Monthly Archives: October 2009

Mughelli Practices, Snelling Doesn’t

By John Manasso | Published: October 29, 2009
On Monday Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith said it was possible that Jason Snelling could get more touches after Snelling rushed for 68 yards on seven carries in Sunday’s loss to Dallas. But on Thursday, Snelling did not practice because of what Smith said was a hamstring injury. Snelling was one of three Falcons who did [...]
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Three and Out: Monday in New Orleans

By John Manasso | Published: October 26, 2009
First Down Irrespective of what the Falcons did on Sunday, the New Orleans Saints’ performance in their 46-34 victory over the Miami Dolphins is frightening. The Dolphins held a 21-point lead in the second quarter and lost. Which poses the question: Which is the more impressive victory, the Saints’ 48-27 over the New York Giants, who [...]
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Final: Disappointed in Big ‘D’

By John Manasso | Published: October 25, 2009
Stepping back after what by any measure would have to be deemed the Falcons’ worst loss of the season — 37-21 to the Dallas Cowboys — let’s take a look at the big picture. This game was certainly more important for Dallas, an extremely talented team, which was playing at home and in danger of slipping [...]
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Third Quarter: Still Down by 10

By John Manasso | Published: October 25, 2009
One game after he set a Cowboys’ franchise record with 250 receiving yards, wide receiver Miles Austin is hurting the Falcons badly. The 6-foot-3, 214-pound receiver has two touchdown receptions and the second one in the third quarter bulged Dallas’ lead back to 10 points, as it was at halftime. For the game, Austin has 144 [...]
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Halftime: Bad Trends for the Birds

By John Manasso | Published: October 25, 2009
Well, the Falcons just had their worst half of the season in terms of points allowed. Down 17-7 at halftime, they had allowed 13 points in a half three other times (twice to New England and once to Carolina.) Maybe the fact that they’re down by 10 points is not so bad considering, the following: Matt Ryan [...]
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First Quarter: Big First Drive

By John Manasso | Published: October 25, 2009
Wow, that first drive by the Falcons was a clinic. Funny how on Friday Falcons’ Offensive Coordinator Mike Mularkey was being questioned about his team’s slow starts the previous two games and had this to say: “If it stands out in people’s minds, then it means we’ve been doing pretty good with it.” True, but the Falcons [...]
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Pregame Blog: Coordinator Fridays

By John Manasso | Published: October 25, 2009
Fridays are the quietest days, media-wise, at the Falcons’ practice facility in Flowery Branch. Usually by then all of your reporting and writing are done for the week and the team’s practice is the shortest. However, the highlight is that Friday is the one day of the week when Offensive Coordinator Mike Mularkey and Defensive Coordinator [...]
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Inactives: Norwood and Mughelli Out

By John Manasso | Published: October 25, 2009
I just got the list of inactives and the headliners for the Falcons are running back Jerious Norwood (hip) and fullback Ovie Mughelli (calf). I don’t think those are hugely surprising considering that neither practiced all week and that Norwood was listed as doubtful on Friday and Mughelli was listed as questionable. This will be [...]
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Secondary Competition Takes Shape

By John Manasso | Published: October 21, 2009
In the Falcons’ first practice since starting cornerback and nickel back Brian Williams was lost for the season to a knee injury, Head Coach Mike Smith said the team was trying to develop a rotation on Wednesday. Chevis Jackson, who started all of last season, worked out at nickelback and safety Jamaal Fudge, who went through [...]
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Three And Out: What They’re Saying

By John Manasso | Published: October 21, 2009
First Down This week’s look at the various NFL power rankings shows that the Falcons appear to keep climbing after Sunday’s 21-14 win over Chicago. First up, ESPN.com, where the Falcons moved up one spot to No. 7. The comment: “Matt Ryan seems to be hitting his stride for the Falcons, a good thing while the [...]
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