INJURY REPORT: Turner and Nicholas miss practice
110804 Flowery Branch - Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dominique Franks, left, defends against wide receiver Eric Weems during one on one plays at training camp in Flowery Branch on Thursday, August 4, 2011. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons are getting second-year cornerback Dominique Franks ready for nickel back action against the Saints because Kelvin Hayden (dislocated toe) was not cleared to return to Thursday’s practice.
While Hayden (dislocated toe) did not practice, he spent time working out with the trainers. Running back Michael Turner (groin) and linebacker Stephen Nicholas (toe) did not practice.
Veterans John Abraham, Todd McClure and Tony Gonzalez were rested and held out of practice.
Running back Jason Snelling missed practice in a non-injury related matter.
Cornerback Brent Grimes (knee), tackle Will Svitek (groin), wide receiver Harry Douglas (groin), line backer Curtis Lofton (ankle) and defensive tackle Corey Peters (knee) were limited in practice.
Franks has started at left cornerback for the past three games. In nickel situations, he’s went inside to play the slot. He faced rookie quarterbacks T.J. Yates, Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert. This will be his first major action against one of the league’s elite quarterbacks in Drew Brees.
“Dominique has progressed every week,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “Dominique played a lot of nickel for us in the preseason and has not had a whole lot of experience in the regular season.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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182 comments Add your comment
Mike Smith
December 23rd, 2011
1:04 am
Darn…..is everyone asleep tonight. I am up with a bottle of lotion watching film….I can’t get enough!
tjhook
December 23rd, 2011
2:30 am
I recognize that Hiramsaint and SeenB4 get a little extreme (petty) with their declarations, but they do try to return the commentary back to the field. I thought Falcons fans (I am one) had thicker skin than to impersonate some one just to tick ‘em off. If we are fans against their teams, just remind them what we like about our team and what inadequate about theirs.
tjhook
December 23rd, 2011
2:31 am
correction: what is inadequate
Saints R.E.A.M.
December 23rd, 2011
7:44 am
WOW…..look at this blog…..and bloggers post about New Orleans being a gutter. WTF, is going on when a city that claims to be heads and shoulders above New Orleans has residents that spit out trashy posts on a sports blog – - as an impersonator of another blogger.
The part that makes me most sick is ….I post some football comment and the Blog monster eats my quality football post…..but this trash makes it through. Gee whiz.
The real HIramsaint
December 23rd, 2011
7:56 am
Just want to let you know that I am getting very upset at the way some people are trying to imitate me!!! Stop it!!
DePort
December 23rd, 2011
8:08 am
Why do people get on here and give stupid factless score predictions. That is really annoying!!! We might as well never play a game since everyone already knows the outcome!!!!!
Hindu Elvis Pimp
December 23rd, 2011
8:16 am
UNH UNH UNH!!!
Decatur Falcons
December 23rd, 2011
8:22 am
The NFL is a mystery, we don’t know who will show up on Sunday or Saturday this week. MNF is important and Mike Smith has to understand that the New Orlean Saints coach is a cruel man that believe in running up the score. Mike Smith cannot let the New Orlean Saints coach out coach him on MNF. Atlanta Falcons have to open that playbook and run that ball. Atlanta Falcon have play some defense confuse Drew Brees and get an interception. The Minnesota Viking did some good things against the Saints last Sunday. The Atlanta Falcons have to look at that film and see how they can take advantage of those mistakes Saints made last Sunday and win this game.
GO FALCONS!!!!
joe white
December 23rd, 2011
8:32 am
I see some aints fans on here beating there chest like they the kings,last i check the title was in green bay. Monday night is a statement game and I must tell you I work near flowery was at some practice that azz is our’s falcons 35-aints 17.Falcons year baby.
Aint Hater
December 23rd, 2011
9:07 am
(s)Aint fans must place those delightful paperbags over their ugly mugs and quit breaking wind(whew). The Aint campaign is over.
Blove
December 23rd, 2011
9:08 am
U GARBAGE Atl fans , Yall just want to talk about Saints and the city,but that’s fine because deep down inside u know that your QB is average Coaches average TEAM average !!! Hell some of yall mention it on this blog after the lose to Texans ! U beat the teams u are suppose to beat, but when it comes to quality teams u loss !!!WHY is that ! Someone tell me WHY ! Because yall are Garbage ! Fans are Garbage How else could u explain. Most of yall getting up and leaving in the 4th quarter of the last. Saints game. 23-10 !!!
And u can’t lie cause I was there !!! Pathetic Losers !!!!
Blove
December 23rd, 2011
9:28 am
Saints 42 Falcowns. 17. Will not be close this time
Sad souls
December 23rd, 2011
9:32 am
I mean this with all sincerity…it really and truly is pathetic that there are people that have so little to do with their lives that they will spend all day on the sports blog of some some team that isn’t even their home team! Honestly, can you imagine doing that? Going to, let’s say, the Titans blog and just endlessly posting garbage on there….day after day, week after week, and yes, year after year?
I have time to drop in here (my home team’s blog) about once or twice a week just to see what is going on and read the thoughts of some fairly knowledgeable folks…and each time its the same sad stuff from Saints fans…but I hesitate to call them that, because I have to believe that any Saints fan with half a life would disown the clowns in a heartbeat as they truly are nothing short of embarrasing.
trolls and such
December 23rd, 2011
9:48 am
My, my, my. Looks like somebody finally got under Hiramsaint’s skin…something even the nastiest tick really doesn’t want to do.
Wait until the Falcons win monday night. He’ll not be showing up here…at least not without a plethora of putrid excuses. Now watch him spend all weekend trying to figure out what the word plethora means.
trolls and such
December 23rd, 2011
9:53 am
WOW…..look at this blog…..and bloggers post about New Orleans being a gutter. WTF, is going on when a city that claims to be heads and shoulders above New Orleans has residents that spit out trashy posts on a sports blog – – as an impersonator of another blogger.
The part that makes me most sick is ….I post some football comment and the Blog monster eats my quality football post…..but this trash makes it through. Gee whiz.
Exactly. That is how we feel all the time. So many trashy, classless saints fans showing up and their posts always get through. Meanwhile Falcons fans get to have normal, intelligent conversations whenever the blog monster decides not to eat our posts.
As for imitating a saints fan who normally trashes the falcons and their fans, just how would you know its an imitation? I have a hard time telling the difference between trash and imitation trash, and I am beginning to think that this claim is just more saints fan trash and lies. Please for the love of God get your own blogs and stay there. I am sick to death of having to deal with these loser saints fans staying on falcons blogs all day and all night. Do you not know how to support your own team on your own online papers, or are there no online sites in New Orleans? What, the hurricane wiped that out too?
Saintsfan
December 23rd, 2011
10:09 am
So – Falcons lost to the Texans who just lost to the Colts.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA
IBLEEDBLACK&GOLD
December 23rd, 2011
10:33 am
It’s funny how falcon fans try to get you upset, then gloat when you do. fact is, they don’t have ANY evidence that OUR superbowl victory was given to us out of pity,rather,pitifully, this was the NEEDED remedy the falcon fans had to reach for in order to cope with our achievement…since their attempt in 1998 was fruitless,unless you count scoring a hooker over scoring a victory! I can empathize with your hate for the BLACK&GOLD and all associated with them, that envy is a backhanded compliment. yet, remember this,since Payton/Brees era we have only lost 2x’s to you guys,if you count a missed 29yd chip shot,which I don’t! so, if we learn from history, you guys have won 1…2 out of those last 11, so… See Yall Monday!!!!! WHO DAT??!!
jesse james
December 23rd, 2011
10:38 am
To all you New Orleans natives yes you have one championship but most of you don’t even live in New Orleans ! Why don’t go on your local newspaper blogs and talk amongs your loser selves! I say this because when my FALCONS WIN THERE’S I’M GOING MAKE DAM SURE I’M LIVING HERE TO TRULY ENJOY IT JUST LIKE WHEN THE BRAVES WON THERE’S! YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO LIVE IN THAT CITY TO ENJOY IT WITH THE TRUE FANS! ATLANTA EMPIRE OF THE SOUTH AND DON’T YOU NEW O’LOSERS FORGET IT! GOOD DAY GENTLELOSERS!
ATL
December 23rd, 2011
10:39 am
99% of these comments from both sides are hilarious and embarrassing at the same time. Saints are on fire and I don’t hate New Orleans (the city), but I still hope the Falcons run train on Monday. It’d be a great win against a great team.
On another note, Seattle might just sneak into the playoffs — watch out!
ATL
December 23rd, 2011
10:42 am
Oh, and the vocabulary of insults some of you come up with by changing letters around in words or something to that effect is comical — my favorite so far is Failclowns. Really?
ATL
December 23rd, 2011
10:45 am
And lastly, Saintsfan, the transitive property doesn’t apply to NFL games. Remember Week 8? It’s the Rams if you don’t. The Rams who lost to, well, everyone really. Except for you.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA
IBLEEDBLACK&GOLD
December 23rd, 2011
11:07 am
Our history suggests that we give a win a year to the needy,,, but since you falcon fans claim you’re so good… NO WIN ON MONDAY FOR YOU!!! lol
ATL
December 23rd, 2011
12:25 pm
Haha you hardly gave it to them, Chris Long took it.
Blove
December 23rd, 2011
2:19 pm
Ok ! All this being said ! This will all be settled M N !!!!!
Saints 42. Falcants 17
Tim
December 23rd, 2011
4:16 pm
The saints are gonna lose big so no crying there in new orleans
Tom
December 23rd, 2011
4:36 pm
Said Monday Mourning QB: “Besides if I were you I would be praying that you can avoid a first round game against Seattle. We all know how that turns out. LOL”
Yeah. Them birds can be a real pain huh? I remember some Cardinals stopping a dirty bird run about 3 years ago IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD! And your team was completely healthy. Remember, last year all our defensive backs were out and we were down to one RB. The Cardinals shocked your sorry team and kept your team from what ours experienced — a RING. The GA Dome will be torn down before your would be team ever sees one on their own fingers. LOL!
Tom
December 23rd, 2011
4:39 pm
“So – Falcons lost to the Texans who just lost to the Colts.”
LOL. And to add insult, the Texans were playing with a second string QB, missing their best DL, and lost their best WR during the game — and they still beat Aintlanta.
Tom
December 23rd, 2011
4:42 pm
“And lastly, Saintsfan, the transitive property doesn’t apply to NFL games. Remember Week 8? It’s the Rams if you don’t. The Rams who lost to, well, everyone really. Except for you. ”
And the Failclowns STILL lost to the Saints?
BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Tom
December 23rd, 2011
4:50 pm
“too many women show their boobs down there on bourbon street..i cant have my friends thinking im straight….ugh ugh…no way”
The women who “show their boobs” are not from New Orleans. They come from other cities (like Atlanta). They come to New Orleans to do that during Mardi Gras.
Tom
December 23rd, 2011
5:04 pm
One more thing. You Atlanta fans stop glorifying your city. You have the same problems there that all our cities have in this nation. I just glanced at your ajc website and saw the following headlines:
1. Mother was driving drunk with baby in car
2. Two middle-schoolers caught with cocaine
3. 16 year old girl kidnapped in home invasion
4. Mother/daughter charged with killing man
5. Body of 17 year old found in creek identified
Your city is not located in heaven either. So lighten up and keep this about football.
Tom
December 23rd, 2011
11:48 pm
From Monday Mourning QB: “How about this record – Falcons vs Aints head to head
Falcons 46 Saints 39″
Ok dude. How bout this record: Superbowl wins and losses: Saints 1-0. Falcons 0-1.
Tom
December 23rd, 2011
11:51 pm
And here’s something I failed to mention: Last year, the Atlanta Falcons were the #1 seed in the playoffs, and considered a shoe-in to win it all. Did they go to the Superbowl? Oh no! They got beat out AT HOME! by a wild-card team — the Green Bay Packers. HA HA HA!