Falcons not game planning for Vick

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcons are not spending any extra time preparing for Philadelphia's third-string quarterback, Michael Vick.

"I really haven't seen a whole lot snaps," Falcons coach Mike Smith said Wednesday. "He's getting a few snaps each game."

The Falcons did spend time in the summer getting ready for Miami's "wildcat" attack. They've seen it from Carolina this season, too. The Falcons prepare for the scheme each week because so many teams are using the formation.

Vick, a former Falcon, has been used sparingly by the Eagles.

He has 15 rushes for 65 yards (4.3) per carry and has completed 3 of 9 passes for 6 yards.

Perhaps because Vick plays so little, the Falcons are not riled up about facing him.

"I haven't been thinking about it," Tony Gonzalez said. "It doesn't matter to me. He's coming back, and I'm sure there are going to be some people who welcome it and some who are not. That's not my deal. I'm going out there and play football."

No regrets for Turner

Running back Michael Turner, who didn't practice Wednesday, doesn't regret coming back and trying to play on a high right ankle sprain against Tampa Bay.

"I'll do it every time," Turner said Wednesday. "The team needs me out there. We need everybody out there. If I can go and give some type of effort, I'll suit up and go each time. I don't have any regrets about that."

Turner re-injured the ankle and is "day-to-day" for Sunday's game against the Eagles. He doesn't think he came back too soon, just 14 days after the initial injury.

"It was just the way that I got tackled," Turner said. "I guess the guy fell on my ankle. It was a big pile up, and I got bent back a little bit and I was out for the rest of the game."

New guys

The Falcons didn't waste any time in lining up their replacements for Jason Elam and Bryan Pittman. The team called kicker Matt Bryant and long snapper Joe Zelenka on Sunday evening, shortly after a 20-17 victory over Tampa Bay.

"It was very difficult decision," Smith said. "Jason is a very good man. It was strictly a football decision. We felt like we needed to go in a different direction."

Zelenka played for Jacksonville when Smith was the defensive coordinator for the Jaguars.

"He's been a very solid long snapper for a while," Smith said.  "He's one of the most tenured snappers in the league."

Etc.

*Philadelphia running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) and wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee) were ruled out of Sunday's game. In last season's 27-14 Philadelphia victory over the Falcons, Westbrook rushed for 167 yards and caught six passes for 42 yards.

*Bryant is wearing number 3. Zelenka is wearing number 82. Practice-squad quarterback D.J. Shockley is wearing number 1.