SB Nation Atlanta - 2012 Falcons Offseason: Atlanta Releases Ovie Mughellihttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2012-05-31T15:00:30-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26317292012-05-31T15:00:30-04:002012-05-31T15:00:30-04:00NFL Rule Changes: Challenged Plays Will Now Be Shown In Stadium
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> President and CEO Rick McKay, who doubles as the NFL's Competition Committee Chairman, <a href="http://blog.atlantafalcons.com/jayadams/2012/05/30/you-see-what-they-see/">announced a small tweak to the NFL's replay rules on Wednesday</a>:</p>
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<p>"In year's past, instant replay has always been a sensitive place for us, as a league, as far as what we were going to show in the stadium for purposes of criticism of the officials and how it might be viewed by those who sit in the stadium," Falcons president and CEO, and Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said Wednesday. "The change is, you are going to see exactly what the official sees, and you'll see it in the same time and speed he sees it."</p>
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<p>What McKay is probably alluding to is that letting fans in the stadium watch the same replay as the officials could influence their calls, as studies have repeatedly shown that officials can be influenced by the reaction of the home crowd to their calls.</p>
<p><i>For more coverage of the Falcons off-season, stay tuned to the <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/3/13/2867688/falcons-free-agency-2012-nfl-free-agents">SB Nation Atlanta storystream</a></i><i> as well as <a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/">The Falcoholic</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/5/31/3055328/nfl-rule-changes-replay-stadiumJonathan Tjarks2012-05-22T21:08:40-04:002012-05-22T21:08:40-04:002012 Falcons Offseason: Former Falcon Ovie Mughelli To Visit Rams
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<p>Once made the highest-paid fullback by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a>, <span>Ovie Mughelli</span> will visit with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> on Monday, according to a tweet from NFL.com's Jason La Canfora.</p>
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<p>Former Falcons FB Ovie Mughelli will visit the Rams tomorrow. Sorry if i stole your thunder, @<a href="https://twitter.com/oviemughelli34">oviemughelli34</a>. Best of luck in STL</p>
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) <a data-datetime="2012-05-22T23:23:05+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/205076344495812608">May 22, 2012</a>
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<p>The Falcons released Mughelli earlier this month. In 2007, the Falcons signed him to a six-year, $18-million deal. Once the Falcons drafted <span>Bradie Ewing</span> in the 2012 NFL Draft, Mughelli's future in Atlanta was all but over.</p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: transparent;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">Read more about the Falcons offseason moves at our <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;" href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/3/13/2867688/falcons-free-agency-2012-nfl-free-agents">StoryStream here</a>. For additional information on the Falcons, check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;" href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Atlanta</a> and the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;" href="http://falcoholic.com/">Falcoholic</a>. Check out more news and notes around the league at the SB Nation NFL <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">hub page</a>.</i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/5/22/3037668/2012-falcons-offseason-former-falcon-ovie-mughelli-to-visit-ramsChris Vannini2012-05-10T11:55:14-04:002012-05-10T11:55:14-04:002012 NFL Lines Released: Atlanta Favored Against Giants, Saints, Broncos
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<p>Oddsmaking company Cantor Gaming has released some - let's just say extremely - early lines for the 2012 season, with the exception of Week 17. The Falcons are favored in eight games, including against the Super Bowl Champion Giants, at home against New Orleans and even once on the road (at Washington). </p>
<p>The Falcons are the biggest dogs at Philadelphia (-6.5, Any Reid has never lost to Atlanta at home) and at New Orleans (-5.5, after last year's MNF game, that's about right). They're also dogs in all three road division games, although by only 1 point at Carolina.</p>
<p>For a complete list, <a href="http://beyondthebets.com/2012/05/09/cantor-gaming-plans-to-release-point-spreads-for-all-256-nfl-2012-regular-season-games/">click here</a>. Games where Atlanta is favored <b>are bolded</b>.</p>
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<li><span style="line-height: 9px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> pick ‘em</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 9px;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> at <b>Atlanta Falcons -2.5</b></span></li>
<li>Atlanta Falcons at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a> -3.5</li>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> at <b>Atlanta Falcons -4.5</b>
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<b>Atlanta Falcons -1.5</b> at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> at<b> Atlanta Falcons -6.5</b>
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<li>Atlanta Falcons at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> -6.5</li>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> at <b>Atlanta Falcons -2.5</b>
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<li>Atlanta Falcons at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> -5.5</li>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> at <b>Atlanta Falcons -6</b>
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<li>Atlanta Falcons -2.5 at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>
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<li>New Orleans Saints at <b>Atlanta Falcons -2.5</b>
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<li>Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers -1</li>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> at <b>Atlanta Falcons -1.5</b>
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<li>Atlanta Falcons at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> -4</li>
<li>Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons</li>
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<p><i>For more on the Atlanta Falcons, be sure to check out <a href="http://thefalcoholic.com">The Falcoholic</a> and SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">NFL page</a>. </i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/5/10/3011891/2012-nfl-lines-released-atlanta-favored-against-giants-saints-broncosSteven Godfrey2012-05-10T10:11:04-04:002012-05-10T10:11:04-04:00Falcons Lose Two Scouts To Les Snead And The St. Louis Rams
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<p>Two <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> scouts will follow Les Snead out of Atlanta and to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a>. Snead, who left the Falcons to become general manager of the Rams, hired away Ron Carthon and Taylor Morton to work in the St. Louis front office.</p>
<p>Carthon, a former running back at the University of Florida and member of the Gators' 2000 SEC Championship team, had worked as a pro scout for Atlanta for the last four seasons. Carthon will join the Rams as director of pro personnel. Morton will oversee the college scouting department, and operated as the Falcons' southeastern scout, as well as an advance scout for upcoming opponents and potential free agent acquisitions.</p>
<p>The attrition of front office personnel to higher positions elsewhere is almost always a strong sign for a franchise (see: New England, general manager Thomas Dimitroff's former home). </p>
<p><i>For more on the Atlanta Falcons, check out <a href="http://thefalcoholic.com">The Falcoholic</a> and <a href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation's NFL page</a>.</i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/5/10/3011641/falcons-lose-two-scouts-to-les-snead-and-the-st-louis-ramsSteven Godfrey2012-05-08T16:26:15-04:002012-05-08T16:26:15-04:00Atlanta Falcons Offseason: A Farewell To Ovie, A Tale Of Two Fullbacks
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<p>It's a shame that things had to end this way, but the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Falcons</a> made the most logical move today, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/#!/Atlanta_Falcons/status/199858299754131458">cutting longtime fullback Ovie Mughelli</a>.</p>
<p>While Ovie was probably still worth the $3M he was owed this season, the team needed to clear some cap space to make room for newly acquired CB Asante Samuel. With Mughelli coming off season-ending knee surgery and rookie <span>Bradie Ewing</span> now on the roster, the Falcons did what they had to.</p>
<p>But what about his legacy as a Falcon?</p>
<p>The thing that strikes me the most about Mughelli is that he's part of a dying breed. It's not like twenty or even ten years ago when teams really ran the ball and utilized those big, punishing lead blockers. Ladainian Tomlinson and <span>Lorenzo Neal</span>. <span>Shaun Alexander</span> and <span>Mack Strong</span>. The Falcons had <span>Michael Turner</span> and Mughelli.</p>
<p>For a multitude of reasons, teams are running less I-formation football and passing more. Teams like the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Patriots</a> have pretty much phased the position out of their offense.</p>
<p>But back in 2007, the Falcons signed Mughelli to a six-year, $18M deal that made him the richest fullback in the league. And he certainly delivered. Up until his injury, Ovie was part of one of the best rushing attacks in the league. His 2008 campaign, paving the way for Turner and his almost 1700 yards on the ground, was phenomenal. He'd also make the Pro Bowl in 2010.</p>
<p>What's more, he was by all accounts a better guy off the field, getting involved in the local community by partnering with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency to promote Ready Georgia, in addition to being a strong advocate of environmental conservation and activism.</p>
<p>In every sense, he was a model Falcon. We wish you the best Ovie, wherever you go.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Falcons, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com">The Falcoholic</a>. For news and notes from around the NFL, check out SB Nation's </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl">league hub page.</a></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/5/8/3007049/atlanta-falcons-ovie-mughelli-fullback-release-bradie-ewing-offseasonTurnerTheBurner2012-05-08T09:41:30-04:002012-05-08T09:41:30-04:002012 Falcons Offseason: Atlanta Releases Ovie Mughelli, According To Report
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<p>It looks like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> are parting ways with fullback <span>Ovie Mughelli</span>, who the Falcons at one time made the highest paid fullback in NFL history. Atlanta is releasing Mughelli, according to a report by Zach Klein citing league sources. The Falcons have not confirmed the release. </p>
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<p>Per league source, <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Falcons">#Falcons</a> release FB Ovie Mughelli</p>
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) <a data-datetime="2012-05-08T13:03:57+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/ZachKleinWSB/status/199847104766676992">May 8, 2012</a>
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<p>Mughelli signed a six-year deal worth $18 million with a $5 million signing bonus in 2007 to block for <span>Warrick Dunn</span> and <span>Jerious Norwood</span>. Mughelli's days appeared to be numbered after the Falcons drafted <span>Bradie Ewing</span> in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Ewing is expected to take the place of Mughelli. </p>
<p><i>Read more about the Falcons offseason moves at our <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/3/13/2867688/falcons-free-agency-2012-nfl-free-agents">StoryStream here</a>. For additional information on the Falcons, check out <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com">SB Nation Atlanta</a> and the <a href="http://falcoholic.com">Falcoholic</a>. Check out more news and notes around the league at the SB Nation NFL <a href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">hub page</a>. </i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/5/8/3006948/2012-falcons-offseason-atlanta-releases-ovie-mughelliBrandon Scott2012-05-03T08:00:40-04:002012-05-03T08:00:40-04:00Jacquizz Rodgers Gets New Jersey Number
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">↵<p>Whats up..I need a new twitter name bc of my number change. Help me. #32</p>↵— JacQuizz Rodgers (@Qui22Rodgers) <a data-datetime="2012-05-02T18:12:40+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/Qui22Rodgers/status/197750470519959552">May 2, 2012</a>
</blockquote>↵<p>↵<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>↵Rodgers willingly gave up his No. 22 jersey when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> acquired <span>Asante Samuel</span> from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>. No word if Rodgers received any sort of compensation from Samuel along the way. </p>↵<p><i>For more on the Falcons check out <a href="http://ww.thefalcoholic.com">The Falcoholic</a>. </i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/5/3/2995490/jacquizz-rodgers-gets-new-jersey-numberKris Willis2012-05-01T11:31:34-04:002012-05-01T11:31:34-04:00Falcons Salary Cap: Atlanta Receives $3 Million Credit, According To Report
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<p>According to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7875426/atlanta-falcons-got-3m-cap-credit-michael-vick-debt-sources-say">the Atlanta Falcons received a $3 million credit to their salary cap</a> back in March because of the money that former quarterback <span>Michael Vick</span> owed the franchise after he declared bankruptcy following his conviction for dogfighting. </p>
<p>The report indicates that the Falcons had been pursuing the credits since Vick signed his lucrative extension with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> that included $35 million in guaranteed money. </p>
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<p>Vick's contract with the Eagles meant he would be well positioned to clear all of the creditors listed in his original bankruptcy, of which the Falcons were the biggest.</p>
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<p><a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/05/01/falcons-2012-cap-number-includes-3-million-credit-from-vick-contract/">Vick owed the Falcons $7.5 million through his bankruptcy repayment plan</a> but it is unknown how much the franchise might have actually received from its former quarterback. </p>
<p><i>For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> and their salary cap situation head over to <a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com">The Falcoholic</a>. For more news and notes from around the NFL check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation's NFL page</a>. </i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/5/1/2991313/falcons-salary-cap-michael-vickKris Willis