Weiner accustomed to changing his playbook

<p>Todd Weiner will begin his 10th NFL season this weekend, a remarkable milestone when you consider that an average career lasts roughly three years.</p><p>The 31-year-old right tackle feels fortunate to have played for just two teams, Atlanta and Seattle, but the Falcons' hiring of coach Bobby Petrino meant that Weiner had to learn a new offense for the fifth time.</p><p>In his four years with the Seahawks, Weiner worked under Dennis Erickson and Mike Holmgren. The Falcons have employed three coaches _ Petrino, Jim Mora and Dan Reeves _ since Weiner signed in March 2002.</p><p>"This offense gives the quarterback so many different ways to incorporate his running backs and receivers," Weiner said. "Maybe that's through recognizing a blitz before the snap and using an audible to get (the ball) out on a screen or a quick slant. Or maybe it's reading the alignment of a safety, which tells the quarterback to take two more steps back (in the pocket), pump-fake and look for another receiver to get some separation underneath the coverage."</p><p>During the preseason, Petrino thought Atlanta's pass protection improved more steadily than the run-blocking. Some of the minor complications stemmed from running back Warrick Dunn's recovery from back surgery and others were caused by the sudden absence of quarterback Michael Vick, whom the NFL suspended indefinitely following his guilty plea in federal court last month.</p><p>Petrino is grateful to have inherited four veteran starters on the offensive line. Weiner, center Todd McClure and right guard Kynan Forney are entering their sixth season as teammates. Left tackle Wayne Gandy, now in his second year with the Falcons, is a 14-year veteran.</p><p>Only rookie left guard Justin Blalock, a second-round draft pick from Texas, is truly learning his way through the league.</p><p>"We are improving with our pad level and getting better at the small stuff," Petrino said. "I think Justin Blalock needs to get stronger from the snap. I am anxious to see Warrick Dunn and his ability to run between the tackles and make cuts."</p><p>For Weiner, who was accustomed to working with an incomparable running quarterback like Vick, blocking for new starter Joey Harrington might seem more orthodox on the surface, but Atlanta's offense should have an easier time creating balance between the ground and air attacks.</p><p>The Falcons led the NFL in rushing the last three years, but their passing attack was the league's worst in 2006 after ranking 27th in '05 and 31st the season before.</p><p>"It's going to be a lot of fun for us if we can keep (quarterback) Joey (Harrington) upright," Weiner said. "We've got a lot of smart, experienced playmakers, it's our responsibility to give Joey a chance to get the ball out."</p><p>Notes:@ Petrino has confirmed that Roddy White and Joe Horn will start at receiver and that Michael Jenkins will work primarily in the slot. ... Jimmy Williams, who switched from cornerback during the offseason, will start at free safety in place of injured Chris Crocker. ... Team captains for 2007 are Gandy and tight end Alge Crumpler (offense), linebacker Keith Brooking and strong safety Lawyer Milloy (defense) and fullback Corey McIntyre (special teams).</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/9/90967