Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson, who started all 16 games last season, is suing the franchise for invasion of privacy and defamation over the alleged released of his medical records, the player's attorney said Tuesday. "It [the lawsuit] was just filed [Monday], and it was served on the Atlanta Falcons Football Club [Tuesday]," said Eric Farber, Jackson's San Francisco-based attorney. A Falcons spokesman acknowledged the team had been served with the lawsuit, adding there were other motives behind the move. "We are disappointed that Grady Jackson's agent has taken this action," Falcons vice president of football communications Reggie Roberts said by telephone, reading from a prepared statement. "We believe that this is a continuing attempt by the agent to gain a new contract for his client."

Tim Rattay, who played the past two seasons with Tampa Bay, has been contacted by the Falcons about their backup quarterback position. "We've had some conversations with them, but nothing is imminent right now," Jim Steiner, Rattay's agent, said Sunday. With the trade of Matt Schaub, the Falcons don't have a quarterback on the roster who has played in an NFL game in the past three seasons.

One day after trading one of the top backup quarterbacks in Matt Schaub, the Falcons hope to have found his replacement in Chris Redman. The Falcons on Friday signed Redman, who has been out of the NFL for three seasons. Terms were not disclosed.

On Thursday, Michael Vick said that a seized water bottle was a jewelry box, an account that the Miami police dispute. "I have had that bottle for years, for a long time," Vick told reporters gathered for the Falcons' announcement about the trade of Matt Schaub, Vick's backup. "If you had seen the bottle, you would have never known there was any jewelry in there," he said. "I have had things stolen out of hotels. But I had never checked it through the airport." The Miami-Dade Police Department disagreed with Vick's description of the situation. "That's the first we've heard of that," Detective Nelda Fonticella, spokeswoman for the Miami-Dade Police Department, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution when asked if Vick was carrying jewelry in the bottle. "If he has any kind of problem with the way things were handled, then he needs to talk to internal affairs."

The Atlanta Falcons have traded quarterback Matt Schaub to the Houston Texans for a second-round pick in this year's draft, a second-round pick in next year's draft, and a flip flop of spots in the first round this year. Atlanta now will go to No. 8 from No. 10; Houston will go from No. 8 to No. 10. The trade has massive ramifications. The Texans have their quarterback of the future, which David Carr no longer is. The Falcons are reaffirming their faith in Michael Vick, who now also needs a new backup. And the Texans are out of the Brady Quinn derby, leaving the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins as possible landing spots. The trade, once officially completed, validates the Falcons' commitment to Vick, whom new Atlanta head coach Bobby Petrino told the first time they met, "You're my guy."

Police are investigating a woman's claims she was raped at the home of former Falcons defensive end Patrick Kerney. Kerney, who recently signed with the Seahawks, was not a suspect in the assault, which reportedly took place early Sunday. The 29-year-old woman told police she and some friends were at a bar in Atlanta's trendy Buckhead area and accepted a ride home from three men, Atlanta's WSB-TV reported Monday. Once back at Kerney's home, the men were invited inside for drinks.

Atlanta's young and underachieving receiving corps has a leader. More important, the Falcons have fetched Michael Vick another dependable target. Former Saints receiver Joe Horn, released last week by New Orleans, agreed Wednesday to sign with the rival Falcons, according to team sources. Terms of the contract, which was being finalized, were not immediately available. Horn reportedly passed a Falcons physical Tuesday.

Veteran wide receiver Joe Horn passed his physical and met with Falcons' coaches and staff members Tuesday, according to a person with knowledge of the developments. Contract talks may have taken place after Horn passed the physical, the person said, however Horn did leave the team's Flowery Branch facility late Tuesday afternoon without a completed deal. The Falcons and Horn have been talking since the outset of free agency last Friday ? a day after New Orleans released the outspoken, four-time Pro Bowler. Horn's preference would be to play with Atlanta, although there has been interest from other teams, one being Green Bay. Horn's financial desires could play a factor in whether the Falcons sign the 11-year veteran.