Redman to get a chance?

Will the Falcons be using their third different starting quarterback this weekend? The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that head coach Bobby Petrino declined to name a starting quarterback at his weekly press conference and the paper speculates that Chris Redman may be given a shot under center. The Falcons really have nothing to lose at this point, so it couldn't hurt to give Redman a chance to follow up a strong fourth quarter in last week's loss to the Rams, especially against a weak Saints secondary.

Crumpler expected back Wednesday

Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler is expected to practice on Wednesday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has missed the last two games with injuries to his knee and ankle. Fantasy owners can plan on having Crumnpler available, but there are likely better options out there in your league.

Crumpler doubtful for Sunday

Alge Crumpler is considered doubtful for Sunday's game against the Saints. He hasn't practiced all week due to a sore knee, according to the AP. It would be a surprise if Crump suits up tomorrow. He hasn't done much this year, anyway, so don't hesitate to keep him on the bench this week.

Coleman won't play

Rod Coleman's comeback won't begin for at least one more week. His name appears on the inactive list due to the knee injury that has prevented him from playing this season. Coleman practiced this week and was considered a game-time decision. IDP owners should expect him to return next week for the Monday night meeting with the Giants.

Heap unsure of status

Tight end Todd Heap limped out of the Ravens' week four loss with a hamstring injury, and his status for the team's week five tilt against the 49ers is uncertain. "I can't say it's horrible," Heap told the Baltimore Sun. "We'll just have to see how it goes tomorrow." Heap is already a permanent fixture on the weekly injury report, and Heap owners will need to pay particularly close attention this week to track his status. Quinn Sypniewski filled in for Heap and caught six passes, including his first NFL touchdown.

Crumpler rests

Alge Crumpler did not practice on Thursday. The team's official website lists "team decision" as the reason for his absence. He is expected to start on Sunday against the Texans.Crumpler has been taking Thursdays off throughout the season to rest. The buzz is that team officials are giving him the time off to rest his surgically repaired knee.

Lewis to start

Trey Lewis will make his first start on Sunday against the Texans, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is filling in for Jonathan Babineaux, who suffered a stretched knee ligament and will be out up to three weeks. Babineaux was filling in for injured starter Rod Coleman, so the Falcons are thin at defensive tackle. Well, except for Grady Jackson, who is anything but thin.

Hall won't start

DeAngelo Hall's meltdown during the Week 3 will cost him a start in Sunday's game against the Texans. "I might sit a quarter," Hall told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I might sit two quarters. He didn't tell me how long I am going to sit." Head coach Bobby Petrino also issued Hall a fine of $100,000, which Hall plans to appeal via the NFL Players Association. Hall flipped out and cost his team a win, yet he doesn't think his actions warrant what is essentially a fraction of his annual salary? IDP owners are in a tough spot this week because there's no telling how much playing time DeAngelo will get. We'll let you know if Petrino provides any insight prior to kickoff on Sunday.

Blakley out

Dwayne Blakley has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is nursing a pectoral injury and did not play in Week 3. Rookie Martrez Milner will serve as the No. 2 tight end behind Alge Crumpler. Neither Blakley nor Milner have done anything to warrant fantasy consideration.

Coleman running

Rod Coleman ran on his surgically repaired right knee for the first time over the weekend, according to Thursday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He will not play in Sunday's game against the Texans. Coleman is targeting Week 5 for his return. He was limited during training camp by a quadriceps injury and has yet to play in a regular season game, so he will probably be rusty once he finally takes the field.

Vick fails drug test

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is facing more legal trouble after testing positive for marijuana. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Vick tested positive for a urine sample submitted on September 13. As a result, federal court probation officer Patricia Locket-Ross petitioned judge Henry Hudson to impose stricter pretrial release conditions on Vick.
In court documents filed Wednesday, Hudson ordered that Vick must submit to any method of testing, "for determining whether the defendant is using a prohibited substance."
Vick is also restricted to his Virginia residence from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. everyday, and will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device and must participate in substance therapy and mental health counseling. Vick is scheduled to be sentenced December 10 after pleading guilty in federal court to charges stemming from a dogfighting ring. He faces up to five years in prison.

The positive test was from a sample submitted to the court officials, not to the league office. Nevertheless, this won't sit well with commissioner Roger Goodell, who suspended Vick indefinitely for violating the league's player conduct policy.

Robinson limited

Laurent Robinson was limited during practice on Wednesday with a hamstring injury, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was inactive in Week 2 because of the same injury. Robinson was involved in the Week 1 game plan, as he caught three passes for 32 yards. He'll probably get some playing time on Sunday, but he needs to catch more passes before he'll warrant serious fantasy attention

Crocker returns

Chris Crocker returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since he suffered a bone bruise during the third preseason game, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He split starting reps with Jimmy Williams during practice. Crocker should get some playing time on Sunday against the Panthers, but it remains to be seen whether he or Williams will start.

Leftwich inks two-year deal

The Falcons signed Byron Leftwich to a two-year contract on Tuesday. The deal is worth $6 million, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He will be the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart behind Joey Harrington and Chris Redman once he reports for practice. It shouldn't take Leftwich long to rise to the top of the quarterback depth chart. However, he must learn Bobby Petrino's spread offense first. He is not expected to be active for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Robinson sits out

Laurent Robinson did not play in Sunday's game against the Jaguars due to a hamstring injury, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He had three receptions the week before against the Vikings. Robinson was a surprise scratch because he practiced throughout the week. Barring a setback, we expect him to return in Week 3.

Crumpler will start

Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler will start in week two despite missing practice time this week with a knee injury, according to ESPN. The Falcons have said that they will give Crumpler some time off from practice as needed this season to rest his knee. Start him this week if you normally would.

Williams unsure of role

The Falcons have not decided whether Demorrio Williams or Steven Nicholas will start at linebacker in Week 2. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Williams has taken the starter's reps throughout the week, but the coaching staff has insisted that the player who practices better will get the start. Williams started last week, but performed badly enough that Nicholas took over in the second half. Williams is trying to bounce back from offseason pectoral surgery and missed training camp time.

Crumpler takes day off

Alge Crumpler did not practice on Thursday due to his knee injury. However, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the team plans to give Crumpler days off throughout the season in hopes of keeping him healthy. There is no indication that there is anything seriously wrong with Crumpler. Nevertheless, we'll keep a close eye on his status when the injury report is released on Friday afternoon.

Crocker questionable

Chris Crocker's status for Sunday's game against the Jaguars has not been determined, head coach Bobby Petrino told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He did not play in Week 1 due to a knee injury. Jimmy Williams started Week 1 and would most likely get the call again if Crocker were unable to play. These two battled for the starting job during training camp, so there's a chance that Williams could take over the position permanently if he performs well.

"I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding ..." Michael Vick

Michael Vick pleaded guilty Monday to a federal dogfighting charge and awaited a Dec. 10 sentencing date that could send the NFL star to prison.

In a statement before the media Monday, Vick said he took full responsibility for his actions. "I will redeem myself. I have to," he said.

"First, I want to apologize for all the things that I have done and I have allowed to happen. I want to personally apologize to Commissioner Goodell, Arthur Blank, Coach Bobby Petrino, and my Atlanta Falcons teammates, for I was not honest and forthright in our discussions," Vick said.

"I was ashamed and totally disappointed in myself, to say the least. I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts. What I did was very immature, so that means I need to grow up."

Vick said he now has rejected dogfighting and has found religion as a result of the federal charges. "Dogfighting is a terrible thing. I reject it," he said.

"I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to better Michael Vick the person, not the football player," Vick said.

"I take full responsibility for my actions … I am totally responsible."

The plea by the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback was accepted by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who asked: "Are you entering the plea of guilty to a conspiracy charge because you are in fact guilty?"

Vick replied, "Yes, sir."

Hudson emphasized he is not bound by sentencing guidelines and can impose the maximum sentence of up to five years in prison.

"You're taking your chances here. You'll have to live with whatever decision I make," Hudson.

In his written plea filed in federal court Friday, Vick admitted helping kill six to eight pit bulls and supplying money for gambling on the fights. He said he did not personally place any bets or share in any winnings.

The NFL suspended him indefinitely and without pay Friday after his plea agreement was filed. Merely associating with gamblers can trigger a lifetime ban under the league's personal conduct policy.

Vick stands to lose approximately $100 million because of his conviction.

Federal prosecutors recommended 12-18 months in prison.

"A first-time offender might well receive no jail time for this offense," U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said in a statement. "We thought, however, that the conduct in this conspiracy was heinous, cruel and inhumane" so three of the four defendants, including Vick, should receive harsher sentences.

The first defendant to plead guilty left the conspiracy in 2004 and is not as culpable, he said.

Vick's plea came hours before the Falcons are scheduled to play an exhibition game at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. This will be the first chance for the team to see what effect Vick's case has on attendance at the Georgia Dome. Vick wears the biggest-selling jersey in team history and is given much credit for the team's 51 consecutive sellouts.

After initially denying his involvement, Vick has said little publicly about the case. Privately, he met with Goodell and Falcons owner Arthur Blank when the investigation was just beginning, and almost certainly lied to both.