Abraham tells defensive line to "Man up"

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons defensive line took notice that three veterans were brought in for workouts on Tuesday.

"If you want to be here, you've got to do the work to be here," defensive tackle Trey Lewis said Wednesday before practice.  "It's a business and if you are not producing, they will try to bring someone else in and they will."

Over the last two games, the defensive line has not recorded a sack and has given up 5.1 yards per carry.

Veteran defensive linemen Paul Spicer, Orpheus Roye and Antwan Lake, a former Falcon, worked out for the team. None were signed to contracts, according to Andrew Simms, Lake's agent.

"Right now, I don't think it's a matter of production as it is doing our job and doing what the coaches what us to do," Lewis said.

"I think me, T.J. (Thomas Johnson) and Babs (Jonathan Babineaux), we are all going to get the job done so that it won't be a problem any more."

Defensive end John Abraham, the leader of the defensive line, has a simple message for his teammates.

"We've got to man up," Abraham said. "It has nothing to do with how good they were or how bad we were. We have to strap up and play football."

Jerry update

Falcons coach Mike Smith said that Peria Jerry's surgery did not require a knee reconstruction and that the team was expecting a full recovery.

Injury report

Fullback Ovie Mughelli (hamstring) and kicker Jason Elam (hamstring) were limited in practice. Safety Antoine Harris (knee) did not practice.