FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Defensive tackle Rod Coleman took the next step in his recovery from knee surgery Wednesday by returning to the practice field. He didn't take every rep, but his presence alone was enough to excite the locker room.
The Pro Bowler ruptured a quadricep in the offseason and required more knee surgery the week before the season opener. He's been inactive in every game this season.
"He practiced some out there today and looked pretty good," Head Coach Bobby Petrino said. "It's kind of a 'wait and see' situation. I'm a little bit nervous about it simply because it's hard to think someone can have two or three practices and be ready to play in the game."
Coleman wants to get back on the field quickly.
"I'm just dealing with it," he said. "It's hard sitting back and just watching things and knowing you can be a factor and a difference maker."
Coleman said he "felt good" at practice and joked he could "jump over the building" if asked. Petrino stressed, however, that the lineman's medical condition would be the "No. 1" factor in determining his availability for Sunday's game at Tennessee.
HITTING THE GROUND: The Titans have the league's second best rushing defense (63.3 yards per game) and the second-best rushing offense (173.7 yards per game). That's a lethal combination that has helped Tennessee to a 2-1 record.
It presents the Falcons offense, which ranks 23rd in rushing, a unique challenge.
"We need to run the ball more," Petrino said. "We need to run it better. Usually, if you run it better you get to run it more. They kind of go hand-and-hand. We're working hard at it and we're getting close. we just need to get some consistency."
The Falcons haven't rushed for more than 96 yards in a game and a solid ground attack is vital for any team looking to keep it's defense fresh and control the game in the fourth quarter, as the Titans have done.
Through three games, the Titans have shutout opponents in the fourth quarter.
The Falcons offense remains confident and isn't getting too caught up on the Titans run defense, however. They remain upbeat about the passing game, which includes more than 500 passing yards and four passing touchdowns from quarterback Joey Harrington in the past two games.
"When you start to expect defenses to do things, they tend to catch you off guard," Harrington said. "I don't get in to speculating what teams will do against us. Do I have an answer for how we run the ball better? No, I don't. It kind of feeds off each other. When you throw the ball well, you run the ball well and, when you run the ball well, you throw the ball well."
GOING FOR A STREAK: One couldn't help but notice more laughter in the locker room Wednesday as the mood lightened considerably after the Falcons first win.
"That feeling in the locker room Sunday after the game, we want to keep that," Pro Bowl linebacker and defensive captain Keith Brooking said. "We got a little taste and it was a great one. We want to continue to grow as a team and get better. I think we gained a lot of momentum on Sunday. The feeling around here is a lot different this week.
"You see a little extra step in everybody's movement."
Petrino said the team's confidence carried over in practice Wednesday as the Falcons look to make it two in a row and pull the record to 2-3.
"It's a little bit different mood from the last few weeks but, bottom line, we went back to work," the coach said. "I liked the way that we practiced. I thought our focus (and) energy was good."
NEW FACE: New long snapper Mike Schneck, who was signed by the team Tuesday, practiced for the first time Wednesday morning. The Pro Bowler said he was at home in Pittsburgh when the Falcons called.
Without a team, however, he had to get creative with his workout.
"I'm pretty used to snapping on my own," the former Bill and Steeler said. "It's pretty tough to get guys to come catch for you. So, I go snap by myself. I go snap at soccer goals at the polls or basketball goals. You get pretty good at it, but you don't want to chase balls around."
Schneck went to the Pro Bowl in 2005 as a member of the Buffalo Bills. The nine-year veteran said he's been long snapping since his sophomore year in high school.
INJURY REPORT: Another injury of note is the pectoral problems fought by tight end Dwayne Blakley. He was limited in practice Wednesday and Petrino said he took "quite a few reps." More injury news in the official injury report.
