The Falcons during their morning walk through today in Jacksonville. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/DLedbetter@ajc.com)

because of their explosive offense. The former Falcons’ draft pick also still lives in the “Gwinnett County area” and his kids will get to stay in their schools.

“I never retired,” Kelly said. “I don’t know where that report came from. It was a false …

Continue reading JAX PRACTICE REPORT: Kelly on board, Edwards close »

Raiders William Thomas tackles #89 Atlanta's Reggie Kelly in the 2nd qtr. back in November of 2000. Oakland Raiders vs Atlanta Falcons at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland.

UPDATE: Falcons confirm signing.

FLOWERY BRANCH – Reggie Kelly’s career has come full circle.

Kelly, who was drafted by the Falcons in the second round (42nd overall) of the 1999 NFL draft, has signed with the Falcons, according to general manager Thomas Dimitroff.

Earlier, Fox’s Alex Marvez in a sourced report, stated that the parties had agreed to terms.

The Falcons are thin at tight end after Justin Peelle suffered a knee injury against Miami. The extent of Peelle’s injujry has not be fully disclosed.

Kelly played with the Falcons from 1999 to 2002. He developed into a solid blocking tight end while playing in Cincinnati from 2003 to 2010.

He will be reunited with Bob Bratkowski, the Falcons quarterbacks coach, who was Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator during Kelly’s tenure with the …

Continue reading Falcons sign tight end Reggie Kelly »