FLOWERY BRANCH — Friday can’t come fast enough for Falcons players and coaches.
After the strange offseason because of the NFL lockout and the news rules that accompanied the collective bargaining agreement, it’s time for some (almost) real football.
The Falcons play the Miami Dolphins at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Georgia Dome.
That means players will get a chance to hit.
“Being a linebacker, that’s what we love to do,” Mike Peterson said. “Run and hit. It’s not here yet, but it’s getting close. Me, along with the rest of the guys, are getting excited.
“Being in this thing for 13 years, I can probably roll out of the bed and hit somebody. To me, it doesn’t really matter. For a lot of the younger guys, they have to bone up on their tackling and the speed on the game. For me, it’s like riding a bike.”
Coaches will get a chance to evaluate.
“I know we’ll be excited, as a coaching staff, to truly be able to evaluate the players,” coach Mike Smith said. “We are really going to play real football. We’ll have an opportunity to tackle, and there will be full-speed blocking. It will be a very good evaluation. Usually, what happens is you will see some technique issues in that first game that we will have to address.”
In preparation for Friday’s game, Smith said the team would change their practice plan for Wednesday. They will wear helmets only, no pads, in the morning session.
Smith also said the coaching staff would meet Tuesday night to plan the number of snaps each player would get against the Dolphins.
Offseason surgery for Babineaux
Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder during the offseason.
“It was a scope for something that was bothering me throughout the season last year,” Babineaux said. “I had it cleaned up in the offseason. It’s 100 percent now.”
Last season, Babineaux started 15 games and had 31 tackles and scored a defensive touchdown. He also had four sacks and two forced fumbles.
Linebacker battle
Smith said Tuesday that Stephen Nicholas and Peterson are competing for a starting spot at linebacker.
“We feel very good about what Stephen has done developmentally,” Smith said. “We know that Mike has the ability to play all three positions. That gives us a whole lot of flexibility, not only in our base package but our sub packages.”
Curtis Lofton and Sean Weatherspoon are the likely starters at the other linebacker spots.
Injury report
Center Joe Hawley suffered a left knee injury during Tuesday’s padded practice. Hawley was down for several minutes before walking off the field under his own power. He favored his leg while exiting. He did not return and missed the afternoon walk-through session.
Defensive tackle Vance Walker did not take part in either practice Tuesday. Smith said Walker suffered an ankle injury Monday and is day-to-day.
Tight end Marquez Branson and offensive guard Mike Johnson also were held out of practices. Branson has a knee injury, and Johnson is going through concussion protocol. Both are listed as day-to-day.
Tight end Tony Gonzalez did not practice in pads, but was on the field for the afternoon walk-through.
Running back Michael Turner also missed practice, the second of a two-day leave for what the team termed as personal reasons.
About the Author
