FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Chiefs (0-2) will start a pair of rookies at cornerback for Sunday's game against the Falcons but don't look for quarterback Matt Ryan or any of the the team's receivers to get overly confident.
Cornerback Brandon Flowers has been a starter since training camp and Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards insists he's not worried about playing fifth-round pick Brandon Carr (Grand Valley State) on the other side of the field.
A rookie himself, Ryan knows the difficulties of playing in the NFL. He also knows the skills on the other side of the ball.
"I played against Brandon Flowers in college a bunch," Ryan said Wednesday. "He played at Virginia Tech and he got the best of me a couple times in college. I have a lot of respect for those guys. They do a great job. They're talented and they're going through the same process that I'm going through now but I think they've done a really good job so far."
Flowers has nine tackles on the season and no interceptions. He recorded 158 tackles and 10 picks in college.
"They're going to come with their best game plan," wide receiver Michael Jenkins said. "They're fighting to get their first win of the season and no matter who's out there they're going to give their best effort."
SIMILAR TEAMS: There are 32 players with three or less years experience on the Chiefs roster. The Falcons have 18. The Chiefs start four rookies. The Falcons start three (four if you count nickel back Chevis Jackson).
The Chiefs, however, are still searching for a win.
"I think it will be a fun game there," Head Coach Mike Smith said. "I think it will be a very competitive game."
MILLOY COMMENTS: Veteran safety Lawyer Milloy, who was arrested early Monday morning, spoke to the media Wednesday afternoon.
He issued a statement Monday evening in which he apologized to Owner and CEO Arthur Blank, Smith, General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, teammates, family, friends and Falcons fans.
Wednesday he thanked his teammates for their support.
"It's been tough sitting at home thinking about everything," Milloy said. "Once I got here and saw my teammates I think they realized they need to be here for me like I'd be there for them. There are a lot of young players on this team. I've been trying to lead by example. In this case, it wasn't all positive. They've rallied behind me. They've had a lot of encouraging words for me."
Smith spoke with the media Monday afternoon but did not reveal any details on possible discipline for Milloy, who has started the first two games at strong safety.
WELCOME BACK, GRADY: Defensive tackle Grady Jackson has no idea what caused his left knee to swell up early Sunday morning. The freak injury forced him out of the Tampa Bay game but will not keep him out of the starting lineup for a second week.
"I don't know what it was but I'm healthy," he said. "Everything is fine now. I'm going this week."
The 345-pound lineman recorded three tackles in Week 1. He has 33.5 sacks and 510 tackles in his career.
INJURY REPORT: Smith put more players on the Saint Joseph's Injury Report Wednesday, but isn't concerned about the overall health of his team.
"We had a little longer list this week but, for the most part, we had nobody that we held out and we all got a chance to practice," he said.
Sam Baker (concussion), returned to practice on a limited basis. So did Jackson (knee) and Todd Weiner (knee).
SPECIAL GUEST: Actor Dennis Quaid spent some of the afternoon in Flowery Branch visiting with Falcons players. He was in Atlanta Tuesday promoting the film, "The Express," which follows the career of Ernie Davis -- the first African-American football player to win the Heisman Trophy. Quaid plays Davis' college coach, Ben Schwartzwalder.
'That's a great story that needed to be told," Smith said. "I hope it will be well received"
RELATED LINKS:
- NOTEBOOK: Offense looks to get back on track
- INJURY REPORT: Injury news from the Falcons and Chiefs
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Turner | Mughelli | Ryan | Milloy | Babineaux
- COMMUNITY: Falcons rookies get sneak peak at "The Express"
- COMMUNITY: Falcons, Verizon Wireless team up to stop domestic violence
- NEWS: Falcons release tight end Milner | Tight end Rader returns to The Branch
- NEWS: Team looks to correct mistakes from Tampa Bay
- MILLOY: Smith address Milloy address | Veteran Speaks with the Media
