Falcons' Hartwell doubts he'll get activatedBy STEVE WYCHEThe Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 10/13/06 Flowery Branch — Despite saying he is ready to play, Falcons middle linebacker Ed Hartwell does not think he will be activated Sunday when Atlanta hosts the New York Giants."For this game, I doubt it," Hartwell said after Thursday's practice. "The soonest will probably be next week. I'm just waiting. I feel good. I'm mentally and physically ready. At this point, it's up to the coaches and doctors and what they see. I'm just waiting for the green light."It's not up to me any more. I gave my opinion."Hartwell is almost a full year removed from playing in a regular-season game because of several injuries. The Falcons' prized free-agent acquisition before the 2005 season was signed to a six-year, $26.25 million contract after playing four seasons for Baltimore. Injuries have limited him to five games and 22 tackles since his arrival.Coach Jim Mora said he has been pleased with Hartwell's performance in practice since his return two weeks ago from preseason arthroscopic surgery on both knees. However, Hartwell, who also tore his Achilles tendon in the fifth game last season, has to satisfy all concerns before he is reinserted into a defense that has fared well without him, Mora said.Tuesday "was the best he's looked, by far, and he felt pretty good [Thursday]," Mora said. "He looked as good as he's looked, as close to 100 percent as he has since before he did the Achilles. That's a good sign for us. We'll see what happens [today] and Saturday."It's like with any of these guys: [Hartwell] or [John Abraham (groin)] or [Allen Rossum (hamstring)]. I want them to play, but I only want them to play if they're mentally right to play. I don't believe in putting a guy out there just to put them out there. They all want to play. They're all mature. They're all smart. They're all motivated. They'll tell me when they're ready."Hartwell reiterated that he is ready."It's hard because when I'm out there I feel great," Hartwell said. "I don't hurt. I don't feel anything. I'm not limping. I feel great. For me, it's frustrating. For them, they want to make sure everything is right. I want to go out there this week, but it's up to the coaches. I was hoping that this would be the week."Complicating Hartwell's return is the play of the defense as a whole and the linebackers as a unit.When Hartwell went down last season, Keith Brooking moved from weakside linebacker to Hartwell's spot in the middle. Demorrio Williams moved from strongside linebacker to Brooking's vacated position and Michael Boley was inserted at strongside linebacker.Though they struggled initially, the trio has worked together for 15 games. This season, Brooking leads the Falcons (3-1) with 37 tackles. Williams has been a force and is second with 30. Boley is the Falcons' most versatile defender and is third in tackles with 25.Taking one of those players out of the lineup and forcing Brooking to move to an outside linebacker spot to make room for Hartwell is a change that might be hard to make, especially since the Falcons are second in the NFL against the run and sixth in total defense. Hartwell also does not play special teams, like most of the eight linebackers — seven of whom have been active over the first four games.Hartwell has been the only linebacker deemed inactive."For our football team, it's not a bad problem to have," Brooking said. "We're all in this for our team. Using a football player's mentality, you've got to keep your nose to the grinder and work your tail off. If you keep that mentality, whatever happens, it's going to work out eventually. You can't allow it to distract you and hinder your play and work ethic. If we keep that mentality, we'll be fine."Hartwell, meanwhile, said he would only add to the caliber of play."I feel comfortable in myself, and I know what type of player I am," Hartwell said. "When I go out there at practice I make the plays. I'm healthy now. I'm a great addition to the defense. They're doing really well right now, but I feel I can come in and make it a little better."
