HOUSTON — Falcons coach Dan Quinn said he was “concerned” about center Alex Mack on Thursday, but sounded way more optimistic after Friday’s practice.
Mack was limited again with a fibula injury, but Quinn said he felt better after watching the tape of Thursday’s practice.
“I felt good after watching Alex last night,’’ Quinn said in a pool report, “because I felt good about what he was able to do on the things we’re going to ask him to do in the game. It’s going to hurt, but a lot of guys are playing through stuff. The important thing is Alex’s mind is clear. He needed to test it and have guys go on him full speed, and he was able to do that Wednesday and Thursday.”
Backup Ben Garland continued to get some reps at center on Friday, just in case.
Patriots CB Logan Ryan, a Rutgers grad, has a close relationship with Giants cornerback Eli Apple, to whom he speaks regularly. Both went to Eastern Regional High in Voorhees, N.J.
“From what I was able to see, I think he did well for himself,’’ Ryan said of Apple’s rookie year. “He has got to be one of the youngest players in the league. So, he’s a lot better than I was at that age. I’m telling him he needs to get a driver’s license. That’ll help him. The kid doesn’t even drive and he’s playing pretty good ball at the NFL level.
“I think the future is bright for him. I’m sure he’ll continue to train. We’ll train together in Arizona.”
Ryan said he talks to Apple “as much’’ as he talks to any other players around the league.
“Just subtle, subtle stuff, like, ‘Good job, good pick, good win,’ stuff like that,’’ he said. “I get pretty locked in and go in like a cave during the year. With a daughter and everything, I don’t get to talk to my guys as much as I want, but we’ll definitely spend a lot of time in the offseason.”
The Falcons listed no one as questionable for Sunday’s game. The Patriots have seven listed as questionable: TE Martellus Bennett (knee), DT Alan Branch (toe), S Nate Ebner (concussion), LB Dont’a Hightower (shoulder), WR Chris Hogan (thigh), WR Malcolm Mitchell (knee), DT Vincent Valentine (back). In addition to Mack, the Falcons had two other players limited in practice — WR Julio Jones (toe) and DE Dwight Freeney (calf).
In their final practice leading up to Super Bowl LI, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan finished off the week on a hot note. He flourished in the red zone drill, completing every pass he threw on a chilly, breezy afternoon workout at Rice University.
“That’s Matt,’’ Quinn said. “I am so pumped for him, the way he has worked. It is not surprising the offense feels so good about the plan and has practiced so clean.’’
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