DEL.ICIO.USAbraham returns to Falcons practice
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, August 18, 2008
Flowery Branch — Falcons defensive end John Abraham, who injured his right ankle in the preseason opener at Jacksonville, returned to practice on Monday.
“It was nice to see John comeback and go through practice,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “I think he’s still a little tweaked, but I think he’s getting closer to getting ready.”
Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Defensive end John Abraham (foreground) has been sidelined with an ankly injury since the preseason opener in Jacksonville. He returned to practice Monday.
The Falcons would like to see their first-team defense in the exhibition game against Tennessee. It’s the third preseason game, where coaches like to give their starters extended playing time and let them go into the third quarter.
In addition to getting Abraham back, the Falcons would like to have cornerback Chris Houston (shoulder) and linebacker Michael Boley (back) ready for Tennessee.
Houston practiced last week, but didn’t play on Saturday against Indianapolis.
Boley didn’t practice on Monday after getting kicked in the back against the Colts.
“Those things are very painful,” Smith said. “When I talked to Mike when it happened, he said, ‘Oh, Smitty, it’s just a flesh wound.’ We’re feeling pretty good that he’s going to get back and be with us.”
Also, rookie cornerback Chevis Jackson, who started for Houston, did not practice on Monday. He got injured on a special teams play.
“Chevis got his bell rung in the game so we were holding him out for precautionary reasons,” Smith said.
Jackson on Wayne
During Saturday’s preseason game, Indianapolis wide receiver Reggie Wayne got behind Jackson for a 30-yard gain. But Jackson hustled back in to the play to make the tackle.
“It was man [coverage] and they ran a little rub route,” Jackson said. “I got picked at the line of scrimmage. That’s going to happen against a good receiver like Reggie Wayne. I just had to go make the tackle and live to play another down.”
Baker’s dozen
Rookie left tackle Sam Baker had another solid outing. He played the entire first half and one series in the second half.
“When you don’t call his name too often, that’s really great for a left tackle,” Smith said.
Film review
Smith contended that the Falcons’ 16-9 loss looked a little better after reviewing the film.
“Watching it in person sometimes can be a little bit deceiving,” Smith said. “There were a number of guys I thought played well and did some nice things.”
He cited cornerback Brent Grimes’ touchdown-saving pass deflection.
“The other thing that I thought was very impressive was the work of our coverage teams,” Smith said. “They were really running down the field, breaking up wedges and making some plays.”
Smith thought punter Michael Koenen had a good day. He averaged 47.5 yards on four punts.
“He punted the ball into the corners and on the sidelines where they couldn’t get any returns,” Smith said.
Wide receiver Laurent Robinson, who was coming off a bruised tailbone injury, also got back into the mix. He had a nice third down catch.
Middle linebacker Tony Taylor, who’s in a battle with second round pick Curtis Lofton for the starting spot, played stronger against the run.
“I thought he was coming downhill and I think that was an improvement from game one,” Smith said.
Sullivan update
Dick Sullivan, the Falcons former executive vice president of marketing, was named president and chief executive officer of Golf & Tennis Pro Shop Inc., which operates the PGA Tour Superstores.
Falcons owner Arthur M. Blank has made a significant financial and resource investment in the company.
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