Archive for December, 2011

Jonathan Babineaux

FLOWERY BRANCH — Here are the final injury reports for Thursday’s night game between the Falcons (8-5) and the Jaguars (4-9) at the Georgia Dome.

ATLANTA FALCONS INJURY REPORT

Player                  Pos     Practice     Injury       Game Status

John Abraham   DE        Full    – Not Injury Related — Probable

Jonathan Babineaux DT — Limited  – Ankle — Questionable

Matt Bryant K Full – Illness — Probable

Tyson Clabo T Full – Illness — Probable

Harry Douglas WR — Limited – Groin — Probable

Ray Edwards DE — Full — Neck — Probable

Tony Gonzalez TE — Full — Not Injury Related — Probable

Brent Grimes CB — Did Not Practice —  Knee — Doubtful

Kelvin Hayden CB — Did Not Practice — Toe — Doubtful

Julio Jones WR — Full –  Back — Probable

Todd McClure C — Full — Not Injury Related — Probable

Stephen Nicholas LB — Full — Quadricep — Questionable

Christopher Owens CB — Full – Hand — Probable

Will Svitek T — …

Continue reading INJURY REPORT: Jonathan Babineaux is questionable »

Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011. AP

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who tied a career-high with four touchdown passes on Sunday, was named the NFC offensive player of the week on Wednesday.

Ryan completed 22 of 38 passes for 320 yards in the Falcons’ win over Carolina. He tossed three touchdowns in the second half and led the Falcons to 24 unanswered points in the final 30 minutes. 

 Ryan also posted a 120.5 passer rating, marking the fifth time this season he’s eclipsed the 100-point mark. Since 2008, the Falcons are 21-0 when his quarterback rating is 100 or higher.

This is the second time in his career that Ryan has earned player of the week honors. He also won the award in Week 9 of the 2008 season. This season, Ryan has completed 288 of 479 passes for 3,474 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Tweet

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The …

Continue reading Matt Ryan named NFC offensive player of the week »

Mike Mayock, NFL Network analyst.

FLOWERY BRANCH — In addition to being on the NFL Network, the Falcons game against Jacksonville will be televised locally on WATL.

Here’s the TV and Radio information for the Falcons (8-5) game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9) which is set for 8:20 p.m. Thursday night 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 NFL NETWORK (LOCAL TV — WATL): Play-by-play: Brad Nessler, Color Analyst: Mike Mayock , and Sideline: Alex Flanagan.

NATIONAL RADIO BY WESTWOOD ONE: Play-by-play: Ian Eagle, Color Analyst: Trent Green, and Sideline: Laura Okmin.

Tweet

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.

Continue reading TV, radio: Jaguars at Falcons, 8:20 p.m. Thursday »

Atlanta Falcons' Jacquizz Rodgers (22) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Carolina Panthers with teammate Joe Hawley (61) during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011. AP

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons’ plan to add more “explosive” plays appears to be paying off.

Last season, the Falcons had only 32 pass plays of 20 yards or more — the team’s definition of an explosive play — which was 31st in the league. They had just six plays of 40 yards or more last season, which ranked 22nd.

Through 13 games, they have 46 pass plays of 20 yards or more, which ranks ninth overall in the league. Quarterback Matt Ryan has eight plays that have gone for 40 yards or more, which ranks him tied for eighth in the league.

The Falcons used two explosive plays from key additions to fuel their 24-0 second-half rally in the 31-23 win over Carolina on Sunday. Julio Jones had a 75-yard touchdown catch and running back Jacquizz Rodgers had a 31-yarder …

Continue reading Falcons’ offense has become more explosive »

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter reports from the Falcons’ practice facility in Flowery Branch as they prepare to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night.

Tweet

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.

Continue reading Video: Falcons prepare for the Jaguars »

Falcons coach Mike Smith addressing the local media on Monday after going to the hospital with chest pains in Charlotte. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/DLedbetter@ajc.com)

FLOWERY BRANCH — After putting the team through a brisk 40-minute walk-through practice, Falcons head coach Mike Smith addressed his health on Monday night.

ON HIS VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL: I want to say that after the game, I wasn’t feeling very well and our medical staff said that we’re going to take the necessary precautions and advised me to go to the hospital there in Charlotte. We went to the hospital, we ran some tests, ended up having some evaluations done and I came home this morning. I got home early this morning and you know, really, I don’t want to get into any of the specifics and I hope you guys understand that. I’m kind of embarrassed to have to even be talking about it. That’s what I don’t really want to talk about. What I’d prefer to talk about is the way our guys played in the second …

Continue reading Q&A: Mike Smith gives an update on his health »

CHARLOTTE — Following Sunday’s Falcons-Carolina game, Falcons coach Mike Smith, 52, had chest pains and was taken to a hospital before the team’s charter flight left for Atlanta.

In a statement, however, the team described the situation as “a non-emergency matter.” Smith had undisclosed tests and was resting comfortably overnight, the team said.

Smith arrived back in Atlanta at 3 a.m. and is expected to be at the team’s Flowery Branch headquarters later today for team meetings at 4 p.m.

The Falcons will hold a walk-through practice between 7:30-8:10 p.m. in preparation for Thursday’s game against the Jaguars.

Smith will address the media following the session.

Continue reading Updated: Mike Smith taken to hospital for observation, back in Atlanta »

Carolina Panthers’ Antwan Applewhite (93) sacks Atlanta Falcons’ Matt Ryan (2) for a safety during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011. AP

CHARLOTTE — Sam Baker, who opened the season as the Falcons’ starting left tackle, played right guard for the first time in his NFL career on Sunday.

Joe Hawley started the game at right guard before giving way to Baker. Hawley later returned after Baker’s man, Antwan Applewhite, sacked quarterback Matt Ryan in the end zone for a safety.

Baker, a former first-round pick, was not in a talkative mood on his walk to the team bus.

“Yeah, I guess,” Baker said after being asked if he was pleased to get some playing time.

He clearly wasn’t too happy about his situation.

“Sorry, I really don’t know what I can tell you right now,” Baker said.

Falcons coach Mike Smith would not elaborate on the continued shuffling going on along the offensive line.

“We made some personnel changes …

Continue reading Sam Baker gets some action at Right Guard »

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter takes a look at how the Falcons rallied past the Panthers to win 31-23, improving their record to 8-5.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.

Continue reading Video: Falcons rally to beat Panthers »

Tweet
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.

Continue reading Video: Matt Ryan’s press conference »