Archive for September, 2011

Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli is getting ready early for tonight's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com)

Several hours before kickoff and the Falcons are relaxing before heading over to the Georgia Dome.

Here are a few pre-game tweets:

@roddywhiteTV — Roddy White — Got meetings [then] waffle house

@oviemughelli34 — Ovie Mughelli — Real men and real players don’t shy away from challenges. They run at it head on and with no fear. And that’s how we are gonna run into SNF

@oviemughelli34 — Ovie Mughelli — Hearing coach smith and mularkey talk makes u wanna fight that much harder for them your teammates your fans and your city.

@TonyGonzalez88 — Tony Gonzalez — Time to #riseup, where you at#dirtybirds!

@CoreyPeters91 — Corey M. Peters — I don’t know how I feel about the fight last night

@A_Dent52 — Akeem Dent — I got The Carter playlist going with The Carter-The CarterIV Which Carter Album do yall think was the best?

FOLLOW FALCONS PLAYERS ON …

Continue reading Some pre-game Tweets from the Falcons »

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Falcons battle flags were given away to the first 60,000 Falcons fans entering the Georgia Dome, adding to the "Dome Field" advantage against the Arizona Cardinals. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com

Before heading down to the Georgia Dome today, clean out those drawers and find that old cell phone and accessories that you no longer use.

Take them to the stadium and donate them to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine phone drive. For the eighth consecutive year, Verizon will be hosting a phone collection drive on Falcon’s Landing before the game.

They accept used wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any service provider are recycled, or refurbished and sold. Verizon Wireless uses the proceeds to award grants and to donate wireless phones with prepaid airtime to non-profit advocacy agencies and law enforcement agencies to aid survivors of domestic violence.

Wireless phones and technology can serve as a vital link to emergency or support services in a time of crisis or as …

Continue reading Donate your used phones to fight Domestic Violence »

Falcons cornerback Christopher Owens returned to practice on Friday and is questionable for Sunday's game. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

 

FLOWERY BRANCH –  Falcons cornerback Christopher Owens (ankle) returned to practice and was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles at 8:20 p.m. at the Georgia Dome.

Owens, who’s the team’s No. 3 cornerback and played nickel back against the Bears, was limited in practice. If he can’t play, Dominique Franks or Kelvin Hayden will likely take his spot.

Center Todd McCluire (knee) and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (knee) will not play.

Wide receiver Harry Douglas (concussion), fullback Ovie Mughelli (knee), defensive tackle Corey Peters (knee) and wide receiver Roddy White (knee) all fully participated in practice, but were listed as probable on the injury report.

THURSDAY INJURY REPORT

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas, who suffered head injury, and fullback Ovie …

Continue reading INJURY REPORT: Owens returns; McClure and Babineaux out »

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan probably won't be throwing deep much this week either. The formula for victory is for the Falcons to pound the Eagles with the running game. (Associated Press)

FLOWERY BRANCH — There are no major surprises in the new “unofficial” depth chart released by the team this week for the home-opener against the Philadelphia Eagles at 8:20 p.m. on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

In one minor move, rookie running back Jacquizz Rodgers moved past Antone Smith into the No. 3 at slot. Rodgers was active and played against the Bears while Smith was inactive.

Cornerback Kelvin Hayden remains listed third at right cornerback behind Dunta Robinson and Christopher Owens.  Safety James Sanders remains listed No. 2 behind William Moore at strong safety.

Both have received increased practice time this week and are being heavily evaluated for playing time.

OFFENSE

WR 11 Julio Jones 83 Harry Douglas 14 Eric Weems

LT 72 Sam Baker 74 Will Svitek

LG 63 Justin …

Continue reading DEPTH CHART: Rodgers moves up at RB »

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)

FLOWERY BRANCH — Here’s a quick look at three key matchups when the Falcons face the Philadelphia Eagles at 8:20 p.m Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson vs. Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson: Last season, Robinson leveled a hit on Jackson that drew the wrath of the NFL. Robinson initially was fined $50,000, but appealed and had it reduced to $25,000. The hit was so violent that both players left the game with concussions. Jackson had scored twice, on a 31-yard touchdown run and a 34-yard pass, before he left the game.

Falcons wide receiver Roddy White vs. Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha: White led the NFL in receptions last season with 115 and got off to a solid …

Continue reading Eagles vs. Falcons: 3 key matchups »

FLOWERY BRANCH –The Falcons signed tight end Tommy Gallarda to the practice squad and placed tight end Marquez Branson (knee) on the practice

Tight end Tommy Gallarda while with the Jacksonville Jaguars in July. (Associated Press)

 squad-injured list.

“We signed Tommy,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.  ”We had the injury yesterday to Marquez Branson. He had a dislocated knee cap so he’s going to be moved off of the roster and we’re ready to get (Gallarda) in. He’s from Boise State; a big, blocking tight end.”

Gallarda, 6-foot-5, 262 pounds, was originally signed as a college free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011. He was a four-year letterman at Boise State, where he had 25 receptions for 257 yards and nine touchdowns.

Branson, 6-3, 247 pounds, was originally signed by the Denver Broncos as a rookie free agent following the 2009 NFL Draft. He was signed to the Falcons practice squad on October 28, 2010 and later signed as a reserve/future free agent by the …

Continue reading Falcons sign TE Tommy Gallarda to practice squad »

Here’s the TV and Radio info for the Falcons’ home opener against the Philadelphia

Fellow U of Cincinnati College of Law grad Cris Collinsworth will hande the color commentary on Sunday. He's class of 1991. Your truly, class of 1990.

 Eagles at 8:20 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

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 NBC: Play-by-play: Al Michaels, Color Analyst: Cris Collinsworth and Sideline: Michele Tafoya.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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Continue reading TV, Radio: Eagles at Falcons, 8:20 p.m. Sunday »

Harry Douglas returned to practice today. Curtis Compton/Ccompton@ajc.com

 

UPDATE, THURSDAY 4:40

FLOWERY BRANCH –  Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas, who suffered head injury, and fullback Ovie Mughelli, who suffered a knee, returned to practice on Thursday.

Douglas’ injury wasn’t that serious. He said his helmet came up under his eye late in the game.

Defensive tackle Corey Peters (knee) and wide receiver Roddy White (knee) both fully participated in practice.

Cornerback Christopher Owens (ankle) and center Todd McClure (knee) continued to work with the trainers.

Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (torn MCL) did not practice. Babineaux has been declared out for the game.

With Owens missing the two major days of practice, the Falcons will likely have to go with recently acquired Kelvin Hayden at nickel back.  His practice reps and those of safety James Sanders has been increased this week.

“We want to try to get these guys indoctrinated and up to speed and …

Continue reading INJURY REPORT: Douglas returns to practice »

Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) scores a touchdown in front of Philadelphia defender Ellis Hobbs (31) last season. AP

FLOWERY BRANCH — After catching 70 passes for 656 yards for a career-low 9.4 yards per catch last season, tight end Tony Gonzalez ran longer routes in the season opener.

He had a 30-yard reception against the Bears. Last season, he didn’t venture down field much as he mostly worked the short and intermediate zone areas. He finished with five catches for 72 yards and 14.4 yard per catch.

“Everybody is saying that I might be slowing down, but I don’t think so,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve got to out there and do it again.”

If Gonzalez, 35, can still get open down the seam, that should open up other areas for the wide receivers.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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Continue reading Gonzalez can still get open down the field »