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http://www.atlantafalcons.com/News/A...ht_tackle.aspx

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- With less than ideal circumstances, tackle Tyson Clabo not only switched positions earlier this season he got thrown into the starting lineup.

With injuries along the offensive line the Falcons have had to get creative this season to put bodies in front of the quarterback. That included switching Clabo from guard, where he started 10 games last season, to tackle.

The switch came just before the Falcons' last appearance on Monday Night Football. Since then, the 314-lineman has been a quiet and stable contributor, drawing praise from Head Coach Bobby Petrino and keeping his name out of the headlines -- a signature sign of success for an offensive tackle.

"He has done a nice job for us. He's tough; he battles every week," Petrino said. "He gets prepared; he studies hard. His technique has improved. He spent all of training camp and the first part of the season at guard and then had to go out to tackle and has worked real hard at it."

Clabo spent time with the Denver Broncos and the Hamburg Sea Devils after a 47-game career at Wake Forest. He left college with first-team All-ACC honors as a senior. So, moving to the outside didn't present as big a challenge as some may think.

In fact, Clabo said the game actually moves slower at tackle than in the action-packed world of an NFL guard. He also welcomes the praise, but doesn't get too caught up in accolades.

"I think we've started nine different offensive linemen this year," he said Thursday. "That's a difficult thing to overcome. For the most part I think we've done an all right job. Of course it doesn't reflect in the wins and losses category and that's really the only thing that matters. I hadn't played tackle in a while. I just got the opportunity and got out there and tried to battle and compete every play."



INJURY REPORT: Clabo (ankle) was one of two Falcons to miss practice Thursday, though Petrino said the lineman should return to work Friday in preparation for Atlanta's game against the New Orleans Saints.

Defensive back Antoine Harris (knee), who has been a contributor in some defensive packages and on special teams this season, also missed practice.

"Antoine didn't practice today either," Petrino said. "He's got a little problem with his knee. It's really a bad bone bruise, which is very painful. He has responded with the extra time off but I'm not sure he'll be ready by Monday."



STAYING FOCUSED: Everyone in the Falcons locker room agrees the 2007 season hasn't come with the desired results. That hasn't affected the focus, however.

"We're working hard on keeping a professional attitude -- coming here to work every day and being positive," Petrino said. "We want to play better. We want to see improvement by each player in all three phases of the game."

"You've got to be a professional, added Lawyer Milloy. "Our job is to win ball games and I think there are definitely individuals (on this team) that are still trying to win. I think those are the guys you know you want to build your future around; those are the guys I know I want to be in the locker room with."

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