GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Game notes, updates and in-game injury reports straight from the University of Phoenix Stadium press box.
- The roof was open at University of Phoenix Stadium for today's Falcons-Cardinals game. Atop the stadium roof are two large retractable panels that open and close on an arc. The panels and much of the roof are made of a translucent fabric called "Birdair," that enables light to penetrate and gives the venue an open, airy feel. When closed it also allows for an air conditioned environment, but the roof can be opened during the cooler times of the year. The roof retraction process takes about ten minutes to complete. Check some video of the roof retraction in Matt Moore's blog entry.
- Guard Justin Blalock got back into the starting lineup at left guard after spending the last two games backing up D'Anthony Batiste.
- Cornerback DeAngelo Hall took care of punt return duties today, a role that had been previously handled by Adam Jennings. It was the first time Hall returned punts for the Falcons since Dec. 18, 2005 when he had one punt return which was fair caught.
- Wide receiver Roddy White went over 1,000 yards receiving on the year on the first offensive series of the game, catching a Chris Redman 10-yard pass for a first down. The feat marked the first time the Falcons have had a 1,000 yard receiver since Terence Mathis went over 1,000 yards in 1999.
- White's 12 receptions in the game set a new career high. His previous high was this season at St. Louis when he caught 10 passes for 146 yards.
- Rookie running back Jason Snelling scored his first career touchdown on a one-yard run with just over a minute remaining in the first quarter to pull the Falcons even with the Cardinals at 7-7. The score capped off a 9 play, 74-yard scoring drive.
- Falcons linebacker Travis Williams recorded his first career rush and the Falcons' third-longest of the season when he scampered 37 yards on a fake punt late in the first quarter that set up the Falcons' first touchdown. It was the second fake punt attempt of the season for the Falcons; both were successful. Artose Pinner ran for a first down on a fake punt against the Tennessee Titans in week five of the season.
- Rookie Laurent Robinson, who started in place of Joe Horn, caught his first career touchdown when he hauled in a 74-yard bomb from Redman with 8:05 remaining in the second quarter. The 74-yard reception was the longest play from scrimmage thus far this season for the Falcons.
- The 74-yard touchdown pass was the longest of Redman's career. His previous career long was a 46-yard pass to running back Jerious Norwood versus the Saints on Dec. 10.
- The last overtime game the Falcons played was in 2006 in a victory over the defending World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, 41-38.
- Cornerback Brent Grimes saw his first action in the NFL and played a whale of a game, leading the team in tackles with 10.
- INJURY UPDATE: Safety Lawyer Milloy went down with a hip injury with 7:37 remaining in the second quarter and lay face down on the turf for a minute before rolling over on his back. He eventually stood up and walked off the field under his own power. He did not return to the game and was replaced in the game by rookie Daren Stone.
- INJURY UPDATE: Blalock went down with 8:07 remaining in the third quarter with a pectoral injury and lay on the turf for two minutes while being attended to by medical personnel. He eventually walked off under his own power. He did not return to the game, and he was replaced at left guard by Terrance Pennington.
- INJURY UPDATE: Wide receiver Michael Jenkins suffered a right quad injury with 12:55 remaining in the game. He was attended to by the medical staff and eventually walked off under his own power. He was replaced in the game by Jennings.
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-CARDINALS GAME:
- GAMEDAY: All the coverage from the Falcons-Cardinals game
- GAME RECAP: Falcons rally, but fall to Cardinals in OT
- STATS AND PLAY-BY-PLAY: NFL.com Game Center
- GAME NOTES: Updates and injury news from the University of Phoenix Stadium press box
- INACTIVES AND STARTERS: Inactives and starters from Week 16
- QUOTABLE: Thoughts on the game from Falcons players and coaches
- VIDEO: Interim Head Coach Emmitt Thomas
- VIDEO: Quarterback Chris Redman Highlights
- VIDEO: Falcons-Bucs Highlights
