FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Atlanta Falcons spent Thursday afternoon trying to compensate for a growing list of injured starters.

With defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux and centre Todd McClure sidelined, the Falcons (0-1) won’t be at full strength Sunday night when the Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) visit the Georgia Dome.

The good news for Atlanta, however, is that fullback Ovie Mughelli and defensive tackle Corey Peters haven’t missed practice this week and seem nearly recovered from knee injuries.

Mughelli, a Pro Bowl selection last year who helped the Falcons win the NFC South with a 13-3 record, left last week’s season-opening loss at Chicago with a knee injury and did not return.

Peters, a 15-game starter as a rookie in 2010, did not dress because of a knee injury suffered in preseason. His return helps offset the absence of Babineaux, a full-time starter over the last six years who has 18 career sacks, seven forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and 12 passes defended.

Babineaux is expected to miss three to five weeks after hurting his knee against the Bears and replacing him won’t be easy. He is Atlanta’s only true three-technique tackle and the interior heart of its 4-3 scheme, but Peters says he and Peria Jerry, a first-round draft pick in 2009, are ready to fill in.

“Babs has proven time and time again that he makes a lot of plays from his position, and that’s what we want to happen,” Peters said Thursday. “Now, it’ll be however it falls into place. We’re going to mix and match and rely on our rotation to carry the load.”

The defence could face a long night if it lacks consistent pressure. Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is hard enough to defend as a runner, but if he is afforded enough time as a passer, the former Atlanta star can pick apart the Falcons’ secondary as receivers extend their routes.

Philadelphia had seven plays of 20 yards or longer in last week’s 31-13 win over St. Louis behind Vick, whose 98.7 passer rating since 2009 ranks fifth in the NFL.

“He rushed for almost 100 yards (against the Rams), so what you have to do is be very disciplined because he can throw the ball,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “He has a very strong arm. He can make the throws, and if the throws aren’t there and you aren’t disciplined with your pass rush, then he’s going to be able to hurt you with his feet. It’s a big challenge for our defence because he can throw the ball and run the ball and he can hurt you doing both of them.”

Just as the Falcons’ defensive line will miss Babineaux, McClure, a starter since 1999, is as indispensable to the offensive line. But Smith was pleased with the debut last week of second-year centre Joe Hawley.

Though Atlanta allowed five sacks and six additional hits on quarterback Matt Ryan, Smith believed Hawley did a good job despite a false start penalty in the third quarter.

“I thought of all of the guys, after watching the tape, he probably had the most solid game of all the linemen,” Smith said. “That was encouraging the way that he played.”

Hawley and his linemates face a tough challenge against an Eagles defensive scheme redesigned by co-ordinator Juan Castillo and enhanced by new line coach Jim Washburn’s use of a wide front.

Philadelphia added Pro Bowl left end Jason Babin and tackle Cullen Jenkins in free agency to pair with Pro Bowl right end Trent Cole and longtime starting tackle Mike Patterson.

The Falcons know they must block linebackers Jamar Cheney, Moise Fokou and rookie Casey Matthews if running back Michael Turner is to have continued success reaching the second and third levels of the defence.

“They’re pretty much daring you to run inside,” Mughelli said. “They feel like they can stop you on the inside. We feel like we can run the ball inside. It’s going to be decided on Sunday.”

By Dan Durkin-

A weekly glimpse at the Bears’ upcoming opponent, first stop: Atlanta. 

(CBS) The 2011 season kicks off in grand fashion for the Chicago Bears, as they welcome the defending NFC South Champion Atlanta Falcons to Soldier Field. There’s a lot of buzz and expectations surrounding the Falcons and rightly so, this is a very talented team on both sides of the ball that will be a huge test for the Bears.  Let’s take a look at the Falcons’ schemes, strengths, weaknesses, and key match-ups in what should be one of the most entertaining games of Week 1. 

“All in” is a phrase most Chicago sports fans are familiar with, and judging by the off-season moves made by general manager Thomas Dimitroff, it applies perfectly to the 2011 Atlanta Falcons.  Dimitroff definitely showed his cards on day one of the draft, giving up a staggering five draft picks — first, second and fourth round picks in 2011, and first and fourth picks in 2012 –  to move up to select Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones.

At first glance this looked like a move for the future, giving quarterback Matt Ryan another toy to work with, but in reality it was an admission by Dimitroff that the Falcons opportunity to win is now. I admire calculated risk taking, but I think in the end Dimitroff would’ve been better served by keeping the picks and filling other holes on the roster.

The acquisition of Jones should have a cascading effect on the Falcons’ offense. It should decrease the amount of double coverage star wide receiver Roddy White sees, relegate tight end Tony Gonzalez to the third option in the passing game, limit the number of eight-man fronts employed to stop bowling ball running back Michael Turner, and should transform Ryan from caretaker to risk-taker. For a team that piled up 13 wins and scored 25 points a game in 2010, the Falcons were near the bottom of the NFL in 20+ yard passing plays, so offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey should be able to add some explosiveness to the Atlanta offensive attack.

Like any offense, overall function and success is predicated on effective offensive line play, which is an area of concern for the Falcons. Heading into free agency the Falcons stood to lose three starting lineman, but in the end only right guard Harvey Dahl left for the St. Louis Rams. Despite the continuity, the line is vulnerable, especially on the blind side where left tackle Sam Baker is nothing more than an adequate starter. Center Todd McClure will miss the beginning of the season with a neck injury, so the Falcons depth will be put to test very early in the season.

Defensively, the Falcons are anchored by rush specialist John Abraham, who led all NFC defensive ends in 2010 with 13 sacks. Abraham will be paired with free agent acquisition Ray Edwards, forming a very formidable pair of edge rushers.  In the middle, the Falcons are stout with defensive tackles Justin Babineaux, Corey Peters, and Peria Jerry.  The Falcons should get a strong push with their front four, and defensive-minded head coach Mike Smith has installed several zone-blitz packages from base fronts, typically using outside linebackers as blitzers.

Aaron Rodgers completely shredded the Falcons secondary in the 2010 playoffs to the tune of 366 yards, three passing touchdowns, and a mere five incompletions.  2010 big ticket free agent cornerback Dunta Robinson hasn’t lived up to the $57M contract he inked, but his presence alone last year forced teams to look at the other side of the field at Brett Grimes, who definitely met the challenge with five interceptions and 23 passes defended. Strong safety William Moore is a thumper but offers little in coverage, and free safety Thomas DeCoud isn’t the ideal ball hawk you want patrolling the deep secondary.  Recent signings of Kelvin Hayden and James Sanders illustrate the fact that the secondary is still an area of major concern for the Falcons. If the Falcons can’t generate a pass rush, their secondary will be the Achilles heel all season.

The Falcons almost certainly won’t replicate their 13 win total from last year, but they will be a major player in the NFC.  If Julio Jones has the impact he’s capable of and Ray Edwards is the complimentary edge rusher they envision, the Falcons will be dangerous.  Look for the Falcons to end up around 10-6, give or take a win, and be a factor in the NFC playoffs.

What to watch when the Bears have the ball:

Bears Offensive Tackles vs. Falcons Defensive Ends.  Tackles J’Marcus Webb and Gabe Carimi will be tested early and often by Abraham and Edwards.  Look for Webb to get a fair amount of help early in the game from tight ends and chips from running backs.

What to watch when the Falcons have the ball:

Julio Jones vs. Tim Jennings. It will be interesting to see if the Bears choose to match Charles Tillman up with Roddy White in man coverage, leaving Tim Jennings to cover Julio Jones.  Either way, look for Matt Ryan to target Tim Jennings all game long, just like the Packers did in the NFC Championship game.

Julius Peppers vs. Sam Baker. Sam Baker simply cannot block Peppers 1-on-1, so the Falcons will be forced to keep a tight end in or chip with running backs. Look for the Bears to allow Peppers to flip from the left to right side to get the best match-up.

My NFL picks will be out Friday, but if you’d like to pick against me each week, check out the Pro Football Challenge. You can sign up here.

Dan Durkin

Dan Durkin joined The Score’s columnist community after finishing runner-up in the 2011 Pepsi Max Score Search. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois where he was a member of the men’s football team (despite his best efforts to join the women’s team). Dan is a longtime Scorehead, known as Dan in Wicker Park – even though he no longer resides in Wicker Park – who will be sharing NFL analysis and opinions. You can follow Dan on Twitter @djdurkin. To read more of Dan’s blogs click here.

Read More: Joe Zelenka (LS – ATL), Ken Parrish (P – ATL), Matt Bosher (K – ATL), Thor Merrow (FB – ATL), Andrew Schulze (LS – ATL), A.J. Simmons (TE – ATL), Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons announced the waiving of four players Wednesday: fullback Thor Merrow, punter Ken Parrish, tight end A.J. Simmons and long snapper Andrew Schulze. All except Parrish were undrafted free agents — Simmons was brought on earlier this month after the team released Robbie Agnone.

The biggest story here: Atlanta’s kicking units are now set, with Matt Bosher outlasting his competition for punting duties and Joe Zelenka returning as long snapper. Fellow undrafted fullback Lucas Cox remains on the depth chart behind Ovie Mughelli, as do young tight ends Michael Palmer, Marquez Branson and Ryan Winterswyk behind Tony Gonzalez and Reggie Kelly.

The Falcons have until August 30 to get down to 80 players. They’re currently at 83, according to the team’s official site.

For complete Falcons coverage, please visit The Falcoholic.

Read More: John Abraham (DE – ATL), Jamaal Anderson (DE – ATL), Jonathan Babineaux (DT – ATL), Justin Blalock (G – ATL), Tyson Clabo (OT – ATL), Chauncey Davis (DE – ATL), Brian Finneran (WR – ATL), Brent Grimes (CB – ATL), Michael Jenkins (WR – ATL), Michael Koenen (P – TAM), Trey Lewis (DT – ATL), Todd McClure (C – ATL), Stephen Nicholas (LB – ATL), Jerious Norwood (RB – ATL), Chris Redman (QB – ATL), Jason Snelling (RB – ATL), Eric Weems (WR – ATL), Roddy White (WR – ATL), Matt Bryant (K – ATL), Matt Murphy (OT – DEN), Coy Wire (LB – ATL), Harvey Dahl (G – ATL), Tony Gonzalez (TE – ATL), Will Svitek (OT – ATL), Brian Williams (CB – ATL), Joe Zelenka (LS – ATL), Justin Peelle (TE – ATL), Dunta Robinson (CB – ATL), Michael Turner (RB – ATL), Kirk Belgrave (DB – Kent St.), Ryan McMahon (C – Florida St.), Doug Beaumont (WR – Louisville), Thor Merrow (DL – West Virginia), Andrew Schulze (LS – Iowa), D.J. Davis (WR – Oregon), Suaesi Tuimaunei (S – Oregon St.), Kiante Tripp (DE – Georgia), LaMarcus Thompson (LB – Tennessee), Darrin Walls (CB – Notre Dame), Rob McGill (OL – Louisiana Tech), Ryan Winterswyk (DE – Boise St.), Youri Yenga (LB – SMU), Philip Sylvester (RB – Florida A&M), Lucas Cox (RB – Georgia Tech), Matt Hansen (LB – Rhode Island), Sam Baker (OT – ATL), Kroy Biermann (DE – ATL), Thomas DeCoud (S – ATL), Harry Douglas (WR – ATL), Robert James (LB – ATL), Curtis Lofton (LB – ATL), Matt Ryan (QB – ATL), Spencer Adkins (LB – ATL), Peria Jerry (DT – ATL), William Moore (S – ATL), Christopher Owens (CB – ATL), Garrett Reynolds (OT – ATL), Lawrence Sidbury (DE – ATL), Vance Walker (DT – ATL), Gartrell Johnson (RB – ATL), Ken Parrish (P – ATL), Adam Froman (QB – Louisville), Andy Strickland (WR – ATL), Marquez Branson (TE – ATL), Antone Smith (RB – ATL), Jacob Harfman (K – Southern Cal), Robbie Agnone (TE – ATL), Jose Valdez (G – ATL), John Parker Wilson (QB – ATL), Rob Bruggeman (OL – ATL), Paul Fenaroli (OL – Stony Brook), Tom McCarthy (DL – Yale), Sean Weatherspoon (LB – ATL), Joe Hawley (OL – ATL), Kerry Meier (WR – ATL), Corey Peters (DT – ATL), Mike Johnson (G – ATL), Dominique Franks (CB – ATL), Shann Schillinger (S – ATL), Tim Buckley (WR – ATL), Rafael Bush (S – ATL), Brandyn Harvey (WR – ATL), Michael Palmer (TE – ATL), Emmanuel Stephens (DE – ATL), Bear Woods (LB – ATL), Rafael Priest (S – ATL), Andrew Jackson (G – ATL), Matt Bosher (K – ATL), Jacquizz Rodgers (RB – ATL), Cliff Matthews (DE – ATL), Julio Jones (WR – ATL), Akeem Dent (LB – ATL), Atlanta Falcons

Yes, our spreadsheet game is tight, and this is the fourth one we’re in the process of keeping up with so far this Atlanta Falcons offseason. But this one is the most important. Here we have all 90-something players who will be a part of the team as training camp begins, along with those who’ve already left us — peace to Jerious Norwood, Brian Finneran and Brian Williams.

All six drafted rookies have been signed by the team, along with 23 undrafted free agents. Most free agents won’t be able to practice with the team until early next week even if they do sign Friday due to collective bargaini-zzzzzzzzzzzz…. The two restricted free agents, Brent Grimes and Eric Weems, are good to practice, as far as I understand, though I don’t understand very far.

We’ll update this throughout camp and preseason as the roster gets whittled down to its final form:

Visit SB Nation’s 2011 NFL free agency hub for the latest news on all 32 teams. Head to The Falcoholic to discuss more Atlanta Falcons news and opinion.

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