Moss ponders Jordanesque future


Atlanta at Minnesota

SUWANEE, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons are hoping to turn down the volume at the Metrodome.

Coach Dan Reeves talked with NFL officials about rules that prohibit teams from generating artificial noise -- music, cheers and other sounds -- during a play. He raised the issue after talking with the Arizona Cardinals, who lost to the Minnesota Vikings last weekend in a divisional playoff game.

"We called to clarify because the Cardinals had a tremendous time (calling plays), saying there was amplified noise behind their bench," Reeves said Wednesday. "We called the league to see what you can and can't do. Do we have to deal with noise being pumped in right behind us?"

Minnesota general manager Tim Connolly told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that Reeves wasn't the first coach to complain about the decibel level at the Metrodome, site of Sunday's NFL championship game.

"Many coaches have complained about the atmosphere, saying it's unfair," he said. "It started with Green Bay and Mike Holmgren. The league is saying they've had some complaints from Dan Reeves of the Falcons about this and that in terms of the noise."

Connolly added, "We're not going to do anything differently than we've done all season. The league is not instructing us to do anything or to change anything. They're just reminding us what the rules are."

Reeves said he was told by NFL officials that "they aren't going to give anybody an unfair advantage. What that means, I don't know."

The Falcons' offense will try to cope with the Metrodome noise by using hand signals and having quarterback Chris Chandler move up and down the line to make sure everyone gets the call.

Also, the burden will be on quarterbacks coach Jack Burns to make quick decisions. He calls the plays from the press box booth, relaying them to the field by radio headset.

"This is where Jack Burns has to step up and get the plays in a lot quicker in situations where there might be an audible involved," Chandler said.

Burns said he is up to the task. "We always have a quick rhythm."