Falcons set to lead the NFC team in the Pro Bowl

"It wasn't that bad, but it was kind long," Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli said about the flight in a telephone interview. "I fell asleep two or three times and I thought we were there, and we still weren't halfway there.

"I had to use my iPhone and my laptop. I watched movies on the plane and read a book. I got up and talked to some of my coaches who were on the plane, too."

While the Falcons were enjoying their time in Hawaii, they still were dealing with the abrupt end of their season, a 48-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs.

"We've talked about it, and usually there are disgusted looks on our faces when we talk about it," Mughelli said. "We just talk about what could have been. We love the consolation prize, but all of us would much rather not be in Hawaii.

"After flying nine hours to get over here, we've all got our feel for what the Pro Bowl is like. Everybody that wanted to come, they got their Hawaii in. Now, next year, we all love Hawaii, but we are not trying to come back. ... That's how bad the guys here want to go to that other game [the Super Bowl]."

The Pro Bowl will have a definite Falcons look to it.

"We have the same coaches, trainers equipment staff and doctors," Mughelli said. "It's Falcons everything. It's just like at home."

Some of the plays should look the same, too.

"Even in our little meetings that we have, I really haven't had to pay attention because I knew the playbook already," Mughelli said. "It was a great way to go to the Pro Bowl as far as comfort goes."

In addition to Mughelli, quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Michael Turner, wide receiver Roddy White, right tackle Tyson Clabo and tight end Tony Gonzalez will play on offense.

End John Abraham and cornerback Brent Grimes will play on defense. Eric Weems was selected as the specialist for the special teams.

The players have enjoyed mingling with their rivals from other teams.

"It's a very good experience to be with guys from teams that you usually don't like at all," Mughelli said. "Now, you're all on the same team. Me and Drew Brees just sat together on the bus on the way back to the hotel, and we were talking about the game, stuff back home, the playoffs and how we both lost."

After the 2008 season, the Falcons were eliminated by Arizona in the wild-card round, and the Cardinals went on to reach the Super Bowl. Green Bay will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6.

"Green Bay has shown that we didn't lose to no slouch of a team," Mughelli said. "They are definitely a good team. Even though we played bad, they did their part."

Mughelli doesn't have a Super pick.

"I don't really care who wins if it's not us," Mughelli said.