Clan-Members » Backup Peyton Bender, who played some l

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Dan Quinn compares his Atlanta Falcons to a cellphone running low on juice.Time to charge up.Coming off another potential win that got away but still on top in the NFC South, the Falcons are heading into a late-season bye week looking to invigorate themselves mentally and physically for the stretch run.Quinn, the teams fiery coach, hopes the time off will allow two key players -- cornerback Desmond Trufant and running back Tevin Coleman -- to heal from injuries that kept them out of Sundays 24-15 loss at Philadelphia. He said both could be ready to go by the teams next game, at home against Arizona on Nov. 27.The outlook isnt as promising for another injured player. Jacob Tamme will get a second opinion for a shoulder injury, according to Quinn, an indication that Atlantas starting tight end might be done for the season.No matter what, the Falcons (6-4) are eager for some time off. They havent had a break since the start of training camp in late July.Its important to recharge, Quinn said Monday. When that battery gets low on our cellphones, we plug them back in. We have to recharge, too.The Falcons squandered a chance to build a commanding lead in the division race, surrendering a season-worst 208 yards rushing to the Eagles and turning in their lowest-scoring game of the season.An offense that came into the game leading the league in scoring ran only 48 plays and managed just 11 first downs, continually facing third-and-long situations that it couldnt convert. Philadelphia finished with a commanding edge in time of possession, holding the ball for more than 38 minutes.While touching on those troubling signs, Quinn stressed that the Falcons still have all their goals within reach. Theyre 1 1-2 games ahead of Tampa Bay and New Orleans (both 4-5) and another game ahead of the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers (3-6).There are a number of things were doing well, Quinn said. I dont want to lose sight of that.After watching film and getting treatment on Monday, the Falcons planned to take the rest of the week off. Quinn said each player will receive a binder, detailing things they need to improve on during the time away, and a schedule to maintain their conditioning.Also, each player will be reminded not to do anything that will bring embarrassment to themselves or the team.Rule number one for us is protect the team, Quinn said. Whether youre in town or back in your hometown or wherever you may go, have a real conscience for your brother. Were on to something pretty good here.Linebacker Paul Worrilow, his arms all skinned and bruised up from the grind of the season, said he simply looks forward to spending time with his wife and 19-month-old daughter.Weve been at it for a while, Worrilow said. Its a great chance for us to get our bodies back and get ready for the second half of the season.In a sign of how confident the Falcons are, they consider this the midway point of their season. That would mean playing four playoff games; in other words, getting all the way to the Super Bowl.Thats kind of the thought: Get your body ready to go through what we just went through, Worrilow said. Everybodys effort has to be top notch, top level. If theres something you can do to get your game better, you owe to everyone else in this locker room. Thats how everybody feels.Game notesPunter and kickoff specialist Matt Bosher sustained a relapse of a hamstring injury that bothered him earlier in the season, forcing kicker Matt Bryant to take over the punting duties at the end of Sundays game. Quinn said he doesnt think Boshers injury is as serious as it looked and expects him to be ready to return against Arizona. But the Falcons might have to consider bringing in another punter next week for practice, just to ensure that Bosher has time to fully recover.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLPatriots Jerseys China . Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup. George Mira Jersey .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. http://www.custompatriotsjersey.com/custom-r-c-owens-jersey-large-1461f.html . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. Ronnie Lott Jersey . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Monty Stickles Jersey . -- Sergey Tolchinksy scored his second goal of the game 3:56 into overtime as the Sault Ste.SPOKANE, Wash. -- Washington State quarterback Luke Falk could blossom into a bona fide Heisman Trophy candidate this season.Coach Mike Leach thinks Falk should have won the award last year, when he threw for 4,566 yards and 38 touchdowns in leading the surprising Cougars to a 9-4 finish.There was a time when the Heisman went to the guy who had the biggest impact and effect on their team, and if that was the case, he probably would have won it last year or should have, Leach said.Despite their dramatic improvement last year, the Cougars are projected to finish just fourth in the Pac-12s northern division, a prediction that is something of a surprise as Washington State returns most of last years key performers.A major returnee to Pullman is receiver Gabe Marks, who is back for his senior year after catching 104 passes for 1,192 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.Marks believes Falk is more than just Heisman material.I call him the `Messiah of the Palouse, and also the CEO of Washington State football, because he runs the show, Marks said.Without a quarterback that people follow, and thats a leader, you cant win, Marks said.Falk, a junior, was an All-Pac-12 first-team selection last season after leading the country in passing at 380.5 yards per game. He completed 69.4 percent of his passes in Leachs Air Raid offense as the Cougars won six more games than the season before.I guess one of his best qualities is he doesnt have a glaring weakness, Leach said. But, like anybody, he needs to improve.Falk and Marks have caught the eye of some prominent postseason awards committees. Marks is on the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the nations best receiver, and Falk is on the watch list for the Davey OBrien Award, given annually to the best quarterback in college football.BIG SEASON: After winning just three games the year before, a perforrmance that had fans grumbling about the Leach regime, Washington State roared to a 9-4 record, including a Sun Bowl victory over Miami.dddddddddddd They went 6-3 in the Pac-12, including wins over Oregon and UCLA.SEASON OPENER: The Cougars host Eastern Washington of the Big Sky Conference on Sept. 3. The Eagles are no pushover, playing tough against Pac-12 teams in numerous games in recent years. Last year, Washington State opened the season with a shocking loss to FCS Portland State, a defeat that ultimately cost them a 10-win season.KEY GAMES: Washington State and Boise State square off on Sept. 10 in Boise in an intriguing non-conference matchup. The two programs have not played since 2001, and Washington State has won all four games in the series. But Boise State has become a national power since they last played.QUARTERBACK DEPTH: The Cougars have a legitimate star in Falk at quarterback, but not much behind him. Backup Peyton Bender, who played some last year when Falk was injured, transferred out of the program. That leaves untested Tyler Hilinski if Falk is injured. The Cougars also brought in a junior-college transfer, Anthony Gordon, in May.DEFENSIVE STRENGTH: A big reason for the Cougars improvement last year was the defense. New defensive coordinator Alex Grinch oversaw a unit that went from allowing 38.6 points per game to just 27.7 points last year. Grinch was rewarded with a three-year contract extension after the season.PREDICTION: The Cougars are picked by media to finish fourth in the Pac-12 North, behind Stanford, Washington and Oregon. Marks is not impressed by the athletic pedigree of the media panel. I bet over three-quarters of the people that vote on this thing never even played football, Marks said. ' ' '