Atlanta Falcons

TallySaint · 10-10-2005, 01:10 PM

Falcons have to adjust to injuries on defense

Associated Press
National Football League News Wire

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons linebacker Ed Hartwell had surgery Monday to repair a torn right Achilles' tendon and will miss the rest of the season.

Coach Jim Mora said the Falcons also expect to lose backup cornerback Chris Cash for the season with a broken arm. Hartwell and Cash were injured in Atlanta's 31-28 loss Sunday to New England.

Cash filled a key role in the secondary when he was signed after a season-ending injury to Kevin Mathis. But the loss of Hartwell could cause the most dramatic adjustments to the defense.

"We'll recover as a football team and Ed will recover, but we will miss his presence," Mora said.

Hartwell, the team's most significant free-agent acquisition of the offseason, was expected to lead the defense as a run-stopping middle linebacker. He was viewed by Mora and general manager Rich McKay as the missing piece from last year's team, which lost in the NFC championship game.

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http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...nfl&id=2186498

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10-10-2005, 01:10 PM	#1
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Atlanta Falcons Falcons have to adjust to injuries on defense Associated Press National Football League News Wire FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons linebacker Ed Hartwell had surgery Monday to repair a torn right Achilles' tendon and will miss the rest of the season. Coach Jim Mora said the Falcons also expect to lose backup cornerback Chris Cash for the season with a broken arm. Hartwell and Cash were injured in Atlanta's 31-28 loss Sunday to New England. Cash filled a key role in the secondary when he was signed after a season-ending injury to Kevin Mathis. But the loss of Hartwell could cause the most dramatic adjustments to the defense. "We'll recover as a football team and Ed will recover, but we will miss his presence," Mora said. Hartwell, the team's most significant free-agent acquisition of the offseason, was expected to lead the defense as a run-stopping middle linebacker. He was viewed by Mora and general manager Rich McKay as the missing piece from last year's team, which lost in the NFC championship game. Story continues... http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...nfl&id=2186498 8)
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