1.   Among those believed to be interested in the job is former USC linebacker Riki Ellison.

2.   And Cornelius Bennett, the former Pro Bowl linebacker with Buffalo, will need to reach that level again for the Falcon defense to click.

3.   And, of course, they play defense in a manner befitting a team coached by a former NFL linebacker and defensive coordinator.

4.   Assistant coach Dick Arbuckle showed the same kind of commitment toward former linebacker Pat Tillman.

5.   Bailey is playing right inside linebacker next to the former New Orleans linebacker Sam Mills.

6.   Bill Palmer, a former linebacker in the CFL who coached his son through high school, noticed difficulties too.

7.   A former Giant linebacker, Carlton Bailey, once said Riesenberg was one of the hardest-working players he had ever seen.

8.   A former linebacker, Williams emerged in the spring as the top candidate to start at free safety.

9.   A former linebacker, Schottenheimer obviously played in the days when you still could use your head as a weapon.

10.   Al has said his uncle, Rod Martin, the former Raiders linebacker and former Trojan All-American, would clear things up.