Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli, who went to his first Pro Bowl last season, suffered an injured knee against the Bears on Sunday.
He’s recovered, and the Falcons are expected to need his lead blocking for running backs Michael Turner, Jason Snelling and Jacquizz Rodgers on Sunday night against Philadelphia’s defense, which relies heavily on its linebackers.
“Football is a game of inches, and if I can help provide some inches for our offense, I’m going to try to do something,” Mughelli said. “I’m excited because we are definitely going to try to establish the run like we do with every game. I hope to be a big part of that.”
Turner had 100 yards on 10 carries before the Falcons fell behind to the Bears and had to pass. They hope to keep the running game rolling all game against the Eagles.
Mughelli figures to have the advantage over the Eagles’ young and inexperienced linebackers.
Philadelphia’s weakside linebacker Moise Fokou is in his third season after being picked in the seventh round out of Maryland. Strongside linebacker Jamar Chaney was a seventh-round pick last year from Mississippi State. Middle linebacker Casey Matthews is a rookie who was picked in the fourth round.
“They have a great defense and some great linebackers,” Mughelli said. “They have some young guys in there, so I want to see if this old man can make a difference.”
It will be tempting for the Falcons to run inside because the Eagles’ ends are split far outside.
“They are pretty much daring you to run inside,” Mughelli said. “They feel like they can stop you on the inside, and we feel like we can run the ball on the inside. It’s going to be a battle on Sunday.”
About the Author
