February 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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"
January 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff is gearing up for free agency. With no lockout this offseason, there will be a return to normalcy in the NFL. Free agency will come first, followed by the draft. After last year's labor dispute was settled, a frenzied free-agency signing period began in late August. The Falcons, who are projected to be about $28 million under the salary cap when it's announced this week at the Super Bowl, are working on a few contract extensions that could keep some of their 17 unrestricted free agents off the market when it opens March 13."
January 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Dirk Koetter, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars, agreed to terms to become the Falcons new offensive coordinator on Sunday, the team confirmed. Koetter is set to talk to the media on a conference call at 11 a.m. Monday. "I am very pleased to add Coach Koetter as our offensive coordinator," Falcons head coach Mike Smith said in a statement issued by the team. "Dirk is a veteran offensive coach who will bring years of NFL experience as an offensive coordinator as well as a fresh set of ideas to our offense. He is bright, he understands the intricacies of the vertical passing game, but he also wants to be able to run the football which is very important in the NFL. I look forward to"
January 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons promised a stealth search for their offensive and defensive coordinators, but the names of the most likely candidates already are leaking out. Also, with Bob Bratkowski leaving to join departed offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey in Jacksonville, they must find a new quarterbacks coach, too. Ideally, the Falcons would like to have the coordinators in place so that could help work the Senior Bowl in Mobile. Practices there start Jan. 23, and the game is Jan. 28. But if the candidates to replace Mularkey and departed defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder work for teams in the Super Bowl, the Falcons wouldn't be allowed to seek permission until after the game Feb. 5. "We are going"
January 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The leading candidates for the Falcons' offensive coordinator job: Brian Billick: An analyst with Fox Sports, he is Falcons coach Mike Smith's brother-in-law. He had some high-powered offenses in Minnesota. In Baltimore as a head coach, his teams were known for defense. He guided them to a victory in Super Bowl XXXV. Tom Clements: The former Notre Dame star has been Green Bay's quarterbacks coach for the past six years. He would not become available until the Packers are eliminated from the playoffs. Clements, an attorney, was an offensive coordinator in Buffalo in 2004 and 2005."
January 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Brian VanGorder, the Falcons defensive coordinator for the last four seasons, resigned to accept the same post at Auburn on Monday. "Coach Brian VanGorder has accepted the position of defensive coordinator at Auburn University," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Brian has been an integral part of our success here over the last four years. I want to thank Brian and his family for all that they've done for our organization. I want to personally thank Brian for all of his hard work and all the work that he's done to make us successful here in Atlanta.""
January 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tony Gonzalez isn't playing like he's winding down his Hall of Fame career. So, he'll be in a Falcons uniform for at least one more season. The Falcons signed the 15-year veteran to a one-year, $6.9 million contract extension Sunday, hours before the regular-season finale against the Buccaneers. The tight end, named to his 12th Pro Bowl last week, was due to be a free agent. Gonzalez made $5.75 million this season, the final of a five-year deal he signed with the Chiefs before being traded to the Falcons in 2009. Gonzalez said he started to think about playing another year toward the end of the season. It took several family meetings to make his decision. "I'm not going to come back just"
December 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Brent Grimes, who underwent knee surgery last week, has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers. It will be the second consecutive game without the Pro Bowl cornerback. The Falcons will again rely on Dominique Franks and Christopher Owens to fill in for Grimes. Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith leads the NFL in catches of 20 yards or more (23) and is tied for second in receiving yards (1,092). The Falcons held seven players out of practice Wednesday. Offensive tackle Will Svitek (groin) and running back Michael Turner (groin) did not participate. Defensive back Kelvin Hayden (toe) and linebacker Stephen Nicholas (thigh) worked with trainers. Defensive end John Abraham, tight"
December 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After shutting down Minnesota, the Falcons' defense moved into the top 10 for the first time this late in the season under Falcons coach Mike Smith. The pass defense (245.7 yards per game) is ranked 23rd. The run defense (83.5) is ranked second. Overall, the defense (329.2) is ranked ninth in the league. The defense was ranked 15th last week, but they jumped up six spots after shutting down Minnesota. A top 10 defense is almost prerequisite to winning a Super Bowl title. Eleven of the past 15 Super Bowl winners had a defense that ranked in the top 10 during the regular season."
December 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes underwent successful surgery to repair his right knee Thursday. "We've been in communication with him, and he's finished with the procedure," coach Mike Smith said. The Falcons have not set a timetable for his return, but players with similar surgeries are out two to three weeks, according to Dr. Jonathan Glashow, an orthopedic surgeon and co-chief of sports medicine at New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center. Grimes had been playing with the injury since the Detroit game Oct. 23."
December 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes, who went to the Pro Bowl last season as an alternate, is set to have surgery on his right knee Thursday. Falcons coach Mike Smith said that Grimes will be out indefinitely. Grimes was having a strong campaign. He's sixth on the team in tackles with 37 and has 12 passes defensed, an interception, a forced fumble and three special-teams tackles. Also, cornerback Kelvin Hayden (dislocated toe) is "very doubtful" for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans, according to Smith."
November 25
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons rookie wide receiver Julio Jones, who missed last week's game against Tennessee, appeared sharp in his limited return to practice on Thursday. "It felt good to get back out there, running routes," Jones said. "I thought I was going to be rusty, but I wasn't." Jones injured his left hamstring against Green Bay on Oct. 9, and missed games against Carolina and Detroit. He came back against Indianapolis on Nov. 6 and caught three passes for 131 yards and scored two touchdowns. However, he left the ensuing New Orleans game with an injured right hamstring, and didn't play last week against the Titans. Falcons coach Mike Smith credited Jones' rehabilitation to the work of athletic"
November 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons rookie wide receiver Julio Jones appeared sharp in his limited return to practice on Thursday. "It felt good to get back out there, running routes," Jones said. "I thought I was going to be rusty, but I wasn't. So, it just felt good to be back out there with my teammates." Jones injured his left hamstring against Green Bay on Oct. 9. He missed the Carolina and Detroit games."
November 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, who's been battling a right hamstring injury, will return to practice Thursday, according to coach Mike Smith. "We anticipate him being out on the practice field tomorrow, " Smith said. "It will be encouraging to see him out practicing and not out working out with our athletic performance department. He's done a nice job in his rehabilitation. So, tomorrow we'll give him an opportunity. If it goes well, we'll progress to Friday and give him back-to-back days of work." Jones injured his left hamstring against Green Bay on Oct. 9. He missed the Carolina and Detroit games. He came back against Indianapolis on Nov. 6 and caught three passes for 131 yards and"
November 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Roddy White knew things might go his way. He made the most of them. White caught a season-high 147 yards on seven receptions in Sunday's 23-17 victory over the Titans. "I felt that way," White said of his chances. "You just go through practice really hard and get yourself ready to go Sunday. We did a good job getting me the ball and making some plays. "Coach said we were going to go out and kind of [out] tempo these guys. Get in and out of the huddle and try to full-court press those guys so we could go out there and get the looks we wanted, execute and throw the ball downfield.""
November 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Can you say "Wildcard?" The loss to the Saints has decreased the Falcons' chances of making the playoffs from 48.6 percent to 34.6 percent, according to the web site www.makeNFLplayoffs.com which calculates the chances each NFL team will make the playoffs. The Falcons' chance of winning the division, and defending their NFC South title, has decreased from 31.8 percent to 15.4 percent. They are virtually assured of making the playoffs with six more wins and have a 45 percent chance of making the playoffs with four more wins."
November 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Julio Jones tried, to no avail, to get back on the field. The rookie wide receiver injured his right hamstring on Sunday against the Saints and did not play after the second quarter. He finished with just two catches for nine yards. After being stretched by trainers, Jones spent much of the third quarter running and jumping along the sidelines in an effort to show he could play."
November 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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In his first season as general manager, Thomas Dimitroff signed two worthy players to contract extensions to keep them off the free-agent market. In November 2008, defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux and wide receiver Michael Jenkins received those extensions. Things were different the next two years. There weren't any key members with contracts that were about to expire in 2009, and the team was plotting how to acquire tight end Tony Gonzalez from Kansas City. Because of the NFL's labor situation, the Falcons did not offer any contract extensions last season."
November 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is his own toughest critic. But it was rather telling that after surviving a physical game against Detroit and having his ankle accidentally stepped on by offensive tackle Will Svitek, Ryan's self-critique was not glowing. "I'd like to be playing better," said Ryan, who went to the Pro Bowl last season after guiding the Falcons to a 13-3 mark and the NFC South title."
November 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Rookie punter Matt Bosher has had a jagged start to his NFL career. He is averaging 36.9 yards on 32 punts, which ranks him 35th in the league. He has placed 11 punts inside the 20 and has forced 15 fair catches with his hang-time. The 15 fair catches is tops in the league. "When you look at him over the last four weeks, three of the four weeks have been pretty good," special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong said. "He's done a pretty good job for us. He's done a really good job of placing the ball.""
November 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The hype surrounding Saturday's college football showdown between No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama made its way into the Falcons locker room. Center Todd McClure (LSU) and quarterback John Parker Wilson (Alabama) stood toe-to-toe Wednesday defending their alma maters. "We can pick any 22 guys to go out and play against this Alabama team, it doesn't matter," McClure said. "They could put all the names in a hat, draw out 11 and throw them on the field." Parker Wilson predicted a double-digit win by host Alabama. McClure predicted a seven-point LSU win."
November 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons left tackle Sam Baker will be out three to four weeks with a back injury head coach Mike Smith announced Wednesday. Baker had been playing well after a slow start to the season. He had tough matchups in the opener against Chicago's Julius Peppers and in the second game against Philadelphia's Trent Cole. After the line had given up 13 sacks in the first three games, Smith said the staff was considering shaking up the starting line. The week before the Seattle game, Baker and Will Svitek were splitting time with the first-team."
November 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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While the rest of the Falcons took the bye week off, wide receiver Julio Jones was at the office, receiving treatment for his injured hamstring. The extra attention to Jones' injury allowed him to return to practice with the rest of the team on Monday. He was limited but could be available when the Falcons (4-3) face the Indianapolis Colts (0-8) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. "It felt good today," Jones said after practice. "I was limited. We are going to play it day by day out there. But today, with the little reps that I had, I felt great.""
October 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons will place Ovie Mughelli on injured reserve, ending the fullback's season. Mughelli injured his right knee during Sunday's victory in Detroit. Lions safety Louis Delmas hit Mughelli's knee during a tackle in the fourth quarter following a 4-yard reception. Mughelli did not return after the injury and was on crutches following the game."
October 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It didn't seem to bother Tony Gonzalez on Sunday that he has risen as high up the NFL career receiving ladder as he'll go. "I don't think Jerry [Rice] will be caught," the Falcons' tight end said, laughing. "I'm happy with second place." The dizzying career numbers continue for the 35-year-old who at times still looks 25. Gonzalez had five more receptions for 62 yards in the Falcons' 23-16 win over Detroit. He is now at 1,104 catches, vaulting him past Marvin Harrison (1,102) and Cris Carter (1,101) into second on the NFL's all-time receptions list, just behind Rice (1,549). So hypothetically, if Gonzalez retires after this season, he would need 445 catches in the next nine games to catch"
October 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons put injured wide receiver Julio Jones through a rehabilitation run on Monday, but his playing status remains unclear. Coach Mike Smith said he watched the run by Jones, who missed Sunday's game against the Panthers with a left hamstring injury. "We've got to wait and see where Julio is," Smith said. "He was working with our athletic performance department and hopefully we'll have a better idea on Wednesday." Jones is second among NFL rookies with 358 receiving yards."
October 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones will not play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers because of a hamstring injury. Jones leads a list of seven Falcons, all starters, who did not participate in Wednesday's practice. Jones, this year's first-round draft pick, left Sunday's game against the Packers after suffering the injury to his left hamstring. Jones was on the practice field working with trainers Wednesday, an encouraging sign according to coach Mike Smith. "We are hoping that after this week we will get him back the following week," Smith said."
October 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is one of the finalists for the Pepsi NFL rookie of the week honors it was announced on Tuesday. Jones was targeted 17 times in the Falcons' 30-28 victory of the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. He caught 11 passes for 127 yards. Falcons fans can vote for Jones NFL.com/rookies through Friday at noon. The winner will be announced Friday on NFL Total Access on NFL Network and on NFL.com."
October 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons will likely have Jason Snelling back when they host Green Bay Sunday night. The running back missed Sunday's game at Seattle with a concussion. Coach Mike Smith said he expects Snelling to be cleared for practice this week. The Falcons had a "pretty long list" of players banged up against the Seahawks, according to Smith. He said Monday he expects several players to be held out of practice on Wednesday, when the team returns to the field. However, he said he doesn't expect any of those players to miss Sunday's game."
September 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons cornerback Kelvin Hayden has quickly recovered from a hamstring injury and returned to practice on Thursday. The Falcons (1-2) are hoping that Hayden will be available to play against the Seattle Seahawks (1-2) at 4:05 p.m. Sunday at CenturyLink Field. "Kelvin did a real good job with our athletic performance department and the trainers to get back out here," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "We thought it might be a little bit longer than a couple of weeks. Hopefully, there won't be a [setback] and [Friday] he can continue on his road to recovery.""
September 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons strong safety William Moore said he was fined by the league $7,500 on Wednesday. Moore was fined for a helmet hit he placed on Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham in the third quarter. On third-and-4 from Tampa Bay's 36, Graham caught a short pass for a 5-yard gain. Moore came over to aid linebacker Sean Weatherspoon on the tackle and was called for unnecessary roughness on the play. "It was called a late hit," Falcons coach Mike Smith said on Monday, when asked if he thought Moore would be fined. "Again, whether he was a defenseless player, that will be something that I'm sure the League will determine but that was a personal foul, late-hit penalty is what they called it, not"
September 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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A shakeup along the Falcons' offensive line is brewing. Falcons coach Mike Smith and his assistant offensive coaches are putting the team's offensive line under the microscope after three games and personnel changes could be coming soon. "We've done it earlier in the season at other positions on the team and we'll do it on the offensive line as well," Smith said on Monday. "We'll let that play out during the week and try to put the best guys out there.""
September 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons (1-2) could be without versatile running back Jason Snelling when they face the Seattle Seahawks (1-2) at 4:05 p.m. Sunday at CenturyLink Field. Snelling is in the NFL's concussion protocol, Falcons coach Mike Smith said during his weekly segment Tuesday on NFL Sirius radio. Snelling suffered what was announced as a "head" injury during Sunday's game against Tampa Bay and did not return to action. Snelling backs up fullback Ovie Mughelli and running back Michael Turner. He also plays on most of the special team units."
September 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons center Todd McClure returned to the lineup against Tampa Bay on Sunday. He had knee surgery on Sept. 1 and did not play in the first two games of the season, snapping a streak of 144 consecutive starts. There was some hope that McClure's return would help to fortify the offensive line, but the group had another porous outing. Quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked four times and hit four times. For the season, Ryan has been sacked 13 times and hit 21 times. Last season, he was sacked just 23 times."
September 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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For the second consecutive day, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was limited in practice with a knee injury on Thursday. He received substantially more work with the first-unit than he did on Wednesday and is expected to start on Sunday when the Falcons (1-1) face Tampa Bay (1-1) at 4:15 p.m. Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. Also, center Todd McClure did not suffer a setback and also participated more in practice than he did on Wednesday. He's expected to be available for Tampa Bay."
September 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who has been under duress through the first two weeks of the season, was limited in practice Wednesday with a knee injury. "We rested him [Wednesday], and we are hoping that he'll be out here tomorrow," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "We have to see how ... hopefully he'll have more participation tomorrow than he had today.""
September 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons released three veterans — defensive end Chauncey Davis, linebacker Coy Wire and defensive tackle Trey Lewis — and 14 other players on Friday. The team needs to release 10 more players to cut down to the mandatory roster of 53 by 4 p.m. on Saturday. "There [were] a lot of guys fighting for roster spots," Falcons coach Mike Smith said after the Ravens' game. Smith admitted that there were just a handful of spots open. Running back Antone Smith, who ran for 114 yards on 11 carries and caught two passes for 42 yards against the Ravens, made a strong case for a roster spot. "We obviously saw some guys step up," Smith said. "We saw some guys that didn't necessarily take care"
September 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons, perhaps moved by a shaky performance of their secondary in the key third exhibition game against Pittsburgh, have agreed to terms with another defensive back. Kelvin Hayden, 28, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, is set to sign a one-year deal with the Falcons, a day after they agreed to terms with safety James Sanders, the team has confirmed Thursday. Both are expected to sign today. Hayden, 28, was a second-round pick in the 2005 draft. He has played in 76 games and made 46 starts. He has nine career interceptions. They Falcons did not address their secondary in the draft or in free agency. But before training camp started on July 29, Falcons general manager Thomas"
September 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons reached an agreement on a one-year contract with safety James Sanders, according to his agent. The sides agreed to terms late Tuesday after Sanders worked out for the team earlier in the day. An official announcement of a signing has not been made. The Falcons must release a player from their 80-man roster. The team made no roster move Wednesday, a day before hosting the Ravens in its exhibition-season finale. Sanders, a fourth-round draft pick of the Patriots in 2005, was released earlier this week. In six seasons with the Patriots, Sanders had 301 tackles and eight interceptions in 84 regular-season games, including 50 starts. He can also play free safety. Sanders was"
August 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons center Todd McClure had surgery on his right knee Monday morning, putting his franchise-record streak of 144 consecutive starts in jeopardy. "We don't know the exact time frame of him coming back," coach Mike Smith said. "It was a very minor procedure. ... I haven't had an opportunity to talk to Todd or the doctors yet but we will be able to update that next week. "We will make a determination [if he can play in the season-opener] as we get closer to it next week. The first few days, as I understand it, will be very critical in terms of when he can come back.""
August 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Unconcerned about a reduced role, Mike Peterson, the most senior and decorated member of the Falcons' linebacker corps, had one thing in mind when he elected to re-sign with the team. "I have the same ultimate goal that my younger teammates have," said Peterson, who turned 35 in June. "At the end of the year, we want the ring." It's still strange to see Peterson stay on the sidelines when the coaches yell out, "First-team base!" Peterson, since signing with the Falcons in March 2008, has always been with the first unit. He now watches Stephen Nicholas, Curtis Lofton and Sean Weatherspoon take the field. Peterson is a sub because last season he struggled in pass coverage at times. While he"
August 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist: D. Orlando Ledbetter
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Reggie Kelly's career may be coming full circle. Kelly, who was drafted by the Falcons in the second round (42nd overall) of the 1999 NFL draft, has agreed to terms with the Falcons, according a sourced report by Fox's Alex Marvez. The Falcons have not confirmed the report and a phone message was left for Kelly's agent, Jimmy Sexton. The Falcons are thin at tight end after Justin Peelle suffered a knee injury against Miami. The extent of Peelle's injujry has not be fully disclosed. Kelly played with the Falcons from 1999 to 2002. He developed into a solid blocking tight end while playing in Cincinnati from 2003 to 2010."
August 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Defensive tackle Carlton Powell, a Virginia Tech product, was signed by the Falcons and was taking part in Sunday's morning practice. Powell was a fifth-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2008. He's also spent some time with the Browns, Buccanners, Jets and the Florida Tushers of the UFL."