Mohr still finding success in league

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - When the Atlanta Falcons approached him two years ago about a contract extension, Chris Mohr tried to imagine himself still punting in 2008.

• Photos

Mohr, who grew up in Thomson, will turn 42 in four years. Who knows if he can still maintain his status as one of the NFL's most consistent punters?

"You want to play as long as you can, but I would never hang around until they tell me to leave," Mohr said. "I hope I'd make my mind up long before it ever got to that point."

The Alabama Crimson Tide standout has punted 15 of the past 16 years.

He played in three Super Bowls with Buffalo from 1992-2000 before the Falcons signed him in 2001.

Mohr's second year with Atlanta was his best, as he averaged 38.7 net yards to lead the NFL and set a Falcons record that broke the franchise mark of 38.1 that Billy Lothridge established in 1968. His net average stands at 37.1 as Atlanta (9-3) prepares to host the Oakland Raiders (4-8) on Sunday (1 p.m., CBS-Ch. 12).

The schemes of special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis consistently give them some of the league's most effective coverage units. This year is no exception, as Atlanta has held opponents to an average of just 3.3 yards on punt returns - tops in the NFL - and No. 2 with a kickoff return average of only 19.0.

"Chris has put the ball where it's supposed to be put for the most part and that helps, obviously," head coach Jim Mora said. "Those guys know where their cover lanes are going to be, where the ball's going to come down for the most part. He's got us good hang (time), and then I think our guys have covered well."

Mohr, who will earn $760,000 this season, benefits most from having gunners like Michael Jenkins and Jimmy Farris, two fast players who run down either sideline and beat blocks.

HOLDING FIRM: Raiders coach Norv Turner has liked what he's seen of left tackle Robert Gallery, the former Iowa standout that Oakland drafted with the No. 2 overall pick.

"You're never sure about the transition to this league, but he's made it extremely well," Turner said.

"The thing about Robert is you don't hear that much about him, and that's a plus for an offensive lineman. He doesn't get beat very often and he's done an awfully good job learning and handling different looks and different people and match-ups. He'll just keep getting better."

IN HINDSIGHT: Before he hired Turner, Raiders owner Al Davis interviewed Greg Knapp to succeed Bill Callahan, who led Oakland to victory in the 2002 AFC title game before stumbling to a 4-12 finish last year.

Knapp worked as offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and quality control assistant from 1995-2003 in San Francisco. Davis never offered him the job, and Falcons owner Arthur Blank introduced Knapp as offensive coordinator the same day he announced Mora's hiring 11 months ago.