Notebook: Smith hoping to see time at Miami

When he reports for practice this morning at team headquarters, Brady Smith hopes to take snaps with the first-team defense and take his rightful place as a starting end.

The 10th-year NFL veteran wants to play when the Atlanta Falcons play their preseason finale Thursday night at Miami, but he must first receive medical clearance.

Smith hasn't had much fun this summer. After undergoing surgery to relieve a compressed nerve in his left side, he didn't start running until four weeks ago. He had to rebuild his strength and conditioning slowly because he couldn't afford to risk another setback.

Having Jim Mora as a head coach, however, helps veteran players like Smith who otherwise might press to return quicker than their body needs.

"I think he has confidence that an older, veteran guy isn't going to fall behind mentally," Smith said recently. "He'll let you do what you need to do. I had to get my strength back up. I had to get my conditioning back up. Everyone around this building has been great with allowing me to do that. They're happy with the results because I am ahead of schedule."

Khaleed Vaughn, who played in three games last year, and Gabe Nyenhuis, who has no NFL experience, each started twice in Smith's place. The team is likely to keep only three ends on the final 53-man roster, and with Smith and Patrick Kerney guaranteed two spots, Chauncey Davis, a fourth-round draft pick, looks like a lock for the other job.

NO WORD YET

Of the three players injured at Jacksonville, Bryan Scott (hip) might have the best chance of suiting up against the Dolphins.

The free safety limped out of the locker room two nights ago after an injured hip forced him to leave the game in the second quarter, but a team source, who requested anonymity, said Saturday that Scott shouldn't need too long to heal.

Shoulder surgery in March caused Scott, a third-year veteran, to miss the first three preseason games.

The Falcons are less sure with the status of starting wideout Dez White (knee) and backup linebacker Jordan Beck (foot). As Beck sat in the locker room after the game, the swelling was so bad that it seemed a golf ball was lodged inside the top of his left foot.

If White can't start against the Dolphins, Brian Finneran would likely take his place.

Other significant players to sit out the Jaguars game were linebacker Keith Brooking (thigh), receivers Roddy White (ankle) and Peerless Price (ribs, concussion) and cornerbacks Jason Webster (hamstring) and Kevin Mathis (hamstring).

TODAY'S ITINERARY

The Falcons were off Saturday but return to the field today at 10 a.m. for a 90-minute workout. Now that camp is over, practices are closed to the public.

Mora needed an earlier starting time because rain is expected today. He can't move practice inside because installation of new turf isn't compete for the indoor field.

Owner Arthur Blank's purchase of the Georgia Force, a franchise in the Arena Football League, caused the turf to wear out quicker than expected.

HE SAID IT

Brooking likes what the defense has accomplished this month, particularly after Atlanta held Jacksonville to only 88 rushing yards, including a miniscule 2.2 yards per carry in the first half.

The Falcons will have new full-time starters at nose tackle, where Chad Lavalais replaces Ed Jasper, at middle linebacker, where Ed Hartwell takes over for Chris Draft, at strongside linebacker, where Demorrio Williams plays in place of
Matt Stewart, at free safety where Bryan Scott changes positions to replace Cory Hall and at strong safety where either Keion Carpenter or Ronnie Heard will have Scott's old job.

"I feel great about it so far," Brooking said. "We're growing as a unit, progressing every week. When you have new faces and new guys playing in there beside you, it takes training camp and preseason games for you to gel."

Brady probably has to be concerned about his starting job,
Davis has impressed coaches.