Monthly Archives: March 2009

Humble and Hungry

By J. Michael Moore | Published: March 31, 2009
Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith spoke to his team Monday morning for the first time since the close of the 2008 season. His message was simple: Stay humble and hungry. Atlanta surprised countless fans, players, coaches and executives in 2008, turning a 4-12 record in 2007 to an 11-5 finish and a playoff spot with a rookie [...]
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Picking Up the Hardware

By J. Michael Moore | Published: March 31, 2009
Head Coach Mike Smith, General Manager Thomas Dimitroff and quarterback Matt Ryan dusted off the dress clothes and got up early Tuesday before heading to Buckhead for a very special breakfast. The trio were guests of honor at an event presented by The Sporting News to give awards to the coach, executive and player. Smith was named [...]
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Smith: “Needs Based” Draft on the Horizon

By J. Michael Moore | Published: March 31, 2009
Head Coach Mike Smith confirmed the team will take a “needs based” approach to the upcoming NFL Draft when he met with the media on Tuesday. He said more free agent moves aren’t out of the question, but the team has identified the positions it will take a look at in the rest of the [...]
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Busy Day at The Branch

By J. Michael Moore | Published: March 31, 2009
The offseason has its share of busy days but this day promises to be busier than most. Head Coach Mike Smith, quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner are expected to meet with the media to talk about the offseason and the team’s conditioning program. The press will also get a rare glimpse of the weight [...]
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On the Road to Open Preseason

By J. Michael Moore | Published: March 30, 2009
The Falcons will open the 2009 preseason on the road against the Lions, the team announced today. Dates and times of three preseason games are TBD, but the team will host one prime time game. Atlanta is on the road again in preseason Week 2 (St. Louis) but will return home for a nationally-televised game against the [...]
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Birdseed: March 30, 2009

By J. Michael Moore | Published: March 30, 2009
My father is a man of many talents. I’ve watched him pack a U-Haul trailer with the skill of a Tetris champion. I’ve marveled from the floor as he flawlessly painted in a straight line along the edge of the ceiling. I’ve laughed as, like a spider, he moved around and across a roof and through [...]
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Opportunity Knocks

By J. Michael Moore | Published: March 27, 2009
BLOGGER’S NOTE: Look for more on Stephen Nicholas and his thoughts on the upcoming season Monday on AtlantaFalcons.com. Linebacker Stephen Nicholas’ day-by-day approach is contagious. Talk to him for just a few minutes about his career and you walk away getting a lasting taste of his humility and focus. Even in times of great opportunity he keeps eyes [...]
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Cornering the Market

By J. Michael Moore | Published: March 27, 2009
According to published reports, cornerbacks Darius Butler and Asher Allen could be on the growing list of players visiting with the Falcons before the NFL Draft. According to ProFootballTalk.com, Butler lined up workouts with several teams including the Falcons. The kid is rising up the draft board quickly, especially after running a 4.38 40-yard dash at [...]
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The Mock Draft: Version 4.0

By J. Michael Moore | Published: March 27, 2009
It’s taken me four weeks and several mistakes but I think I’m getting the hang of this whole mock draftin’ thing. Sure, it’s not perfect. Is this how the draft will pan out for the Falcons or the rest of the NFL? Probably not pick-by-pick. But I think these scenarios are leading to interesting conversations. Like Homer [...]
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Birdseed: March 27, 2009

By J. Michael Moore | Published: March 27, 2009
Don’t say the NFL fails to correct flaws in the system. Earlier this week league owners approved a measure that will change the draft order of playoff teams based on their exit from the postseason, not regular-season record. This year the Eagles barely made the playoffs but went all the way to the NFC Championship game. Under [...]
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