Falcons team report

[Swift Is a Die Hard]

Falcons owner Arthur Blank had a clear message for the Falcons' fans in the wake of the lockout. He contended that the owners bargained in good faith with the NFLPA.

"As you probably know, last Friday the NFL's mediated talks with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) ended without a new collectively bargained agreement, and on Saturday a lockout commenced," Blank said. "Neither of these events were desired outcomes, as commissioner (Roger) Goodell and our negotiating committee had worked diligently and tirelessly to reach a new agreement through the mediation process over the last three weeks."

Blank addressed the fact that fans want to know about the 2011 tickets that they have purchased and the investments they made during the playoffs for two rounds of tickets.

"The most important thing you should know is that we remain committed to reaching an agreement that is fair to both sides and does not disrupt the 2011 season," Blank wrote. "We negotiated in good faith with the NFLPA, and we are prepared to re-enter negotiations at any time ...the current status of the collective bargaining agreement will not disrupt our preparation for the 2011 season."

He notes that general manager Thomas Dimitroff and his staff are preparing for the NFL Draft, which will be held April 28-30.

The Falcons had private workout with Troy wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan.

He is moving up on a lot of draft boards and there is some concern that he might not be available when the Falcons pick in the second round.

It's reasonable to conclude that the Falcons are going defensive end with the 27th pick in the first round.

But Dimitroff, head coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey don't show up for everybody's private workout unless the player is getting serious consideration. They were all at Jernigan's workout on Wednesday (March 16).

Jernigan has run a low of 4.32 in the 40-yard dash and a high of 4.55. So, basically, he's a move/slot receiver in the Percy Harvin mold. He played quarterback in high school and was used in Troy's version of the Dirty Bird (Wildcat). He led Eufaula (Ala.) High School to two Region 5A championships in 2005 and 2006.

Asked who he is similar to, Jernigan said, "I would have to say DeSean Jackson. At Troy, I didn't get a lot (of press coverage). I can get off of press, but I just didn't see it a lot in the conference I played in. But I can get off press. I can play outside or inside."

Jernigan was asked to describe what a team would be getting if they selected him.

"No. 1, they'll get a hard worker throughout, 24-7," Jernigan said. "I'll do anything to get a win. They'll get a good receiver, special teams and a team player."

He caught 84 passes for 822 yards and six touchdowns. He had 10 catches for 209 yards against Arkansas State on Sept. 25. He also had three touchdowns rushing, one kickoff return touchdown and one punt return touchdown.

"I always said as a little boy playing (youth) football that I wanted to be in the NFL one day," Jernigan said. "Here I am. I've got a chance."

NOTES, QUOTES

—Falcons Pro-Bowl fullback Ovie Mughelli has been rated the No. 2 Eco-Athlete in the World, according to PlanetGreen.com.

He was beaten out by race car driver Leilani Munter, who fights for clean, renewable biofuels in the racing industry.

Mughelli was cited for his work in helping the youth of Atlanta and Charleston tackle green issues.

Next week, March 25-27, Mughelli will take part in Portland, Oregon's fourth annual Better Living Show at the Portland Expo Center, the Northwest's largest sustainable lifestyle event.

New to the show this year, Mughelli will challenge kids through his signature "Recycle on the Run" game on Friday and Saturday at the show.

This game is intelligently designed to mentally and physically challenge youth while educating them on the importance of recycling and teaching them facts about the environment. Additionally, participants will receive handouts, photo opportunities as well as autograph sessions.

"With my status as an NFL player, I have the ability to motivate and set an example to being good environmental stewards," Mughelli said.

—Justin Houston, one of the hot hybrid outside linebacker/defensive ends in the NFL draft, is set to meet with the Atlanta Falcons late next week, according to his representatives.

Houston, who skipped his senior season at Georgia to enter the draft, is considered the 28th-ranked player in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com. He was an All-SEC outside linebacker last season, but is considered a scheme-fit for the Falcons at defensive end.

The Falcons pick 27th in the first round and have been looking at defensive ends and offensive tackles.

The Falcons like Houston's ability to make plays in the opposition's backfield. He had 10 sacks and 181/2 tackles for loss last season. Houston's 20 career sacks rank seventh on the school's all-time list.

Houston bench-pressed 225 pounds, 30 times at the NFL Scouting Combine, which was the fourth highest total in the linebacker group.

Georgia's Pro Day is next Tuesday, March 22.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Creating the explosive play is an area where we have to improve. If you are giving up a lot of explosive plays, it doesn't really matter how many that you get. You want to win the explosive (play) ratio just like you do the turnover ratio." — Falcons coach Mike Smith.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

TEAM NEEDS

1. Defensive end: The Falcons are not ready to give up on Kroy Biermann and Lawrence Sidbury, two young and developing players, but desperately want to improve their pass rush. They have not found someone to rush opposite of John Abraham, who is getting long in the tooth.

2. Offensive tackle: Starting guards Justin Blalock and Harvey Dahl are free agents, but Joe Hawley and Mike Johnson were drafted last season. They appear ready to part with right tackle Tyson Clabo, who went to the Pro Bowl. Garrett Reynolds was selected in the 2009 draft and may be ready for his shot to start.

3. Weak-side linebacker: Michael Peterson played on run downs last season and came out in the nickel package. The team wants to bring him back, but will need to select someone who could take over in the future. Peterson turns 35 in June.

MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

—DT Trey Lewis: Potential RFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

—OT Will Svitek: Potential RFA; terms unknown.

—LB Coy Wire: Potential UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED: None.

PLAYERS LOST

—S Erik Coleman (released).

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[Zodiac]

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* You might also be interested in:
* Porn star Kacey Jordan: Wild Charlie Sheen party scene (USATODAY.com in LifeLine Live)

[Swift Is a Die Hard]

(03-22-2011 02:35 PM)Zodiac Wrote:  Swifty, what sites are you going to lol

* You might also be interested in:
* Porn star Kacey Jordan: Wild Charlie Sheen party scene (USATODAY.com in LifeLine Live)

lol that was copied from usatoday

[Jesus]

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Go Ovie

Our awesome Big Gay Green Fullback

[Paprika Neck]

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