Falcons ready for prime time in 2009

The Atlanta Falcons will get some prime-time exposure in 2009, their reward for being one of the NFL's most surprising teams.

They'll also get a much tougher schedule.

The Falcons open the season at home Sept. 13 against the Miami Dolphins, matching two teams that made remarkable turnarounds last season. Atlanta went from 3-13 to 11-5, finishing second in the NFC South. The Dolphins improved from 1-15 to 11-5, winning the AFC East.

Miami is one of three division champions on the Atlanta schedule, along with the NFC East winners New York Giants and NFC South rival Carolina.

The cumulative record of last season's opponents was 88-119-1 (.425). This year's opponents went 121-86-1 (.585).

In a reward for their unexpected success, the Falcons have nationally televised prime-time games against the Chicago Bears at home Oct. 18 (a Sunday night game on NBC) and Nov. 2 at the New Orleans Saints (Monday night on ESPN).

- Suspended NFL star Michael Vick has begun the third leg of his trip back to a federal penitentiary in Kansas.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons Web site showed that Vick has left the federal prison in Atlanta.

PANTHERS: A year after winning the NFC South, Carolina was rewarded with up to three nationally televised games in 2009. They also have the second-toughest schedule in the league based on last year's standings

The Panthers open at home against Philadelphia on Sept. 13, get an early bye in Week 4, and play Monday night (Sept. 28 at Dallas), Thursday (Nov. 19 vs. Miami) and possibly Sunday night (Dec. 20 vs. Minnesota) before closing at home against New Orleans on Jan. 3.

Carolina's opponents had a combined winning percentage of .592, second only to Miami's .594.

COURTS: Former NFL player Travis Henry has signed a plea deal with prosecutors in which he admits to a single cocaine conspiracy charge in exchange for two other charges being dropped.