Falcons FB Ovie Mughelli studies his craft and focuses on some of the great fullbacks of the past and present. One of his favorites to watch is the Ravens’ Lorenzo Neal, a 16-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler.

Three of Neal’s four Pro Bowl nods came as a member of the Chargers, when he blocked for LaDainian Tomlinson. It was Tomlinson’s backup, however, that caught Mughelli’s eye.

“I was watching Lorenzo and I noticed this backup, Michael Turner, just running through cats,” Mughelli said. … “Turner, all he did was embarrass people, power through linebackers and even defensive linemen sometimes.”

Mughelli could barely contain his excitement when he heard Turner signed with the Falcons in the offseason.

“All Mike needs is a small crack in the defense and he’ll exploit it,” he said. “With Michael coming to the Falcons, it’s been a dream come true almost. A fullback can’t wish for a better running back to block for.

“Mike definitely made it a little easier for me. I think we complement each other.”

Mughelli told PFW it took about the entirety of offseason minicamps and training camp to establish a sound rapport and comfort level with Turner, but from Week One on, Mughelli and Turner have been one of the league’s most successful pairings. Atlanta is second in the league in rushing, gaining 151.5 yards per game and it’s tied with the Titans for the lead in rushing touchdowns (16).

When the Falcons signed Mughelli in March, 2007, they made him the highest-paid fullback in the league. He was coming off an All-Pro season in Baltimore and seemed primed to take Atlanta’s running game to another level. Then-head coach Bobby Petrino, however, often didn’t have room for Mughelli in his offensive scheme and Mughelli spent a lot of time on the sideline.

That has changed with the smashmouth system employed by new head coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. The addition of Turner, too, helped re-start Mughelli’s promising career.

“There’s nothing like making a huge block and feeling Mike just come right off your back,” he said. “You can see him running down the field while you’re taking your guy to the floor. That is the best feeling the world. Better than any high. That adrenaline rush that you get is unreal.”
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

What’s up Yardbarkers, I have another contest for you. This one’s about Thanksgiving. Watch the video and get at me with your entries!
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

Recently I had a contest in the Yard where fans suggested nicknames for me. The winning nickname was The Drill. Now I’m here in the Yard to give away an autographed drill to one lucky fan! All you have to do is post a video, photo or leave a comment explaining why you need the drill. What kind of project are you working on? What do you need to fix? Show me why you deserve this autographed drill!

I’ll be picking a winner on Monday, November 17 (give or take a few days). Then after this contest, I’ll have another one for you.

Thanks to all my fans in the Yard… go Falcons!
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

If you’re going to vote, I think you should vote for someone that will create the change that we need in this country. I know I might get in trouble because players aren’t supposed to voice their political opinions, but I really think that Senator Obama is the right man to lead this country. I encourage everyone to go out on Election Day and let your voice be heard.

I was lucky enough to participate in an amazing and inspirational video promoting Barack Obama and everything he stands for. Check out the link below.
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

Before I get into our game today, I want to mention last week, when we finally got our first road win in Green Bay. Everyone said we were too young and inexperienced to do it, but Coach really emphasized how important it was not only to win on the road, but to get a winning streak going. Yo-yoing back and forth between wins and losses is what really kills you. So we went out there and showed them what we could do, and we finally got a nice winning streak going for us.

This week, against the Bears, I was a little nervous but also excited about the challenge of going up against one of the best linebackers in the game, Brian Urlacher. All week my teammates were teasing me. They kept asking if I was scared of him and telling me not to fake an injury to get out of it. But I felt confident. I’m just as big and bad as he is, and when my teammates were clowning me, I told them that he should be shaking in his boots, too. I was excited to show him what I could do.

The game was electric. It was great to see all those fans there, and everyone was so into it. This year we’re showing them that this team is for real, and everyone is responding in a very positive way. It was a fun atmosphere from the first kick-off to, of course, the very last second. The ending was like what you would see in Any Given Sunday or Remember the Titans or something. It was a storybook ending that I couldn’t have written any better myself.

Especially during these kinds of games, the most important thing is to put personal goals aside, and just win as a team. I really felt that the whole team did just that today, which is why we came out on top. Everyone was giving it everything they had, especially because we knew we’d have the bye week to recover. There were a couple heartstopping moments, which we could definitely do without. I’d prefer to have a blowout, but this made for a really memorable 5th game.

I have to say it was surprising and disappointing the first time Jason Elam missed. But it reminded us that he is human, despite being such an established player. When we gave him another chance, though, he dusted himself right off and came back to help us win the game. Douglas also had an amazing return on that last drive, and Ryan and Jenkins hooked up for that perfect pass downfield. Those two things combined to give Elam his second chance. Jenkins deserves a lot of credit there. You could see him turn to face the clock as soon as he caught the ball, making sure to plant his feet and get out of bounds with just that one second left on the clock. Perfect.

Our defense was also key - they were better than our offense. They ALWAYS show up at the critical moments of the game, like that last goal line stand that we needed so desperately. Watching them be so physical and do anything and everything to stop the ball was amazing. On the drive before that, all the offense needed to do was run out the clock, but we just couldn’t do it. Instead, we fell back on our defense as a crutch, knowing they would bail us out. We should really stop thinking that way, but it’s good to know they’re there to back us up.

Now it’s time for a little celebrating and then some rest. Next week I might actually get to sit down and watch some football. What games will you guys be watching?
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

Two nights ago I went to see the Thrashers, the Atlanta hockey team, play against the Washington Capitals. I was invited by some good friends of mine, who got me amazing seats - front row, against the glass. It was basically a chance to see football on ice. They won 7-4 when nobody expected them to, and although the stands weren’t full, there were plenty of diehard fans there to cheer them on. They pulled out a great win. I had never really been into hockey before, but I am now. It was just so impressive to see the athleticism they have on those skates. It was obvious that I wasn’t too familiar with the sport, though. I kept yelling “Stop the ball!” and my friends had to remind that it was called a puck. Overall, it was an awesome experience, though it was a little lame that toward the end of the game one of the huge Washington ogres picked a with our star rookie, who was much smaller. I was just thinking how funny it would be if in the NFL they allowed us 20 second fights with anyone we picked out on the opposing team. That would cause a whole lot of chaos.

At one point they recognized me - had me on the jumbotron and everything, and they wished me luck against the Bears this weekend. That’s when I told them that we were going to beat Chicago, which is exactly what we just did.
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

Braylon Edwards from the Browns was giving me a hard time because I don’t have any nicknames. Braylon has about 10 of ‘em. So I need a nickname. What’s it gonna be, Yard?
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

Braylon Edwards from the Browns was giving me a hard time because I don’t have any nicknames. Braylon has about 10 of ‘em. So I need a nickname. What’s it gonna be, Yard?
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog