Indianapolis —- A twinkle flickers in Falcons coach Mike Smith's eyes when he talks about the middle of a defense.

As Jacksonville's defensive coordinator, he had tackles Marcus Stroud and John Henderson anchoring his defense. When those behemoths needed a break, Smith sent in former Falcon Grady Jackson for part of last season and in the playoffs.

With the No. 3 pick in the NFL's 2008 draft, the Falcons might have a chance to fortify the middle of their defense. LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey could be available. The Falcons must examine extensive medical reports on the lineman, who spent most of Saturday in an Indianapolis hospital getting a head-to-toe physical.

Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian has a long history of picking top talent. Polian scouted Dorsey when the Tigers played Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl following the 2006 season.

"He was a force," Polian said. "He can do it all. He can stop the run. He can rush the passer. He can beat you one-on-one."

While part of the defensive tackle's job is to occupy blockers, Dorsey has shown that he's more than just a space-eater. Despite playing with an assortment of injuries his senior year, he won the Outland Trophy award, which is given to college football's best lineman.

"I'm not sure that many people can win a battle one-on-one against him in pass protection," Polian said. "To have a player that's inside like that, that is a force, that's good, a real positive."

Miami has the first pick in the draft, followed by St. Louis. Either could snap up Dorsey before the Falcons get a chance on April 26 in New York.

"He's an impact guy; he's an every-down guy, first, second and third," said Billy Devaney, the Rams' vice president of player personnel, after leaving his assistant general manager's position with the Falcons this year. "He elevates people around him, makes them better. ... The guy's going to be a great pro."

A possible draft scenario could see Miami picking quarterback Matt Ryan at No. 1 and St. Louis taking defensive end Chris Long at No. 2. That would set up Dorsey for Atlanta at No. 3.

"I'd love to go to the Falcons," Dorsey said. "I'd love to be a Bird."

Dorsey did not work out at the NFL scouting combine. He measured 6 feet 1 1/4 and weighed 297 pounds. His assortment of injuries at LSU, however, including a stress fracture of the right tibia, sent off a medical alert.

Dorsey was at the hospital from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday getting tests.

"MRIs, CAT scans, everything," Dorsey said. "[There were] things from high school that they wanted to check out. It was quite interesting."

Dorsey, who plans to work out for the scouts on LSU's pro day March 26, noted that he played in all games last season with the injury.

"I know I had a hairline fracture my junior year on my right tibia," Dorsey said. "I'm not sure how the test came out."

He remembers how the injury happened.

"I bumped it up against something in the weight room," Dorsey said.

On the field, a lot of teams have tried to go at Dorsey's knees with chop blocks. One, against Auburn last season, resulted in an injured right knee.

"I've seen quite a few," Dorsey said. "Most of the time you are able to slide your foot with it. But a couple of times, I just got caught in it at the wrong time."

Dorsey seemed to take the extra medical scrutiny in stride.

"I'm not surprised by it at all; there's a lot of money they put in," Dorsey said. "Even if you were not hurt, you are going to be sore after all these examinations."

FALCONS' KEY DATES

> Through today: NFL scouting combine

> Friday: Free agency period begins

> NFL draft: April 26-27