Falcons have interest in Crowder
--The Falcons have been in touch with former Miami linebacker Channing Crowder, who plans to make a comeback after sitting out last season.
Crowder, the former Florida standout who prematurely retired at age 28, is ready to make a comeback. The Atlanta Falcons, who hired Crowder's last defensive coordinator in Mike Nolan, have been in touch and will most certainly check out Crowder.
"I'd love to play in Atlanta," Crowder said. "Coach Nolan is my guy. Actually, when he got the job in Atlanta he (sent) me a text. Coach Nolan is a first-class guy. I'm not just saying that to be politically correct. He's a first-class guy and a great defensive coordinator. He's a great guy. When I got released he texted me back then and said that, 'It was great to coach you.'"
--Former Falcons linebacker Buddy Curry and current kicker Matt Bryant spoke to the Health and Human Services committee of the Georgia legislature in support of the "Georgia Return to Play Act of 2012" on Wednesday at the State Capitol.
"I remember coming off the field in a daze," said Curry, who played for the Falcons from 1980-87. "I was trying to find out which sideline was my own. My only thought was to get back on the field."
Bryant, a father of seven kids ages 14 to 5 months, wants what is best for the youth.
"The most important thing in all of this, anything that you can do to improve the safety for the kids, to me, you find a way," Bryant said.
Also, offensive lineman Andrew Jackson and wide receiver Kevin Cone were on hand, but did not address the committee. The bill, which was sent back to the committee for revisions, related to providing information to young athletes and their parents or guardians about concussion recognition and management.
The bill is similar to laws that have been passed in 31 states and the District of Columbia after the death of a high school player who returned to play after suffering a concussion.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NCAA executive director Mark Emmert both submitted a letter in support of the bill.
The NFL, which is being sued in several concussion-related cases, was represented at the hearing by Kenneth Edmonds, the league's director of government relations and public policy.
"The NFL, as well as the Atlanta Falcons, strongly supports Georgia's Return to Play Act of 2012," Edmonds said. "We feel that it will help to prevent brain injuries and help make recreational activities safer for young athletes throughout the state."
--Offensive tackle Andrew Jackson spent five years with Pat Hill, the Falcons' new offensive line coach, when in college at Fresno State.
Jackson was redshirted and played for four seasons. He was selected by the Falcons in the seventh round (210th overall) of the 2011 NFL draft.
"Pat Hill is a great coach," Jackson said. "He's a very passionate coach. He can bring a lot to our offensive line. I look forward to it and I hope we are very receptive of him and that we take our offensive line play to the next level."
Other offensive linemen have asked Jackson what they should expect from their new position coach, who was fired after going 4-9 last season at Fresno State.
"I've talked to a couple of the other guys about him, the No. 1 thing is his passion," Jackson said. "He coaches with passion. He's an aggressive coach, but his intentions are to help you build and improve as a player. He's very clear with his style. I think that he will bring a new skill set to us, which will benefit us in the long run."
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I told him if he needs a better linebacker let me know." -- Former Miami linebacker Channing Crowder when talking about Falcons new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who coached him during his stay with the Dolphins.
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