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According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, T.J. Duckett practiced again Friday and should be able to go after straining his right quadriceps muscle on Wednesday. Those who follow the team closely believe Duckett could be an important element to the game plan, considering big backs have given the Buccaneers trouble in the past.

In two games last year, Duckett had 24 carries for 99 yards. ...

Also of interest. ...

In an article published Wednesday, Associated Press sports writer Paul Newberry reminded us that at times over the last two weeks, Doug Johnson has looked brilliant.

Other times, Johnson has looked awful.

Which is why Johnson heads into his third start looking to demonstrate more consistency after two very uneven performances.

In the opener at Dallas, Johnson finished the first half completing one of 10 passes, including an interception. Over the final two quarters, he was 11-of-13 for 143 yards with a couple of touchdowns, rallying the Falcons to a 27-13 victory.

Last week, Johnson got off to a quick start against Washington. He was 5-of-8 for 93 yards and a touchdown as the Falcons raced to a 17-0 lead.

Then it all fell apart.

Of Johnson's next 24 passes, only nine were completed. He threw two critical interceptions, one that was returned to the Atlanta 1 to set up an easy Redskins touchdown as Washington rebounded for a 33-31 victory.

"You've got to be willing to take your shots when they're there," Johnson said. "When they're not there, you've got to be willing to throw the ball away and punt with the confidence that you're going to get the ball back. No one goes out and scores on every drive."

Johnson got all out of sync against the Redskins, missing open receivers and throwing some downright ugly passes. He also takes the blame for failing to get Peerless Price involved in the offense.

Price, the Falcons' major offseason acquisition, has caught only four passes in the first two games and has become extremely frustrated.

"The responsibility falls on me," Johnson said. "I'm the one who pulls the trigger. I'm the guys who makes the decisions on the field. And it's definitely not him being covered because Peerless gets open."

Price spoke out again Wednesday, making it clear he wants to be a bigger part of the offense.

"I felt like I had to say something," he said. "I know it's just Week 2, but I didn't feel like I was getting many opportunities in the preseason, either."

Johnson hopes to turn things around this weekend, but that won't be an easy task going up against the league's most fearsome defense. The Bucs have yet to give up a touchdown and would be undefeated if not for terrible breakdowns in their kicking game last week.

"You've got to take what they give you, eliminate turnovers, try not to have a lot of penalties and hopefully be able to run the ball," Johnson said. "That's really the only way to beat them. Their defense keeps them in so many ballgames and takes pressure off their offense to put a lot of points on the board."

Quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson doesn't entirely blame his starter for his up-and-down performance.

"Doug played well when we ran the ball well," Mike Johnson said. "That plays a big part in it. It's not all on his shoulders."

And a related item. ...

In an article published by the Sporting News on Monday, Falcons insider George Henry advised us that no matter how much Price complains about double-teaming, only one corner is covering him 95 percent of the time, if not more. And over the first two games, those assigned to cover him -- Washington's Champ Bailey and Dallas rookie Terence Newman -- have fared quite well.

Henry summed up by noting: "Price's problem is allowing himself to get jammed at the line of scrimmage.. ... Price needs to be more physical, which would help him get the separation he needs to get open."