Falcons' LBs will band together if lockout occurs

FLOWERY BRANCH - Stephen Nicholas said Thursday he and other Atlanta Falcons linebackers plan to work out together this offseason if the lack of a new collective bargaining agreement means there are no team workouts.

The Falcons normally start their offseason workouts in late March. There were no players at the practice facility on Thursday as labor talks continued in Washington.

Nicholas, a restricted free agent, said in a telephone interview he plans to work out with Curtis Lofton, Sean Weatherspoon and Mike Peterson away from the team's facility. Peterson also is a free agent.

"We've talked about getting together, about doing some linebacker drills, just working on stuff together to keep the linebacker camaraderie going," Nicholas said. "I'm pretty sure quarterbacks and receivers will do the same thing."

Nicholas said the goal is to keep the linebackers together even though all may not re-sign with the team.

"I don't know if all the pieces are still going to be together, but as friendship goes, we're definitely going to be together," he said.

Nicholas said the players have discussed meeting in the Atlanta area or in Florida for the workouts.

Among other key free agents for the Falcons are three starting offensive linemen: guards Justin Blalock and Harvey Dahl and right tackle Tyson Clabo.