TE Alge Crumpler should finally step out of the shadows Thursday, when the Falcons play at Jacksonville. The Falcons will play their starters at least a half and open up the playbook a little, pausing here and there on the pages designed for the versatile tight end. "We really haven't thrown everything out there that gets Alge involved in the game," said QB Michael Vick, the Falcons' Pro Bowl quarterback. "We'll do that [tonight] and hopefully, we'll get him involved and kind of get him going a little bit." Crumpler, who caught a team-high 48 passes to earn a second straight berth in the Pro Bowl last season, has not had a ball thrown in his direction this preseason. He did not play in the opener against Indianapolis in Tokyo because of a sore knee. He spent the few series he did play in the next two games blocking or running routes as a second or third option. The few times his number was called, there were penalties levied or he had to stay in and pass protect because of an unexpected blitz. "There were some nice looks, we just couldn't get some things taken care of," Crumpler said. "My job is 50-50. One part of that 50 percent, I've done a hell of a job with. Now I've got to get the ball thrown in my direction." |