November 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist D. Orlando Ledbetter
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After the last three quarterbacks have thrown for 300 or more yards against the Falcons, the pass defense ranking has dropped dramatically. The Falcons give 256.4 yards passing per game, which is last in the National Football Conference and 31st overall in the league. Jay Culter passed for 300 yards against the Falcons. Tony Romo hit them up for 311 yards. On MNF, Drew Brees passed for 308 yards. The Redskins are passing for 202.6 yards per game, which is 20th in the league. Their yards are so low because Jason Campbell won't throw the ball down field. Some folks are starting to call him "Check Down Charlie" because he checks it down so much and too quickly. "Jason (Campbell) has ..."
November 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth took umbrage with the Falcons' blocking techniques in a radio interview Thursday night and challenged linemen Tyson Clabo and Harvey Dahl. On the "Late Hits" show on Sirius Radio hosted by Bryan McGovern and Ross Tucker, Haynesworth was asked about Clabo and Dahl blocking "all the way up to and including the echo of the whistle." Haynesworth, who was recently voted the second-dirtiest player in the league in a Sports Illustrated poll, is clearly not a fan of their blocking intensity. "Yeah, I don't have the patience for stuff like that," Haynesworth said. "I guess this is where the second-rated dirtiest player can come out. When it ..."
November 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons wide receiver Roddy White and offensive tackle Sam Baker returned to practice Friday. White (knee) and Baker (ankle) did not practice Thursday, but were limited in their participation on Friday. "I anticipate them being ready to go on Sunday afternoon," Falcons coach Mike Smith said."
November 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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He was overrated and overstated, but he still made the Pro Bowl and made some plays. Which leads us to today's fanciful question, directed toward Falcons fans: Were DeAngelo Hall available, would you take him back? I ask because the Falcons, as you've observed, aren't aswarm in cornerbacks. Brian Williams is out and Tye Hill didn't last long in his delayed debut, leaving with cramps, and Chris Houston has this thing about not turning to play the ball and Brent Grimes is 5-foot-3. (OK, I exaggerate about that last part. Grimes is taller than 5-3. And he can, as we saw in the Superdome, really jump.)"
November 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall, while speaking to the Washington media on Thursday, fired a shot at Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff. "I didn't trust Dimitroff at all," Hall said. "He lied to me several times. He promised me he was going to get something done [on a contract] and he's behind my back trying to shop me at the draft." In his first major move, Dimitroff traded Hall to the Oakland Raiders on March 7, 2008 for a second round and fifth round pick. Hall, a two-time Pro Bowler, with the Falcons was later cut by the Raiders and signed by the Redskins."
November 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons place long-snapper Michael Schneck on injured reserved with a rib injury and signed former Houston and Seattle long snapper Brad Pittman on Thursday. "I came Tuesday evening for a workout (on Wednesday)," Pittman said. "They expect me to come in and pretty much takeover where Mike left off. I have to learn the protections and just do that." Pittman, 6-3, 265 pounds, has played in 92 games with the Houston Texans from 2003 to 2008. He was signed by the Seahawks, but was released after an an off the field injury."
November 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons placed safety Jamaal Fudge on injured reserve Wednesday and signed safety Charlie Peprah. Peprah, 5-foot-11, 203 pounds, played the past three seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He was waived by the Packers on Sept. 10 after he was placed on IR five days earlier. In 37 career games (one start), the Alabama graduate has totaled 21 tackles (10 solo) and forced two fumbles on special teams."
November 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall is set to run onto the Georgia Dome field Sunday and isn't sure what kind of reception he will get. "I haven't even thought about it," Hall said via phone Wednesday. "They are not introducing us in that stadium, so I don't know if I'm going to bet booed or applauded." The Falcons face Hall and the 2-5 Redskins at 1 p.m. Sunday, and they'll be trying to snap a two-game losing streak. But Hall, who starred for the Falcons from 2004-07 and went to two Pro Bowls before being traded to the Oakland Raiders, doesn't want all of the focus on him. "It's a football game that is going to be played on Sunday," Hall said. "It's not me versus them. It's going ..."
November 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons went back to the drawing board to perk up their rushing attack. The coaches came up with some new plays and blocking schemes, and running back Michael Turner watched some old film of his runs and decided he needed to get back to his bruising running style. In the aftermath of the 35-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Falcons could at least contend that Turner has his groove back. He rushed for 151 yards on 20 carries and scored one touchdown against the Saints. "Michael ran extremely hard and was very decisive in his decision-making," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. It was easily Turner's best game of the season. His previous best game was in the second week of the season ..."
November 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown seven interceptions over the past three games, the worst stretch of his brief NFL career. "I've got to play better," Ryan said. "As a quarterback, you've got to protect the football better, and I haven't done a great job of that the last couple of weeks." Ryan completed 19 of 42 passes for 289 yards and one touchdown against the Saints. He had a lowly passer rating of 46.6, his third consecutive sub-70 rating. Ryan's first interception was returned 38 yards by Jabari Greer for a touchdown. "It was just a poor decision," Ryan said. "I have to get rid of the football in that situation." The second one killed a potential go-ahead scoring drive in the ..."
November 3
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Saints weren't perfect Monday night, as they outlasted the division-rival Atlanta Falcons for a sometimes sloppy, sometimes spectacular 35-27 victory. But their performance was perfectly acceptable as they matched the best start in franchise history at 7-0. "This is a huge win," quarterback Drew Brees said. "We knew this coming in obviously, you win and really it's worth two (in the division standings). It wasn't the prettiest win at times. But we did what we needed to do when we needed to do it. That says a lot." New Orleans has now opened a three-game lead in the NFC South, with Atlanta (4-3) the closest contender. Although it's clearly way too early to make postseason promises, a ..."
November 3
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The slow walk to the sideline with his hands on his hips. The blank stare on the face, which suggests that the person is stunned by the events that have just transpired. And, the occasional sighs from the reality that it's going to be a long night. Atlanta Falcons second-year quarterback Matt Ryan is considered to be one of the young guns in the NFL, with a strong arm and an intelligence that makes the game slow down for him. But there were times when even Ryan couldn't help but look like so many other quarterbacks who have faced the Saints this season. Forced to have to score plenty of points against an opportunistic New Orleans defense to keep up with the Saints' high-powered offense, ..."
November 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons did everything they could to quiet one of the loudest Saints crowds in the 34-year history of the Louisiana Superdome. They elected to receive after winning the opening coin toss, the best way to keep the ball from the Saints' high-powered offense. It paid off in the form of a long drive and 7-0 lead. And they simply shocked and shushed the 70,088 on hand in a big way when they took a 14-7 lead, their last, on defensive end Kroy Biermann's fumble recovery and 10-yard touchdown run. But it didn't last long as the Saints (7-0) responded in a big way, stunning the Falcons (4-3) in a pivotal 23-second stretch just before halftime and then holding on for a 35-27 victory and an ..."
November 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
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They showed us something. They showed the Saints something. They showed the nation something. But in the end they showed us both what they are and what they are not. The Falcons are a pretty good football team. But they aren't so good that they can throw two egregious interceptions on the road against the NFL's best team and hope to win. They proved Monday night they can still run the ball and actually play a little defense, but they fell short of a famous upset because the famous Matt Ryan twice threw the ball to the wrong team at the absolute wrong moment. And now, for all the skill and heart on display here, a sobering notion rears its head: What if Matty Ice isn't quite as good as we ..."
November 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons running backs Jerious Norwood (right hip flexor) and Jason Snelling (hamstring) were inactive for the nationally televised game against the Saints on Monday night. Fullback Ovie Mughelli, who did not play in each of the last two games, did return to action. To help provide depth, the Falcons signed running back Aaron Stecker last Tuesday. Stecker and Verron Haynes played reserve roles. Stecker did not run from scrimmage in the first half, but he did have a reception for 5 yards. Haynes also had two catched for 12 yards. Michael Turner was working on his best game of the season with 151 yards on 20 carries. Musical cornerbacks The Falcons started Tye Hill at left cornerback. ..."
November 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons were teetering on the edge of being another Saints blowout victim. They survived a flurry, regrouped and then battled back to stand toe-to-toe with their NFC South rivals before coming up short. The Saints were not in the clear until running back Pierre Thomas did a somersault into the endzone with 3:03 left in the game. The Saints held on to prevail 35-27 over the Falcons before 70,088 fans on Monday night at the Superdome. The Saints remain the only undefeated team in the NFC and go to 7-0. The Falcons dropped to 4-3 and fall three games behind the Saints with nine games to play. The Falcons found their rushing attack as Michael Turner churned more than 150 yards and wide ..."
November 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons running back Aaron Stecker will try to give the team a boost against his old team, the New Orleans Saints on Monday night. Stecker, who was signed Tuesday after working out for the Falcons on Oct. 20, ended last season on the Saints' injured-reserve list and had hoped to re-sign with them. With injuries to Falcons running backs Ovie Mughelli (calf), Jason Snelling (hamstring) and Jerious Norwood (right hip flexor), Stecker, who played for the Saints from 2004-07, will be pressed into service Monday night. "He's picked it up pretty well," offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey said after Saturday's practice. "He's come in and really, it's been impressive how quickly he was able to ..."
November 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons' defense has their most difficult challenge of this young season waiting for them Monday night. They must somehow derail the New Orleans Saints' high-scoring offense, which has scored at least 45 points in four of their six games. In five of their six games, the Saints have started strong and kept their lead foot on the gas pedal. Overall, the Saints are 17-2 under coach Sean Payton when leading after the first quarter. "They've been off to a very good start all season long," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "The only time that they didn't score off their opening drive was last week." Payton, a daring play-caller, has a deep stable of weapons at his disposal. Quarterback Drew ..."
October 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Matt Ryan had to know this was coming. The first sign of slippage in his game, and the Falcons quarterback would have to address this "sophomore slump" issue. But Ryan's past two performances have raised some statistical red flags. He had a 66.1 passer rating against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and a 68.4 rating against the Chicago Bears the Sunday before. Over his 23 NFL starts, Ryan has never had back-to-back sub-70 games. "It's a long season," Ryan said. "There are going to be some ups and downs. You're going to play well one week and not so well other weeks." Ryan's ratings were hurt in both games by interceptions. He had two interceptions in each game, also a first for Ryan. He ..."
October 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons running back Jason Snelling, who has filled in admirably as a backup, did not practice Thursday Snelling suffered a hamstring injury in the game Sunday against Dallas, but coach Mike Smith did not have to issue an official injury report, per NFL rules, until Thursday. It was the latest blow for the Falcons, who are hoping to get running backs Ovie Mughelli (calf) and Jerious Norwood (right hip flexor) back for the game against the Saints on Monday night in New Orleans. Snelling started the past two games for Mughelli and also played some for Michael Turner. He had a big 31-yard gain against Dallas and rushed for 68 yards on seven carries. Snelling's injury also led the Falcons to ..."
October 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons' success over the course of the season might turn on whether they are able to re-discover their once potent rushing attack. After finishing second in rushing in the NFL last season, averaging 152.7 yards per game, the Falcons currently are 19th at 102.9 yards per game. "With the success of the run game, we've been studied," Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey said. "We've played 3-4 teams, and 3-4 teams are designed to stop the run. That's the history of it." The Falcons have played four teams that used 3-4 fronts -- Miami, San Francisco, New England and Dallas. Over the final 10 games of the season, starting with Monday night's NFC South showdown with the New Orleans ..."
October 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons are a big hit on national television this season. The Falcons' game Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, televised by Fox, was the most-watched sporting event since Super Bowl XLIII in February, with 28.4 million viewers, according to the NFL. The Falcons-Cowboys game topped the week's most-watched non-NFL sporting event -- the Angels vs. Yankees series-clinching ALCS game -- by 12.9 million viewers. When the Falcons played the Chicago Bears on "Sunday Night Football" on Oct. 18, their first regular-season appearance on national television since 2007, they drew big ratings."
October 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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While rummaging through the scrap heap of the Dallas game, there was one little gem the Falcons could pick up and carry forward. For the first time this season, the Falcons came out and scored a touchdown on their first possession of the game. With Matt Ryan converting on four third-down attempts, the Falcons cobbled together a 16-play, 8-minute-and-34-second potentially tone-setting drive. Things went south later, but it was a good start. The Falcons used such good starts last season to help propel them to an 11-5 record and wild card playoff berth. The Falcons led the league in first-quarter scoring (114) points last season. They were 8-0 when they scored on the team's first ..."
October 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons 2009 draft class suffered another blow when safety William Moore was placed on injured reserve. He will miss the rest of the season. Moore was a second-round pick out of Missouri and was expected to compete for a starter position. But Moore couldn't stay healthy. He suffered a knee injury that required surgery and then had to battle back from two hamstring injuries. Peria Jerry, the Falcons' first-round pick, is also on injured reserve with a knee injury. In addition to placing Moore on injured reserve, the Falcons added running back Aaron Stecker to the roster, put cornerback Glenn Sharpe on the practice squad injured list and signed safety Eric Brock to the practice squad."
October 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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You came blame Mike Smith for the Falcons loss to Dallas. He does. The head coach took responsibility for Sunday's 37-21 defeat at the hands of the Cowboys. And he presented his own case in a point-by-point analysis at his Monday news conference: The Falcons had three turnovers. Quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked four times. The team gave up two long scoring plays: one a 59-yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Miles Austin, the other a 73-yard punt return by Patrick Crayton. Romo passed for 311 yards and three touchdowns. He had a quarterback rating of 141. "We did some very uncharacteristic things [Sunday]," Smith said. "We started fast in all three phases. ... After the first quarter we ..."
October 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The crowd was roaring, but all Keith Brooking could hear were the words of an Atlanta Falcons coach on the day he left the team. In other words, yes, this was personal. "The last thing I was told by one of the Atlanta coaches was, 'It's a young man's game,' '' said Brooking, the Falcons' longtime defensive leader-turned-Dallas Cowboys linebacker, with a lopsided grin. "I guess that old man can still play.'' He might not have been the key to the Dallas defense -- he finished with two tackles -- but Brooking was surely one of the more visible players in Sunday's 37-21 Cowboys victory. The veteran of 11 seasons with the Falcons, who signed with Dallas during the offseason, was all over the ..."
October 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons coach Mike Smith has never presided over a flogging like this one. In a major defensive clunker, the Falcons were pummeled 37-21 by the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at sparkling new Cowboys Stadium before 81,521 very satisfied fans. The Atlanta secondary, already reeling from the lost last week of cornerback Brian Williams to a season-ending knee injury, was sliced and diced by Dallas quarterback Tony Romo (21 for 29 for 311 yards) and wide receiver Miles Austin (six receptions, 171 yards and two touchdowns). And the rest of the team was't so hot either. Perhaps the Falcons were mesmerized by mammoth scoreboard at the Cowboys' new palace. Or perhaps the team took a big step back. But ..."
October 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
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After a performance that saw them commit three turnovers, allow four sacks, have their running back again look like he was trying to move with bricks tied to his ankles, allow a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown and generally get slam-danced Sunday by a Dallas team that struggled to defeat Kansas City, we can safely say this about the Falcons: They're probably not this bad. But do you know what they have been? Fortunate. After weeks of tiptoeing over hot coals with a scrambled secondary, they finally watched an opponent turn yards into touchdowns. After weeks of skating on offense despite mediocre performances from a sluggish-looking Michael Turner, having only half of a well-functioning ..."
October 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
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There always has been something different about the quarterback position, something that can't be gauged by height or weight or speed or strength or the ability to throw a football 70 yards past the cows, over the barn, through the tire screen and into the feed bucket (when, by the way, just hitting the open tight end over the middle would've been fine). If quarterbacks were measured by physical skills, Jeff George would not have been a cartoon and Joe Montana would not have been a deity. If quarterbacks were measured by fast legs, chiseled abs and ripped biceps, NFL general managers - the experts - would not draft so many colossal busts, crippling their franchise, alienating their fan ..."
October 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Keith Brooking isn't saying he beat wide receiver Miles Austin to the end zone. Only that it is possible. "I don't know,'' the excitable linebacker said with a laugh. "I might have.'' OK, maybe Brooking didn't quite get to the goal line before his speedy teammate, but the former Falcons linebacker, caught up in the moment, was racing down the sideline as Austin went 60 yards for the winning touchdown in the Dallas Cowboys' overtime victory against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 11."
October 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons don't believe that linebacker Keith Brooking took any trade secrets with him to Dallas. Over the offseason, Brooking, who played for the Falcons for 11 seasons, elected to re-unite with former Falcons defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and signed with Dallas, the Falcons' opponent for a 4:15 p.m. game Sunday at Cowboys Stadium. But the Falcons don't think he has much information to share with his new teammates. Falcons coach Mike Smith pointed out that "playbooks change from year to year." Brooking, who went to five Pro Bowls with the Falcons and also played collegiately at Georgia Tech, is enjoying his new city."
October 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Running back Jerious Norwood, who suffered a right hip flexor injury against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, said Wednesday he doesn't expect to play this weekend against the Dallas Cowboys. He could be out "more than a couple weeks," Norwood said Norwood is the Falcons' backup behind Michael Turner. With the running game stuck in first gear against Chicago, Norwood came off the bench to give them a little spark before he was hurt. He doesn't remember when he was hurt and has never had a hip flexor injury before."
October 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Running back Jerious Norwood, who suffered a right hip flexor against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, said on Wednesday he doesn't expect to play this week against the Dallas Cowboys. He could be out "more than a couple weeks," Norwood said. Norwood is the Falcons' backup running back behind Michael Turner. With the running game stuck in first gear against Chicago, Norwood came off the bench to give them a little spark before going down. He doesn't remember the play that he was hurt on and has never had a hip flexor injury before. It's been a rough season for Norwood, who's in a contract year. He's also suffered two concussions and a knee injury."
October 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback D.J. Shockley from the practice squad on Wednesday. The team, which is thin at running back, signed former Florida State standout Antone Smith. Shockley, a former star at the University of Georgia and North Clayton High, was the third string quarterback last season. This year he was unable to beat out John Parker Wilson for the No. 3 spot."
October 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons' first regular-season appearance on national television since the 2007 season was a big hit. The game against the Chicago Bears, which was NBC's "Sunday Night Football" game, earned a 10.9 final Nielsen rating and was watched by 18.2 million viewers The previous Sunday's game, New England against San Diego, earned an 8.2 rating and was watched by 13.1 million viewers."
October 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons elected to let the NFL's trading deadline pass and added safety Jamaal Fudge to the roster Tuesday. Fudge takes the spot that was created by placing cornerback Brian Williams on injured reserve. Fudge played with the Falcons last season and was released Sept. 7, the day after the team signed Williams. Fudge, 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, played mostly on special teams and made one start at free safety in 2008. He had a team-high 10 tackles against St. Louis in the regular-season finale."