FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Alex Stepanovich signed with the Falcons in the off-season to provide some depth along the interior of the offensive line.
The team didn't realize his services would be used so quickly.
Starting center Todd McClure has missed close to a week with a back injury. Head Coach Mike Smith is confident McClure will return soon but, until he's back on the field, Stepanovich will continue to lead the offensive line.
"Whenever someone goes down you don't want the offense to feel like when you step in that you got to take a step back," the five-year veteran said. "I just want to make sure I'm prepared and ready to roll whenever the time comes."
Stepanovich started 16 games as a rookie for the Arizona Cardinals and started at guard and center during his recent run with the Cincinnati Bengals.
He said working with the first team has helped him grasp more of the team's system because of the number of reps he gets during practice. He's also pleased with the group's progression through Russell Falcons Training Camp.
"Right now I'm just trying to come in and learn all three positions inside," Stepanovich said. "I've played a lot in this league and I know you always have to be ready... I think it really helped last year bumping over and starting some games at guard and moving back to center.
"We're trying to come together as a unit and the better we play up front the better it's going to be with the backs we have... All we have to do is give those guys a crease because we have some playmakers."
Smith said the team plans to work Stepanovich at guard when McClure returns.
"It's very important for us as a football team because there are going to be injuries throughout the season and it's important that we cross-train all our players," he said. "The guys that are going to be backups have to be able to play multiple positions."
GETTING HEALTHY: Wide receiver Laurent Robinson spent another practice nursing a sore tail bone Monday but that isn't slowing optimism from the second-year man that is projected by some as the team's No. 2 receiver.
His primary goal? Get healthy.
The next step? Secure a job opposite Roddy White.
"I'm just trying to do my thing on the field," he said. "I have to get healthy (I hurt my tail bone the other day). I'm just recovering and playing football.
"I wish I had something to get the pain away right away but with the quick turnarounds in practice you don't get much time. I'm getting treatment as much as I can to get healthy because I don't want to leave my receivers hanging."
Robinson improved through his rookie season and finished the year with 37 receptions for 437 yards and a touchdown. The third-round draft pick showed flashes in all aspects of his game but route running is something wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie will preach to all of his players.
Robiskie said Robinson needs to improve on routes and aggressiveness but first there's the mastery of the fine line between injury and playing time.
"He was going good and picking up the offense good and all of a sudden he got that setback," Robiskie said. "He has to get well and get back on the field... The problem Laurent has is that he has to understand there's a difference between getting well and getting healthy... Once you get into training camp you're body is always going to be hurting."
JERSEY SWAP: The Falcons are roughly halfway through Russell Falcons Training Camp. That means it's time for the annual jersey color swap. Moving forward the Falcons offense will be in white. The defense will wear red jerseys.
QUOTABLE: Stepanovich shares the locker room with four other Ohio State Buckeyes. Monday he talked about having friends from the 2002 national championship team on the roster:
"It's been nice. We played together and had a special year and I think we learned what it took to win and be good teammates. I think the guys we have here are guys that like to come to work and work hard. Those are guys you want to be around. You know those guys are grinders and you know they're going to pick you up."
FROM THE TRAINING TABLE: The Falcons were thin at tight end and defensive line Monday due to injury.
Defensive tackles Kindal Moorehead (back) and Rashad Moore (back) were held out as was tight end Martrez Milner (ankle/toe). Offensive lineman Tyson Clabo also went down for a bit during practice to which Smith didn't have any details.
"From what I'm aware of right now I don't know if there's anything major," the coach said. "Of course after those things settle down you'll get a better feeling.
"These are the dog days. Hopefully as we get toward the end of the week and play our first game and have an opportunity to play against someone else these guys will come back."
WEATHER REPORT: Still not feeling much like fall in The Branch. Clear and hot on Monday. The Falcons will have one practice open to the public on Tuesday with a high temperature forecasted at 93 degrees.
RELATED LINKS:
- COVERAGE: Click here for complete coverage from 2008 Russell Falcons Training Camp
- NOTEBOOK: Stepanovich happy to step in on offensive line
- RELEASE: Tight end Cooper re-joins Falcons
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Harry Douglas | Jonathan Babineaux
- WINGIN' IT: Wes and Dave talk a little training camp
- FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Sights and sounds from the first scrimmage
- BIRDSEED: J. Mike reviews and comments on Falcons news
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: Hey, I Know You!
- TWIG'S BLOG: High Definition Falcons
