In a slightly surprising move, Juran Bolden replaced Ray Buchanan at left cornerback. Buchanan had indicated he might work at free safety, but that position now belongs to Cory Hall.
Rookie Bryan Scott will start at strong safety, and Tod McBride at right cornerback. Atlanta (1-6) was off last week following a six-game losing streak. Philadelphia (4-3) visits the Georgia Dome Sunday.
``The status quo wasn't getting us anywhere,'' said Phillips, the defensive coordinator. ``We've got to move some people around to see what we can do. I think that's the only way we can do it.''
The Falcons are on pace to allow 6,667 yards, the second-worst single-season total in NFL history. They have allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 107 of their last 156 attempts for 1,514 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Atlanta has only three interceptions and six sacks since the first half of Week 2, a span of 5.5 games.
Buchanan, the team's most flamboyant and quotable player, thought he would move to free safety, a position he held for 15 games as a starter with the Indianapolis Colts in 1993-94. He refused to comment about his demotion.
After the Falcons gave him an $8 million signing bonus as a part of a new six-year contract after their horrendous 4-12 season in 2000, Buchanan struggled. He returned this year only because his contract was guaranteed.
Buchanan, who is tied with Scott Case for the third-most interceptions (30) in Atlanta history, has only three picks over the last two years. He certainly has played better this year than Tyrone Williams, who served a one-game suspension for lashing out at coaches three weeks ago.
Williams left Green Bay as a free agent in March to sign a five-year, $14.05 million contract with the Falcons, but Phillips pulled him out of the game after the eight-year veteran failed to hustle on Dante Stallworth's 68-yard touchdown catch in Atlanta's 45-17 loss to New Orleans two weeks ago.
McBride, his former Packers teammate, beat out Kevin Mathis at right corner. Mathis will remain the primary nickel back.
Scott hasn't played much at strong safety. The Falcons listed him as a cornerback after making Scott their first draft pick, a second-round selection from Penn State. He played both positions for the Nittany Lions, but started his entire senior year at strong safety.
``At safety, as opposed to corner, you're learning run support as well as pass coverage,'' Scott said. ``When I first came here, I said I felt I was an athlete and I could play either. That's what I'm trying to do.''
Hall, a five-year veteran, began the last two seasons as Cincinnati's starting strong safety before moving to free safety. Phillips allowed him to choose which position he wanted to play after Hall signed a five-year, $12 million contract.
After missing the first two games with a groin pull, Hall started against Tampa Bay and Carolina before he sprained his right medial collateral ligament in the 23-3 loss to the Panthers. The injury has sidelined him for the next three games.
Though he described the safety positions as ``interchangeable'' with the Bengals, Hall thinks the roles are more defined with the Falcons.
``It's just a different mindset,'' Hall said. ``That's all I ask. Just let me know so I can get my mind right in practice. You get down in the trenches or get lower at strong. You're further back at free.''
NOTES: Head coach Dan Reeves missed practice Monday after his aunt died in a weekend car accident in Americus. Team spokesman Aaron Salkin did not know the woman's name. ... Quarterback Michael Vick indicated he still can't run on his sore right foot and said there's no chance he will play against the Eagles.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/10/170039