It was thought the birds would go up against Byron Leftwich, but he sprained his MCL on Thursday night in the final preseason game against the Panthers. Batch was the Steelers best QB numbers-wise this preseason, but they went with Dixon, who ran with the #1’s today in practice, while Batch ran with the #2’s.

Robbie Agnone (TE) cut.
Dan Klecko (RB) cut.
Brett Romberg (C) cut.
Blake Schlueter (C) cut.
Ryan Wolfe (WR) cut.
Rafael Bush (S) cut.
Dominique Daniels (CB) cut.
Weston Johnson (LB) cut.
Brandyn Harvey (WR) cut.
Bear Woods (LB) cut.
Jose Valdez (G) cut.
Emmanuel Stephens (DE) cut.
Maurice Lucas (DE) cut.
Chevis Jackson (CB) cut.
Eric Brock (S) cut.
Keith Zinger (TE) cut.
Andy Strickland (WR) cut.
Dimitri Nance (RB) cut.
Tim Buckley (WR) cut.
Troy Bergeron (WR) cut.

“Miller Lite and the Atlanta Falcons are excited to give legal-drinking-age fans this once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Evan Cohen, Southeast Region marketing manager director for MillerCoors. “In addition to winning an assortment of Miller Lite prizes, the fan will get to ‘taste greatness’ on the field with former-Falcon Steve Bartkowski.”

The winner will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Falcons gameday, with prizes that include:

· Steve Bartkowski joining them for the Falcons November 7 game

· A $1,000 cash (awarded in the form of a check)

· Pre-game sideline passes

· Customized Falcons jersey

· Watching the game from the exclusive Miller Lite ATL Lounge

· Attempting to catch a pass from Bartkowski on the field between the first and second quarter, in front of 70,000 screaming football fans.

“I’m going to be there with the lucky fan to make sure they experience game day just like a player would,” said Bartkowski. “And when we get on the field between quarters, I plan to flash back to my playing days and hit them between the numbers with a perfect spiral.”

Legal-drinking-age consumers can text “FALCON” to 334455 for the chance to win the Miller Lite “Falcon for a Day” sweepstakes, which runs from September 1 to October 15, or visit participating Atlanta-area Miller Lite retailers for more information.

Most of the big name Jags and Falcons stood on the sideline during the last preseason game on Thursday night, and in the end the Jags walked away with a 13-9 victory.

Fullback Brock Bolen scored on a 16-yard run, Josh Scobee kicked two field goals and the Jaguars took home the four-point win.

The Falcons converted just 1 of its first 9 third-down plays. The Jaguars had a measly 100 yards in the first half. Chris Redman started in place of Matt Ryan and was 15 of 22 passes for 142 yards in the first half. Jerious Norwood ran four times for 31 yards.

Luke McCown started at QB for the Jags for David Garrard and completed 5 of 12 passes for 39 yards in the first half. His numbers would have been better if Tiquan Underwood, battling veteran Troy Williamson for the team’s final receiver spot, had not dropped two passes.

The Falcons (2-2) played without their entire starting offense and without seven defensive starters. Ryan, running back Michael Turner, receiver Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez got the night off. So did defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux(notes), defensive end John Abraham, linebacker Mike Peterson and cornerback Dunta Robinson.

The Jaguars (2-2) played without Garrard, running Maurice Jones-Drew and receiver Mike Sims-Walker. Most of Jacksonville’s starting defense, except for cornerback Derek Cox also sat out.

“We had a couple of starters play,” Del Rio said. “We have to toughen them up and get a little more work in. We played our first team offensive line. I thought they needed that offensively. We just want to be sharp with all of the work we’re getting.”

Jones-Drew has missed five consecutive practices and didn’t travel for last week’s game at Tampa Bay. He denied an Internet report he had arthroscopic knee surgery, but acknowledged Thursday night he has been “taking care of all the nicks and bruises.”

“I wanted to be out there with my teammates, but we felt the best thing for me was rest and rehab and getting my body back right …” Jones-Drew said. “I feel great. I can’t wait to get out there and play Denver. They are the first hurdle in our road to success and I can’t wait to get out there.”

“There have been some false reports out there about what happened, which is fine,” Jones-Drew said. “People are going to speculate, but that is not going to hurt anything that happens with this team. More than anything else guys understand. They want me back, I want to be back, and I will be back on Monday doing everything I need to do to get ready to beat Denver.”

Atlanta moved the ball more effectively than Jacksonville, but Antone Smith’s fumble in the second quarter was costly. Smith broke through the line and gained 10 yards before safety Courtney Greene knocked the ball loose. Greene recovered, and the Jaguars scored the game’s lone touchdown four plays later.

McCown hooked up with Bolen for a short gain, then Bolen weaved his way through several defenders for a 16-yard score— his third of the preseason.

“Joining the 1,000 catch club is an exciting moment in my career and I am looking forward to celebrating with one of my loyal fans,” said Tony Gonzalez, all-pro tight end for the Atlanta Falcons and co-founder of All Pro Science, Inc. “I am extremely lucky to still be playing the game of football, and I attribute the success to my healthy lifestyle and the encouragement I get from my fans.”

Tony is one reception shy of becoming the seventh NFL player, and first tight end, to make 1,000 catches. He is expected to make this catch on Sunday, September 12, while playing the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Below you will find the contest details and please be sure to read the rules.

Contest details and rules

(1)Follow Tony’s Twitter handle – www.twitter.com/tonygonzalez88 (@TonyGonzalez88)

(2)Tweet @TonyGonzalez88, include the #1000Catch hash tag and tell us why you deserve to win. You may only Tweet once a day.

(3)Pass along the contest to all friends and family so they can play too

(4)Contest ends at the conclusion of the game on Sunday, Sept. 12

(5)Tony will draw a winner at random and winner will be notified on or about Monday, September 13

(6)Winner and guest will be flown out to Atlanta to receive the game gloves and meet Tony. Trip includes: 2 airline tickets, 2 nights at a hotel in Atlanta, 2 tickets to the Atlanta Falcons/Arizona Cardinals game on Sunday, Sept. 19, and ground transportation to and from airport and hotel

(7)Winner will hang out and reenact the catch with Tony either after the game or the following morning

(8)Winner must be over 18 and sign a consent form for media appearances; please see additional rules here: www.allproscience.com/1000Catch-Contest.html

Additionally, the winner will receive a package of All Pro Science products, which includes Tony’s book: All Pro Diet: Lose Fat, Build Muscle, and Live Like a Champion.

Each hat and visor will feature an NFL team’s logo blazoned on the left panel. The team’s name will also be stitched onto the left corner of the hat/visor. The TaylorMade logo will appear in 3D embroidery on the front panel of the hat.

The hats will be available at retail at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $27.99.

Giordano (5-11, 200) signed with the Falcons in March after spending 2009 with the Green Bay Packers. In his five-year career, the first four which spent with the Indianapolis Colts, Giordano has totaled 82 tackles (27 on special teams) and 3 interceptions.

The 6-2, 304-pound Johnson started his career in 2005 with the Dallas Cowboys, and spent 2006 with the Houston Texans. Out of football in 2007 and 2008, Johnson started 10 of 13 games for the Falcons last season, totaling 20 tackles and a pair of quarterback sacks. Johnson appeared in the Falcons’ pre-season opener, but has not played in the last two games due to an Achilles’ injury.

Word is the Falcons are leaning toward starting first-round pick Sean Weatherspoon at strong-side linebacker. Weatherspoon, who was considered to be best fit for duty on the weak side heading into the draft, has been trained on both the weak and strong sides, and has one preseason start under his belt at each spot. A source said some inside the organization weren’t thrilled with SLB Stephen Nicholas’ play last season and his status as a draft pick from the short-lived Bobby Petrino-era hasn’t helped his cause. Pro Football Weekly hears a demotion would not sit well with WLB Mike Peterson, who is slowing down in his 12th NFL season, but he may not give Atlanta much choice if his play declines. It would be no surprise if Weatherspoon gets time at both positions in the regular season.

Ortmann is a 6-6, 295-pound guard/tackle from the University of Michigan, Ortmann started 27 games in college, including 21 at left tackle between 2008-09. Ortmann played through a dislocated elbow in 2008, but answered any questions about his strength by posted 30 reps on the bench press at his pro day.