FLOWERY BRANCH -- The reputation of the Falcons' offensive line for blocking through the whistle has made its way to the Big Apple.
The Falcons call it being nasty, but earlier this season the Green Bay Packers called them dirty. The Giants seem to agree.
"Most people would call them dirt bags," Giants defensive end Justin Tuck told ESPNnewyork.com on Monday. "But it is what it is. We got to make sure we do our job, and, if we are doing our job well, then they will be upset and they will be trying to do things to get us off our game. We've got to take that a as a compliment."
Green Bay nose tackle B.J. Raji previously accused the Falcons of flopping for the referees when the Packers retaliated with an extra shove.
“Yeah, we have seen it,” Tuck said. “We know that they have that quote-unquote reputation. But in a way it is kind of exciting. ... In the same sense you got to protect yourself, and hopefully the referees have 20-20 vision this week.”
Mularkey to interview
Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey will interview for the vacant Jacksonville head-coaching position after the wild-card round of the playoffs.
"They have requested an opportunity to talk to Mike Mularkey and really the league has a policy in place for wild-card teams," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "There is a certain time period that they can interview. We have of course signed off and granted that opportunity."
Mularkey, per league rules, can’t talk with Jacksonville this week. But the Jaguars will have to work with the Falcons’ schedule next week to interview Mularkey if Atlanta advances in the playoffs.
Mularkey was a coaching candidate last season for head-coaching jobs in Cleveland and Denver. He interviewed with Cleveland, but withdrew from the Denver search. Cleveland hired Pat Shurmur and Denver hired John Fox.
Jacksonville dismissed Jack Del Rio in November, and he was replaced on an interim basis by Mel Tucker.
Mularkey wants to be a head coach again. He was the Buffalo coach in 2004-05 and posted a 14-18 record.
Mularkey and Bill Musgrave, the latter who left after last season to become Minnesota's offensive coordinator, have been lauded for their fast development of quarterback Matt Ryan and for turning the Falcons' offense into one of the league's top units.
Mularkey is attractive because of his background in coaching power football. Jacksonville also needs someone to develop quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who struggled in his first year in the league.
Mularkey could also surface as a candidate in Tampa Bay, where he was a former assistant coach. He broke into the league as a coach at the same timeBucs' general manager Mark Dominik started with the Bucs as a pro personnel assistant in 1995.
“When you have success there are going to be opportunities for guys on your staff to get head-coaching jobs,” Smith said. “I don’t have any doubt in my mind that Mike’s sole focus for this week is on the New York Giants.”
2012 schedule breakdown
Next season, the Falcons will play Dallas, New York Giants, Arizona, Denver, Oakland, Tampa Bay, New Orleans Carolina at home. On the road they will face Philadelphia, Washington, Detroit, Kansas City, San Diego, Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Carolina.
Bouncing back
The Falcons have not lost consecutive regular-season games since their 12th and 13th games of the 2009 season.
The Falcons are 18-3 after losses under Smith.
“We knew our guys were going to bounce back,” Smith said. “That’s just the makeup of them. We’ve got too many leaders in that locker room.”
Nicholas doubtful
Linebacker Stephen Nicholas (toe injury) worked out with the teams' athletic performance staff on Monday, but his outlook wasn't promising.
“I would say that right now it’s doubtful that he’ll be able to come back this week,” Smith said.
With Nicholas out and Mike Peterson on injured reserve, Spencer Adkins played about 25 snaps in the base defense against Tampa Bay and finished with three tackles.
“I thought he did a nice job,” Smith said.
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