Michael Koenen News

The Falcons recently signed long snapper Joe Zelenka, who was home relaxing with his family in Jacksonville when the phone rang Sunday.

Atlanta Falcons kicker Jason Elam celebrates with holder Michael Koenen after kicking the winning field goal in overtime against Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their NFL football game in Atlanta, Georgia, December 14, 2008.

But Tampa Bay's fake punt 2:01 into the fourth quarter was not supposed to look anything like the fire drill it appeared to be.

Ten Falcons reasons for all Falcons fans to give thanks today: I'm thankful for the University of Arkansas, who got that hog-sooey idiot Petrino out of town before he could do even more damage.

When you've kicked in the NFL for 17 years, you're bound to miss a few. But Jason Elam's current cold streak has put him on pace to have a career-worst season.

Flowery Branch Falcons kicker Jason Elam was not stunned that the team gave tryouts to four kickers.

The Falcons lost a game but saved a season. If that sounds convoluted well, try this: On the day theA Falcons fell to 5-5, they nonetheless demonstrated why this will be that forever-sought second consecutive winning season.

"I got going a little too early," Elam said Monday. "Bottom line is that when the ball was down, I didn't make it.

Carolina's Richard Marshall came down with Matt Ryan's high pass that was intended for Michael Jenkins in the fourth quarter.

Tye Hill started the game but on Carolina's first touchdown drive, the Panthers picked up 62 of their 80 yards by throwing the ball to receivers covered by Hill, whether if it was Muhsin Muhammad or Steve Smith.

Jason Elam felt worse than anyone in the Falcons' locker room Tuesday night. A day after missing two field goals in New Orleans to contribute to Atlanta's first two-game losing streak under coach Mike Smith, Elam is still trying to figure out the source of his problems.

If I accidentally hit it, I accidentally hit it, Koenen said.3 who need big gamesWashington assistant Sherm Lewis, who had been out of the league since 2004, will try his hand at play-calling for embattled coach Jim Zorn on Monday night at Philadelphia.Rookie QB Mark Sanchez has to bounce back from his five-INT game last week for the Jets, who take ...

Dallas' Patrick Crayton slips away from Atlanta's Michael Koenen as he returns a punt 73 yards for a touchdown in the Cowboys' win on Sunday.

Turner-Cowboys connection? Michael Turner has developed into one of the league's top running backs since leaving the San Diego Chargers for the Falcons last season.

Cowboys rookie David Buehler is tied for third in the NFL with eight touchbacks.

Running back Jerious Norwood, who suffered a right hip flexor injury against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, said Wednesday he doesn't expect to play this weekend against the Dallas Cowboys.

A few pre-game notes as we await kickoff at the Georgia Dome: -- It'll be interesting to see who kicks extra points and field goals for the Falcons.

Jason Elam left it in the bullpen on Sunday. After what he said was his best practice week of the preseason and a good pre-game warm-up, the Falcons kicker had one of the worst days of his 17-year career.

The extremely handsome Matt Ryan has many admirers. So I watched the Falcons through their uninspiring preseason and was starting to think, "Maybe I overclubbed." But now I find I'm only one among many gushing pundits.

So let's say it's a regular-season game in Dallas, and a strong-legged punter from the visiting team wants to boom one out of his own end zone.