Sorgi outplays Ryan in Colts’ win over Falcons (AP)

Jim Sorgi proved he can help the Indianapolis Colts convert third downs. Now the next goal for Peyton Manning’s backup: Lead Indianapolis on a touchdown drive. “It’s great to have long drives,” Sorgi said. “We had one where we started inside the 15-yard line and drove all the way down to the 5, but we have to put it in.

Cursed Falcons seek to regain fans’ confidence
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The scene reminded Thomas Dimitroff of something out of “A Beautiful Min…

Colts’ Sorgi outplays Falcons‘ Ryan
ATLANTA (AP) — Jim Sorgi proved he can help the Indianapolis Colts convert third downs. Now the…

WR Horn faces long odds at Falcons camp
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Joe Horn can look at the depth chart and know he doesn’t have much of a …

Emmitt Thomas set to join Hall of Fame
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Long after he left school, Emmitt Thomas remained a student.Quick and a…

Roddy White stays in touch with imprisoned Vick (AP)
Roddy White has just one regret about the “Free Mike Vick” T-shirt he wore under his game jersey last year. “I just wish they hadn’t fined me $10,000,” the fourth-year Atlanta Falcons receiver said with a smile Thursday. “Too bad they didn’t cut me a break on that, but Mike’s a good guy, and he’s always been my friend.” White wishes his breakout 2007 season would have come with Vick as the Atlanta…

Falcons move Foster, Lewis off active roster (AP)
The Atlanta Falcons reduced their roster to 75 players by moving offensive tackle Renardo Foster and defensive tackle Trey Lewis off their active list on Tuesday. Foster was moved to the physically-unable-to-perform list. Lewis was placed on the non-football injury list. Lewis, a fifth-round pick in 2007, started five of nine games as a rookie last season before suffering a season-ending knee…

NFC team reports: Rookie buzz
More: AFC team reports Each week, Spor…

Fumble-prone Jaguars edge Ryan, Falcons (AP)
The Jacksonville Jaguars found a win in a pile of fumbles. The Atlanta Falcons may have found a starter in a pile of quarterbacks. Jacksonville rested Fred Taylor and lost three fumbles but still had enough offense to beat the Falcons 20-17 on Saturday night in the preseason opener for both teams. The Falcons scored only three points off lost fumbles by three Jacksonville rookies — running backs…

Iyer: Never too early to size up ‘08 NFL playoff race
Why is the NFL’s preseason so popular when the games don’t count? That’s simple — it marks a month of hope for all 32 teams and their fans.

Falcons sign TE Pollard (PA SportsTicker)
The Atlanta Falcons on Sunday signed Marcus Pollard, four days after the veteran tight end was released by the New England Patriots.

Sporting News‘ Camp Caravan
Sporting News is hitting the road this summer to attend every NFL training camp. Keep tabs on where the Camp Caravan has visited and what stops are next on its cross-country tour.

Smith returns to Jacksonville for preseason opener (AP)
No one expects the Atlanta Falcons to finish near first place in the NFC South, but players give new coach Mike Smith credit when they say they already feel they’re on top. “We’ve been to the valley and now it’s the mountaintop,” fullback Ovie Mughelli said. For Mughelli, the valley was the short-lived Bobby Petrino era.

Falcons open camp, no talk of Vick
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Michael who?With no mention of former quarterback-turned-federal inm…

Brown: Gene Upshaw an NFL giant—as a player and leader
Gene Upshaw’s strength was impossible to deny. He was a force as a labor leader. He was a forc…

Berthelsen selected as interim NFLPA head
After news of Gene Upshaw’s deat…

Finneran trying comeback after knee injuries
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The last time Brian Finneran caught a pass in a real game for the Atlant…

Smith returns to Jacksonville for preseason opener
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — No one expects the Atlanta Falcons to finish near first place in the NFC …

NFC South team reports
This week’s team reports focus on rising stars. Here is the NFC South.

Gibbs, Thomas lobby for others to join Hall
CANTON, Ohio (AP) — Let the lobbying begin. Even before the six newest members were officially …

Falcons open camp, no talk of Vick
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Michael who?With no mention of former quarterback-turned-federal inm…

Breer: A good backup QB is one that isn’t needed
The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts have Matt Cassel and Jim Sorgi, respectively, quarte…

Tech DE Johnson is a force on-and-off the field
Football practice was over and coaches were gone. The equipment sheds were locked, and student managers were sitting in a golf cart, ready to roll. Michael Johnson was one of three Georgia Tech players still hanging around. So, the managers sat. Two days earlier, the managers ran off a straggling reporter in a similar situation. They knew better this time. “They’d have to put me in handcuffs,” said the senior defensive end. “When somebody wants to talk about ‘the Word,’ I’m going to talk.”

Camp Caravan: Matt Ryan primed to win Falcons‘ QB battle
Sporting News is hitting the road this summer to attend every NFL training camp. Today, we check in with the Atlanta Falcons.

Falcons Team Report
QB Matt Ryan has been a quick study — he is learning the offense and gaining command of the huddle….

Falcons coach sees progress in rookies
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Matt Ryan isn’t the only rookie having a good training camp with the Atl…

Falcons waive LB James (PA SportsTicker)
The Atlanta Falcons waived linebacker Robert James on Tuesday.

Fly: Caught on the Fly: Joe Horn wants out of Atlanta
Hey, didn’t you used to be Chad Johnson? How badly does wideout

Emmitt Thomas set to join Hall of Fame
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Long after he left school, Emmitt Thomas remained a student.Quick and a…

Breer: A good backup QB is one that isn’t needed
The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts have Matt Cassel and Jim Sorgi, respectively, quarte…

Grady Jackson brings big presence back to Atlanta (AP)
The Atlanta Falcons welcomed Grady Jackson back to their training table on Tuesday. “He gobbles up space,” coach Mike Smith said of the massive nose tackle. “He’s going to gobble up at least two blocks on plays.” Smith wasn’t trying to make a play on words about the 345-pound Jackson. It’s just that size and stature are inevitable topics any time the 12-year veteran is discussed.

Falcons sign TE Pollard (PA SportsTicker)
The Atlanta Falcons on Sunday signed Marcus Pollard, four days after the veteran tight end was released by the New England Patriots.

Chris Redman to start Atlanta’s preseason opener (AP)
Chris Redman has edged rookie Matt Ryan and will start at quarterback in the Atlanta Falcons‘ preseason opener Saturday night at Jacksonville. Based on how often he has worked with the first-team offense in training camp, Ryan, the NFL’s No. 3 overall draft pick, would likely be the first quarterback to replace Redman in the exhibition game.

Ex-Jags QB Leftwich to visit with Titans (Yahoo! Sports)
Former Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Byron Leftwich is one of several free agents…

Richt disappointed with Bulldogs’ practice game
Athens — On second thought, Thursday night’s practice game pretty much stunk. That was coach Mark Richt’s assessment after he watched the videotape of the scrimmage in his office late Thursday night. As a result, Richt made the whole team do it all over again Friday. But this time — at full speed and with full contact. “I was so disappointed in yesterday after looking at the film, I decided to do it again — only this time tackle,” Richt said after the 45-play scrimmage Friday evening. “So we played every snap live, and I was very pleased with the attitude this time. I was pretty mad with the team yesterday, but I feel better now. I think it was pretty good medicine for everybody.”

Matt Ryan looks good as Falcons starter
Matt Ryan, fresh off his 1-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of the Falcons‘ 17-3 preseason victory over Tennessee Friday, jubilantly jogged back to the sideline. He was met with pats on the back and high fives by a slew of players and coaches. Then, as he reached for a cup of water, the three other quarterbacks circled him, smiling and glad-handing. Were this a political campaign, it could have been viewed as a conference of concession — with the runners-up realizing the hierarchy had been established. Chris Redman stepped in for Ryan on the ensuing series. Joey Harrington and D.J. Shockley didn’t even play.

Matt Ryan: Playing Well in Camp (RotoWire)

Ryan gets win in first start as Falcons top Titans (AP)

Matt Ryan was a winner in his first preseason start, perhaps moving the rookie closer to being named the Falcons‘ regular-season starter. Ryan opened the second half with a touchdown pass to give Atlanta the lead in a 17-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Friday night. Ryan, the third pick in the draft, completed 15 of 21 passes for 102 yards with a 1-yard scoring pass to another rookie, Harry…

Falcons name Ryan starting quarterback
Flowery Branch — It took four months, but the clarity Falcons head coach Mike Smith said he needed to name his starting quarterback came this weekend. Rookie Matt Ryan, the third overall draft pick, will start the Sept. 7 opener against visiting Detroit, Smith announced Sunday. It’s not a game-by-game decision Smith said. Ryan projects to start all 16 games. “We have evaluated Matt through [offseason workouts], minicamps, training camp and over the course of three preseason games,” Smith said. “After reviewing Matt’s progress we feel that he’s won the starting job. … We feel that Matt gives us the best opportunity not only against Detroit but the in long run.”

Falcons sign veteran tight end Pollard (AP)
The Atlanta Falcons signed veteran tight end Marcus Pollard on Sunday, adding experience and a receiving threat at the position. The Falcons released tight end George Cooper, who was signed on Aug. 4. Pollard, a 14-year veteran, was released by New England on Wednesday. He has 349 career receptions for 4,280 yards and 40 touchdowns in 13 seasons, most with Indianapolis.

Falcons sign tight end Pollard
The Falcons signed tight end Marcus Pollard on Sunday, after the 14-year veteran was released by New England last Wednesday. To make room for Pollard, the Falcons released tight end George Cooper. Pollard, 6-foot-3, 255 pounds spent most of his career with Indianapolis. He has caught 349 career passes for 4,280 yards (12.3 avg.) and 40 touchdowns. After spending 10 seasons with the Colts, Pollard competed in 14 games with Seattle last season and led all Seahawks tight ends with 28 receptions for 273 yards. He was signed by New England as a free agent in April.

Georgia’s TE Chandler takes balanced approach
Athens — Senior Tripp Chandler is entrenched as the starter at tight end for the Georgia football team because he does all things well at the position. But he said the same can be said of his colleagues. “A lot of people think Aron White is strictly a receiving tight end and Bruce [Figgins] is strictly a blocking tight end,” Chandler said. “But they realized that was kind of their reputation and they wanted to work on those other parts of their games. Both of them have come in and really improved in those areas. Bruce has really molded his ability to run routes and get open. Aron has been working hard to get his head into blocks and get a little more tenacious on blocks. They’ve both worked hard to get better.” That’s something Chandler had to do his first few seasons as well. He came in buried on the depth chart behind the likes of Leonard Pope and Martrez Milner. He said he worked hard to emulate them and shore up in areas he felt he was weak.

Braves embarrassed by skid, 18-3 loss
St. Louis — A thesaurus is as useful as a media guide for covering the Braves these days. One needs a variety of words to describe the repeated debacles. They were beaten unmercifully Friday night at St. Louis, where the Cardinals pounded Braves pitchers for 26 hits in an 18-3 thrashing at Busch Stadium. It wasn’t as close as the score indicates: The Braves scored twice in the ninth inning. Oh, my.

Falcons sign TE Pollard (PA SportsTicker)
The Atlanta Falcons on Sunday signed Marcus Pollard, four days after the veteran tight end was released by the New England Patriots.

Fumble-prone Jaguars edge Ryan, Falcons (AP)

The Jacksonville Jaguars found a win in a pile of fumbles. The Atlanta Falcons may have found a starter in a pile of quarterbacks. Jacksonville rested Fred Taylor and lost three fumbles but still had enough offense to beat the Falcons 20-17 on Saturday night in the preseason opener for both teams. The Falcons scored only three points off lost fumbles by three Jacksonville rookies — running backs…

Falcons undecided on who will back up Ryan
Flowery Branch — Falcons head coach Mike Smith said that though the starting quarterback job has been decided, there are several jobs still up for grabs. “The thing that’s lost in this is over the next five, six days there’s a lot of competition, not just at the No. 2 and No. 3 quarterback positions,” Smith said. “There’s not a lot of roster spots that are secure. There are going to be more decisions we have to make.” Based on playing time and rotations during the preseason, Chris Redman seems to have the inside edge to be the backup quarterback with D.J. Shockley and Joey Harrington battling for the No. 3 job. Smith would not disclose the quarterback depth chart Sunday.

Tech linebacker Chambers embraces second chance
The reasons for throwing one’s self into college football are mostly evident. There’s the toes-to-nose electric surge of game day. And the status, the free room and board, the dream of a career in organized violence. Then there’s the nifty Humanitarian Bowl watch at the end of the season. Georgia Tech senior linebacker Travis Chambers is serving other motivations. He is playing so he can say things like: “I’m a dedicated person, dedicated to this school. I’m committed to this school.

Roddy White stays in touch with imprisoned Vick (AP)
Roddy White has just one regret about the “Free Mike Vick” T-shirt he wore under his game jersey last year. “I just wish they hadn’t fined me $10,000,” the fourth-year Atlanta Falcons receiver said with a smile Thursday. “Too bad they didn’t cut me a break on that, but Mike’s a good guy, and he’s always been my friend.” White wishes his breakout 2007 season would have come with Vick as the Atlanta…

Snellville’s Howard sixth in high jump
Beijing — In the moments before her final attempt in the women’s high jump Saturday night, Chaunte Howard’s steely stare could have cut glass. Her face was frozen in determination as she bolted for the bar. Then it toppled to the ground, and a different Chaunte Howard bounced up from the mat. She smiled, waved with both hands and blew kisses. She had come in sixth. “I can’t be mad,” she said afterward. “God’s in charge. He’s the one who decided I got sixth today.”

Matt Ryan: Playing Well in Camp (RotoWire)

Horn might not be a Falcon much longer (AP)
Joe Horn can look at the depth chart and know he doesn’t have much of a future with the Atlanta Falcons. The 36-year-old Horn, coming off a season in which he had only 27 catches and one touchdown, is working in training camp behind a bunch of younger receivers, including starters Roddy White and Laurent Robinson, former starter Michael Jenkins and third-round draft pick Harry Douglas.

Chris Redman to start Atlanta’s preseason opener (AP)
Chris Redman has edged rookie Matt Ryan and will start at quarterback in the Atlanta Falcons‘ preseason opener Saturday night at Jacksonville. Based on how often he has worked with the first-team offense in training camp, Ryan, the NFL’s No. 3 overall draft pick, would likely be the first quarterback to replace Redman in the exhibition game.