Ovie Mughelli To Miss Chicago Bears Game?

by Dave Choate on Oct 15, 2009 11:48 AM EDT in Falcons News

Just when we thought we were healthy, bam!

Fullback Ovie Mughelli, one of the league's best blockers and a guy who can catch and run a little when called upon, is day-to-day with a calf injury. In coach speak, that could mean anything from "he'll be practicing Thursday" to "out with debilitating leg leprosy." The Bears have potent speed off the edge, where Mughelli would help, so the Falcons may just choose to ram Michael Turner up the gut and hope defensive linemen go flying every which way. Either way, it won't be a help to our running game.

As tlozwarlock said earlier today when we talked about Ovie that Jason Snelling is probably plenty capable of filling in for a game if need be, and I tend to agree. He's not as big as Mughelli, but he's a capable pass protector and you can bet your downy Falcons jacket that he's going to hit people with relish. Considering we'll have more to fear from the pass rush than anything else against the Bears, it's not likely to be the killer drop some might fear. My expectation is that we'll be looking to shred the secondary, as well.

What do you think? Will we turn to the running game often, will Mughelli play, and will it affect us?

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Comments

FYI

I dont recall seeing him in the SF game past the first couple of series. Now that I think of it, I dont remeber seeing him at all. Did he even play in the SF game. the couple of times the annoucers said his name I notied it was actually Snelling playing FB instead.

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Oct 15, 2009 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

He did leave the game with a leg injury

They say you don’t notice a good fullback if he’s doing his job, which bodes well for Snelling.

by Dave Choate on Oct 15, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

Like I have always said, Snelling is a beast. He could start at either RB position and would do a good job.

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Oct 15, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions

He's a guy we have to keep around

He can catch, he can run, he’s a good blocker and he’s versatile. He couldn’t possibly fit this system any better than he does, and the current regime didn’t even draft him!

by Dave Choate on Oct 15, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I think

he is going to be one of those guys that once he is gone and playing for someone else, will get a lot more recognition. He could be a starter for a lot fo teams and do well.

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Oct 15, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

cough cough no lateral agilty ahem ahem

Naw … I like him more than I liked him last year, but saying that he could start at RB is a but of a stretch IMO.

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Oct 15, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

but = bit

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Oct 15, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I think teams which don't require that could probably start him

Some teams just don’t do all that much running to the outside. In our system, though, he’s a very capable backup that I’m glad to have around. Can’t imagine him starting.

by Dave Choate on Oct 15, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I disagree Frankywren

I have been watchin this guy closely in training camp, pre-season and any time he is in the game. the guy is a beast. Let him start a game and see what happens.

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Oct 16, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I like snelling

But not at the FB position but I did notice him playing at the position a lot against SF so we’ll see. Only time will tell

by ATL Forever on Oct 15, 2009 1:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

While Snelling's in...

Let’s try that FB Fake that worked so well in Madden 06!

by widderslainte on Oct 15, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

You don't miss a quiet contributor like Mughelli

until he’s gone. Hope Snelling can take up the slack if called upon, you can’t do squat if you don’t have blocking.

by tom slick on Oct 15, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

Shouldn't be a huge factor

It’d be nice to have Ovie, but if he’s out Snelling should be fine. I personally think the Falcons might go to the run a little more than one might expect in this game. Several teams have tried to stack up against the run and keep a lid on Turner, but I don’t think the Bears will do anything that might compromise their already questionable pass defense. Of course Ryan will try to demolish their secondary at every opportunity, but I’d expect a healthy dose of the run to keep them on their toes.

by Mountvillainy on Oct 15, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

i'm thinking

he plays on sunday; nothing to worry about.

by dirtyburs on Oct 15, 2009 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

No we need Ovie ..

But I replaced him with Snelling on my fantasy team …

by WarWolf on Oct 15, 2009 11:43 PM EDT reply actions

They are who we thought they were!!!....

Coach Denny Green knows who they are and what to expect from them, like, a good running game, decent passing attack, solid defense, and good special teams play. So as long as we play mistake free football and continue to be agressive on offense . and keep after the QB and stuff the running game, Then we’ll have a very good shot at a win. I predict the chips fall into place for us and we have a convincing 31-13 win over the bears. Damn I wish I was gonna be at the game!! LOL
LETS GO FALCONS!!
L-DAWG

by ATLsince1972 on Oct 16, 2009 12:08 AM EDT reply actions