Falcons’ Robinson aims for more catches

Flowery Branch — Second-year wide receiver Laurent Robinson is making a push for more playing time.

He had four catches for 45 yards, including a 23-yarder, against Tampa Bay after being slowed for much of training camp by a bruised tailbone.

Enlarge this image

Jason Getz/jgetz@ajc.com

Falcons wide receiver Laurent Robinson has four catches for 45 yards this season.

RELATED STORIES

• Does Vick deserve a second chance in NFL? 
• Falcons' Ryan nominated for ESPY 
• Ex-Falcons Tuggle prepares son for football limelight 

       • More Falcons

“I thought Laurent had by far his most productive game in terms of the preseason and our first games,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “He made four big catches and had some yards after the catch as well.”

All of Robinson’s catches came in the second half out of three and four wide receiver sets.

“He’s a guy that we’d like to get involved in our offense,” Smith said.

Robinson hoped to land the starting spot opposite of Roddy White in training camp, but his injury and Michael Jenkins’ superior downfield blocking skills kept him on the bench.

In Mike Mularkey’s scheme, the wide receivers are required to do a lot of blocking.

Robinson is getting better at the blocking and is fully recovered.

“I’m trying to do the best I can to come off of it,” Robinson said. “I feel like I’m back to 100 percent.”

First start

Back in 2005, running back Michael Turner made his first start in the NFL against the Kansas City Chiefs.

“That was a very long time ago,” Turner said. “That was my rookie year. San Diego gave me the opportunity to start the last game of the season.”

Coming from San Diego and the AFC West, Turner is used to playing the Chiefs twice a season. He has rushed 35 times for 177 yards against them.

“We expect their best,” Turner said. “They are 0-2 right now and we expect them to bring their best effort.”

Name that fullback

Fullback Ovie Mughelli is looking for fans to help him come up with a nickname for him on his blog.

Mughelli plans to pick the best suggestion and the winner will get a T-shirt.

“Some people just call me O,” Mughelli said. “I’m trying to find something better than that. Michael Turner has got ‘The Burner.’ A lot of people around here have nicknames. But fullbacks, we don’t get cool nicknames.”

Bowe a load

Falcons cornerback Chris Houston squared off with Kansas City wide receiver Dwayne Bowe in college back in their SEC days.

“I did real good against him,” Houston said. “He’s a physical receiver and a tough competitor.”

Houston played at Arkansas and Bowe at LSU. Bowe has 11 catches for 139 yards and one touchdown this season.

Donations for good cause

Falcon fans can donate their old cell phones and wireless accessories at the Verizon Wireless HopeLine Tent on Falcons Landing before the game on Sunday.

The HopeLine program distributes the items to victims of domestic violence and also supports nonprofit domestic violence advocacy groups.