Atlanta Falcons
Connections: Falcons' Texas crew is deep
Dec 3, 2011
With several players hailing from the Lone Star State, the Falcons should have a very large rooting section on the road.
Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (Port Arthur), linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (Jasper), running back Jacquizz Rodgers (Richmond), left guard Justin Blalock (Dallas) and kicker Matt Bryant (Orange) all are from Texas.
Other connections include:
- Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was the Falcons' defensive coordinator in 2002 and 2003 and was interim head coach for the final three games of the 2003 season.
- Texans tackle Andrew Gardner is from Tyrone and played at Georgia Tech.
- Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson is from Macon.
- Texans quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp coached for the Falcons from 2004-06.
- Texans assistant head coach/defensive line Bill Kollar coached for the Falcons from 1990-2000.
- Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson played for the Texans from 2004-09.
- Texans guard Antoine Caldwell and cornerback Kareem Jackson and Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones played at Alabama.
- Falcons fullback Mike Cox and defensive tackle Vance Walker and Gardner played together at Georgia Tech.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
