FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Four days before their season opener,
the Atlanta Falcons still had only one kicker on their roster.
Look for Michael Koenen to be handling all three jobs Sunday.
After scanning the list of available kickers for someone who
might be worth picking up, coach Jim Mora has all but settled on
Koenen as the guy who will kick field goals and extra points, do
the punting and handle kickoffs.
He would be the NFL's first regular triple-duty kicker since
Frank Corral of the Los Angeles Rams in 1981.
"Right now, as we sit here on Wednesday, the plan is to go with
Michael," Mora said, looking ahead to the opener at division rival
Carolina. "That could change, but I don't foresee it changing."
Koenen handled punts and kickoffs as a rookie in 2005, also
connecting from 58 yards -- the longest field goal in the NFL all
season -- on one of two attempts he made that were out of regular
kicker Todd Peterson's range.
After Peterson was let go, Koenen easily beat out several
little-known kickers brought in to compete for the placekicking
job. He went 8-for-8 during the preseason, hitting from 50 and 51
yards in addition to four other kicks that were at least 40 yards.
Mora has been concerned about relying on one kicker, wondering
what would happen if Koenen got hurt during a game and there was no
one to fill in at three positions. The Falcons did sign Tony Yelk
to the practice squad, but he would not be able to provide
immediate help in a game situation unless he was added to the
active roster before Sunday.
"I have a lot of confidence in Michael," Mora said. "I think
he'll be fine. Am I going to tell him not to tackle anybody? No,
I'm not going to do that. He's a good little athlete. We're just
going to let him play the game."
Yelk already is able to take some of the load off Koenen in
practice.
"I've had to learn how to practice without overdoing it,"
Koenen said. "I've just had to cut it back a little bit. That's
the biggest thing."
His teammates are solidly behind Koenen, believing he gives the
team an effective weapon in all three areas.
"He's got a little swagger," quarterback Michael Vick said.
"He's confident in himself. That's what it takes to be successful
in this league. To be a player who's widely recognized for what he
can do, you've got to be able to step up in big situations and want
to make the play. Mike is a guy who wants to make the play. He
wants to be part of what we're doing."
Vick is especially looking forward to taking advantage of
Koenen's strong right leg on field goals.
"I'm glad to have him on our team," the quarterback said. "He
made a 58-yarder last year. With a guy like that, you don't even
have to get near the red zone."