FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - When Brent Grimes went down in the very first game, everyone wondered how the Atlanta Falcons would cope without 1 of their best cornerbacks.
When Asante Samuel banged up his right shoulder, the question came up again.
Turns out, the Falcons' secondary is doing just fine.
Robert McClain, a former seventh-round pick who was cut by his last two teams, has helped make up for the loss of Grimes to an Achilles' injury. Last week, Christopher Owens stepped up with 1 of the best performances of his career, allowing the Falcons (11-1) to keep winning even after Samuel was knocked out of the game.
Atlanta hopes to have Samuel back on Sunday when it travels to Carolina to face the Panthers (3-9). The Falcons already have clinched the NFC South.
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The Atlanta Falcons, state and city officials have agreed on a deal to ensure that at least 31 percent of construction awards for the team's new stadium are awarded to minority or women-owned firms.
The Atlanta Falcons, state and city officials have agreed on a deal to ensure that at least 31 percent of construction awards for the team's new stadium are awarded to minority or women-owned firms.
