Redman set to takeover the reins from Ryan

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH -- Falcons coach Mike Smith and quarterback Chris Redman have known each other for a while.

They worked closely together in Baltimore when Redman was a backup and had to run the scout team against Smith's linebacker units.

"I've known Chris, very, very well," Smith said. "Chris has a lot of confidence in his ability."

Now Smith, with the teams' playoff hopes in the balance, will send Redman out to win a game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Georgia Dome.

Redman, who will start because Matt Ryan is out with a turf-toe injury, acknowledges he needs to shake off some rust, but at least he'll get to the work with the first team this week.

Redman filled in for Ryan on Sunday against Tampa Bay on short notice and with only about 15 plays of practice with the first team.

He's set to make his first start since the end of the 2007 season and his 11th NFL start overall.

Against Tampa Bay, Redman completed 21 of 43 passes for 234 yards and two touchdown passes, including a game-winning 5-yard touchdown pass to Roddy White with 23 seconds to play.

Redman was praised by the staff and players for bailing out the team and keeping it from sinking to a sub-.500 record.

"I'm pretty hard on myself," Redman said. "I just watched the film, and I left a lot out there. It obviously was a great win and everybody stepped up and did a great job, but I felt that I left a lot of things out there on the field."

So when Ryan made his way off the field in pain, Redman sprinted to the huddle the next time the Falcons had the ball.

"It was good to get back out there and get back into the game and get a feel for it," Redman said. "I think we can improve off of that game. We are going to have to keep moving forward."

Other than working with the first team, Redman doesn't plan to change his routine much.

"I'm just going to go in and prepare myself like I always prepare and be ready to go," Redman said.

The timing is almost perfect for Redman, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He can show the Falcons he's worthy of being their long-term backup or show his wares to another franchise.

"I'm definitely not worried about that at this time," Redman said. "We are just taking one thing at a time. Right now it's the Philadelphia Eagles."

Redman would like to return to the Falcons.

"We'll take one step at a time," Redman said. "I love Atlanta. ... I'm just going to take it one step at a time and just concentrate on the task at hand right now."

But don't expect Redman to have the shakes at kickoff time or be worried about Michael Vick's presence on the Eagles' sidelines.

"We are just going to treat it like it's another big game," Redman said. "I'm not going to get caught up in anything but the Philadelphia defense. We are going to stay really focused.

"I think that’s the key for this week. If we can do that and not get caught up in all of the other things, that's going to help us be more prepared."