Falcons special teams aggressive despite penalties

Flowery Branch — Despite a rash of penalties on specials teams, the Falcons want to maintain their aggressiveness.

“We can’t worry about penalties and start playing timid because we’re scared of getting penalties,” said safety Thomas DeCoud, who was called for blocking in the back against Tampa Bay.

The repeated penalties cost the Falcons’ offense valuable field position throughout the game.

“We’re going to come after you,” Falcons special-teams coordinator Keith Armstrong said. “You can stay aggressive, stay physical and still play smart.”

In the second quarter, running back Jason Snelling was called for an illegal block on a kickoff return. Jerious Norwood had returned the ball to the 40-yard line, but because the 10-yard penalty happened at the 21, the Falcons drive started at the 11.

In the third quarter, on a Falcon punt-return cornerback Brent Grimes was called for holding. Instead of starting at their 19, they were backed up to the nine.

Later in the third quarter, DeCoud was called for his penalty on a punt return. Instead of starting on the 26, the Falcons started on the 16.

“On special teams I think that we out played our opponent, except for the fact that we had four penalties,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “If you have a 25-yard return, those things are spot fouls, and they can turn into 40, 45 net yards.”

DeCoud got an earful from the coaches after his penalty.

“The one thing he said to me after that play was that we can’t afford to have plays like that on special teams that disrupt our field position,” DeCoud said. “That’s the main thing that the special-teams coaches stress, that we play penalty-free football. We just have to take heed to that.”

The Falcons stressed cleaning up those miscues Sunday against Kansas City.

“Basically the penalties are directly related to details,” Armstrong said. “We need to pay more attention to detail.”

Williams returns

Former Falcons linebacker Demorrio Williams will make a return to the Georgia Dome as a reserve with the Chiefs.

“He hurt his hand,” Kansas City coach Herman Edwards said. “He’s playing some at linebacker and a lot of special teams. We like him. He’s an energetic guy. He’s got a lot of speed.”

Thomas to be honored

Assistant head coach Emmitt Thomas will be honored in a pregame ceremony to commemorate his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

Thomas played his entire career with the Chiefs.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank and Chiefs chairman of the board Clark Hunt will present Thomas a gift while highlights from his career play on the scoreboard.

Injury updates

• Linebacker Michael Boley was listed on the injury report with a neck injury.

“It was just a little stiff,” Boley said. “It’s a lot better than it was earlier in the week.”

• Right tackle Tyson Clabo (elbow) was added to the injury report and was limited in practice.