Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner wants a repeat of the 2008 season, not one of 2009.
Turner finally earned a starting job in 2008 and made the most of it, finishing as one of the top running backs in the NFL.
Last year wasn’t nearly as fun, as Turner battled a sprained ankle much of the year and saw his team miss out on the playoffs.
To try and regain some of that 2008 magic, Turner spent the offseason working out and losing weight. ( Read More…)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Michael Jenkins will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a right shoulder injury.
Jenkins hurt the shoulder during a scrimmage. The team did not say whether it was separated or disclosed, or whether surgery would be needed.
Head coach Mike Smith said it’s a concern to lose Jenkins, but he is sure his wideout will work very hard to get back out on the field.
Jenkins is expected yet again to start at wide receiver on the opposite side of star Roddy White. ( Read More…)
By Bud L. Ellis
It won’t be long before fans of the Atlanta Falcons can go watch their heroes prepare for the upcoming NFL season.
Falcons’ training camp opens July 30 in Flowery Branch, and once again fans will be able to attend select morning and afternoon practices.
A highlight of the preseason buildup is the Falcons’ All-Access Weekend, Aug. 6-7. On Aug. 6, the Falcons will hold their very popular “Friday Night Lights” team scrimmage at North Gwinnett High School, starting at 7:30 p.m. The next day, Atlanta plays a mock game inside the Georgia Dome. Both events are open to the public.
The Falcons also will hold combined practices with two NFL teams at Flowery Branch. On Aug. 9-10, the Falcons will hold two workouts with the Jacksonville Jaguars. On Aug. 17, the Falcons will work out in a combined practice with the New England Patriots.
Both sets of practices against the Jags and Pats are open to the public.
The Falcons open the preseason schedule on Aug. 13 at home against Kansas City.
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Tags: Atlanta Falcons news, Atlanta Falcons schedule, Atlanta Falcons tickets, Georgia Dome, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots
By Bud L. Ellis
It’s a familiar story for D.J. Shockley and the Atlanta Falcons, one that ends yet again with the former suburban Atlanta prep star and University of Georgia standout being the odd man out.
The Falcons released Shockley on Friday, the third time in the past four seasons the quarterback has been cut loose by the team. ( Read More…)
Tags: Atlanta Falcons news, Atlanta Falcons schedule, Atlanta Falcons tickets, Bobby Petrino, Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley, Georgia Bulldogs, John Parker Wilson, Matt Ryan, Michael Vick
The Atlanta Falcons say they are pleased with the development of franchise quarterback Matt Ryan.
The Falcons finished with back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.
While the team failed to reach the postseason for the second straight year, Ryan showed improvement in his second season. ( Read More…)
Tags: Atlanta Falcons news, Atlanta Falcons schedule, Atlanta Falcons tickets
Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner is still recovering from last year’s high ankle sprain.
The running back said he is fully recovered from the injury but not yet back to 100 percent.
He believes he is around 90 percent, which is enough for him to play in games and not worry about hurting it again.
There are still several weeks left before training camp, so Turner should be 100 percent by then.
Getting a healthy Turner back in the backfield will be a nice luxury for quarterback Matt Ryan.
The Atlanta Falcons have made it clear that they want a new stadium, and they want it to be built within the next seven years.
The Georgia Dome, home to the Falcons, was just opened in 1992. There is literally no chance the team will receive a new stadium anytime soon.
There has been talk of possibly renovating the stadium, but it has been made abundantly clear that it will not be torn down for a new facility.
Even if the city doesn’t eventually build an open-air stadium, the Georgia dome would have to be kept operation for a number of other events.
The dome hosts a college football bowl game, the SEC championship game and the SEC tournament, among many other events.
The Atlanta Falcons are very pleased with the fitness level of running back Michael Turner at minicamp.
Some were surprised and displeased last year when Turner showed up to camp checking in at 260 pounds.
Turner surprised many of the same folks this year by showing up in significantly better shape and weighing 244 pounds.
Fullback Ovie Mughelli said there is a noticeable difference and that Turner has done a lot of cardio work to lose weight.
Mughelli used to call Turner fat and said that he resembled a fullback more than a running back.
The Atlanta Falcons made a big splash in free agency by signing cornerback Dunta Robinson. Terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
Robinson did not receive a contract offer from the Houston Texans, who let him go without much resistance, deciding he wasn’t worth the money it would take to bring him back.
The young cornerback has plenty of talent but was inconsistent during his time with the Texans. He started all 16 games in his rookie season.
Atlanta is hopeful that he can help to solidify a defense that has been the downfall of the team. The team ranked just 28th in the NFL against the pass last season.
Robinson would instantly become Atlanta’s No. 1 cornerback, but the pressure shouldn’t be anything more than he faced when he was in the same position with the Texans.
The Atlanta Falcons have reached an agreement on a new deal with wide receiver Brian Finneran.
Finneran has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him from becoming a free agent next year.
The terms on the new deal have not yet been disclosed.
Finneran was once the leading wide receiver on the team until the emergence of wideout Roddy White.
The team also has tight end Tony Gonzalez, making Finneran more of a complimentary player.
