FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The moments have been passing like hours for Falcons linebacker Demorrio Williams.
Coaches have been limiting the four-year veteran as he recovers from a torn muscle in his chest. He suffered the injury in the offseason but was well enough to get back on the field for the first day of training camp, but he has yet to play in a preseason game.
That changes Monday night when the Falcons welcome the Bengals to the Georgia Dome.
“I love to play football,” Williams said. “So, when you’re out there and see your teammates running around and then you get another opportunity to step out on the field it’s always good to kind of heal you, kind of get yourself back into it.
“The main thing is I just kept my faith and kept working in the offseason. I just knew if I stuck with it and didn’t let it get me down I’d be OK.”
Head Coach Bobby Petrino said he and other coaches have worked hard to keep Williams, who is known for his high energy, from overworking himself in practice.
“We have to tame him to make sure he doesn’t extend his arm trying to hit,” Petrino said in training camp. “I think that’s been the hardest part on him. It’s good to see that speed out there running.”
Given the chance, Williams plans to open up the throttle Monday night. The injury hasn’t been on his mind, nor will it when he makes his first tackle against the Bengals.
"If I go out there thinking like that – thinking that I’m going to get hurt – then I’m not going to be able to play the type of game I want to play,” he said.
But Williams will be just one player and storyline to watch as the Falcons (1-1) take on the Bengals (0-2) in the third preseason game for both teams.
If the preseason is all about getting ready for the drama that is the regular season, the third preseason game is the final – and most important – dress rehearsal. Petrino said fans can expect the first-team offense and defense to play into the third quarter.
“We will bring them out of the locker room following the first half and they’ll play the first series of the third quarter,” Petrino said Thursday. “We want them to get used to the routine of coming out of the locker room and getting started. Then, we will go from there with the rest of the depth.”
The model is not unfamiliar to players or those that follow the NFL. The third preseason game has, historically, pitted starter against starter for a half or more.
“(The regular season is approaching fast) and that’s why it’s an important week for us to do a good job of preparation,” Petrino said. “Everybody has to know and understand the routine on how to prepare. We may still have to tweak and adjust as the season goes on, but that’s just part of it. We have everything introduced and we will utilize certain packages each week. We will have to get better as the week goes on.”
The Falcons drew a good opponent and setting for such an important game. The contest will be broadcast on Monday Night Football and the Bengals finished eighth in points per game last season and 17th in points allowed.
Atlanta spent more time this week game-planning for their opponent -- a first for the preseason.
“We are trying to go through the exact routine as we will throughout the season,” Petrino said. “We had our meetings this morning, our walk-throughs, and then our routine for practice. It is always fun practicing with the ones on the ones and the twos on twos. For that reason, we’re servicing each other and getting the best look for Cincinnati.”
Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, who coached wide receivers for the Bengals from 2004 to 2006, said his unit, led by quarterback Joey Harrington, has made improvements over the first two preseason games and is ready for the extended challenge in game No. 3.
“You hope you’re making progress at this time,” Jackson said. “You’ve had two preseason games. The first one, obviously, you hope you get some of the cobwebs out. The second one you play a little bit better. The third one is to kind of get ready for the season. So, obviously, it’s a big game for our offensive football team. We want to go out and play well in our home stadium and get our home stadium started off in a good fashion.”
As for going against his old team, however, Jackson is all professional.
“I work for the Atlanta Falcons,” he said. “It’s Monday Night Football and they’re keeping score. Our job is to go get a win and that’s the most important thing to me. Obviously I have a lot of good friends, a lot of players that I coached and drafted over there on the other side, but they understand when they come in to Monday night it’s about business.”
Warrick Dunn also plans to return Monday night. If Alge Crumpler does the same, the offense will be close to full strength.
“I feel like we’re making good strides,” Harrington said. “We’ve got to get our guys back in the lineup. We’ve had a few key injuries and guys have been missing for a little while. It’s nice to see them back on the field and kind of getting into a rhythm. I think they’ve done a pretty good job of staying with it up to this point and studying. I think it’s going to be a smooth transition.
“I’m just excited to see everybody out there at full strength. We’ve moved the ball very well as a first offense. I’m just excited to see us do it as a full group.”
INJURY REPORT: Wide receiver Laurent Robinson was limited this week with what team officials described as “a tweaked hamstring.” His status for the game is unclear.
“We want to make sure that he is ready to go,” Petrino said. “We don’t want to lose his availability versus Minnesota. If he is ready to play Monday versus Cincinnati then he will play, but we’re shooting for the season opener.”
Running back Jerious Norwood missed last week’s game at Buffalo with an abdominal infection but returned to practice this week. Both he and Crumpler took reps Friday afternoon. Petrino said Crumpler will get playing time against the Bengals, possibly "through the first quarter" of play.
Defensive back Omare Lowe is out with a knee problem. Petrino said he will not be ready for the Bengals or Ravens game on Aug. 31.
