Archive for February, 2012

Feb. 8, 2012-ATLANTA: Atlanta Falcons from left to right; kicker Matt Bryant, wide receiver Kevin Cone, offensive lineman Andrew Jackson and former linebacker Buddy Curry listen before a hearing on House Bill 673 during the House Health & Human Services Committee meeting in the Coverdell Legislative Office Building Wednesday afternoon in Atlanta, Ga., February 8, 2012. HB 673, Georgia's return to play act 2012, makes players to be cleared by a medical professional before being allowed back into play in an effort to curb high school concussions. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Billy Mitchell, D-Stone Mountain. Jason Getz jgetz@ajc.com

BIRDLAND – Falcons offensive tackle Andrew Jackson spent five years with Pat Hill, the Falcons

Andrew Jackson and Matt Bryant at the State Capitol on Wednesday. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/DLedbetter@ajc.com)

 new offensive line coach, when in college at Fresno State.

Jackson was redshirted and played for four seasons. He was selected by the …

Continue reading Andrew Jackson gives us some intel on Pat Hill »

San Diego Chargers offensive lineman Marcus McNeill (73) is loaded onto a cart after being injured in the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders in an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Should the Falcons pursue left tackle Marcus McNeill if he is waived by the San Diego Chargers?

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported the McNeill, who played at Cedar Grove High and Auburn, is expected to be waived by the Chargers in March over health concerns about his neck.

For one, they will likely clear the books of $10 million by waiving left tackle Marcus McNeill. McNeill has to be cleared by a team doctor by the third day of the new league year, which begins March 13, or his 2012 salary is not guaranteed. McNeill is not expected to get a clean bill of health from the Chargers.

When healthy, McNeill has been one of the best left tackles in the league. He’s been selected to two Pro Bowls.

One of the Falcons’ main objectives …

Continue reading Should the Falcons sign Marcus McNeill? »

Feb. 8, 2012-ATLANTA: Former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Buddy Curry addresses the House Health & Human Services Committee meeting during a hearing on House Bill 673 in the Coverdell Legislative Office Building Wednesday afternoon in Atlanta, Ga., February 8, 2012. Also pictured is current Atlanta Falcon kicker Matt Bryant, right. HB 673, Georgia's return to play act 2012, makes players to be cleared by a medical professional before being allowed back into play in an effort to curb high school concussions. Jason Getz jgetz@ajc.com

Former Falcons linebacker Buddy Curry and current kicker Matt Bryant spoke to the Health and Human Services committee of the Georgia legislature in support of the “Georgia Return to Play Act of 2012” on Wednesday at the State Capitol.

“I remember coming off the field in a daze,” said Curry, who played for the Falcons from 1980-87. “I was trying to find out which sideline was my own. … My only thought was to get back on the field.”

Bryant, …

Continue reading UPDATE: Falcons support concussion bill »

INDIANAPOLIS – Just moments after winning Super Bowl XLVI, former Falcons linebacker Michael reflected on his stay in Atlanta  after being selected out of Southern Mississippi in the 2005 NFL draft.

New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin addressing the media after winning Super Bowl XLVI. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/Dledbetter@ajc.com)

 Boley

“I thank Mr. [Arthur] Blank for giving me my first opportunity,” Boley said. “Obviously, if the Falcons don’t give me a shot I wouldn’t be here right now.”

Boley led the New York Giants with 10 tackles in their 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Boley was the 160th player selected in the 2005 draft. He was highly recommended by former director of college scouting Phil Emery, who was recently named the general manager of the Chicago Bears.

Boley broke into the starting lineup as a rookie as he started 11 of 16 games and was a key player on the defense until late in the 2008 …

Continue reading Super Bowl XLVI: Michael Boley is now a champion »

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Curtis Lofton (50), who could become a free agent, forces Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne (7) to throw an incomplete pass during first quarter NFL preseason football action in Miami, Friday, Aug. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

INDIANAPOLIS — Now that Super Bowl XLVI is over, the offseason can officially begin.

This promises to be a bizarre and highly active free agency period. Players not re-signed to their teams by March 13 will become unrestricted free agents.

There is an average of 15 unrestricted free agents per team.

St. Louis tops the league with 21 projected unrestricted free agents. The Super Bowl champion New York Giants and Cincinnati have 20 projected unrestricted free agents.

The New England Patriots have 18 projected unrestricted free agents and 10 restricted free agents.

The Falcons have 17 projected unrestricted free agents.

Below is a team-by-team listing of the potential free agents.

Here’s a team-by-team look at free …

Continue reading Team-by-Team look at NFL free agency »

Channing Crowder on Radio Row for Super Bowl XLVI. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/Dledbetter@ajc.com)

INDIANAPOLIS – The Falcons have been in touch with former Miami linebacker Channing Crowder, who plans to make a comeback after sitting out last season.

Crowder, the former North Springs High and Florida standout who prematurely retired at age 28, is ready to make a comeback. The Atlanta Falcons, who hired Crowder’s last defensive coordinator in Mike Nolan, have been in touch and will most certainly check out Crowder.

“I’d love to play in Atlanta,” Crowder said. “Coach Nolan is my guy. Actually, when he got the job in Atlanta he [sent] me a text. Coach Nolan is a first class guy. I’m not just saying that to be politically correct. He’s a first class guy and a great defensive coordinator. He’s a great guy. When he I got released he texted me back then and said that ‘it was great to coach you.’”

In his most recent text to Crowder, Nolan just told Crowder that he …

Continue reading Falcons likely to take a look at Channing Crowder »