Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on May 7, 2010, 8:00 AM EDT

Before this year, mixed martial arts training was embraced by individual players, like Jared Allen, Patrick Willis, and Matt Leinart. Now, teams are getting in on the act.  The Falcons have hired MMAthletics, a company founded by Jay Glazer and Randy Couture, to supplement the team’s offseason workout regimen. reveals that he’s also working out with multiple members of the Rams, including defensive end Chris Long, tackle Jason Smith, and linebacker James Laurinaitis. Glazer shares, via Twitter, some random nuggets regarding other guys who have declined a chance to improve their on-field fortunes by utilizing an unconventional type of off-field training.  For example, Jets linebacker-turned-defensive-end Vernon Gholston has said “no.”  Ditto for quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Glazer also has tweeted that he is hoping to train Bears center Olin Kreutz.  If guys continue to have the results that players like Allen and Willis have experienced, look for more players to give it a try.

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