Rested Falcons turn attention to Eagles

Flowery Branch — The Falcons spent Monday wrapping up their bye week internal examination. They shift their focus to the Philadelphia Eagles when they return to practice on Wednesday.

“They’re a very good football team,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “They’ve got a number of weapons on the offensive side of the ball, starting with their quarterback [Donovan McNabb]. They’ve got one of the most dynamic running backs [Brian Westbrook] that can do all kinds of things.”

The Eagles (3-3) also are coming off their bye week and are expected to have Westbrook, former Georgia receiver Reggie Brown (hamstring) and wide receiver Kevin Curtis (sports hernia) back this week. All three haven’t played in the same game this season.

Westbrook, who missed two games, will be the focal point for the Falcons’ defense. He is expected back from broken ribs and a strained ankle.

“They are a very different team when he’s in the games,” Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking said. “He’s a game changer.”

In Westbrook’s absence, Eagles rookie receiver DeSean Jackson is blossoming. He leads the team in receptions and receiving yards.

McNabb also looks healthy.

“McNabb is back,” Brooking said. “He’s healthy and is making great decisions.”

Offensively, the Falcons must prepare for the Eagles’ complex blitz packages. Defensive coordinator Jimmy Johnson will take his shots at confusing rookie quarterback Matt Ryan.

The Eagles blitz from just about any position as all three linebackers and both safeties have at least one sack.

“Defensively what they do schematically is pretty dynamic,” Smith said. “They have a lot of exotic blitzes, so it’ll be a challenge for our offense to get prepared for that.”

Injury update

The bye week has allowed receiver Laurent Robinson and reserve defensive tackle Jason Jefferson to return to health. Robinson has missed three games since injuring his knee against Kansas City. Jefferson has been out with a high ankle sprain since the Carolina game.

Both returned to practice last week.

“They’ve been progressing well,” Smith said. “They practiced all last week. We’re anticipating getting those guys back out there.”

Robinson could have some work to do to get his job back. Rookie Harry Douglas came into his own in the slot receiver position against Chicago, catching five passes for 96 yards. He also made a key play on the kickoff return which set up the winning field goal, when he got down quickly to save enough time for Ryan to complete one sideline route to Michael Jenkins.

Douglas has 11 catches for 148 yards on the season. Robinson has five catches for 52 yards.

Grimes reunion

Ryan isn’t the only player from Philadelphia returning home this weekend.

Cornerback Brent Grimes played at Northeast High in Philadelphia before playing at Shippensburg University.

Grimes suffered a bruised knee against the Bears, but is confident he’ll return Sunday against the Eagles. He missed only a handful of plays after banging his knee into the turf and was replaced by Domonique Foxworth.

“I just dove and landed on my knee,” Grimes said. “It’ll be OK. I’ll be practicing.”

Grimes did some running and light workouts with trainers during practice on Monday morning.