San Francisco at Atlanta


Focal Point: Anderson vs. Young


Final episode of the 'trilogy'


Falcons' Reeves named AP Coach of the Year


Murphy: A weekend at the movies


NFC guard officially has changed




Dan Reeves has not decided where he will coach from on Saturday.
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Chris Chandler says he likes having Reeves on the sideline.
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Bob Whitfield believes Reeves is always with the team, no matter where he is physically.
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Reeves says he will attempt to stay calm during the game.
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SUWANEE, Ga. -- Dan Reeves made it clear Tuesday: He's back in charge of the Atlanta Falcons.

	Dan Reeves was named NFL Coach of the Year after leading the Falcons to their first division title since 1980.

Just three weeks after heart bypass surgery, the Falcons coach resumed his normal routine. He held a briefing for the media, reclaimed his on-field coaching duties in practice and made plans to be on the sidelines for Saturday's divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers.

"Y'all missed me, didn't you?" Reeves quipped as he took his place behind the podium for the first time since quadruple bypass surgery on Dec. 14.

Reeves missed the final two regular-season games for the Falcons (14-2), who won their first NFC West title since 1980 and are trying to reach the conference final for the first time in franchise history.

Last week, he began viewing some film and sat in on meetings with the players and coaches. But defensive coordinator Rich Brooks, serving as acting head coach, continued to run the team in practice while Reeves watched from his office.

When Reeves strode to the podium for his weekly news conference -- a duty handled by Brooks since Reeves' surgery -- it was apparent things were back to normal. The only question is where Reeves will be for the playoff game: his regular spot on the sidelines or the press box coaching booth?

"My goal is to try to be on the sideline," he said. "I think I'll have a better idea after we go through three days of practice -- how much energy I have at practice, how much I'll be able to stand up."

Reeves received a clean bill of health during an examination Monday, though he is still taking blood thinner medication to help with his recovery. He is working out twice a day for 15 minutes on a treadmill, which has helped his energy level.

"I'm really allowed to do whatever I feel like can do," he said. "I've just got to be smart about it."

Reeves and his team escaped the unseasonably cold temperatures in Atlanta by practicing indoors at the Georgia Dome. He said it was easier to concentrate in warmer surroundings, but the move also allowed him to take part without fear of illness.

Wearing a gray sweatshirt and black sweatpants, Reeves casually strolled around the field while his players loosened up, hardly looking like a man who recently underwent four hours of surgery. He chatted with Dome workers while they finished installing the artificial turf, then blew his whistle to begin work once the field was ready.

"When you think about what he's gone through, it's amazing that he's planning to join us as quickly as it has been," quarterback Chris Chandler said. "When you think about all we've got to do is play a football game and he went through major heart surgery, I think it gives us a lot of motivation."

While the players would like to have Reeves on the sideline for the playoffs, they are more concerned about his health. The consensus seemed to be that he should work in the press box instead of subjecting himself to possible injury.

"It's always nice to see him coming off the field and see him before you go in there for a series," Chandler said. "There's no doubt that having him on the field is just kind of comforting for me. I'd like to see him down there.

"But with what's going on with him and the risk factor of being down on the sideline, it's best that he probably not be down there."

Cornerback Ray Buchanan echoed those sentiments.

"It's going to be very emotional to have him back. At the same time, Dan has to be very careful with his heart condition in a playoff atmosphere," Buchanan said. "Some of the players said they'd rather have him up in the press box. We can feel his presence whenever we go out on the field, even if he's not there."

Reeves already has returned to the hospital once with an accelerated heartbeat, apparently because he tried to rush his recovery. But he isn't worried about another setback.

"The doctors tell me to go be myself," he said. "My heart's in good shape. I'm not going to go out there screaming and everything. Well, maybe sometimes. But hopefully I will be a little bit more under control ... and do the things I've always done."