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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons defense has made plenty of rookie mistakes. No surprise there, given all the first-year players theyve put on the field.The Falcons have started as many as four rookies at times this season, and the youth movement doesnt end there. Four other regulars have been playing in the NFL only two seasons, signaling an entirely new direction for the often-maligned unit.Coach Dan Quinn wasnt at all hesitant about sending out so many young players.We knew there would be some growing pains with certain techniques and certain things that you have to go through, Quinn said Thursday. But I didnt have concerns with it. Otherwise, I wouldnt have put them in. I felt like they had earned it and were ready to go.Atlanta ranks 28th in both points (26.5 per game) and yards (376.3) allowed, but thats nothing new. The Falcons have traditionally struggled on defense, rarely placing among the NFLs elite units.Now, at least, there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful.Quinn said the improvement has been evident in recent weeks as the Falcons (8-5) make a push for their first playoff berth since 2012. They host the woeful San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, coming off perhaps their best defensive performance of the season.In a 42-14 rout of the Los Angeles Rams, the Falcons defense chalked up a pair of touchdowns -- one off an interception, another off a fumble recovery -- and came up with another big interception to halt a drive deep in Atlanta territory.It really starts with communication -- how good can you get at that? Quinn said. Not only do you know your own assignments, but youre able to share some of the information pre-snap. Over the last two weeks, Ive really seen them ramp up that communication, where the information is getting back and forth.Up front, Vic Beasley -- a first-round pick in 2015 -- has emerged as a dominant pass rusher with 13.5 sacks, tied for the league lead with Denvers Von Miller. Another second-year player, Grady Jarrett, is a key contributor on the interior line.The linebacking corps includes a pair of rookie starters, second-round pick Deion Jones and fourth-rounder DeVondre Campbell. They have drastically improved the speed and athleticism of that group, which was especially evident when Jones returned an interception for a 33-yard touchdown against the Rams.Four youngsters are playing key roles in the secondary, including rookie strong safety Keanu Neal and free safety Ricardo Allen, whos in his second season on the 53-man roster after spending a year on the practice squad. Jalen Collins, another second-year player, moved into a starting role at cornerback after a season-ending injury to Desmond Trufant. Undrafted rookie Brian Poole has made six starts as the nickel back.We have a really significant role on this team, Neal said. But I feel like weve handled it well.When Quinn arrived, it was clear the Falcons needed a major upgrade after ranking last in yards allowed in 2014. Theyve addressed that glaring weakness mainly through the draft, devoting six of nine picks in the first five rounds to defensive players.All of them are either full-time starters or a big part of the playing rotation. Their impact is evident in the statistics, where they account for 56 percent of the tackles, 59 percent of the sacks, 67 percent of the interceptions and 73 percent of the forced fumbles.Jones said he feels like a completely different player than the guy who started in Week 1.Ive still got room to grow, he said. But I can say Im starting to know the game more and more. Its been a fun experience to see myself grow as a player.That certainly bodes well for the future.The present doesnt look so bad, either.We dont look at them as young guys anymore, Quinn said. We just look at them as ballplayers who are ready to play.Game notes WR Julio Jones (sprained toe) missed another practice and its still not known if hell be able to play Sunday after sitting out last weeks game. ... WR Mohamed Sanu (groin) was listed as limited for the second day in a row. ... Also missing practice: CB Jalen Collins (knee); S Kemal Ishmael (knee); S Robenson Therezie (ankle); WR Nick Williams (concussion); and DE Adrian Clayborn (knee).---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Nike Shoes Black Friday . 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After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. Fake Nike Shoes Black Friday . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. ATLANTA -- Julio Jones knows his Falcons teammates are watching to see how he responds in every situation on the field.Thats one reason that Jones, arguably the NFLs best wide receiver, is careful to measure his emotions carefully. He doesnt over-celebrate. He doesnt pout.So thats why Jones is trying not to get caught up in a blame game when opponents arent flagged for what appears to be obvious pass interference.A no-call two weeks ago at Seattle and one last week at home against San Diego each came late in the game and cost the Falcons a chance to win.Jones made a point of not getting outraged. He wants to set a good example for his teammates.I dont want to have a foul after the play for going after the referee or doing something else -- just to show them the way to handle things, he said Thursday. When things dont go your way and you think they should, theres always a positive way to handle things.Its so easy to handle it negatively, but I just handle it in a positive way and everything else will be ok.He doesnt know if Green Bays depleted secondary will follow suit Sunday at the Georgia Dome. If Seattles Richard Sherman can blatantly grab his right arm and San Diegos Steve Williams can hold down his left arm, Jones isnt sure if the less-experienced Packers will try something similar.His hope is that game officials will call the game fair for both sides.The thing is Im not out here playing around, Jones said. This is my job. I take it very, very seriously, you know? Not being able to do your job -- I wouldnt say I was frustrated. Im doing my job. I want you to do your job, in a sense, but its over and done with.I dont harp on it. Its not like, `Oh, man, I cant get through today because I didnt get a pass interference call. Its over and done with. Its on to the next one.The Packers are without top cornerbacks Sam Shields and Damarioous Randall.dddddddddddd Quentin Rollins could miss a third straight game with a groin injury.So that leaves youngsters LaDarius Gunter and Demetri Goodson as outclassed in potential one-on-one matchups, but Jones believes Green Bay (4-2) can compensate against Atlanta (4-3) with strong play from safeties Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.Their front seven is a problem, Jones said. They can get a lot of pressure. Those guys can kind of sit and guess at a lot of things, but they have two of the best safeties I think were going to face this year.As is the case every week, Jones expects to see plenty of double-team coverage.When guys are taking me away, Im looking at it as a positive that Im taking two guys away on one play, he said. That allows my teammates to have one-on-one.Selected as an All-Pro for the first time last season after having the second-most single-season yards and catches in NFL history, Jones is just as tough to defend this year. He leads the league with 830 yards receiving, and 32 of his 40 catches have given the Falcons a first down.If his looks are there, hes going to make you pay, Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said. If he gets his opp -- depending on where the coverage goes or where the route takes him -- hes usually more than ready to capitalize on them.Game notes Pro Bowl RB Devonta Freeman (hip) fully participated in practice after being limited Wednesday. Thats good news for Atlanta, which likely wont have RB Tevin Coleman active this week. Coleman (hamstring) and DE Dwight Freeney (quadriceps) didnt practice for the second straight day. ... WR Taylor Gabriel (concussion) was back to full speed after missing last weeks game.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '