Archives for December 2009

‘Can Fred Jackson inch closer to the 1,000-yard rushing mark? He leads the Bills with 811 yards and needs to have a pretty solid final two weeks to achieve that goal. He’ll certainly get carries today because the Bills figure to favor the running game, and Atlanta’s defense ranks 28th overall in yards allowed.’

Falcons Q & A: Mike Peterson (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Keys to Falcons-Bills (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

‘Reed did not travel with the team to Atlanta due to an ankle injury.’

‘He did not travel with the team to Atlanta on Saturday and was subsequently downgraded to out.’

‘Dome home: Under head coach Mike Smith the Falcons have developed a true home field advantage at the Georgia Dome. After going 7-1 at home last season, the Falcons are already 5-2 this season with their only losses coming at the hands of playoff bound New Orleans and Philadelphia. Only the Colts and Vikings have more home wins (13) over the past two seasons than Atlanta (12).’

‘"But it’s totally different when you actually get the reps and you get to see the receivers run the routes live. I think before now I’ve been throwing to pretty much James (Hardy) and Justin Jenkins the whole time in practice (on the scout team). So now to get those reps with Lee and Terrell, I can finally try to get a feel for how they run their routes."’

‘"Matt has gone through Year Two like we anticipated," Smith said. "I really think it takes more than one year to learn how to play quarterback in the NFL, and I think he’s still learning. He’s still seeing things for the first time. I think people have thrown different things at him than he saw as a rookie."’

‘Fitzpatrick was limited to individual drills and his availability will be a game-time decision, coach Perry Fewell said.’

Falcons Q & A: Lawrence Sidbury (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

‘Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is questionable for Sunday’s road game against the Atlanta Falcons due to a sprained ankle.’

‘Fitzpatrick participated in individual workouts but not in practice. Interim coach Perry Fewell said he hopes Fitzpatrick might be available against the Falcons.’

‘The two things they’re going to need to look at is the quarterback position and head coach. I do feel for interim head coach Perry Fewell because he wasn’t handed much to work with to make a favorable impression. It’s unfair, but that’s just part of the job. Sometimes you’re not dealt a great hand when you start out. Unfortunately for him it’s unclear what the situation is going to be for him once the season is over, but the organization is going to be looking chiefly at head coach and quarterback to change the team’s fortunes.’

‘”I think everybody just wants an opportunity, and if I get the opportunity on Sunday to go out there – any play – I need to seize it,” Brohm said. “No matter what the circumstances. It doesn’t matter that this is my first week getting reps in this offense. None of that matters. I think I need to seize the opportunity and try to make the most of it.”‘

‘”I have a lot of friends still on the team in Buffalo,” Wire said Thursday by telephone from the Falcons’ practice facility. “It’s going to be odd seeing them lined up across from me instead of going to war with them. It’s going to be a special game for me and I’m really looking forward to it.”‘

‘The other best backups? Dennis Dixon (Steelers), Michael Vick (Eagles), Tyler Thigpen (Miami), Shaun Hill (49ers), Byron Leftwich (Bucs), and Derek Anderson (Browns). Dixon may be the most intriguing of that lot.’