FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Defensive end John Abraham talked in short, authoritative sentences when asked about Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia Wednesday afternoon.
"He's a winner," the Falcons sack leader said. "He's a mobile quarterback that's been around the league a lot... He knows football. He's very elusive."
Garcia's knack from scrambling in, around and out of the pocket has been a trademark during his 10-year NFL career which has covered five different teams. He also spent five years in the Canadian Football League. But it's been his skill at managing games that has opposing defenses concerned of late.
In 10 games this season Garcia has thrown for 2,223 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. He's working on a third-straight season with a passer rating above 94. Just last week he threw two touchdowns, though he was sacked five times by an aggressive Panthers defense.
When Garcia leads the Buccaneers offense into the Georgia Dome on Sunday Abraham and the Falcons hope to limit his mobility. A few big plays would help the cause and the Birds have yet to play a game at home this season without recording at least one quarterback sack.
"Jeff has been very successful in every one of his stops," Head Coach Mike Smith said. "He's 38 so he's been around for a long time. I still think he has the athletic ability to move in the pocket and I think that's one of his strengths -- his ability to extend plays when the integrity of a play breaks down."
"Our big thing is to try to not let him kill us with his feet too much," added Abraham. "Hopefully we can get a little pressure on him and force him to throw the ball in errant places."
EXAMINING THE RUN: The Falcons defense doesn't take pride in its role in Pierre Thomas' breakout game. The former undrafted free agent rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown last week. The Saints entered the game as the league's best passing offense but took advantage of the Falcons on the ground, controlling the clock and picking up large chunks of yardage up the middle of the field.
Linebacker Keith Brooking said the defense would shoulder the blame for Sunday, saying the group didn't perform to its standards. He also said the team got back to work quickly on Wednesday to correct mistakes and brace for an evolving Buccaneers rushing attack.
Former Falcon Warrick Dunn is now the primary back in the Bucs offense. He's joined by Cadillac Williams, who is back after spending the first part of the season on the physically unable to perform list. Atlanta got a heavy dose of Earnest Graham, who is out for the season, when the teams played in Week 2.
"We can't try to do too much," Brooking said. "All 11 guys are responsible for the run. You need to be where you're supposed to be on every run play and not get out of your gap because running backs in this league will expose you."
Dunn has rushed for 689 yards and a pair of touchdowns this season but he and Williams had to take a back seat in the Bucs offense last week at Carolina. They combined for just 19 carries (one touchdown) as Tampa Bay lost to the surging Panthers, 38-23.
HARRIS TO IR: The Falcons special teams units took a hit Tuesday afternoon when the team placed safety Antoine Harris (groin) on injured reserve.
The second-year player out of Louisville totaled two special teams tackles in 12 games this season but stats aren't an accurate representation of his role on the team's core special teams groups (punt return, punt coverage, kick return and kick coverage).
"We're going to have to make some adjustments in a number of areas," said Smith, adding Harris got between 18 and 25 snaps a game on special teams. "I don't think there will be any one person that will be able to replace what he does so we'll have to adjust... We'll have a number of guys who will have to even maybe change some positions to make it work and accommodate what we have to get done."
INJURY REPORT: Left tackle Sam Baker was limited in practice Wednesday but the team says he continues to progress after mid-season back surgery. Baker was inactive last week at New Orleans but appears close to playing for the first time since Week 6.
"We've been working Sam back in," Smith said. "Sam practiced again today so we're just going to see what kind of residual effects he has and as the week progresses we'll be able to make that determination. It was very good to have Sam out practicing last week and practicing again today."
With Baker playing a complete game the Falcons are a perfect 4-0 and rush for an average of 189 yards per game. He quietly went about his work earlier this season, allowing just one-half sack and not drawing attention for mistakes. But members of the offensive line have done well in Baker's absence. Veteran Todd Weiner stepped into the starting lineup and the group has cleared the way for five 100-plus-yard rushing days with Baker out, including a 272-yard day at Oakland.
For more Falcons and Bucs injury news visit the Saint Joseph's Hospital Injury Report.
'TIS THE SEASON: Ten Falcons players joined three dozen teenagers from around Atlanta Tuesday evening for the team's annual "Shop with a Jock." event. Click here for photos and more on the Falcons in the Community.
MORE ON THE FALCONS-BUCS GAME:
- NOTEBOOK: Defense preparing for mobile quarterback in Garcia
- PREVIEW PACK: More on the Falcons and Buccaneers
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Clabo | McClure | Finneran | Coleman | Ryan
- AUDIO: Linebacker Keith Brooking
- FOE AUDIO: Bucs Coach Jon Gruden | Running Back Warrick Dunn
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Brooking Confident Defense Can Improve | Birdseed
- INJURY REPORT: More on Falcons and Bucs injury from Saint Joseph's Hospital
- COMMUNITY: Falcons help youth with holiday shopping
- RELEASE: Team places Harris on injured reserve
- ENTERTAINMENT: Game entertainment info for Falcons-Bucs
- RELEASE: Humphrey, Kenn to be inducted into Ring of Honor
- RELEASE: Falcons-Vikings game moved to 4:15
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith (Monday)
- RELEASE: Falcons, Dome to recognize high school football
