FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- To win a key game this weekend in Minnesota the Falcons must overcome the most obvious of hurdles: crowd noise.
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome seats more than 64,000 fans who, in the heat of a playoff race, figure to give an extra effort to disrupt visiting offenses. The Georgia Dome routinely houses noise levels around 110 decibels.
Stories from the Metrodome paint a much louder picture.
"I've never played up there before but from what everyone has said it gets loud up there in Minnesota," quarterback Matt Ryan said. "It's going to be important for us to communicate and practice well this week with some silent cadences. We've done a good job with that all year so we just have to continue this week."
The Falcons (9-5) have played one other away game in a dome this season -- a 29-25 loss at New Orleans two weeks ago. Crowd noise contributed to two false start penalties. Neither had significant impact on the game but it's enough to make the Birds think about playing in a hostile environment, especially when playoff positions are on the line.
Minnesota can clinch the NFC North with a victory and the Falcons need to keep winning to have a shot at the postseason.
"That's one of the loudest stadiums to play in by far," center Todd McClure said. "We know it's going to be a fun environment and it will be fun to go up there and get a win."
McClure and the Falcons will employ a variety of techniques to deal with noise, including working the offense in silence. Since it will be difficult to hear directions at the line of scrimmage anyway, the team often uses a "silent count." McClure did not reveal many details but said the team works on the technique and timing from the opening days of training camp.
"Guys have to be on it paying attention," the 10-year veteran said. "I have to do the same thing every time so they can anticipate the snap."
Like other NFL teams, the Falcons also simulate crowd noise in practice. The team can also build off success in New Orleans where, despite the loss, the offense put up more than 400 yards and Ryan threw for a career-high 315 yards.
"I think we learned from the Saints game playing in New Orleans about how rough it can be on the road playing inside a dome," Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner said. "I think if we learn from the mistakes we made there we'll be fine."
BIG GAME FOR BIERMANN: Falcons defensive end Kroy Biermann said Wednesday he plans to travel to Chattanooga, Tenn. Friday night to watch his alma mater play for the national title in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
The former Montana star is excited about seeing his Grizzlies face off against the Richmond Spiders. Were they to win, it would be the first championship for the school since 2001.
Biermann has one sack this season. He left Montana with 32 quarterbacks sacks (second-most in school history), 45 tackles for loss and nine forced fumbles. He was the 2007 Big Sky Conference Defensive MVP and became the first player in school history to win the Buck Buchanan Award.
Click here for more on Biermann's plan from AF.com's Matt Moore.
POLLARD RETURNS: As a child in Valley, Ala. tight end Marcus Pollard idolized former Falcons player and coach Billy "White Shoes" Johnson. He followed the team from a distance during the majority of his 10-year career before signing with the birds during the 2008 preseason.
He was released before opening weekend.
But Pollard didn't stop following the Birds. In fact, he watched closely as the team opened the year with a win over Detroit and marched through the first 14 games for a 9-5 record. And, when the Falcons needed him, he was happy to come back.
The Birds re-signed the 36-year-old Tuesday.
"I'm just excited about being here," Pollard said. "It's a dream come true for me. As a kid I grew up just a short drive from here. I watched Atlanta all my life and to be here in this situation when they're making a run for the playoffs in the last two games of the season really means something... It's real exciting for me."
Head Coach Mike Smith said the team will look to integrate Pollard into the offense over the final two weeks.
"I don't think they brought me in just to have me sit down and watch," the tight end said said. "Wherever I feel like I can be used I'm sure they're going to put me in there."
Pollard has caught 349 passes for 4,280 yards and 40 touchdowns in his career.
INJURY REPORT: Cornerback Brent Grimes practiced Wednesday -- a sign the Falcons injury-depleted secondary could be getting an additional body this weekend (more injury news on the Saint Joseph's Injury Report).
The second-year player who started the season opposite Chris Houston at corner, was inactive in four of the last five games. Domonique Foxworth took over starting duties Week 8 in Philadelphia.
A season-ending injury to David Irons briefly left the Falcons with just four healthy cornerbacks. Smith said the team called up Eric Brock, a safety, from the practice squad to provide some depth. Last week the team promoted cornerback Glenn Sharpe to fill Antoine Harris' spot.
Linebacker Keith Brooking and defensive end John Abraham were excused from practice Wednesday for personal reasons. Smith said he expects them both for Thursday's practice.
The new "Helmet Wall" is outside Gate C and is part of a new initiative by the team to recognize aspects of the high school game.
Last Saturday Smith and Owner and CEO Arthur Blank welcomed high school coaches from across the state to a luncheon at the Georgia World Conference Center.
The following coaches were recognized, by division, for their contributions to the game.
- 1A -- Milan Turner -- Emanuel County Institute
- 2A -- Maurice Freeman -- Brooks County High School
- 3A -- Dell McGee -- Carver High School, Columbus
- 4A -- Alan Chadwick -- Marist School
- 5A -- Robert Herring -- Newnan High School
- Lifetime Achievement Award Winner -- Dan Pitts -- Mary Persons High School (pictured)
TOY DRIVE RECAP: The team's annual toy drive surpassed last year's numbers in monetary and toy donations. Numbers released Wednesday show marked increases in every aspect of the Falcons Toys for Tots toy drive. More than $18,800 was collected during the drive, which ended last Sunday. A total of 738 toys were collected. That's more than $5,000 than last year's monetary total and more than 200 more toys.
MORE ON THE FALCONS-VIKINGS GAME:
- NOTEBOOK: Falcons hope to silence Metrodome crowd
- PREVIEW PACK: Click here for more on the Falcons and Vikings
- INJURY REPORT: Injury news from Saint Joseph's Hospital
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Ryan | Turner | White | Wire
- COMMUNITY: Falcons Rookie Club visits children's hospital
- FOE AUDIO: Adrian Peterson | Brad Childress
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVE: Playoff Scenarios | Good News on Injuries | Birdseed
- OFF THE CUFF: Mookie Catches Up with Kroy Biermann
- RELEASE: Falcons place two players on injured reserve
- PRO BOWL: White, Turner named to NFC Pro Bowl squad
- FLIPPING OUT: Falcon Al Asks You to Vote for Cheerleader of the Game
- VANTAGE POINT: Special, AF.com highlights from the Falcons-Bucs game
- ONE-ON-ONE: J. Mike talks to Mike Smith about the win over the Bucs
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
