FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- He didn't get his old locker or his old jersey number, but Grady Jackson is thrilled to be back with the Falcons.
The 345-pound defensive tackle signed a contract to return to the Falcons Tuesday afternoon. He originally signed with the club in 2006 but was abruptly released during the 2007 bye week. He went on to play in Jacksonville under now Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith and defensive line coach Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton.
With the coaching change, Atlanta became a perfect fit.
"I never had hard feelings," Jackson told reporters Tuesday. "It probably was bad the way (former head coach Bobby) Petrino did it. But it's his way... I'm back now and that's the good thing."
Jackson is an 11-year NFL veteran who has made stops with the Oakland Raiders (1997-2001), New Orleans Saints (2002-03), Green Bay Packers (2003-05), Falcons (2006-07, 2008) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2007). He has competed in 155 games while compiling 507 tackles (362 solo), 33.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and a blocked PAT (2002) and field goal (1997).
The defensive tackle adds immediate skill and depth to a defense he's familiar with.
"This is where I wanted to be at and I wanted to come here with the guys I've played with... I feel like I can make an impact with them," Jackson said. "It feels great. It's the same defense we had in Jacksonville. It's a defense I know and I can go ahead and play ball."
Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham said he lobbied for Smith to bring Jackson.
"It gives us a great centerpiece," Abraham said. "Grady was here last year and through divine intervention he's back. I think everyone is happy. I know the fans are happy. I know the team is happy. We just want to see him get on the field and do what he did last year before his early departure."
Smith said Jackson gives the Falcons a lineman ale to "gobble up space."
“I’ve been around guys that weigh in Grady’s range," the coach said. "In Baltimore we had the big tackles. He gobbles up space. He’s going to gobble up at least two blocks on plays. It’s going to allow other players to be free. When you design a defense you try to get an unblocked defender at the point of attack and he’ll help us in that way. "
Jackson will be on the practice field Wednesday in jersey No. 91.
STAYING FRESH: Abraham also spoke Tuesday about the team's efforts to keep him healthy and fresh. Injuries have been an unwelcome part of Abraham's career and this year he hopes to string together two 16-game seasons for the first time.
"I'm feeling good but it has a lot to do with Ray Hamilton and Mike (Smith) just resting me," he said. "They're not trying to kill me. It's kind of pointless to have John Abraham for the preseason and two games in the season. That's pointless because I know my big attribute is when I'm playing."
Abraham led the Falcons with 10 sacks last season. He has 67.5 sacks in his career.
EARLY INJURY: Cornerback Von Hucthins, who left the first practice of Russell Falcons Training Camp with a foot injury, was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. The five-year veteran underwent surgery Monday afternoon.
“It’s disappointing especially for Von personally," Smith said. "He has been through the OTAs and he’s a new member of our football team. I spoke with Von prior to going to get his procedure done yesterday. He said, ‘Coach I’m going to be back in ‘09’ and that’s the attitude we’ve got to have. You know they’re going to happen. It was a freakish injury with two guys colliding with their feet and they stepped on him. Unfortunately, it was a fracture.”
FROM THE TRAINING TABLE: Jamaal Anderson missed a second-straight day of practice Tuesday with a tweaked hamstring. Smith described his recovery as "day-to-day."
Center Todd McClure could also return soon.
“Todd tweaked his back when he was going through the bags at practice yesterday," Smith said. "I think he had a similar incident a couple of years ago from what I’m familiar with. We think that he will be back shortly. I don’t think there is any reason to be concerned. It is more muscular at this point.”
WEATHER REPORT: The Falcons will have just one practice Wednesday for the first time in Russell Falcons Training Camp. Storms overtook Flowery Branch Tuesday evening but skies should clear on Wednesday with a high of 91 degrees.
RELATED LINKS:
- COVERAGE: Click here for complete coverage of 2008 Russell Falcons Training Camp
- FALCONCAST: Rookie Cornerback Wilrey Fontenot
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Grady Jackson | John Abraham | Erik Coleman
- BIRDSEED: J. Mike reviews and comments on Falcons news
- J.MIKE'S BLOG: Hutchins Out | Update and Highlights | Welcome Back, Grady!
- MOOKIE'S BLOG: Thomas Dimitroff coming to Falconcast
- FALCON AL'S BLOG: Michael Turner on Falconcast
- NOTEBOOK: Team happy to see Jackson in locker room
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- RELEASE: Falcons sign Jackson, make roster moves
