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November 29, 2012 – Atlanta, Ga: The Atlanta Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud (28) jumps on the back of safety William Moore after Moore’s first of two interceptions in their 23-13 win over the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome Thursday night in Atlanta, Ga., November 29, 2012. JASON GETZ / JGETZ@AJC.COM

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons safety William Moore was named the NFC defensive player of the week after his 13-tackle and two-interception performance in Atlanta’s 23-13 win over the New Orleans Saints last Thursday.

Moore posted one of the best games of his career.

The Falcons defense intercepted Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees five times and held him without a touchdown pass for the first time in 54 games to snap his NFL record streak.

Moore’s second interception of the game came on the Saints final drive sealing the win for Atlanta and putting the Falcons in position to clinch their second NFC South title under Head Coach Mike Smith.

According to coaches’ breakdown, Moore has …

Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: William Moore named NFC defensive player of the week »

081612 ATLANTA: Falcons defensive tackle Peria Jerry puts pressure on Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Thursday, August 16, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

FLOWERY BRANCH — Defensive tackle Peria Jerry, who missed the last two games with a quadriceps injury, will return to practice on Wednesday, Falcons coach Mike Smith said.

Cornerback Asante Samuel (shoulder) worked with the training staff and Smith is hopeful that Samuel can play against Carolina on Sunday.

In the 30-28 squeaker over Carolina on Sept. 30, the Falcons yielded a season-high 199 rushing yards on 35 carries. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was a particular culprit, running for 86 yards on nine carries.

“We certainly have to play better than we did the first time that we played them,” Smith said. “This is an offense that has a different element in terms of how they run the football with the quarterback and having to account for him as a runner.”

The run defense has …

Continue reading Depth Chart: Falcons could be at full strength for Carolina »

November 29, 2012 – Atlanta, Ga: The Atlanta Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud (28) jumps on the back of safety William Moore after Moore's first of two interceptions in their 23-13 win over the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome Thursday night in Atlanta, Ga., November 29, 2012. JASON GETZ / JGETZ@AJC.COM

The calendar turned to December since the Falcons last played.

It’s the time of year when big football plans start to materialize.

“It’ll be fun for the teams involved,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “It ought to be fun for the fans and it’s going to be fun for the coaches. Football in December, it can’t get any better.”

The Falcons (11-1) wrapped up the NFC South title on Sunday. Denver’s 31-23 win over Tampa Bay (6-6) gave the Falcons a five-game lead with four games to play. New Orleans (5-7) is on playoff-life support and Carolina (3-9) is getting ready for next season.

The Falcons also picked up games on San Francisco (8-3-1) and Chicago (8-4) in the race for one of the …

Continue reading Atlanta Falcons clinch NFC South title, get closer to top playoff seed »

Curtis Compton / AJC Falcons kicker Morten Andersen (5) pumps his fist after making a long field goal attempt for a 26-16 lead during fourth quarter as Texans cornerback Jamar Fletcher (21) walks off the field dejected.

Kicker Morten Andersen, who made the field goal to send the Falcons to their only Super Bowl, was among the 27 semifinalists being considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2013.

He was in a group of six first-year eligible candidates that included: guard/tackle Larry Allen, safety John Lynch, tackle Jonathan Ogden, defensive tackle Warren Sapp, and defensive end Michael Strahan.

On Jan. 17, 1999, Andersen booted a 38-yard field goal to give the Falcons a 30-27 victory over Minnesota in the NFC championship game. The kick sent the franchise to it’s first, and only, trip to the Super Bowl.

Andersen, who made the Pro Bowl seven times, is the NFL’s all-time leading scoring with 2,544 points.

George Blanda, Lou “The Toe” Groza and Jan Stenerud are …

Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: Morten Andersen is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame »

The Falcons avenged their only loss of the season Thursday night.

They jumped on their arch-rival New Orleans Saints early, and their defense held on for a 23-13 victory in front of 70,514 fans at the Georgia Dome.

The defense came up with five interceptions to derail the Saints’ potent offense as the Falcons improved to 11-1 on the season and inched closer to the NFC South division title and a playoff berth. They also ended Drew Brees’ NFL-record streak of touchdown passes.

112912 ATLANTA: The Falcons are off and running against the Saints with Michael Turner getting past Jonathan Vilma for yardage during 1st quarter action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Thursday, November 29, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

“I think tonight, that was a really good win for our football team,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “I felt our defense played a tremendous game. Anytime that you pick off five passes in a ball game. You’ve done a nice job.”

The Saints, who have been …

Continue reading Falcons avenge their only loss to improve to 11-1 »

Julio Jones and Asante Samuel after last weeks win in Tampa Bay. (Associated Press)

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel, who has a shoulder injury and was listed as questionable, will be active for tonight’s game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome.

Defensive tackle Peria Jerry, who has a quadriceps injury and was listed as questionable, was declared inactive.

Quarterback Dominique Davis, defensive end Lawrence Sidbury, wide receiver Tim Toone, guard Harland Gunn, tackle Lamar Holmes, safety Charles Mitchell and guard Phillipkeith Manley were also declared inactive.

The Saints declared inactives were wide receiver Courtney Roby, safety Isa Abdul-Quddus, linebacker Scott Shanle, tackle Charles Brown, tight end Dave Thomas, defensive end Junior Gallette and defensive tackle Tom Johnson.

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Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: Asante Samuel active for tonight’s game »

QB corner: Matt Ryan discusses the Saints

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has a 2-6 record against the New Orleans Saints and hasn’t beaten them at the Georgia Dome since his rookie season in 2008.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws an 80-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Julio Jones during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

The Falcons are 31-6 at the Dome over Ryan’s career, but three of those losses were to the Saints.

Ryan believes the fans’ support can help the 10-1 Falcons beat those pesky Saints.

“Anytime you play at home, it certainly helps,” Ryan said. “Our fans have given unbelievable support, and that’s been awesome.”

Here’s a brief Q&A involving Ryan and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Michael Cunningham.

Q: Will the Falcons do anything different against the Saints this time around?

A: The last time we played them we fell short a little bit in …

Continue reading GAMEDAY CENTRAL: Saints vs. Falcons at 8:20 p.m. tonight »

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson returned to practice on Wednesday.

Cornerback Asante Samuel and defensive tackle Peria Jerry did not practice and both were listed as questionable on the injury report.

WR Harry Douglas (ankle), FS Charles Mitchell (calf), LB Stephen Nicholas (knee), LT Sam Baker (groin), WR Kevin Cone (groin), TE Michael Palmer (back), DT Vance Walker (ribs) and LB  Sean Weatherspoon (ankle) were all listed as probable for the game.

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Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: Dunta Robinson returned practice; Samuel, Jerry questionable »

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jason Babin (93) celebrates a sack in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons, who released one of their own defensive ends earlier this season, have no interest in signing defensive end Jason Babin, according to a person with knowledge of the team’s plans.

The person did not want to be identified discussing the team’s internal deliberations.

Babin was released by the Philadelphia Eagles today. Babin was having a poor season for the Eagles after posting a career-high 18 sacks last season. He has 5.5 sacks this season. His 36 sacks since 2010 is third in the NFL behind Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware and Minnesota’s Jared Allen.

Babin was available when the Falcons signed Ray Edwards and they did not pursue him. Instead, the Falcons went after Carolina’s Charles Johnson and then went after Edwards.

The Falcons released Edwards on …

Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: Team has no interest in signing Jason Babin »

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) celebrates with cornerback Asante Samuel (22) after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-23 in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel (shoulder) and defensive tackle Peria Jerry (quadriceps) would not have practiced if the team held a full workout on Monday.

The Falcons, because they play on Thursday, were required to release the injury information even though they only held a walk-through practice in the team’s indoor facility.

Wide receiver Harry Douglas (ankle), safety Charles Mitchell (calf), linebacker Stephen Nicholas (knee), tackle Sam Baker (groin), wide receiver Kevin Cone (groin), tight end Michael Palmer (back), defensive tackle Vance Walker (ribs) and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (ankle) were all limited in practice.

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Falcons hold on to move to 10-1, can clinch NFC South title with win over Saints, Tampa Bay loss …

Continue reading Injury report: Asante Samuel, Peria Jerry ailing »