Archive for September, 2011

Here’s the TV and Radio info for the Falcons’ NFC South opener at Tampa Bay.

Dave Archer (left) and Wes Durham before the Falcons played the New York Jets on Dec. 20, 2009. (By Jeff Schultz/JSchultz@ajc.com)

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: Thom Brennaman, Color Analyst: Brian Billick  and Sideline: Laura Okmin.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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Continue reading TV, Radio: Falcons at Buccaneers, 4:15 p.m. Sunday »

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The Buc's pirate ship. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/AJC)

Falcons DE John Abraham vs. Buccaneers LT Donald Penn: It’s usually a good battle when these two Pro Bowlers meet. Abraham, 33, is a 12-year veteran who racked up 13 sacks last season. He had two in this season’s opener against the Bears. Penn, a former undrafted free agent, is a self-made player who has started 62 consecutive games — the fifth longest streak among active tackles in the NFL. Penn, who has held his ground against Abraham, has respect for Abraham’s ability to power through blocks as a change of pace to his speed rushes.

Falcons WR Roddy White vs. Buccaneers CB Aqib Talib: In Week 1, Talib returned an interception for a touchdown against Detroit. White, who led the NFL with a franchise-record 115 receptions last season, is off to a slow start. Defenses have bracketed White and left the middle of the field open. White, who has 11 catches for 84 yards and one touchdown, is well off his pace of last …

Continue reading Bucs vs. Falcons: 3 key matchups »

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The front of the ship looks pretty scary. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)

FLOWERY BRANCH — For the second consecutive day, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was limited in practice with a knee injury on Thursday.

He received substantially more work with the first-unit than he did on Wednesday and is expected to start on Sunday when the Falcons (1-1) face Tampa Bay (1-1) at 4:15 p.m. Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.

Also, center Todd McClure did not suffer a setback and also participated more in practice than he did on Wednesday. He’s expected to be available for Tampa Bay.

Defensive ends John Abraham (thigh) and Ray Edwards (foot) were added to the injury report and were limited in practice. Wide receiver Roddy White (thigh) was also limited in practice.

Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (knee) and cornerback Kelvin Hayden (hamstring) did not practice.

Defensive tackle Corey Peters (back) and safety Shann Schillinger (neck) fully participated in practice.

Tampa Bay …

Continue reading INJURY REPORT: Ryan limited for second day »

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins(notes) (97) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan(notes) (2) in the first quarter of an NFL football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/John Amis)

 FLOWERY BRANCH — Philadelphia defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins confirmed to the Philadelphia Inquirer that he was fined $15,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit Sunday on Matt Ryan.

 ”You can punch somebody and only get fined $10,000,” Jenkins said. “You do an honest mistake, it’s not like I launched at him …”

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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Continue reading Philadelphia’s Jenkins fined for hit on Matt Ryan »

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan attempts a pass in the first half of their game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Jason Getz / jgetz@ajc.com

FLOWERY BRANCH  – Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was limited in practice today with a knee injury, according to head coach Mike Smith.

“We rested him today and we are hoping that he’ll be out here tomorrow,” Smith said. “We have to see how  . . . hopefully he’ll have more participation tomorrow than he had today.”

Backups Chris Redman and John Parker Wilson took the majority of the snaps in practice. Smith doesn’t believe that Ryan is in danger of missing Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay.

“He took some shots in the game and we gave him some rest today,” Smith said.  

Ryan (knee), wide receiver Roddy White (thigh), defensive end Ray Edwards (foot) and Todd McClure (knee) were all limited in practice.

The offensive line has been taking some heat for giving up nine sacks and 17 hits on Ryan in two games. They could receive a boost with the return …

Continue reading INJURY REPORT: Matt Ryan limited in practice »

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) fumbles the ball, stripped by Falcons defensive end John Abraham (not pictured) as linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (56) hits Vick. Jason Getz / jgetz@ajc.com

FLOWERY BRANCH – The NFL has sent a memo to all 32 teams to advise them not to fake injuries when teams are running their no-huddle offenses.

“The Competition Committee deprecates feigning injuries, with subsequent withdrawal, to obtain a timeout without penalty,” the memo stated. “Coaches are urged to cooperate in discouraging this practice.”

During the Falcons’ two 80-yard touchdown drives late in their 35-31 victory over  the Eagles, they did not fake any injuries to slow them down.

On Monday, the Giants had some questionable and timely injuries to slow down St. Louis.

As a result, Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said Tuesday the team will file a complaint with the NFL office.

The Falcons are not anticipating that teams will try to slow them down by faking injuries.

“We can’t control …

Continue reading NFL tells teams to stop faking the funk »

Eagles defensive end Jason Babin sacks Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com

FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons left tackle Sam Baker is taking a lot of heat from from you all after his performance against the Eagles and defensive end Trent Cole.

“Yeah, towards the end of the game I finally got it together, but it was a long day for sure against Trent,” Baker said on Wednesday.

It must be noted that with the game on the line, Baker won his battles in the two 80-yard drives to win the game. Also, Baker is a stand up guy and addressed his plight and noted that the offensive line is under pressure from the coaches to firm-up the passing pocket.

The offensive line has been taking some heat for giving up nine sacks and 17 hits on quarterback Matt Ryan.

Ryan’s ability to withstand the hits caused Falcons coach Mike Smith to call him “One tough Irishman.”

Baker said the coaches have turned the heat up on the offensive line, which may get center Todd McClure back …

Continue reading Sam Baker knows he, o-line has to step-up »

Michael Turner, left, celebrates his game winning touchdown with Roddy White, right, for a 35-31 victory over the Eagles during 2nd half action. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons running back Michael Turner is a finalist for the FedEx Ground NFL player of the week.

Fans can vote for the winner through Friday at 3 p.m. CLICK HERE! The winner will be announced on the NFL Total Access on NFL Network and on NFL.com.

Turner, who ran for 114 yards and had a huge 61-yard fourth-quarter scamper, is up against Tampa Bay’s LeGarrette Blount and Buffalo’s Fred Jackson.

Blount had 13 carries for 71 yards and two touchdowns in the Bucs’ 24-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

Jackson had two touchdowns and 117 yards on just 15 carries to help the Bills defeat the Oakland Raiders, 38-35.

FedEx will support education efforts at Junior Achievement by making weekly $2,000 donations in the winning players’ names. The funding, allocated to local Junior Achievement area …

Continue reading FAN VOTE: Help Turner win weekly award »