Crumpler part of USO tour

Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler will be among four NFL players that will travel to U.S. military bases throughout the Persian Gulf as part of the league's annual NFL-USO tour. Joining Crumpler will be Patriots tight end Ben Watson, Kansas City Chiefs guard Will Shields, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shelton Quarles.

The NFL began this in 1966 during the Vietnam War. Falcons defensive end Patrick Kerney was part of the tour last season.

Falcons may be interested in Bly

Recent reports indicate that the Atlanta Falcons may attempt to acquire two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Dre' Bly. Bly has spent the past four seasons with the Detroit Lions, and he and his agent were given recent permission by that organization to seek a trade.

Over the weekend, NFL.com's Adam Schefter reported that Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall had begun lobbying the team's front office in order to acquire Bly. Hall and Bly are close friends that grew up in the same hometown of Chesapeake, VA.

Lee Rasizer, of the Rocky Mountain News has reported that the Denver Broncos may be another team interested in Bly. Rasizer's report suggests that the Lions could be seeking a third round pick as compensation for Bly.

Bly will have a $4.2 million base salary in 2007. Any team that acquires him would have that salary added to their 2007 salary cap. Various sources have reported on the status of the Falcons cap space in 2007. John Clayton of ESPN.com has reported that it may be as low as $3.8 million. If that is the case, then it means that if the Falcons were to attempt to acquire Bly, they would need to restructure contracts and/or release veterans.

A veteran of eight years, Bly was originally a second round pick of the St. Louis Rams in 1999. After four years in St. Louis, he signed a lucrative contract with the Lions in 2003. He has 33 career interceptions, 5 of which he has returned for touchdowns. Last season, he finished the year with 54 tackles and 3 interceptions.

Outrage over Babineaux case

Judy Battista of the New York Times writes that there has been an outpouring of outrage over the circumstances surrounding Jonathan Babineaux's involvement with the death of his girlfriend's dog. From e-mails and phone calls to the Humane Society, as well as promptings by PETA for Babineaux to face year-long suspension and/or release.

Babineaux has maintained his innocence in the matter, after being charged with felony animal abuse last week. Reports indicate that an autopsy on the dog named Kilo, will shed further light on Babineaux's involvement in the near future.

Battista writes that an unofficial league source indicates Babineaux is not in danger of being released by the Falcons. But Babineaux is likely to come under scrutiny of the league's personal conduct policy which may result in a fine or suspension.

Falcons eye several prospects in Indy

KFFL.com reports that the Falcons have interviewed a number of prospects over the course of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Several prospects indicated they have spoken with the Falcons, including defensive ends Adam Carriker (Nebraska), Ikaika Alama-Francis (Hawaii), and LaMarr Woodley (Michigan). NFL Draft Countdown rates Carriker as the third best defensive end prospect in the draft, and all three ends are given "Day One" grades by that website.

The team has also spoken with running backs Brandon Jackson (Nebraska) and Tyrone Moss (Miami FL), wide receiver Aundrae Allison (East Carolina), and offensive linemen Leroy Harris (N.C. State) and Ben Grubbs (Auburn). Both Allison and Grubbs receive "Day One" grades from NFL Draft Countdown as well.

None of the players are widely rated as potential options for the Falcons with their tenth overall pick. However, all are candidates to be chosen by the Falcons in the second round or later.

Falcons make a decision on Schaub

Steve Wyche of the AJC writes that the Falcons plan to tender quarterback Matt Schaub at the highest level allowed for a restricted free agent. That level is $2.35 million.

By tendering him at that level, any team that signs Schaub will have to compensate the Falcons with a first and third round draft pick in this upcoming year's draft. Teams will be allowed to submit offer sheets to Schaub, and if he accepts, the Falcons will then have seven days to either match the deal or let Schaub walk. If the latter course of action is chosen, then the Falcons will be compensated with the two draft picks.

In the new Collective Bargaining Agreement signed last March, the NFL decided to expand restricted free agency by adding a fourth option. In the past, teams had three levels of tenders. With the highest tender, teams received compensation in the form of first and third round picks. The second highest tender, a team would receive just a first round pick. The lowest level, teams would be compensated based upon the original round in which a player was drafted. And in the case of undrafted players, would receive no compensation. Now the league has added a fourth level, which will allow teams to be compensated with a second round pick. It will be the third highest level.

The Falcons have other restricted free agents to tender, most notably linebacker Demorrio Williams. Most sources believe he will be tendered at a level in which the Falcons receive at least a second round pick in terms of compensation.

Other players scheduled to be restricted free agents are guard P.J. Alexander, tight end Dwayne Blakley, and offensive linemen Ben Claxton. All three could receive the minimal tenders. Claxton was a fifth round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2002, meaning the Falcons would be compensated if he were to sign elsewhere this off-season. Both Alexander and Blakley however were undrafted free agents, so if tendered at the lowest level, the Falcons would not be compensated by their losses.

Falcons won't tag Kerney

NFL Analyst Adam Schefter reports that even if the Falcons wanted to place the franchise tag on defensive Patrick Kerney, they could not. Kerney's contract does not officially void until February 23, with the deadline for tagging players on February 22.

The last two years of Kerney's seven-year contract that he signed in 2002 voided due to him meeting performance levels. Kerney will become an unrestricted free agent on March 2.

Three other defensive ends have already received the tag, including Dwight Freeney (Indianapolis Colts), Justin Smith (Cincinnati Bengals), and Charles Grant (New Orleans Saints). Kerney would have been the most expensive out of the group, since his tender would have been $10.6 million instead of the regular $8.644 million tender. That is because, Kerney's franchise tender would have amounted to be 120% of his 2006 salary which was higher than the franchise tender.

Falcons' Babineaux denies abusing girlfriend's dog

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Jonathan Babineaux denied responsibility on Tuesday for the death of his girlfriend's dog, which led to felony animal abuse charges against the former Iowa Hawkeye.

Gwinnett County police said officers were dispatched Sunday evening to the Animal Emergency Center, where the staff told them that 24-year-old Blair Anderson had arrived with a pit bull mix that was dead upon arrival.

Police said Anderson told them she and Babineaux, 25, had argued at their home. She said she went to the movies, and upon returning found Kilo, her year-and-a-half old dog, in "severe physical distress."

Babineaux, a second-round draft pick from Iowa in 2005, met with officers at the hospital, where he said he was not responsible for the dog's death. Police said his account of what happened was inconsistent with the information about the dog's injuries provided by the animal hospital. He was arrested.

Police said they are still awaiting test results, but added that preliminary information indicates Kilo died from a massive blow to the head.

Lt. Derrick Locklear, shift commander for the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office, said Babineaux was released just before 8 a.m. Monday on a $2,300 bond.

Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts said that until the team has the information it needs, there would be no comment.

Babineaux played in all 16 games and recorded 28 tackles last season.

-- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

First round of interviews over in San Diego

AP sports writer Bernie Wilson writes that the San Diego Chargers have completed their first round of coaching interviews. The Chargers interviewed six candidates including Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer on Saturday. The Chargers finished up their first round of interviews by talking to Saints defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs on Sunday. No word if former Falcons head coach Jim Mora will also be interviewed for the job.

With the first round seeming over, the Chargers are now expected to evaluate what they have learned from the six candidates. That could include a second round of interviews for a few select candidates. Among the candidates, Norv Turner and Gibbs are the only ones with head coaching experience. But it's clear the team wants to continue it's 3-4 scheme. Zimmer, Gibbs, MIke Singletary, and Rex Ryan are the candidates with the most experience in the 3-4 scheme. However, Zimmer indicated when he was hired with the Falcons, his preference for the 4-3 scheme.

If Zimmer does get the job, it will mean the Falcons will be forced to hire a new defensive coordinator. One candidate for the position is former Lions defensive boss Donnie Henderson. Henderson coached with Bobby Petrino for two years at Idaho in 1989 and 1990. Henderson is also considered a storng candidate to become the next defensive coordinator in San Diego, as speculation indicates he will be the prime candidate if Rex Ryan is hired as head coach.

Zimmer interviews today

The Chargers official site reports that Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will meet with Chargers officials today to become the fifth candidate to interview for the vacant head coaching position.

Zimmer will meet with Chargers owner and president Dean Spanos, general manager A.J. Smith, and executive vice president Ed McGuire.

The previous four candidates that have interviewed include 49ers assistant Mike Singletary and offensive coordinator Norv Turner, Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, and Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. Both Singletary and Rivera interviewed for the Falcons head coaching position in January, before the job eventually went to Bobby Petrino. Petrino then made Zimmer one of his first hires after seven season as Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator.

Falcons add two to roster

The NFL Network reports that the Falcons have signed WR Fred Gibson and QB James Kilian. Both players are likely NFL Europa allocations. Kilian played with the Hamburg Sea Devils in Europe last spring.

Gibson is a local player that was a fourth round draft pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005. He had a solid career at Georgia, where he caught 161 passes and scored 20 touchdowns. He has spent the past two seasons on the Miami Dolphins practice squad.

Kilian was originally a seventh round draft pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005. At Tulsa, he passed for 4865 yards and 36 touchdowns and rushed for 1083 with 19 touchdowns, showing him to be both a threat to make plays in the air and on the ground.

Zimmer a candidate in San Diego

The AJC's Steve Wyche reports that the new Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is a candidate for the recently vacated San Diego Chargers head coaching position and will interview at some point. The Chargers chose to fire coach Marty Schottenheimer on Monday, despite leading the Chargers to a 14-2 record, the best ever in franchise history.

The Chargers ownership cited the ongoing feud between Schottenheimer and GM A.J. Smith as one of the primary reasons for his surprising dismissal. Schottenheimer first came under fire after losing to the New England Patriots in the playoffs, but had seemingly avoided being fired in the week following. But the exodus of both offensive and defensive coordinators Cam Cameron and Wade Phillips, also contributed to his dismissal. Cameron interviewed for the Falcons head coaching gig before it went to Bobby Petrino. He eventually was hired by the Miami Dolphins, and Phillips by the Dallas Cowboys.

Zimmer was one of the first hires made by Petrino after the team hired him on January 7. This is not the first head coaching opportunity Zimmer has had. He interviewed for the job in St. Louis last season, that eventually went to Scott Linehan, and also for the vacant job in Nebraska in 2004 that went to former Oakland Raiders head coach Bill Callahan. Prior to joining the Falcons, Zimmer had spent the past seven seasons as the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator.

Several candidates are expected to interview soon, including former Falcons head coach Jim Mora, who joined the Seattle Seahawks staff as defensive backs coach after his dismissal. The timing of Zimmer's interview is not yet known, according to the AJC report.

Falcons ship Sheldon to Europe

The Daily Herald reports that the Falcons recently signed wide receiver Dan Sheldon, and he will be allocated to the recent re-christened NFL Europa this spring.

Sheldon most recently spent a week at the start of the season on the Chicago Bears practice squad. He spent this past summer competing for a roster spot with the Indianapolis Colts. In 2005, he spent the entire season on the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals after being an undrafted free agent out of Northern Illinois.

Due to his slight 5'8" 179-pound frame, Sheldon's best chance of making the roster will be as a return threat. As a junior at NIU, he led the nation with a 22.7 return average on punts with three touchdowns. During his final two years at Northern Illinois, he caught a total of 80 passes for 1719 yards and 14 touchdowns.

No word on which Falcons will join Sheldon in Europe. Teams can allocate a minimum of six players for the league. Last season the Falcons allocated nine players. The draft for NFL Europa will not be held until February 23, with players reporting to their teams on March 8. The NFL Europa season begins on April 14.

Vick will be allowed to audible

A change that will come in the installation of his offense, new Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino insists that Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will be allowed to audible. He told this to reporters while in Miami this week for Super Bowl festivities, at the urging of Falcons owner Arthur Blank as a good opportunity for networking.

This represents a marked change in philosophy from the previous coaching staff helmed by head coach Jim Mora and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. Knapp admittedly was not a "fan" of audibles, and limited Vick's ability to do so. Under Knapp, Vick was only allowed to modify protection schemes and determine which side of the field a play was to be run on. Under Petrino, he will be given significant latitude to change the play further.

Although Petrino hired former Bengals receivers coach Hue Jackson to serve as the Falcons new offensive coordinator, Petrino himself will be the team's play-caller.

Petrino stated that Vick was excited about the new challenge and that he's confident that Vick can handle his new workload. Petrino also told reporters that the Falcons would focus on adding strength and size to their offensive line.