Notebook: Abraham talks about Pro Bowl snub

Flowery Branch — Falcons defensive end John Abraham returned to the team after attending to a personal matter on Wednesday, but did not practice.

It was his first day back after learning that his career-best 15.5 sacks were not good enough to make the NFC Pro Bowl team.

“Everybody deserved to make it,” said Abraham, who rested his thigh and shoulder injuries. “Everybody who made it, made it. They deserved to make it. I just didn’t make it, that’s all.”

Carolina’s Julius Peppers, Minnesota’s Jared Allen and New York’s Justin Tuck were the defensive end selections.

Abraham is the first alternate. He’s not sure if he’d accept the invitation if one of the top three ends back out of the All-Star game on Feb. 8 in Hawaii.

“I really can’t say yeah or nah right now,” Abraham said. “I really couldn’t say.”

The Falcons rotate their defensive line and did not have any nationally televised games, a year after going 4-12 during last year’s chaotic season.

Abraham wasn’t sure if the lack of television exposure hurt his bid.

“I really can’t explain it,” Abraham said. “I wouldn’t lie to you. I was hoping to make it, but I didn’t so that’s all I can do. There wasn’t much I could do, but play football and that’s what I did.”

Abraham’s teammates felt that he should have been selected.

“In my eyes, he’s a Pro Bowler, even though he didn’t make it,” defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux said. “I told John congratulations anyway because he’s one of the better ends in this league. Better than some of those guys that are going right now.”

Houston steps up

Cornerback Chris Houston had a rough first half last week against Tampa Bay defending wide receivers Antonio Bryant and Mark Clayton and giving up a touchdown.

“On the touchdown, that was all me,” Houston said.

He had a chance for redemption, but dropped an interception.

“I’m there this year,” Houston said. “Last year, I wasn’t as close. I’m getting better and I’m going to get those.”

Williams replacement

With Pro Bowl defensive tackle Pat Williams out with a shoulder injury, Fred Evans will get the start on Sunday for Minnesota.

“Jimmy Kennedy will get in there as well as Letroy Guion,” Vikings coach Brad Childress said.

Smith doesn’t think the Vikings will miss Williams.

“They’ve got some very good backups that play,” Smith said.

Replay on NFL Network

The 1998 NFC Championship game between the Falcons and the Vikings will be shown at 9 p.m. tonight on NFL Network as part of its Classic Games feature.

Morten Andersen kicked a 38-yard field goal to give Atlanta a stunning 30-27 victory over one of the highest scoring offenses in NFL history and sent the Falcons to their first and only Super Bowl trip.