Abraham's absence not hurting Atlanta thus far

<p>As the Atlanta Falcons prepared to face Arizona last week, Patrick Kerney followed a routine that helped him limit wear and tear on his injured right triceps.</p><p>The eighth-year defensive end hurt his arm in Atlanta's Week 1 victory at Carolina, but Kerney, who has never missed a game since the Falcons drafted him late in the first round of 1999, never considered an alternative.</p><p>"He would not practice on Wednesday and then on Thursday he would come out and practice on the side," Mora said Monday. "He would tell Sal Alosi, our strength coach, 'I need seven plays right now.' They would simulate plays, pass rush, get-offs, hitting bags and getting his wind up. Then he would go in and change into his gear and participate in our nickel period. On Fridays he practiced the whole time."</p><p>Mora credits Kerney's work ethic with setting a tone for the rest of Atlanta's line now that John Abraham has missed the last three games with a strained groin.</p><p>Kerney entered the 32-10 win Sunday Arizona with an uncommon lack of production _ just one tackle and one pass breakup _ but he compensated with three sacks, one forced fumble and four tackles.</p><p>Mora hopes that Abraham, who terrorized the Panthers in Week 1 and forced Carolina to use four different defensive tackles, will be ready to return when the Falcons (3-1) return from their bye next to face the New York Giants on Oct. 15.</p><p>"Nobody knows their body better than an athlete," Mora said. "No one wants him on the field as much as John does. As much as I want him on the field, he wants it more, but I don't want to put him out there unless he is ready to roll. All indications are he will be ready to roll. There is a lot of time between now and then."</p><p>It's not like the Atlanta defense can't survive without him. Opponents have combined for just one touchdown, which came on a double-reverse at New Orleans, this season. The other two touchdowns occurred on a blocked punt against the Saints and another on a 100-yard interception return by Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson.</p><p>Mora likes how the "swarm," as he describes it, has returned to the defense after essentially disappearing last year. The offseason acquisitions of strong safety Lawyer Milloy and free safety Chris Crocker and the late-August signing of free agent Grady Jackson, a 370-pound nose tackle, have made a major impact against the run.</p><p>Of all the troubles never solved in losing six of eight to miss the playoffs last season, none hurt confidence more than the Falcons' faulty run defense. They finished 26th against the run and 18th in scoring. This year, Atlanta is fifth in both categories.</p><p>"We are where we wanted to be," Milloy said. "It is a much-needed break. We have worked hard during the offseason and the regular season, and after the bye, it doesn't stop. We have a tough schedule ahead of us."</p><p>Falcons defensive line coach Bill Johnson keeps his players fresh with constant rotations. Paul Carrington and Josh Mallard occasionally spell Kerney and Chauncey Davis at end.</p><p>Rod Coleman starts at the three-technique tackle spot next to Jackson. They take breathers whenever Johnson sends in Darrell Shropshire and Jonathan Babineaux.</p><p>Against the Cardinals, the seven players other than Kerney combined for two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and nine tackles. What's surprising is that Carrington, an undrafted rookie, and Mallard, a former Georgia standout who hadn't played in an NFL game since 2002, have maintained respectability.</p><p>"The best thing you can say about them is you don't notice them when they are in there," Mora said. "You would like to see sacks, production and tackles, but that is not always what defensive linemen are about. Sometimes it is just swallowing up blocks and making sure they are maintaining the block so someone else can make the play."</p><p>Coleman, a Pro Bowl selection in 2005, has 40.5 sacks over the last five years than any other NFL interior tackle. He recovered fumbles that Jackson and linebacker Michael Boley stripped against Arizona.</p><p>"What Rod has done a really good job in is when they occupy him with two blockers, he is getting his hands up," Mora said. "I think he had a couple of tipped balls this week and I think he had a couple last week. He might be leading the league in batted balls. He has a really good feel on when to get his hands up when he is blocked."</p><p>Added Kerney, "You have to like how young guys like Shrop and Babineaux are feeding off the veteran players. Once we get Abe back, we should be ready for anything."</p>

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