AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 09
Monday, October 9, 2006
Going back to work
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons resumed practice Monday after not working since last Wednesday, courtesy of the bye-weekend and a generous coaching staff.
Players were spry and seemed eager to get after the next stretch of potentially brutal games against the Giants, Steelers and Bengals.
Defensive end John Abraham (groin) looks good to start against the Giants, and middle linebacker Ed Hartwell (knee operations) said he’s ready to play. (How the Falcons infuse Hartwell into the lineup will be something to watch for this week; the linebacking corps has played so well without him.) Guard Kynan Forney (shoulder) will be monitored as the week progresses.
I spoke with tight end Alge Crumpler today because there seems to be some sentiment brewing that he’s not playing overly Crumpler-like so far. He’s had a few drops, which are uncustomary.
Crumpler, who played in his third straight Pro Bowl last February, said he doesn’t think there is anything wrong and that he has plenty of more games to atone for some of his shortcomings. Coach Jim Mora said because Crumpler is typically so reliable, any drops or missed block will appear far more glaring.
Crumpler did acknowledge that he might just be rounding into form somewhat after being unable to fully work on football-related drills this offseason. The five-year veteran had shoulder and knee operations shortly after last season ended. Though neither injury is causing him problems, he spent far more time rehabilitating from the operations than he did catching passes.
With a team-high 11 catches, Crumpler has just two fewer receptions than he did after four games last season. He has a touchdown catch, just as he did after four games in 2005. Crumpler has had 27 passes thrown his way, which re-confirms he is the team’s top target. Mora said Crumpler could become more of a target with the Falcons’ red-zone woes.
