Falcons excited about Thomas Brown

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons running back Thomas Brown, a former Georgia standout, might get a chance to carry most of the rushing load against Detroit on Saturday.

“He’s just fun to watch,” running backs coach Gerald Brown said. “Up until now, he’s had a really good camp so far. I’m really looking forward to seeing him on the field in competition.”

Last season, Brown was injured in the final exhibition game when he suffered a groin injury on a horse-collar tackle by Baltimore’s Gary Stills. He spent the season on injured reserve.

Brown, Verron Haynes and Jason Snelling should see most of the playing time, with Michael Turner, Jerious Norwood and Ovie Mughelli getting limited action.

“We try to give everybody a fair amount of reps,” Gerald Brown said. “We need to see all of those guys play in game-type situations. ... I feel pretty safe in saying they all should be able to get some playing time in Detroit.”

Turner got his Pro Bowl season started in 2008 when he ran for 220 yards against the Lions in the opener, bhe’s not expecting to play much Saturday.

“Last year, I played a little bit in the preseason,” Turner said. “I’m expecting the same thing. I know that whatever it’s going to be, it’s going to be real short.”

Change in routine

To break the monotony of two-a-day practices, coach Mike Smith gave the players a little break in the morning session.

After two periods, Smith called the team together before 11-on-11 drills and ordered them to take their pads off.

The players let out loud cheers and quickly retreated to the end zone and sidelines. They ripped off their shoulder pads before moving back to the field for the rest of practice.

“They had worked very, very hard yesterday,” Smith said. “We had gone for a pretty good stretch here of hitting. We felt it would be in our best interests to take the pads off the guys and give them a little rest.”

Etc.

● For the second day in a row, Smith snapped at his assistants when they messed up personnel groups while substituting players. “That is a big concern when you’ve got 80 guys on the roster,” Smith said. “That’s really on us as a coaching staff. ... We’ve get to get the right guys out there. That’s the one thing that probably irritates a coach [the most] is not having 11 guys out there on the field.”

● Turner, who came over from San Diego as a free agent last year, said he’s having a better training camp. “I think I’ve gotten use to this Atlanta heat,” Turner said. “I’m not suffering like I was last year.”

● Agents Tom Condon and Ben Dogra, of Creative Artists Agency, visited the Falcons’ afternoon practice. Their firm represents quarterback Matt Ryan, tight end Tony Gonzalez, left guard Justin Blalock and linebacker Mike Peterson.