MALLARD

10 years to the week after Josh Mallard should have made his Dome debut, the Benedictine graduate made the biggest play of his career against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A clip from the AJC:

Mallard making most of chances

Josh Mallard, one of the last players to be cut after the exhibition season, keeps making plays. He was added to the squad after John Abraham was injured on Sept. 12. With the Falcons ahead 14-6 and the Buccaneers hoping to tie the game with a touchdown and a two-point conversion, Mallard stripped the ball from running back Cadillac Williams and recovered the fumble with 4:26 to play.

"I just happened to be at the right place at the right time," Mallard said.

Mallard's play has been a surprise for the Falcons.

"He's figured prominently into our rush package," Falcons coach Jim Mora said. " I don't know this for a fact, but he might lead our team in sacks. (Patrick Kerney has 4.5, while Abraham and Mallard have 4.) That's what you're looking for when you have injuries in this league, is guys stepping up and making some plays for you."