FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Michael Boley showed Falcons fans two things in last Thursday's game against the Colts -- durability and an ability to create problems in the backfield. Of course, Boley has been showing fans his Pro Bowl-caliber play for quite some time.
The third-year pro leads the Falcons with 101 tackles this season. His three sacks against the Colts doubled his career total.
He injured his elbow against Indianapolis but returned to the game. The only sign of the ding stayed on his arm Wednesday in the form of a brace that he may have to wear Sunday at St. Louis.
Nothing to worry about, he says.
"This is just something that will help me through the week and make sure it heals up like it supposed to," Boley said in his usual soft-spoken, modest tone.
He brought the same demeanor after a 17-tackle game against Tennessee, which he followed up with an impressive run of consistency that has him cemented as a key contributor on defense.
"The first thing, Michael is a very good student of the game," Head Coach Bobby Petrino said Wednesday. "He goes into each game and has a real good understanding of what they're trying to do and what our schemes are on defense. He's very fast -- kind of a combination between linebacker and safety as far as his ability to play the run and cover. We couldn't be more happy with the way he has played."
Boley takes it one game at a time.
"Anytime you come out and have a decent game you look forward to trying to get better," he said. "That's my goal -- to come out this week and try to have a better game than I did last week."
MAKING A STAND: One name stood out when Falcons players and coaches started reviewing tape and scouting reports on the St. Louis Rams -- Steven Jackson. The 6-foot-2, 231 pound running back is a key to the Rams offense and has rushed for 532 yards in just seven games of work this season (he missed four games with a groin injury).
"I compare his style more to Adrian Peterson just because of his body type," defensive end Jamaal Anderson said Wednesday. "He's a tall, lean player with incredible speed. You look at Steven Jackson; he's a huge guy with great ability to cut, find holes and he has blazing speed. He has a rare combination of strength and speed."
Jackson broke a 53-yard run for a touchdown last week but, even without scoring, he changes the way people defend the Rams offense.
"He's going to be a tough guy to go against," Boley said. "Just seeing what he can do with the ball... he's big and he's fast. He can also move a little bit, too. It's going to force us to really be gap sound this week and do our thing to step up and stop the run.
"They still got a big play offense. They've got tremendous receivers in (Isaac) Bruce and (Torry) Holt. When you've got those guys out there you can't just stack the box and hope you stop the run. You have to try to balance it up."
ALONG THE LINE: Rookie left guard Justin Blalock hasn't had the best set of circumstances to learn the pro game. He's had four different players line up next to him at left tackle this season because of wide-spread injuries along the Falcons offensive line.
Wednesday Blalock talked about the linemen set to play Sunday at St. Louis against a defense that brought the blitz early and often in a Week 12 loss to Seattle.
"Even in college we were taught not to worry about things we couldn't control," Blalock said. "Not knowing who's going to be next to you week-in and week-out? Shoot, I don't know. I might be out. You never know in this game... You can't afford to let injuries or anything affect the way you prepare for the game. It doesn't matter who it is next to me or who the five guys are, we're going to practice together (and) communicate as well as we possibly can. Usually that will make up for any newcomers coming on."
Petrino said veteran center Todd McClure has been a steadying force along the line, which started two second-year players last week in Quinn Ojinnaka (left tackle) and D'Anthony Batiste (right guard). Starting guard Kynan Forney missed Thursday's game with an illness, but returned to practice Monday.
"We got McClure inside who keeps them all together and runs the show," the coach said. "Everybody else is battling. The biggest thing about the offensive line is they have to come out here each practice and improve on their techniques and fundamentals. We've had to reduce our package and reduce what we do, but they're going to keep working at it."
INJURY REPORT: Petrino had no new information on the condition of left tackle Todd Weiner (knee). Weiner missed the Falcons last game with the nagging injury and did not practice Wednesday.
"It's still very questionable," Petrino said of Weiner's knee. "We're not sure exactly how that's going to play out."
Quarterback Byron Leftwich practiced Wednesday, another step in recovery from a tailbone injury suffered late in a loss to Tampa Bay. Petrino said the coaching staff will review practice film before deciding between Leftwich and Chris Redman for the No. 2 quarterback slot.
Wide receiver Joe Horn (hamstring/foot) practiced for the second time this week.
"Joe looked better," Petrino said. "I think there's a real good chance that he'll be (able to play) this week. We have to make it through the week; he's got to be able to build his speed and he's got to be able to pace himself. Sometimes he comes out and goes 110 mph and re-injures. I think he's being real smart with it."
NEIGHBORHOOD MVP: Running back Warrick Dunn has been selected one of eight finalist for the Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP award. The 11-year veteran now receives a $5,000 donation to a charity of his choice and a chance for an additional $25,000 and honors as the league's Neighborhood MVP. Winners will be announced the week of Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz.
Fans can vote on the honor now through Dec. 31 (Click here to vote).
Dunn has long been a part of helping single parents achieve first-time home ownership through the Warrick Dunn Foundation.
COPING WITH A LOSS: The death of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor was felt around the NFL, including in the Falcons locker room. Several players spoke about the Pro Bowler, who was shot in his South Florida home early Monday.
More to come on this story Thursday on AtlantaFalcons.com.
