FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- News that the Buccaneers will start Brian Griese at quarterback this weekend broke during the Falcons Wednesday afternoon practice. But that doesn't mean the Birds need to shift gears at the last minute.
Doubts about Jeff Garcia's ability to play surfaced Monday, so Atlanta started preparing for multiple Buccaneer quarterbacks earlier in the week.
"We're going to do our due diligence and prepare for both of them," Head Coach Mike Smith said Wednesday. "They're going to do certain things schematically but I think there are strengths and weaknesses of both those quarterbacks."
During a conference call with Atlanta media Wednesday morning, Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden wasn't sure about the team's quarterback situation but said the he wouldn't alter the game plan drastically if Griese played.
"Things would probably stay (the same). Brian took the majority of the reps at training camp," he said. "If that's the way we go then we don't see dramatic change in what we do."
An 11-year veteran, Griese led the Bucs to a 5-1 start in 2005. In his career the former Michigan quarterback has thrown for more than 18,000 yards and 114 touchdowns. He has played for four NFL teams since joining the Denver Broncos in 1998.
Last week the Falcons put pressure on Lions quarterback Jon Kitna with John Abraham getting three sacks. Griese isn't know for his running ability, so defensive linemen should have a more stationary target on Sunday. Good news for the secondary.
"Garcia, he's a scrambler," cornerback Chris Houston said. "Griese is not so much of a scrambler. We want to know who's in there so we can be aggressive on the quarterback... You don't want the mobile quarterback. You want the quarterback that stays still."
DUNN'S THOUGHTS: The Birds won't have to dig deep in the history books to prepare for many players on a division opponents' roster. But one Buccaneer in particular brings a different brand of familiarity.
Tampa Bay running back Warrick Dunn spent six seasons with the Falcons before his release early in the off-season. Members of his former team look forward to seeing an old friend.
"I'm glad for Warrick and glad to get a chance to see him," wide receiver Michael Jenkins said. "He was always studying the game. He always came with the right mind set week-in and week-out. No matter who we were playing he was always ready... I've seen him do some unbelievable things on the field."
Dunn is well known for his ability to avoid the big hit, but members of the Falcons defense will look for their chances to connect on a tackle Sunday afternoon. The small running back welcomes the challenge.
"I think everyone thinks I'm going to have these crazy emotions," he said Wednesday morning. "I just have to take it as another game. There's a lot of guys I've played with there that are still there... It's kind of similar to when I left Tampa the first time and came to Atlanta.
"It's going to be weird. I practiced against a lot of those guys for six years. Now I have the opportunity to play against them. It's going to be like friends playing against each other in high school."
DEFENSIVE TRADITION: Many of the younger players on the Falcons roster will see the Buccaneers for the first time Sunday afternoon. But stories of Tampa Bay's defense proceed the team.
"(Defensive coordinator) Monte Kiffin is probably one of the best defensive coaches in the history of this league," Smith said. "If you just look at what he's done through his 26 years as a defensive coach wherever he's been they've always played very efficiently. It's a very disciplined, attacking defense. They're fun to watch."
Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan started his preparation by reviewing mistakes from the team's season-opening win.
"I think when you get back and you look at it there's some things we did well and some things we didn't do well," Ryan said. "Certainly there are a lot of areas to improve and that's why we're out here this week getting ready for Tampa.
"Certainly it's a defense that has been around for a while. Monte Kiffin has been around for a long time and does a great job as a coordinator down there. We have our work cut out for us because we're going against a good defense."
The Bucs had an uncharacteristically rough outing last week in a loss to New Orleans and may be without 14-year veteran Derrick Brooks (hamstring) this weekend. The unit gave up more than 400 total yards and three passing touchdowns to the Saints but did score a defensive touchdown.
INJURY REPORT: Two names carried over from last week's injury report Wednesday: Alex Stepanovich and Coy Wire. Stepanovich (back) was limited in practice but shows signs of returning to full-speed work. Wire (ankle) was listed in the "full participation" column. Click here for the Saint Joseph's Injury Report.
TURNER HONORED: Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Detroit Lions in his Atlanta Falcons debut.
In the regular season opener against the Lions, Turner set a Falcons single-game rushing record with 220 yards on 22 carries for a 10.0 yards per carry average. The five-year veteran also added two touchdowns in a Falcons 34-21 winning effort, which marked his first multiple-touchdown game of his career. Turner also contributed with a 66-yard touchdown run on Atlanta’s second offensive possession of the game, which is the fourth-longest rush in his career and the eighth-longest carry in Falcons history.
"It's a great individual honor for not only Michael Turner but for our football team, and our offense especially, they deserve kudos as well," Smith said.
RELATED LINKS:
- NOTEBOOK: Clarification arrives on Bucs quarterback situation
- INJURY REPORT: Injury news from the Falcons and Bucs
- VIDEO: From the Training Room | From the Strength Training Room
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Ryan | Norwood | Brooking | Houston | Turner
- FOE AUDIO: Bucs head coach Jon Gruden | Bucs running back Warrick Dunn
- COMMUNITY: Falcons visit troops at Fort Gordon
- FEATURE: Elementary students create pro-style atmosphere
- NEWS: Turner named NFC Offensive Player of the Week
