Archive for September, 2011

 – The Falcons declared running back Jason Snelling (concussion) out for Sunday’s game in Seattle in the injury report released on Friday. 

Rookie running back Jacquizz Rodgers will get an increased load against the Seahawks with Jason Snelling out. Jason Getz, jgetz@ajc.com

FLOWERY BRANCH

 Rookie running back Jacquizz Rodgers will have an increased role when the Falcons (1-2) face the Seattle Seahawks (1-2) at CenturyLink Field at 4:05 p.m. Sunday.

Snelling suffered a concussion against Tampa Bay and is in the league’s concussion protocol.

Also, veteran linebacker Mike Peterson will make his second consecutive start for Stephen Nicholas (calf), who was also declared out for the Seahawks game.

Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux and defensive end Cliff Matthews (knee) are out of for Seattle.

Wide receiver Roddy White (thigh) was limited in practice and is questionable for the game.

Left tackle Sam Baker (ankle), middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (foot) and cornerback Kelvin …

Continue reading INJURY REPORT: Snelling out for Seahawks game »

Continue reading VIDEO: Playboy Playmate Pilar Lastra offers fantasy (football) tips »

Here’s the TV and Radio info for the Falcons game against the Seattle Seahawks which is set for 4:05 p.m. at CenturyLink Field.

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

TV COVERAGE BY FOX: Play-by-play: Craig Bolerjack and Color Analyst: John Lynch.

NATIONAL RADIO BY WESTWOOD ONE:  Play-by-play: Kevin Kugler and Color Analyst:  Mark Malone.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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Continue reading TV, radio: Falcons at Seahawks, Sunday 4:05 p.m. »

CenturyLink Field (the stadium formerly known as Qwest Field) is the loudest field in the National Football League. (Pressbox view) (D. Orlando Ledbetter/DLedbetter@ajc.com)

Falcons SS William Moore vs. Seahawks TE Zach Miller: The Seahawks are still trying to incorporate Miller into the offense. The former Oakland Raider was considered the top pass-catching tight end available in free agency. He ranks as one of the top tight ends in receiving yards since his second season in the NFL (2008), with 187 catches for 2,309 yards, He’s 75 yards behind Indianapolis’ Dallas Clark for fifth place.

Falcons LT Sam Baker vs. Seahawks DEs Red Bryant/Raheem Brock: Baker suffered an ankle injury against Tampa Bay and was limited in practice Wednesday. Baker has been battling, but has had tough assignments against Chicago’s Julius Peppers, Philadelphia’s Trent Cole and Tampa Bay’s Adrian Clayborn. Bryant plays end on run downs and then slides inside to tackle on passing downs. Brock, who …

Continue reading 3 key matchups: Falcons vs. Seahawks »

Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud (28) celebrates with teammates cornerback Brent Grimes (20) and safety William Moore (25) after intercepting a first quarter pass by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman in the end zone. AP

FLOWERY BRANCH  – Falcons cornerback Kelvin Hayden has quickly recovered from a hamstring injury and returned to practice on Thursday.

The Falcons (1-2) are hoping that Hayden will be available to play against the Seattle Seahawks (1-2) at 4:05 p.m. Sunday at CenturyLink Field.

“Kelvin did a real good job with our athletic performance department and the trainers to get back out here,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We thought it might be a little bit longer than a couple of weeks. Hopefully, there won’t be a [setback] and [Friday] he can continue on his road to recovery.”

Hayden, the former Indianapolis Colts star, signed a one-year contract with the Falcons on Aug. 30. He was injured in the Philadelphia game after registering two tackles and making an …

Continue reading INJURY REPORT: Hayden returned to practice »

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

Everyone is searching for answers about why there’s been a dramatic dropoff in the offensive line’s performance.

We interviewed right tackle Tyson Clabo (he didn’t like the line of questioning), center Todd McClure (fundamentals/techniques), right guard Garrett Reynolds (He’s been trained well. More on fundamentals/techniques), head coach Mike Smith, offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and offensive line coach Paul Boudreau. Left tackle Sam Baker and left guard Justin Blalock have been noticeably absent during the first two of four “open locker room” sessions this week. We’ll see if they show up today and Friday.

It turns out that the line might be missing Harvey Dahl’s meanness and nastiness.

Here’s how the story turned out:

Falcons offensive line coach Paul Boudreau wants his players to start knocking people on their, um, butts. Brant Sanderlin / …

Continue reading Does the O-line miss Dahl’s nasty swagger? »

Continue reading VIDEO: Falcons leaving early for Seattle »

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons strong safety William Moore said he was fined by the league $7,500 on Wednesday.

Moore was fined for a helmet hit he placed on Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham in the third quarter. On third-and-4 from Tampa Bay’s 36, Graham caught a short pass for a 5-yard gain. Moore came over to aid linebacker Sean Weatherspoon on the tackle and was  called for unnecessary roughness on the play.

“It was called a late hit,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said on Monday, when asked if he thought Moore would be fined. “Again, whether he was a defenseless player, that will be something that I’m sure the League will determine but that was a personal foul, late-hit penalty is what they called it, not helmet-to-helmet.”

For …

Continue reading Falcons safety William Moore fined $7,500 »

Matt Ryan stepping into a throw against Seattle last December. The Falcons won 34-18. (Associated Press)

FLOWERY BRANCH – They may have changed the name of the stadium by picking up a new sponsorship deal, but Seattle’s CenturyLink Stadium is still notoriously loud.

“Seattle’s atmosphere is very unique,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “Even though it’s an outdoor stadium, the way that it’s designed, makes it the loudest in the league. Their fans up there are great in terms of knowing when to cheer and when not to cheer.”

The Falcons will have a silent communication system ready and the offense will practice with extra loud crowd noise blaring form speakers.

The Falcons will fly to Seattle after practice on Friday. Normally, the team doesn’t leave until Saturday for a Sunday away game.

2011 Regular Season           Seahawks        Falcons
Record                                              1-2                     1-2
Total Yards Gained                        …

Continue reading TALE OF THE TAPE: Falcons vs. Seattle »

Continue reading VIDEO: Is this a ‘must win’ game in Week 4? »