DE Anderson in battle for starting job

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Flowery Branch — Falcons coach Mike Smith acknowledged that Jamaal Anderson, the eighth player taken in the 2007 draft, is in a fight for his starting position.

Defensive end Chauncey Davis, who re-signed with the team during free agency, is Anderson’s chief competitor.

“That’s accurate to say,” Smith said Monday when asked if Davis was fighting for Anderson’s spot. “We made a commitment to Chauncey in the offseason. We think that you’ve got to have rotational players. You’ve got to have guys that are cross-trained.”

Davis signed a four-year, $14 million contract. Anderson has started 31 games, but only has two sacks. He played some at tackle last season in passing situations.

Davis will also get cross-trained to play some tackle.

“Similarly to what we did with Jamaal last season, when we had him rushing in our [nickel] package inside,” Smith said. “We’d like to expand Chauncey’s role as well and continue to have competition as well. The defensive line is probably the one area that has more rotations.”

Peterson to middle

With Curtis Lofton out with a hamstring injury, Mike Peterson took some reps at middle linebacker in the morning session.

“With Curtis’ situation, I played a little bit inside, but whatever the coaches ask me to do, I’m ready to do,” Peterson said.

Peterson played middle linebacker for the Jaguars the last few seasons, but is slated to play weak side for the Falcons.

Injury corner

Safety Antoine Harris (groin surgery) will have his rehabilitation stepped up.

In addition to Lofton and defensive back Tony Tiller (left ankle), the Falcons are going to limit the action for defensive back Von Hutchins (fractured foot last season) and some veterans including Tony Gonzalez, Todd McClure, Brian Finneran and Peterson.

“They’ll take some days off and some periods off because they are in our over-30 club,” Smith said.

Padded up

The Falcons went through their first practice in full pads during Monday’s morning session.

“These padded practices are long,” Smith said. “There is a lot of hitting going on, and I thought our guys handled it well.”