November 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons backup running back Jerious Norwood participated in his first practice in almost five weeks Thursday. He suffered a right hip flexor against Chicago on Oct. 18 and has missed the past four games. "Even though I've been hurt, I still feel like I've got that little step that I need," Norwood said. "It won't be too much longer." The Falcons will need Norwood on Sunday against the New York Giants because the team's leading rusher Michael Turner might be out with a high ankle sprain. Turner has not practiced since suffering the injury Sunday against Carolina. "It was good to get Jerious Norwood back out there," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "He was able to participate in practice ..."
November 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Atlanta Falcons named wide receiver Brian Finneran the team's nominee for the 2009 Walter Payton man of the year award on Thursday. The award recognizes a player's off-the-field community service. Each team nominates a player and the winner will be selected by a panel and recognized on field before kickoff of Super Bowl XLIV in Miami, Florida."
November 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Matt Ryan started his off-day this week like he normally does. He went into the office to do some work. But he did leave himself some "chillax" -- chill out and relax -- time. "I'm not going to lie, when I got home I turned on TBS and watched 'The Office' for about three hours," Ryan said. "That was pretty good comic relief." The second-year Falcons quarterback, who guided the team to the playoffs and was named the NFL's rookie of the year last season, has seen a dip in his play over the past five games. "I think he's experiencing a time of adversity here," Falcons quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave said. "Every athlete in every sport will experience times of prosperity and adversity. We are ..."
November 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Backup running back Jason Snelling is preparing to start for Michael Turner against the New York Giants on Sunday. "My approach is that I'm going to be coming in and starting this game," said Snelling on Wednesday. "That's the mind-set that I have to have this week." Turner suffered a high ankle sprain against Carolina and did not practice. He would not rule himself out of Sunday's game. "I don't have a time frame on the injury," Turner said. "I'm not going to count myself out right now. It's only Wednesday. I'm going to take a couple of days. Later on in the week, I'll know for sure if I'll be able to play or not." Falcons coach Mike Smith remains hopeful that Turner will recuperate. ..."
November 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Jumping off the Matt Ryan bandwagon? Daryl Johnston has a message for you. "If they're selling, I'll buy their seat," said the Fox analyst and former Dallas Cowboys fullback. "His intangibles are off the chart. He'll be fine. It's very difficult to find a quarterback, and the Falcons have a very, very good one. He's a young guy who's going to get better. Did he set the bar high last year? Absolutely. But what he's going through now is completely normal. Peyton Manning went 3-13. Troy Aikman was 0-10. I'm not saying Matt Ryan is either one of those guys, but it's normal to struggle." Johnston worked the Fox broadcast last week when Ryan threw two interceptions that played into the Falcons' ..."
November 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons running back Michael Turner, who suffered a high ankle sprain against Carolina and will not practice on Wednesday, did not rule himself out for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. "I don't have a time frame on the injury," Turner told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday. "I'm not going to count myself out right now. It's only Wednesday. I'm going to take a couple of days. Later on in the week, I 'll know for sure if I'll be able to play or not." Falcons coach Mike Smith told the New York media in a conference call that Turner would not participate in practice and that he was "day to day." A few weeks back, Smith said Jerious Norwood was "day to day" with a hip ..."
November 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After almost every NFL game, the head coach will make a film reference. He can't help it. It is an involuntary reflex. "We have to go watch that on film," he will say before giving an assessment on how Joey Touchdown played. Each time Falcons video director Mike Crews hears that, he flashes a little smile. The behind-the-scenes video crew is the backbone of every NFL coaching staff. The Falcons have three full-time employees and one intern who do nothing but feed video histories of every game, opponent and even that afternoon's practice to satisfy the team's appetite for intelligence. "Everything is digital now," Crews said. "All of our stuff ... our cases and amount of cases has come down ..."
November 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With Michael Turner's availability unknown, the Falcons will continue to shuffle their cards at running back. With Turner facing possible downtime with a high right ankle sprain, the Falcons are ready to welcome back his backup, Jerious Norwood, who's missed the last four games with a right hip flexor, coach Mike Smith said on Monday. Turner underwent a battery of tests on Monday and the team was guarded about the results. The team is not required to release an official report on his status until Wednesday, but high ankle sprains usually take four to six weeks to heal. Earlier in his career, Turner recovered from one much sooner that expected. Not that the team wanted to discuss it. ..."
November 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Place-kicker Jason Elam took the blame for the missed 34-yard field goal Sunday that would have given the Falcons a late lead against the Carolina Panthers. "I got going a little too early," Elam said Monday. "Bottom line is that when the ball was down, I didn't make it. I'm fine with taking the blame on that one." The timing was clearly off on the play. Elam and holder Michael Koenen were playing just their second game with snapper Bryan Pittman. The trio had been flawless on two earlier field goal attempts. The kick came off like a knuckleball and veered wide left. Elam would not say if Koenen failed to turn the laces away from impact in time. Koenen said he had to look at the film to ..."
November 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It didn't take the Carolina Panthers long to find the soft spot in the Falcons' defense Sunday. They exposed the left cornerback position early and often, and it helped set the tone for the Panthers' 28-19 win at Bank of America Stadium. Much-maligned quarterback Jake Delhomme directed three first-half scoring drives with touchdown passes of 4 and 1 yards to Steve Smith, and wound up completing 15 of 24 for 195 yards. "I think Jake had a very good game," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "They managed the game very well on their side of the ball. They were able to run the ball, throw the ball, get the ball out of his hands very quickly. "Each and every week, it's about the matchup. We ..."
November 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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No one can mistake the Atlanta Falcons for road warriors. They even switched up travel arrangements for Sunday's big NFC South matchup with the Carolina Panthers and took buses up I-85. But no matter what the travel mode -- bus, plane, skateboard -- the Falcons continue to misfire on the road. Literally and figuratively, they kicked away several opportunities to take control of the game before falling to the Panthers, 28-19, before 73,329 fans at Bank America Stadium. "We are not sustaining the level of play that we need to be successful," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. With quarterback Matt Ryan throwing two key interceptions, Jason Elam missing another critical chip shot and the lost of ..."
November 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Jason Snelling spent the first quarter watching Michael Turner run wild. Then suddenly, it was his time to step up. Snelling came on after Turner suffered a high ankle sprain in the second quarter and had to carry the load the rest of the way in the Falcons' 28-19 loss to the Carolina Panthers. He finished with 61 yards on 18 carries and scored the Falcons' first touchdown. "I had a job to do to go out there and make plays," Snelling said. "We all have to step up. That's the mentality we have on this team." Coach Mike Smith was pleased with the play of the third-year back from Virginia. "I thought Jason came in and did a nice job of running," Smith said. "We don't have the ..."
November 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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An extended lost of running back Michael Turner could handicap the Falcons in their bid for a second consecutive playoff trip. Turner was turning in another stellar effort before suffering a sprained right ankle. The injury was severe enough for him not to return to the game. He had nine rushes for 111 yards with just over nine minutes left in the second quarter before going down. He left the game after two runs to move the ball down to Carolina's 15 with 9:08 left in the second quarter. On a 10-yard run up the middle, he was tackled by Carolina's Jon Beason and left the game. He was seen trying to walk for the trainers on the sidelines before leaving the field to go to the locker room. ..."
November 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons announced Saturday the release of running back Aaron Stecker, and they signed wide receiver Troy Bergeron from their practice squad to the 53-man roster. Bergeron, 6-feet-2, 195 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a free agent May 10. He played for the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League for three seasons (2005, 2007-08) and caught 328 passes for 4,335 yards and 96 touchdowns. The Falcons signed Stecker as a free agent on Oct. 27. In two games, he had two carries for 6 yards and five catches for 34 yards."
November 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons running back Michael Turner won the FedEx Ground player of the week award on Friday for his 166-yard rushing performance last week against the Washington Redskins. Turner was selected for the award over Cincinnati's Cedric Benson and Tennessee Chris Johnson."
November 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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"Just like you got our team's back," said longtime Falcons fan Tandy Garay. When Falcons coach Mike Smith flew to quarterback Matt Ryan's defense after a hit out of bounds in Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins, it further endeared the fan base to the second-year coach. So now that Smith faces a $15,000 from the NFL for his actions, fans are flying to his aid. "We are officially collecting donations for Coach Mike Smith in honor of his impending fine from the NFL," wrote Hal Moore, an administrator on the fans message board at atlantafalcons.com. "In the spirit of helping the coach 'pay his fine,' we are collecting funds to support the charity of Smith's choosing." And to add a ..."
November 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons are going to ride buses to their game in Charlotte on Sunday. "We will get there quicker by taking a bus," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. The bus trip will take about three hours up Interstate 85 from the team's facilities in Hall County. "Our support staff has done this for years, and they have always beat us to the hotel and always beat us back," Smith said. "We felt like to take the wear and tear off of our bodies, we wanted to get there the quickest way as possible." The bus trip wasn't a big hit at first. "Everybody started laughing, but when Coach told us we were going to get there a little quicker, then everybody was like 'oh yeah, that's the better route to go," wide ..."
November 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons coach Mike Smith was fined $15,000 for his role in a sideline fracas involving Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall by the NFL on Thursday. Smith, who contended that he was restoring order after Matt Ryan was hit late by Washington safety LaRon Landry, was expected to address the situation after the Falcons morning practice. Hall was not fined. Landry was fined $5,000 for the hit and Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was fined $7,500, for going into the Falcons' bench area."
November 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons coach Mike Smith was fined $15,000 for his role in a sideline fracas involving Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall by the NFL on Thursday. Smith, who contended that he was restoring order after Matt Ryan was hit late by Washington safety LaRon Landry, was expected to address the situation after the Falcons morning practice."
November 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The last time People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had something to do with the Falcons, planes were flying over head and protesters were outside of the gates. But this latest ad with Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez and his wife, October, in which they were photographed in a way that made them appear to be nude, is in support of the organization's anti-fur campaign. The irony was not lost on Falcons wide receiver Roddy White, who was with the team during the Michael Vick federal dogfighting case that attracted a heavy protest from PETA. "We've got some good stuff around here," White said. "Not all of this negative stuff, flying helicopters all around the field. Get out of here ..."
November 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran participated in the walk-through Wednesday but did not practice after suffering a left knee injury against the Redskins. "But it's probably going to go down to the wire [on whether he'll play Sunday]," Falcons coach Mike Smith said after the team practiced indoors. Also, running back Jerious Norwood (right hip flexor) was excused from practice to witness the birth of his child, and left tackle Sam Baker (left ankle) did not practice. Defensive tackle Thomas Johnson (calf) and running back Jason Snelling (hamstring) returned to practice. Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (knee, ankle) was listed on the injury report, but he participated fully in practice."
November 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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During the first half of the Falcons' win over Washington on Sunday, the defense was knocking quarterback Jason Campbell around like he was in a pinball machine. The player who was getting in the most licks was defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux. "I thought Jonathan may have played his best game as an Atlanta Falcon," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "He had a big game." When the dust settled in the 31-17 victory, Babineaux had a season-high 11 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three tackles for losses. "He did a nice job of knocking the line of scrimmage back," Smith said. "That was something that was a must for us." Even Babineaux was stunned by the showing. "It was actually kind of shocking," ..."
November 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons fans have already seen plenty of Tony Gonzalez on the football field. Now, they'll have the chance to see even more of the tight end. Gonzalez and his wife, October, will soon appear in a PETA ad, as part of the "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign. No uniforms here: both of the Gonzalezes appear nude. "We should be protecting animals, not sacrificing their lives for the sake of fashion or luxury," says Tony Gonzalez. "October and I have changed many of our habits in light of the inhumane treatment of animals that occurs not only in the fur industry but also on factory farms." Now in his 13th season in the NFL, Gonzalez, 33, was traded to the Falcons in April. He appears ..."
November 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons fans have already seen plenty of Tony Gonzalez on the football field. Now, they'll have the chance to see even more of the tight end. Gonzalez and his wife, October, will soon appear in a PETA ad, as part of the "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign. No uniforms here: both of the Gonzalezes appear nude. "We should be protecting animals, not sacrificing their lives for the sake of fashion or luxury," says Tony Gonzalez. "October and I have changed many of our habits in light of the inhumane treatment of animals that occurs not only in the fur industry but also on factory farms.""
November 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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I'm not a big fan of mindless violence (or of mindful violence, come to that). I don't much like movies where things blow up. (I'm more an Ingmar Bergman guy.) That said … How cool would it be if Mike Smith got suspended for getting into it with DeAngelo Hall? James Dean cool. Jim Morrison cool. Off-the-charts cool. The NFL is investigating Sunday's sideline incident, which got me to thinking. Just imagine the grid cred that would flow from Smith having to sit out one measly game. (Make it against Tampa Bay, though.) He'd be known as the ultimate players' advocate, the guy willing to square off with the most-disliked guy in the sport. (Perhaps I overstate. There's still Terrell Owens.) ..."
November 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran, who battled back from missing two seasons because of a knee injury, suffered an undisclosed knee injury against the Washington Redskins. Falcons coach Mike Smith was not sure if Finneran had re-injured his rebuilt knee (right) that kept him out of football for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. "I don't know the answer to that," Smith said Monday. "Brian was not able to return. We'll know more on Wednesday." Finneran left the game after making a 9-yard catch on the Falcons' opening drive. He limped off the field and was taken to the locker room. He later returned in street clothes. Also, left tackle Sam Baker re-injured his left ankle and did not return."
November 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The National Football League will review the sideline melee that occurred in the Falcons game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday at the Georgia Dome. "Any altercation of that nature is always reviewed for possible discipline," Randall Liu, the NFL's NFC information manager, wrote in an e-mail to the AJC. The NFL normally issues fines for discipline on Friday. "I can tell you this, our quarterback was hit late, out of bounds on the sideline," Falcons coach Mike Smith said Monday. "We were trying to restore order on our sidelines." Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall, a former Falcon, contended that he was playing peacemaker and was accosted by several Falcons and the strength coach ..."