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Monday, June 19, 2006
Hartwell getting back to action
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Middle linebacker Ed Hartwell, the Falcons’ big-money free agent acquisition in 2005, went through full (non-contact) workouts last week for the first time since tearing his Achilles’ tendon last season.
Though he is not completely recovered, he moved and reacted fluidly and seemingly at full speed. The inactivity also had him a little frisky as he mixed it up with some offensive players whom he wanted to get re-acquainted with.
Hartwell had gone through some skeleton drills with fellow starting linebackers Keith Brooking and Michael Boley but he hadn’t participated in 11-on-11 workouts, where he had to step over fallen bodies, navigate around blocks, make calls and set his defense.
It hardly looked like he missed a step.
Now, the pads weren’t on, so you can only judge things to a point. However, I get the feeling that when the Falcons get fully suited July 28, Hartwell is going to be just fine. He may have some rust, but with him back, the run defense that was so poor should be much improved.
When he got hurt and the linebackers had to be re-shuffled, there plenty of blown assignments that led to some big gains. Now that Boley has more experience, Brooking is back where he feels most comfortable and Hartwell is back in the mix, concerns about the linebackers should be eased.
