
The Falcons' defense slowed down Green Bay and New Orleans this season, but they need to get cornerback Brent Grimes back, according to Mayock. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH — Starting weakside linebacker Sean Weatherspon returned to practice on Thursday, after missing Wednesday’s practice with a head injury.
He participated fully in practice.
Linebacker Stephen Nicholas did not participate in practice. Falcons coach Mike Smith already said he was doubtful for Sunday. Cornerback Brent Grimes, who worked out with the trainers, did not practice but he expects to play on Sunday.
“They are a great offense and they have a lot of weapons,” Grimes said. “We have our hands full, but we are going to prepare for them and we’ll be ready.”
Center Todd McClure, tight end Tony Gonzalez, defensive end John Abraham were rested on Wednesday. They all fully participated in practice on Thursday.
Running back Michael Turner (groin), running back Jason Snelling (knee), wide receiver Harry Douglas (groin), wide receiver Kerry Meier (groin), safety William Moore (groin), and tight end Michael Palmer (knee) were limited in practice.
Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (hamstring), fullback Mike Cox (finger), defensive tackle Peria Jerry (calf), wide receiver Julio Jones (thumb), middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (ankle), cornerback Christopher Owens (hand) and wide receiver Roddy White (hip) were listed on the injury report, but all fully participated in practice.
NEW YORK GIANTS — Thursday
Did Not Participate in Practice
Pos. Player Injury
RB Ahmad Bradshaw Foot
LB Mark Herzlich Ankle
OL Tony Ugoh Ankle
Limited Participation in Practice
Pos. Player Injury
TE Jake Ballard Knee
RB Da’Rel Scott Knee
DE Osi Umenyiora Ankle/Knee
CB Corey Webster Hamstring
Bold Italic = change from previous day
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
51 comments Add your comment
cb
January 5th, 2012
5:27 pm
first
SeenThisBFalcon
January 5th, 2012
5:27 pm
1st ye sir…RISE UP!!!!!!!!
SeenThisBFalcon
January 5th, 2012
5:28 pm
WELL 2ND
Die Hard Falcon
January 5th, 2012
5:28 pm
1st and thank God we got most of these players back.
Die Hard Falcon
January 5th, 2012
5:29 pm
How embarassing for me
SeenThisBFalcon
January 5th, 2012
5:30 pm
First off its good to see Witherspoon is back we also need Grimes out there too hopefully he will almost be somewhat at full strength…I see the birds going into this one looking pretty good were on the road but I think Turner and the O-line will have a big day and Ryan will also I got the Falcons winning this one 31-20 in the Big Apple!!!!
SeenThisBFalcon
January 5th, 2012
5:32 pm
Bradshaw looks to not be at full strength thats gonna hurt the Giants ground game I see us Stuffing that Turkey on Sunday….
william
January 5th, 2012
6:02 pm
We will need Grimes. The man makes plays. Hope he is playing Sunday.
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
6:10 pm
First overall in the Stats column and in the W column Sunday at the giants is ” ALL” that matters .
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
6:13 pm
I want another huge deficient in the opponents score…………lol…give me ” Victory” or give me “Death”………….thats what the playoffs are all about………….got to be lovin this……….lmao !
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
6:23 pm
Optimus Grimes won’t lay down on no playoff game if he is able to go if only for part of the game. I hope the weather stays dry up there so the field is in pretty good shape, that was my biggest worry, wet weather ! This cold snap played in our favor this week, get em use to the cold outdoors during play .
Seen and Hiram
January 5th, 2012
6:50 pm
We hopefully survive the first game without Nicholas. But, especially with Peterson gone, we will need his foot speed should we play the Pack or Saints offenses down the road…
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:22 pm
Them two fellas have been hard to find lately………I wonder if they biting their nails yet in nervous anticipation of the Lions coming to town or just getting them done at the local beauty parlor……………………that is hirma and seanthisb-lately
SeenThis B4
January 5th, 2012
7:25 pm
You forgot to change your blog name there Michael M. Just like the falc an’ts defense is going to forget to show up on Sunday.
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:31 pm
Wasn’t me fella you have to talk to the one using it
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:32 pm
I neva use dirty tactics on the enemy…………lol
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:33 pm
But since you are here and I showed up again..what is the latest scoop on your big Saturday nite game ?
SeenThis B4
January 5th, 2012
7:34 pm
Yeah, sure you don’t. Uh-huh.
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:36 pm
that’s a lot of trouble to go to flippin on names………….why I don’t even need to go to that much trouble to handle you and your bunch anyway ……………lmao
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:36 pm
You still poutin ?………….lol
SeenThis B4
January 5th, 2012
7:37 pm
The Saints are healthy, determined to erase last year’s wild card loss, and they’re going to devour the lions defense.
What about your team?
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:38 pm
Hopefully they go demolish them boys in their own house .that cold snap will help them we had this week adjust to the cooler climate…….just hope it don’t rain
[Falcons News] Falcons LB Sean Weatherspoon Returns; CB Brent Grimes Still Out - GridironFans.com
January 5th, 2012
7:39 pm
[...] [...]
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:40 pm
Maybe our boys and your boys will hook up one more time for an oldie but goodie in the NFC Champ game…………..now wouldn’t that be something ?
SeenThis B4
January 5th, 2012
7:41 pm
Actually I’m getting so annoyed with the GB contingent, I may end up pulling for your stinking team to go up and beat them, and get your sorry team back in our house for another flogging.
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:41 pm
You think your team can go 3 more straight without a loss after winning so many straight already ?
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:42 pm
What happens if the Falcons are doing the flogging………………….you won’t fall out the chair there will you ?
SeenThis B4
January 5th, 2012
7:43 pm
Who knows?! Maybe.
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:46 pm
Yeah. these playoff games are what its all about, 2 or 3 mistakes and its bye bye time for real
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:47 pm
I don’t think your boys can chew up any more falcon feathers, they still choking on the other game’s feathers, probably developing some kind of hairballs from it.
SeenThis B4
January 5th, 2012
7:47 pm
Yeah, we know.
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:48 pm
You post like you worried about something
SeenThis B4
January 5th, 2012
7:49 pm
I know it’s tough to beat any team three times, but you gotta do what you gotta do, or go home.
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:50 pm
awww its just a game……if you win you win you lose you go home and get over it and go at it again next year.
SeenThis B4
January 5th, 2012
7:50 pm
I’m posting on my iPhone, and it’s kinda tough with the little keys….
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:51 pm
I got to admit it has been fun ragging you guys all Season even if you did beat us those two times
Michael M.
January 5th, 2012
7:53 pm
Good luck on your game Saturday I will probably watch parts of it !
Big Blue
January 5th, 2012
8:02 pm
Falcons have no shot outdoors, against a hot team with a lot more experience.
Sorry, good luck Braves…..
Dirt Bags!
January 5th, 2012
8:34 pm
Gonna love to watch those guys role and make NY Blue!
GoGiants
January 5th, 2012
8:46 pm
Honestly, I don’t see how Atlanta wins this game. The Falcons average almost 10 points fewer on the road, and that was without any games in the cold. Grimes is very good, if he’s even healthy, but he can’t cover all of Giants receivers. Dunta has been lost in zone coverage. The Falcons don’t have great OTs but the Giants have a great D-line. How is Ryan going to get his receivers the ball from his back? Don’t talk to me about Turner slowing down the pass rush. In the 2nd half of the season, he did nothing against any decent run defense. The Giants are going to make this a laugher in the 2nd half when Ryan has to keep passing to come back and the pass rushers can tee off.
Getaway
January 5th, 2012
10:21 pm
Well GoGiants, let me help you see how the Falcons are going to curb stomp your over-rated little team. Washington 23 – NY Giants 10. That’s a home game against the last place team in your division. We had a home game against the last place team in our division too. It was 42-0 when we put our 2nd and 3rd stringers in at half time.
We have one common opponent that we both played on grass. Seattle. Do you see where I’m going with this? We beat them in their house. The gaints played them the following week at home and lost. By 11 points to Tavaris Jackson. So sad.
Getaway
January 5th, 2012
10:33 pm
I have no doubt that the giant front 4 will get 3-4 sacks. I just don’t think it will matter. Falcons are 11th in the league in plays of 20 or more and 6th in third down conversions. Neither of which are the gaints all that good at preventing. So what if the Falcons are 2nd and 16 or 3rd and 15, they’e proved that quite adapt at getting that long first down even against good defenses.
Falcons hold out CB Grimes, LB Nicholas for second straight day – – BacklinkzHigh Quality Back linking Service
January 5th, 2012
11:18 pm
[...] Grimes (knee) and Nicholas (toe), both starters, sat out for the second straight day. Falcons coach Mike Smith has indicated Nicholas would be doubtful for Sunday’s wild-card matchup[4] against the New York Giants[5], while Grimes expects to play, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution[6]. [...]
C from Marietta
January 6th, 2012
1:42 am
Imagine that. Giant’s fans think they are gonna win. LOL
Falcons hold out CB Grimes, LB Nicholas for second straight day | Sports, News, Entertainment, US Legislation
January 6th, 2012
4:58 am
[...] Grimes (knee) and Nicholas (toe), both starters, sat out for the second straight day. Falcons coach Mike Smith has indicated Nicholas would be doubtful for Sunday’s wild-card matchup against the New York Giants, while Grimes expects to play, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
Michael M.
January 6th, 2012
7:40 am
Falcons been practicing in the Cold all week at Flowery Springs Complex……………what a welcome blessing….a cold snap a week before the New Yorker …………grins
Falcons4Eva
January 6th, 2012
8:47 am
ALL FANS of the ATLANTA SPORTS TEAM –
Read this ROB PARKER crappy article about us ATLANTA FANS (Braves, Falcons, Hawks) – and tell him to go screw himself!
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7429623/the-city-atlanta-worst-sports-town-america
AlanFalcon
January 6th, 2012
9:06 am
Has everybody forgotten the two teams they dominated at seasons end (Jets &Cowboys), I don’t think that those wins were great at all but to hear the press they were great in setting up the Giants strong finish, C’mon Man !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ivan
January 6th, 2012
10:29 am
That would be terrible if the Falcons knocked out the Packers. ESPN would literally go off the air, completely speechless.
ASHCAN
January 6th, 2012
11:27 am
Just another( so call) winning season for the birds and that’s it.GIANTS 30 Falcons 27.