Lineman shortage hurting Falcons
By
Posted 3:03PM on Wednesday 11th September 2002 ( 22 years ago )
FLOWERY BRANCH - The Atlanta Falcons are struggling with a lineman shortage that's hurting defense. <br>
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The Falcons had only five healthy lineman last weekend and will again for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears at the Georgia Dome. <br>
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Last week, defensive end Patrick Kerney played all 77 defensive snaps and end Brady Smith 76 in the Falcons' 37-to-34 overtime loss at Green Bay. <br>
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Starting noseguard Ed Jasper played 71. Jasper's backup, Ellis Johnson, played 27 and reserve end Ronald Flemons a mere one. <br>
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The Packers rushed for a whopping 211 yards on 38 carries. <br>
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The other linemen on the active roster list are injured. <br>
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Mark Simoneau, Will Overstreet, Chris Draft and Artie Ulmer missed Green Bay. Ulmer (sprained knee) and Simoneau (strained lower abdomen) might be back for the Bears game. And Travis Hall has been out more than a month with a strained lower abdomen.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/9/190229
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