THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons cleared an opening for rookie fullback Bradie Ewing on Tuesday when they released veteran Ovie Mughelli in a move that also frees salary cap space.

The move was not a surprise after the Falcons traded for cornerback Asante Samuel before last month’s draft and selected Ewing in the fifth round. The Falcons needed to cut payroll, and Mughelli was an obvious target.

Mughelli, 31, was due to earn a base salary of $3 million in 2012. His 2011 season ended when he hurt his right knee in Week 7 at Detroit and was placed on injured reserve. Mughelli’s 32nd birthday is June 10, nine days before the team’s first minicamp for veterans.

The Falcons gave Mughelli a six-year, $18 million contract in 2007. He made 38 starts in 69 games with Atlanta.

Mughelli said Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith left open the possibility that he might have a chance to re-sign with the team at a reduced salary.

“Thomas and the coach said that’s a possibility in the future,” Mughelli said. “We spoke this morning. They said in the coming days they’re going to talk to my agent.”

Mughelli said he was cleared by his doctors in time for one off-season workout with quarterback Matt Ryan and the Falcons on Monday.

“It was great to get back on the field if only for one day on Monday,” Mughelli said. “I got to catch passes from Matt. For the first time in almost six or seven months I could really run on it, stopping and cutting and all that. It felt good.”

He said he wasn’t told if his release was strictly a financial move or if the team had any concern about his recovery.

“I tried to wedge it out of Thomas and coach to give me a specific reason,” Mughelli said. “They said myriad of reasons. I’m not here to decide what’s wrong, what’s right in the business. You don’t get to be a 10-year vet without seeing a lot of business decisions like this.”

Mughelli, a powerful blocker who had few opportunities to run or catch the ball in his five seasons with Atlanta, made the Pro Bowl in 2010. He was a fourth-round pick by Baltimore in 2003 and played four seasons with the Ravens and five with Atlanta.

The Falcons’ decision to release Mughelli will place more attention on Ewing (5-11, 243), who will participate in a rookie minicamp that begins Friday. Also returning is veteran fullback Mike Cox, who was signed after Mughelli’s knee injury last season, and Jason Snelling, who can play running back and fullback.

Ewing called himself “a very versatile player.”

“I think, obviously, I can do all the things the traditional fullback can do, as far as blocking from the backfield and all that stuff,” Ewing said after he was selected by the Falcons. “But I think I have phenomenal hands. I can catch out of the backfield, I can be split out and I can play special teams.”

The trade for Samuel, a four-time Pro Bowl pick, left the Falcons with a more urgent need to reduce payroll. The Falcons only gave up a seventh-round draft choice to the Eagles for Samuel, but the team’s payroll rose even after he agreed to restructure his contract to a three-year, $18.5 million deal. His contract with Philadelphia called for him to earn $9.9 million in 2012 and $11.4 million in 2013.

The fullback position may carry less emphasis under new Falcons offensive co-ordinator Dirk Koetter. The Falcons have pushed a run-first philosophy under Smith, but fifth-year quarterback Matt Ryan’s passing numbers have risen with his experience. Ryan set career highs with 4,177 yards passing and 29 touchdowns last season.

ATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Falcons cleared an opening for rookie fullback Bradie Ewing on Tuesday when they released veteran Ovie Mughelli in a move that also frees salary cap space.

The move was not a surprise after the Falcons traded for cornerback Asante Samuel before last month’s draft and selected Ewing in the fifth round. The Falcons needed to cut payroll, and Mughelli was an obvious target.

Mughelli, 31, was due to earn a base salary of $3 million in 2012. His 2011 season ended when he hurt his right knee in Week 7 at Detroit and was placed on injured reserve. Mughelli‘s 32nd birthday is June 10, nine days before the team’s first minicamp for veterans.

The Falcons gave Mughelli a six-year, $18 million contract in 2007. He made 38 starts in 69 games with Atlanta.

Mughelli said Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith left open the possibility that he might have a chance to re-sign with the team at a reduced salary.

”Thomas and the coach said that’s a possibility in the future,” Mughelli said. ”We spoke this morning. They said in the coming days they’re going to talk to my agent.”

Mughelli said he was cleared by his doctors in time for one offseason workout with quarterback Matt Ryan and the Falcons on Monday.

”It was great to get back on the field if only for one day on Monday,” Mughelli said. ”I got to catch passes from Matt. For the first time in almost six or seven months I could really run on it, stopping and cutting and all that. It felt good.”

He said he wasn’t told if his release was strictly a financial move or if the team had any concern about his recovery.

”I tried to wedge it out of Thomas and coach to give me a specific reason,” Mughelli said. ”They said myriad of reasons. I’m not here to decide what’s wrong, what’s right in the business. You don’t get to be a 10-year vet without seeing a lot of business decisions like this.”

Mughelli, a powerful blocker who had few opportunities to run or catch the ball in his five seasons with Atlanta, made the Pro Bowl in 2010. He was a fourth-round pick by Baltimore in 2003 and played four seasons with the Ravens and five with Atlanta.

The Falcons’ decision to release Mughelli will place more attention on Ewing (5-11, 243), who will participate in a rookie minicamp that begins Friday. Also returning is veteran fullback Mike Cox, who was signed after Mughelli’s knee injury last season, and Jason Snelling, who can play running back and fullback.

Ewing called himself ”a very versatile player.”

”I think, obviously, I can do all the things the traditional fullback can do, as far as blocking from the backfield and all that stuff,” Ewing said after he was selected by the Falcons. ”But I think I have phenomenal hands. I can catch out of the backfield, I can be split out and I can play special teams.”

The trade for Samuel, a four-time Pro Bowl pick, left the Falcons with a more urgent need to reduce payroll. The Falcons only gave up a seventh-round draft choice to the Eagles for Samuel, but the team’s payroll rose even after he agreed to restructure his contract to a three-year, $18.5 million deal. His contract with Philadelphia called for him to earn $9.9 million in 2012 and $11.4 million in 2013.

The fullback position may carry less emphasis under new Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. The Falcons have pushed a run-first philosophy under Smith, but fifth-year quarterback Matt Ryan’s passing numbers have risen with his experience. Ryan set career highs with 4,177 yards passing and 29 touchdowns last season.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed backup running back Jason Snelling.

The team announced the deal Thursday. Terms were not disclosed.

Snelling had 44 carries for 151 yards and 26 catches for 179 yards and one touchdown in 2011, when his versatility proved valuable. After opening the season as the backup to running back Michael Turner, Snelling also was used at fullback following Ovie Mughelli’s season-ending right knee injury in October.

Snelling has 1,192 yards rushing with seven touchdowns in five seasons with the Falcons.

The former Virginia standout spent his first four seasons with Baltimore.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed backup running back Jason Snelling.

The team announced the deal Thursday. Terms were not disclosed.

Snelling had 44 carries for 151 yards and 26 catches for 179 yards and one touchdown in 2011, when his versatility proved valuable. After opening the season as the backup to running back Michael Turner, Snelling also was used at fullback following Ovie Mughelli’s season-ending right knee injury in October.

Snelling has 1,192 yards rushing with seven touchdowns in five seasons with the Falcons.

The former Virginia standout spent his first four seasons with Baltimore.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed backup running back Jason Snelling.

The team announced the deal Thursday. Terms were not disclosed.

Snelling had 44 carries for 151 yards and 26 catches for 179 yards and one touchdown in 2011, when his versatility proved valuable. After opening the season as the backup to running back Michael Turner, Snelling also was used at fullback following Ovie Mughelli‘s season-ending right knee injury in October.

Snelling has 1,192 yards rushing with seven touchdowns in five seasons with the Falcons.

The former Virginia standout spent his first four seasons with Baltimore.

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons on Friday placed the franchise tag on cornerback Brent Grimes, assuring he will receive more than $10 million if he signs the tender.

Grimes, who led the team with 17 passes defenced in 2011, is one of the most important names in an unusually large class of 17 unrestricted free agents. He had a combined 11 interceptions in 2009 and 2010 and was an alternate Pro Bowl pick in 2010.

Grimes’ agent, Ben Dogra, said the decision by Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff was expected.

“We anticipated receiving the franchise tag,” Dogra told The Associated Press. “Brent Grimes is certainly viewed as one of the elite cornerbacks in the NFL, and getting franchised is not a surprise to any of us. We look forward to continuing to speak with Thomas Dimitroff over the next few days.”

Dimitroff announced the move on the team’s radio partner, Atlanta’s WQXI AM-790. He said he plans to continue talks on a long-term deal with Grimes.

“Our feeling is, Brent Grimes is an excellent athlete with the ability to move, cover, break on the ball with some of the top corners in this league,” Dimitroff said. “We feel comfortable with his abilities, the way that he’s picked up our system and settled in nicely in the few years since we have been here.”

“We feel like, as we all know, you’re always looking for corners that can settle into your system and cover and stay in phase, as what we call it often, and make big plays on the ball. I think Brent Grimes does that, obviously, against big, small, fast or slow receivers in this league. We’re encouraged about having him back.”

Dogra said Grimes hopes “to explore all options with the Falcons, including signing a long-term deal.”

Dimitroff was scouting players in California on Friday and could not be reached for additional comment.

Grimes (5-10, 183) was an undrafted free agent from Shippensburg who emerged after joining the team’s practice squad in 2007.

Other top Atlanta free agents include linebacker Curtis Lofton, who led the team in tackles, safety Thomas DeCoud, who topped the Falcons with four interceptions, defensive end John Abraham, who led with 9 1/2 sacks, and centre Todd McClure. Other free agents include backup running back Jason Snelling, backup quarterback Chris Redman and receivers Harry Douglas and Eric Weems.

Dimitroff said after the season it might be difficult for the team to keep more than eight free agents.

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons on Friday placed the franchise tag on cornerback Brent Grimes, assuring he will receive more than $10 million if he signs the tender.

Grimes, who led the team with 17 passes defensed in 2011, is one of the most important names in an unusually large class of 17 unrestricted free agents. He had a combined 11 interceptions in 2009 and 2010 and was an alternate Pro Bowl pick in 2010.

Grimes’ agent, Ben Dogra, said the decision by Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff was expected.

“We anticipated receiving the franchise tag,” Dogra told The Associated Press. “Brent Grimes is certainly viewed as one of the elite cornerbacks in the NFL, and getting franchised is not a surprise to any of us. We look forward to continuing to speak with Thomas Dimitroff over the next few days.”

Dimitroff announced the move on the team’s radio partner, Atlanta’s WQXI AM-790. He said he plans to continue talks on a long-term deal with Grimes.

“Our feeling is, Brent Grimes is an excellent athlete with the ability to move, cover, break on the ball with some of the top corners in this league,” Dimitroff said. “We feel comfortable with his abilities, the way that he’s picked up our system and settled in nicely in the few years since we have been here.”

“We feel like, as we all know, you’re always looking for corners that can settle into your system and cover and stay in phase, as what we call it often, and make big plays on the ball. I think Brent Grimes does that, obviously, against big, small, fast or slow receivers in this league. We’re encouraged about having him back.”

Dogra said Grimes hopes “to explore all options with the Falcons, including signing a long-term deal.”

Dimitroff was scouting players in California on Friday and could not be reached for additional comment.

Grimes (5-10, 183) was an undrafted free agent from Shippensburg who emerged after joining the team’s practice squad in 2007.

Other top Atlanta free agents include linebacker Curtis Lofton, who led the team in tackles, safety Thomas DeCoud, who topped the Falcons with four interceptions, defensive end John Abraham, who led with 9 ½ sacks, and center Todd McClure. Other free agents include backup running back Jason Snelling, backup quarterback Chris Redman and receivers Harry Douglas and Eric Weems.

Dimitroff said after the season it might be difficult for the team to keep more than eight free agents.

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons on Friday placed the franchise tag on cornerback Brent Grimes, assuring he will receive more than $10 million if he signs the tender.

Grimes, who led the team with 17 passes defensed in 2011, is one of the most important names in an unusually large class of 17 unrestricted free agents. He had a combined 11 interceptions in 2009 and 2010 and was an alternate Pro Bowl pick in 2010.

Grimes’ agent, Ben Dogra, said the decision by Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff was expected.

“We anticipated receiving the franchise tag,” Dogra told The Associated Press. “Brent Grimes is certainly viewed as one of the elite cornerbacks in the NFL, and getting franchised is not a surprise to any of us. We look forward to continuing to speak with Thomas Dimitroff over the next few days.”

Dimitroff announced the move on the team’s radio partner, Atlanta’s WQXI AM-790. He said he plans to continue talks on a long-term deal with Grimes.

“Our feeling is, Brent Grimes is an excellent athlete with the ability to move, cover, break on the ball with some of the top corners in this league,” Dimitroff said. “We feel comfortable with his abilities, the way that he’s picked up our system and settled in nicely in the few years since we have been here.”

“We feel like, as we all know, you’re always looking for corners that can settle into your system and cover and stay in phase, as what we call it often, and make big plays on the ball. I think Brent Grimes does that, obviously, against big, small, fast or slow receivers in this league. We’re encouraged about having him back.”

Dogra said Grimes hopes “to explore all options with the Falcons, including signing a long-term deal.”

Dimitroff was scouting players in California on Friday and could not be reached for additional comment.

Grimes (5-10, 183) was an undrafted free agent from Shippensburg who emerged after joining the team’s practice squad in 2007.

Other top Atlanta free agents include linebacker Curtis Lofton, who led the team in tackles, safety Thomas DeCoud, who topped the Falcons with four interceptions, defensive end John Abraham, who led with 9 1/2 sacks, and center Todd McClure. Other free agents include backup running back Jason Snelling, backup quarterback Chris Redman and receivers Harry Douglas and Eric Weems.

Dimitroff said after the season it might be difficult for the team to keep more than eight free agents.

Read More: John Abraham (DE – ATL), Todd McClure (C – ATL), Stephen Nicholas (LB – ATL), Kelvin Hayden (CB – ATL), Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints

The Atlanta Falcons will take the field against the New Orleans Saints on Monday, likely with a chance to clinch a playoff berth. The Falcons’ relative health should help them in a Week 16 NFC South showdown.

Neither cornerback Kelvin Hayden nor linebacker Stephen Nicholas participated in practice on Friday, but a triumvirate of veterans usually held out of practice to keep them fresh did. Those players, John Abraham, Tony Gonzalez, and Todd McClure, have routinely been DNPs on practice reports in 2011, but all three fully participated on Friday.

Here’s the rest of Friday’s edition of the Falcons injury report for Week 16:

DID NOT PARTICIPATE: CB Kelvin Hayden (toe), LB Stephen Nicholas (toe), WR Kerry Meier (groin), RB Jason Snelling (illness).

LIMITED PARTICIPATION: WR Harry Douglas (groin), CB Brent Grimes (groin), LB Curtis Lofton (ankle), DT Corey Peters (knee), RB Michael Turner (groin).

FULL PARTICIPATION: DE John Abraham (not injury-related), TE Tony Gonzalez (not injury-related), C Todd McClure (not injury-related), CB Chris Owens (hand).

For more on the Falcons, visit The Falcoholic; for more on the Saints, head to Canal Street Chronicles.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Mike Smith says he’s looking to find more help for Michael Turner in the Falcons’ running game.

The plan worked last week, when it was easy to rest Turner in Atlanta’s lopsided 31-7 win at Indianapolis. Turner had less than half of Atlanta’s 41 carries.

By comparison, Turner had all but one of the carries given to running backs in the Falcons’ previous game, a win over Detroit.

Smith’s new plan to spread out the carries will be tested in this week’s important game against New Orleans with first place in the NFC South on the line.

Turner said Wednesday he’d like a heavy load of carries.

Smith said the workload will be determined by the “feel of the game.”

Smith said he decided in the Falcons’ bye week between the wins over the Lions and Colts to take some of the load off Turner. Smith said he and his assistant coaches decided that rookie backup Jacquizz Rodgers could be trusted with a more important role.

“That was something that through our evaluation in our bye week we saw that we needed to make sure that we felt comfortable with Jacquizz in basically all phases, not just only as a third-down or a change-of-pace back,” Smith said.

“He’s proven that he can run the ball from all of our personnel groupings. He has a much better understanding than when he got here in regards to his protection responsibilities. Jacquizz is becoming the player we envisioned that he would be when we drafted him. He’s been a great addition and through the second half of the season, he’s another weapon that we’ll be able to put out there on the field for our offense.”

Turner had 19 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown against the Colts, modest totals by his standards.

Rodgers and Jason Snelling combined for 18 carries for 59 yards. Rodgers’ 10 carries for 44 yards were his high totals for the season.

“Any chance you get an opportunity to make plays for your team, it’s always a good thing,” said Rodgers, a fifth-round pick from Oregon State.

“I’ve got to keep building and getting better every week so it can help me be a better player and help the team.”

Turner didn’t sound convinced the distribution of carries in the easy win over the Colts would set the pace for the second half of the season.

“You know, we pretty much had the game in control last week,” he said. “It’s no need for anything fluky to happen out there and it also gave us a chance for Jacquizz and Snelling to get some work, too, and show what they have. It works good on my part. I’m still fresh for the next game and we got the W. That’s what matters.”

Turner has had four games with more than 20 carries this season, including back-to-back games with 27 carries against Carolina and Detroit.

Turner has 692 yards rushing with seven touchdowns.

He said he’s ready for a heavier dose against the Saints.

“If it needs to be, I’ll do whatever it takes to win,” he said. “We need this win. We want this win.

“Getting in the 20s and 30s, I’m fine with that. The more I get it, the more I touch it, the more I feel it. I feel the game. Hopefully I’ll wear the defense out, wear our opponents out, and pop some big carries in the second half.”

Saints defensive tackle Tom Johnson said he noticed the Falcons gave Turner more rest against the Colts.

“They’ve got three guys they like spreading the ball to,” Johnson said.

“They’re trying to spread the workload on Turner. He’s their go-to guy on first and second down and then the rest of their guys are rotating for third down, so they’re one of those teams that is going to want to pound, pound, pound, and open plays for their wide receivers.”

Smith said after Wednesday’s practice he will make decisions on the carries during the game.

“We try to set parameters, but those are just parameters,” Smith said. “It’s really going to be the feel of the game and who’s got the hot hand and how they’re trying to defend us. Michael is our No. 1 back, there’s no doubt about it, and sometimes if he’s getting stronger as the game goes on, it’s going to be tough not to give him those carries.”

That’s just what Turner likes to hear as he continues to move up the Falcons’ records.

In only his fourth season with Atlanta, Turner already has rushed for 46 touchdowns, two shy of Gerald Riggs’ record of 48 rushing TDs from 1982-88.

Turner already is fifth on the team’s career rushing list with 4,633 yards, behind Riggs (6,631), William Andrews, Warrick Dunn and Jamal Anderson.

“That’s where I want to be,” Turner said. “I want to be up there in franchise history as far as running backs go. That’s why they brought me here, to make big plays and do good things for them.”

Note: TE Tony Gonzalez (back), OT Sam Baker (back), DE Ray Edwards (knee) and S William Moore (quad) missed practice.

CB Brent Grimes (knee) and DT Corey Peters (knee) were limited. DE John Abraham and C Todd McClure had days off Smith routinely gives to his veteran players.

AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.

(Sports Network) – Does one man make a difference on how a team performs?

It seems that way with quarterback Peyton Manning and the winless Indianapolis
Colts, who will try once again for their first win of the season Sunday versus
the visiting Atlanta Falcons at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Manning hasn’t played a down this season due to his ongoing neck issues and
will most likely not play at all in 2011 despite remaining on the active
roster. In his absence, the Colts have lost eight consecutive games to start
the year and are virtually certain to have a streak of nine straight playoff
appearances end.

The four-time MVP is expected to occupy a roster spot for the remainder of this
tumultuous campaign and could make a cameo appearance sometime in the latter
weeks of the season. Manning hasn’t been cleared to practice yet, however, and
Colts vice chairman Bill Polian was recently asked about one of the game’s most
respected players making a comeback in 2011 rather than waiting for next
season.

“Well, I think that’s generally true. The only caveat would be I’m not sure we
would play him in ballgames,” Polian said of Manning. “For example, if our
offensive line was as beaten up at the end of the season as it is now, I’m not
sure we’d run the risk of playing him. Not to denigrate [substitute
quarterback] Curtis [Painter] in any way, but a guy coming off that long of a
layoff in front of a non-experienced line would be a little difficult.”

It couldn’t get any worse, however, for the Colts, one of the NFL’s two
remaining winless teams along with Miami. For now, Painter will remain the
starter until told otherwise as the Colts are prepare for a rare showdown with
the Falcons at home after playing their last three games on the road.
Indianapolis has scored just 17 points in losses at New Orleans and Tennessee
over the last two weeks and suffered a 27-10 setback to the Titans last Sunday.

Painter passed for 250 yards with a pair of interceptions against the Titans,
one week after going 9-for-17 for 67 yards and a pick in a 62-7 romp at the
hands of the Saints.

Indianapolis has struggled mightily without its offensive captain in Manning
and is 30th in total offense (294.9 ypg) and scoring (15.1 ppg). The team is
hoping a return to Lucas Oil Stadium to play in front of the home crowd will
lift some of the bewildered spirits.

“It’s always nice to have your home crowd, especially when you’re struggling
offensively,” said veteran center Jeff Saturday. “We like to get our crowd
involved, get them excited, and you can play off that momentum and feed off of
it. So it will be good to be back at Lucas Oil, and I look forward to seeing
some smiling faces and some good fans.”

The Colts will also host Jacksonville before their bye week.

Atlanta enjoyed its week off and will visit the Colts before returning to the
Peach State for three consecutive contests. It headed to the bye riding a
season-best two-game winning streak and a 4-3 record — good enough for a
second-place tie with Tampa Bay in the NFC South standings.

The Falcons took care of Carolina and Detroit before a one-week layoff and
will get a healthy Matt Ryan back under center. The quarterback missed a few
plays in the team’s 23-16 win over Lions with what appeared to be an ankle and
knee issue after left tackle Will Svitek unintentionally stepped on Ryan’s foot
in the pocket.

“Quarterbacks get a lot of notoriety and people’s eyes are always on you, so
they kind of see those things a little bit more so than some other positions,”
Ryan said of his injury. “But that’s par for the course in our locker room.
We’ve got a lot of guys who week in and week out, grind through a lot of
different things and show up on the field. I’m just trying to do like everyone
else.”

It’s difficult to be just like everyone else when you’re the quarterback and
face of the franchise, however, and the allure of Ryan going up against Manning
has worn off now that the latter has been relegated to coaching duties on the
sidelines.

Ryan kept his focus on the team and noted how they’re still things to improve
on and stay consistent with, such as winning football games. Only a game behind
the Saints in the division standings, Atlanta can’t let one slip away this
week.

Like all teams around the league, the Falcons have been hampered with injuries
this season. It was recently learned that left offensive tackle Sam Baker will
miss three-to-four weeks with a balky back and Svitek, who filled in for Baker
at Detroit, will take over as the starter. Rookie wide receiver Julio Jones has
missed back-to-back games with a hamstring issue and tight end Tony Gonzalez
missed some practice time this week with a back issue. Both offensive weapons
are expected to be ready for Sunday’s game, however, and Falcons leading
receiver Roddy White can’t wait to see Jones get back on the field.

“We’ve missed him and his big play ability and the things he brings to the
table,” White said. “I was happy to see him out there on Monday running
routes. He even stayed after practice and we got some work in catching balls.
He’ll be ready to fly on Sunday and we’ll be ready to go.”

Sunday’s game will be just the seventh matchup between the two teams since the
Colts re-located to Indianapolis from Baltimore in 1984.

SERIES HISTORY

The Colts own a commanding 13-1 lead in their all-time series with the
Falcons, with Atlanta’s lone win in the set a 28-21 triumph at the Georgia
Dome on Dec. 6, 1998. Indianapolis has defeated the Falcons three straight
times since, following up home victories in both 2001 and 2003 with a 31-13
decision in Atlanta during the 2007 campaign. The Falcons are 0-6 all-time
against the Colts on the road, with three of those setbacks taking place in
Indianapolis.

Both Atlanta’s Mike Smith and Indianapolis’ Jim Caldwell will be opposing one
another, as well as their counterpart’s respective team, for the first time as
head coaches.

WHEN THE FALCONS HAVE THE BALL

Ryan (1,683 passing yards, 9 TD, 8 INT) had nine interceptions in 16 games a
year ago, but is one pick away from matching that mark this season. He has
thrown a touchdown pass in six straight games since not having one in a Week 1
loss at Chicago, however, though his 63.1 passer rating against Detroit was his
second-lowest of the season and worst since a 55.1 showing in a loss to Green
Bay on Oct. 9. The former Boston College college standout has been sacked 18
times already this season for a Falcons team struggling in yards per play (21st
overall), net yards passing per play (24th) and scoring average (17th). Ryan
has played well against the AFC in his career, having gone 9-3 with 18
touchdown passes to three interceptions for a 96.0 quarterback rating. The
Falcons are 17-0 when Ryan has a rating of 100 or better, and he should have a
chance to get to that mark on Sunday. Atlanta is also 25-8 under Smith in games
played indoors, and each of its last nine games will be played inside a dome.
Gonzalez (35 receptions, 4 TD) leads the team in receiving scores and is second
on the NFL’s all-time list with 1,104 receptions. White (39 receptions, 3 TD)
is hoping the return of Jones will open the offense, while running back Michael
Turner (621 rushing yards, 6 TD) will have Jason Snelling as his new fullback
after the team placed Ovie Mughelli (knee) on injured reserve during the bye.
Turner has rushed for 100-plus yards in two straight games.

The Colts have been brutal on defense this season save for the efforts of
middle linebacker and leading tackler Pat Angerer (90 tackles) and defensive
ends Dwight Freeney (12 tackles, 5 sacks) and Robert Mathis (14 tackles, 4
sacks). Angerer posted 10 tackles against the Titans and has recorded that many
on four occasions this season. Freeney is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and the
franchise’s all-time leader in sacks, but hasn’t had one since a loss to Kansas
City on Oct. 9 for the Colts, who are 31st in total defense (402.9 yards per
game), 32nd in scoring defense (31.5 points per game) and tied for 30th with 12
sacks. Indianapolis is also 31st against the run and will have a tough time
stopping Turner after Javon Ringer and Chris Johnson combined for 94 yards in
last week’s win for the Titans. Mathis said the team practices hard, but just
can’t get over the hump on Sundays. Perhaps a return home can boost the
defense’s energy and lift Indianapolis to its first win. If the Colts can find
a way to slow down the Falcons’ run game and force them to pass, they may have
a chance. In the secondary, safety Antoine Bethea (64 tackles) is a solid
contributor behind two lesser-known cornerbacks in Jacob Lacey (30 tackles) and
Jerraud Powers (35 tackles).

WHEN THE COLTS HAVE THE BALL

Painter (1,123 passing yards, 5 TD, 4 INT) has been getting extended time under
center with Manning out due to neck surgery and hasn’t done much to help fans
forget about their beloved No. 18. The former Purdue standout is averaging only
168.3 passing yards with a touchdown and four interceptions in his last three
games, but had a career-best 79 yards rushing in the loss at Tennessee. Running
back Joseph Addai (257 rushing yards, 1 TD) has been bothered by a hamstring
injury and did not play against the Titans. He has missed two of the previous
three weeks because of the problem and had just eight yards on two carries in
the blowout loss at New Orleans. Addai hasn’t rushed for more than 86 yards in
a game this season, but owns 12 rushing touchdowns in 17 career games against
the NFC. Rookie Delone Carter (305 rushing yards, 2 TD) has handled the load in
Addai’s absence and leads the Colts in rushing yards and carries (74). He was
held to 46 yards on nine carries against Tennessee, one game after ripping off
a career-best 89 yards and a touchdown on 10 touches in the loss to New
Orleans. Fellow running back Donald Brown (153 rushing yards, 2 TD) is still
relevant in Indy, and even more so now that Addai is nicked up. Indianapolis’
offensive line has been plagued by injuries this season, but rookie tackle
Anthony Castonzo returned to practice after missing several games with an ankle
injury and should play Sunday.

Atlanta must not take the Colts lightly and hope veteran defensive end John
Abraham (12 tackles, 3 sacks) can muster some pressure up front. Abraham had a
sack his last time out, ending a string of four straight games without getting
to the quarterback, and owns at least one in two of three career meetings with
Indianapolis. Linebackers Curtis Lofton (64 tackles) and Sean Weatherspoon (60
tackles, 2 sacks), who lead the Falcons in tackles, also have to be wary of
Carter or Brown even if Addai is unable to go due to injury. Safety Thomas
DeCoud (37 tackles) is tops on Atlanta with three interceptions, while
cornerback Kelvin Hayden (11 tackles, 1 INT) spent the first six years
of his career with Indianapolis and won a Super Bowl with the team. He is
enjoying a strong first season as a nickel defender with the Falcons and will
have a chance to go against some former teammates this week. The Falcons are
solid against the run this season, allowing 98.4 yards per game, and shouldn’t
have a problem slowing down the Colts’ ground attack. Atlanta is not that
impressive against the pass, however, as it is just 23rd in that category
(265.6 ypg). The Falcons have forced at least one turnover in each of the last
26 games, the longest active streak in the NFL.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Colts wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark
combined for 18 receptions last week in defeat and will be counted on to help
out the struggling Painter once again on Sunday. It’s difficult to imagine a
team losing when three different players have 60 or more receiving yards, but
the Colts found a way and hope history doesn’t repeat itself Sunday.

Winning at home for the Colts used to be as common as someone embarrassing
themselves on Facebook or Twitter. Now they are 0-3 as the host this season
after going 17-5 at Lucas Oil Stadium from 2008-2010, and it appears loss No. 4
at home is on the horizon unless they can reassert their dominance there.

Under Smith, the Falcons are 2-1 following a bye week and went 4-0 in November
last season en route to earning the NFC’s top seed. Smith must not let the time
off be a factor for his team against a hungry and winless Colts squad, as
Atlanta had been playing well before the break.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

It will be the Michael Turner show on Sunday, as the bowling ball-type running
back will rush for more than 100 yards in a game for the fifth time this
season. Turner has to be foaming at the mouth for this chance to run against a
banged-up Colts’ defense and is on pace for another 1,300-yard season. Though
Atlanta is tops in the NFL with a league-leading five turnovers inside the red
zone, it shouldn’t have to worry about adding to that total since Indianapolis
has experienced trouble moving the chains this season. The Falcons haven’t had
that problem, converting 45.7 percent of their third downs, which ranks sixth
in the NFL and third in the NFC.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Falcons 30, Colts 17

The Sports Network

by

George Henry, The Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta QB Matt Ryan (Butch Dill, Associated Press)

slideshow

FLOWERY BRANCH — Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith likes to call quarterback Matt Ryan “one tough Irishman.”

Ryan sidesteps the praise, saying he’s “just another football player.”

But the quarterback is still playing at high level despite absorbing more hits through seven games this year than he did in each September and October of his first three seasons.

Thankfully, he and the Falcons are coming off a bye week and the season’s first winning streak.

“Quarterbacks get a lot of notoriety,” Ryan said Wednesday. “People’s eyes are always on you, and they kind of see those things a little more so than other positions, but that’s par for the course in our locker room. We’ve got a lot of guys who, week in and week out, grind through a lot of different things and show up on the field. So I’m just trying to do like everybody else.”

When the Falcons (4-3) visit Indianapolis (0-8) on Sunday, Ryan hopes to stay upright for an entire game. He’s been sacked 18 times this season, a considerable departure from the steady protection he had in his first three seasons.

Ryan is getting sacked once every 15 passing attempts. From 2008-10, he was sacked once every 25.7 attempts.

In a victory two weeks ago at Detroit, the Falcons unintentionally inflicted some pain on their franchise star when left tackle Will Svitek stepped on Ryan’s right foot in the pocket. Ryan crumbled to the turf and lay writhing for a couple of minutes on his back before walking to the sideline under his own power.

He wasn’t clear if Ndamukong Suh or other Detroit defenders were making fun of his condition, as Falcons center Todd McClure said after the game, but Ryan doesn’t seem to care.

“I can only speak for what I heard, and when I was on the ground I was probably yelling some things that shouldn’t have been yelled, too, at myself,” Ryan said with a smile. “I didn’t really hear anything over the top of it, but you’ll have to ask the other guys.”

Regardless, he missed only two snaps, jogging briskly onto the field in the next possession and converting a third-and-8 with a 49-yard pass over the middle to Harry Douglas. The drive ended with a field goal that gave the Falcons a 20-9 lead in the third quarter.

Smith loves Ryan’s resolve.

“It kind of sent a message,” Smith said. “Matt’s a tough guy, a very competitive guy. It says a lot about Matt, but it’s also a positive and a great reinforcement for the rest of the guys on the team.”

Against Indianapolis, the Falcons will play their first game this season without Pro Bowl fullback Ovie Mughelli, who is on season-ending injured reserve following knee surgery. Jason Snelling, a second-string running back behind starter Michael Turner, has replaced Mughelli. Svitek will make his second straight start at left tackle as Sam Baker recovers from a back injury.

Atlanta could get a boost, however, if rookie receiver Julio Jones, the NFL’s No. 6 overall draft pick, returns after missing two games with a strained left hamstring.

The Falcons have won two straight without Jones.

“I think certainly bringing him back this week — you get a feel for what a guy can do — and his upside is unbelievable,” Ryan said. “I think he was getting better week to week and I’m sure he’ll do that when he gets back out there.”

Atlanta’s offense has yet to play an entire game without some hiccups. Red-zone efficiency and third-down percentage aren’t among the concerns as the Falcons rank fourth and sixth in each category. But they’re lagging in yards per play (21st), net yards passing per play (24th) and scoring average (17th).

Perhaps it was the long NFL lockout and the shortage of team activities during the offseason, but Ryan still isn’t pleased with how many mistakes the offense is making.

“It’s preparation and really honing in on having good attention to detail so we don’t have mental errors out on the field,” he said. “When you prepare really well, it allows you to be confident going out there on Sunday. For me personally and for our offense, that’s where our focus needs to be.”

by

George Henry
Associated Press Sports Writer

Associated Press