Koenen can't explain four missed field goals

<p>The Atlanta Falcons promote Michael Koenen as a triple threat.</p><p>On Sunday, Koenen was a quadruple miss.</p><p>Koenen was 0-for-4 on field goal attempts. By the second half, Falcons fans were booing before and after his attempts, casting an unexpected negative shadow on an otherwise positive day for the home team.</p><p>The Falcons celebrated their 2-0 start after the 14-3 win over Tampa Bay, but coach Jim Mora also worried about the kicking situation.</p><p>"It is an issue," Mora said. "I feel very confident that we have the people in place who can rectify that situation."</p><p>After winning the job by making 8 of 8 field-goal attempts in the preseason, Koenen is only 2-for-8 in the regular season.</p><p>Koenen missed from 30, 36, 30 and 40 yards Sunday. The second 30-yard attempt was blocked. His first miss from 30 yards was wide right; the other two misses were wide left.</p><p>Koenen missed twice as many kicks in one game as Todd Peterson missed all of last season. Peterson was not re-signed despite making 23 of 25 field goal attempts last season.</p><p>Koenen, who also handles kickoffs, punts and extra points, couldn't explain the missed field goals.</p><p>"They felt good," he said. "It wasn't like I was hitting the ball bad."</p><p>After the game, Koenen appeared uncomfortable as he constantly shuffled his feet, but he managed to smile as he faced reporters.</p><p>"It's not easy when you have games like that, but these guys have done nothing but pick me up," Koenen said of his teammates. "They know I'm going to do better next week."</p><p>Mora was hesitant to have Koenen, the team's punter and kickoff specialist last season, handle all the kicking duties this year. Koenen insists he is not overworked.</p><p>"No, I like it," he said. "I like the challenge of it."</p><p>Falcons quarterback Michael Vick said Koenen shouldn't have to try so many field-goal attempts.</p><p>"Maybe we need to put the ball in the end zone so Mike doesn't have to come out and kick every time," Vick said.</p><p>"We're all professionals and we're going to support Mike and next time we'll put it in."</p><p>___</p><p>SHROPSHIRE GETS TIP BUT NO TD: Chauncey Davis was the official replacement for Falcons defensive end John Abraham, who was held out with a groin injury. But several linemen, including backup tackle Darrell Shropshire, helped fill the big-play void.</p><p>Shropshire, a second-year player from South Carolina, deflected two passes at the line. He almost caught the first deflection for an interception in the first period. Shropshire had open field ahead if he had made the catch.</p><p>"That was a big-time play," Shropshire said. "The ball was right there in my hand. I should have just caught the ball and then ran. I was thinking about running for a touchdown."</p><p>End Patrick Kerney and tackle Rod Coleman also deflected passes at the line as the linemen kept their arms in the air when Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms was preparing to pass.</p><p>"We knew coming in Chris Simms releases the ball kind of low," Shropshire said. "We watched that the whole week. We knew to get our hands up."</p><p>Abraham suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of last week's 20-6 win at Carolina after he had six tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.</p><p>Abraham was listed as questionable on the team's injury report all week, though he was not able to practice. Abraham's status for the Falcons' game at New Orleans next week is not known.</p><p>"I love John," Shropshire said. "He's like my big brother. He just told me to go out and continue to make plays. Don't worry about him."</p><p>Coleman recorded his second sack of the season.</p><p>___</p><p>THREE CATCHES FOR LELIE: Wide receiver Roddy White left the game in the first quarter after taking a hit to the ribs and fumbling the ball following an 18-yard reception. With White out of the mix, Ashley Lelie led the Falcons with three receptions for 22 yards.</p><p>Lelie, acquired from Denver in August in the three-team deal that sent T.J. Duckett to Washington, said he is becoming more comfortable in the offense.</p><p>The increased comfort level includes the adjustment to additional blocking responsibilities.</p><p>"It's a little tougher," Lelie said.</p><p>"It's actually pretty fun. It adds an extra dimension, having a quarterback like Vick who can run. Defensive backs are worried about Vick getting to the outside. That can lead to a lot more opportunities for us to be open."</p><p>The Falcons did not release results of X-rays taken of White's ribs.</p>

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