Notes. Quotes - The Sports Xchange

[The Falcon Jedi Knight]

Notes, Quotes

The Sports Xchange

May 29, 2011 Notes, Quotes · Strategy And Personnel · Ryan organizes workouts -- Atlanta star wide receiver Roddy White was upset with local media when it was accurately reported this week that his cousin, Ali White, was arrested on robbery charges. While essentially brought his cousin to live with him four years ago and has done some admirable work with at-risk youngsters in general in the community. But it should also be noted that, before Falcons officials signed White to a six-year, $50 million contract extension in 2009, they demanded he cut ties with some old friends and hangers-on they felt were a negative influence on him. --Len Pasquarelli

-- Atlanta, which bypassed in the draft what many feel was its biggest defensive need, defensive left end, hopes to sign a veteran at the position when (or if) free agency commences. But the Falcons' chances of adding a bookend for right end John Abraham could be tied to CBA negotiations and how the matter of free agency is determined. The Falcons' top two targets, Ray Edwards of Minnesota and Carolina's Charles Johnson, are five- and four-year veterans, respectively, and whether or not either is unrestricted will be a function of the CBA talks. -- Len Pasquarelli

--Wide receiver Julio Jones, who underwent foot surgery shortly after the scouting combine, is ready to join his teammates in workouts after being cleared to start running.

Jones tweeted, "Heading back to Atlanta from Charlotte I had a recheck on my foot everything went great now I can start running#WINNING."

--Linebacker Mike Peterson has been participating with the Atlanta Falcons at player-organized workouts despite the fact his contract has expired, and he will be a free agent when the lockout ends.

"It's a little awkward feeling," he said. "But this is the place that I want to be. I want to be here and I've heard they want me here. I have a feeling that they want me back in whatever role that may be. That's the approach that I'm taking."

As for players participating, Peterson said, "It's what we do. In order to be great at what you do, you have to work at it. That's the way I was brought up. That's what I believe in. You've got to get the work in. You just can't turn the switch on when it's time to play football. This is just a stepping stone to that."

Asked about the uncertainty of being unsigned, he concluded, "It's a little rough being in limbo and not knowing. But they've expressed that they want me back or whatever. I'm just taking the approach that this is where I want to be. This is exactly where I hope to be. That's the approach that I've been taking this whole offseason."

--Linebacker Akeem Dent was a redshirt at Georgia, and he used to hear stories from the older Bulldogs about Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder.

VanGorder was Georgia's defensive coordinator from 2001 to 2004. Georgia's former defensive coordinator Willie Martinez used some of VanGorder's terminology so Dent is familiar with the Falcons' calls.

"We found that out during his local workout when we sat him down and got a feel for his football knowledge," Dimitroff said. "Again, that is helpful going into a year as far as maybe being backed up a little bit."

--Jacquizz Rodgers ran for almost 4,000 yards in his career and didn't have a fumble in 939 touches.

"Ball security is something that we worked on every day in practice," said Rodgers, who will compete for one of the backup spots behind Pro Bowler Michael Turner.

As a freshman, Rodgers helped lead Oregon State to an upset over Southern Cal when they were ranked No. 1 in the nation.

"Our aim for him is to come in as a change-of-pace back for us," Dimitroff said. "We have our bangers in Michael Turner and Jason Snelling."

--The Falcons didn't make the big Julio Jones trade to have him sit on the bench. With the lockout, they have to figure out how to get him ready.

Falcons head coach Mike Smith said the team will have a plan to get Jones up to speed fast if the lockout robs them of part or all of the offseason workouts.

"Julio has a wonderful football IQ," Smith said. "When you sit down and talk to him about the game of football, he understands it. I think that goes back to his time there at the University of Alabama."

He can certainly start working on the playbook with backup quarterback John Parker Wilson, who was Jones' quarterback when he was a freshman at Alabama.

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[Twoism]

Oh I didn't know JPW was JJ's quarterback at one point. That's cool.

[The Falcon Jedi Knight]

Oh I didn't know JPW was JJ's quarterback at one point. That's cool.

For 1 season, yes.

[freebird310]

--Jacquizz Rodgers ran for almost 4,000 yards in his career and didn't have a fumble in 939 touches.

Man that says alot about the cats toughness right there ...something tells me this guy is going to be special for us.just a gut feeling, but then again I had the same feeling about HD ...... :mellow:

[Blank's Consigliere]

--Jacquizz Rodgers ran for almost 4,000 yards in his career and didn't have a fumble in 939 touches.

Man that says alot about the cats toughness right there ...something tells me this guy is going to be special for us.just a gut feeling, but then again I had the same feeling about HD ...... :mellow:

Can you say Tim Dwight reincarnate!!!!

[Guest Gritz]

--Jacquizz Rodgers ran for almost 4,000 yards in his career and didn't have a fumble in 939 touches.

Man that says alot about the cats toughness right there ...something tells me this guy is going to be special for us.just a gut feeling, but then again I had the same feeling about HD ...... :mellow:

Can't wait to see Quizz play for us. I'm almost as excited to see him on the field as I am about Julio.