A handful of Falcons veterans got a break during the team’s three-day mini camp last weekend.
Head Coach Mike Smith opted to give some members of the “Over 30 Club” a chance to sit out a practice or two and mentor younger teammates.
Linebacker Mike Peterson, 32, wasn’t among them.
“We tried to go through our Over 30 Club and not give everybody the same day off,” Smith said after the team’s fourth workout of the weekend. “(Brian Finneran) had this afternoon off. This morning Tony (Gonzalez) had it off. Yesterday afternoon it was (Todd) McClure and Gonzalez. I’m trying to get Mike Peterson into that club, but he tells me he’s not 30.”
Peterson had some important work to do on the field.
He’s one of a handful of free agent additions that has to learn a new playbook. He’s also charged with becoming a veteran voice in a locker room that lost older players over the offseason.
It didn’t take long for Peterson to introduce his vocal style of leadership.
The 11-year veteran talked constantly during practice. He encouraged younger players, played games with the offense and corrected the slightest mistake or lapse of judgment.
“It’s about fitting in with the guys,” Peterson said, adding his goal is to feel like a family member to many of his teammates. “That was a big thing to me even before I signed — being able to fit in with the guys and the coaches and help the team to get where we want to be.”
Smith was the Jaguars defensive coordinator for five of the Peterson’s six years in Jacksonville. That familiarity likely played a role in the decision to target him in free agency.
But he backs up everything with numbers.
In 135 career games (127 starts) Peterson has totaled 1,365 tackles (792 solo), 19.5 sacks, 15 interceptions, 40 passes defensed, six forced fumbles and seven fumbles recoveries.
He’s excited about the possibilities for the Falcons defense, which includes many players in their second or third year as professionals. The linebacker group alone has seven players with two or less years in the league.
No wonder he insists he isn’t a day over 29.
“Basically it’s guys learning what to do,” Peterson said during mini camp. “If we learn what to do and learn where to be, guys can play football. I want the fans to stick with us. I know everyone gets up and cheers for the offense but we want to try to excite the fans on Sunday as well.”
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10 Comments
hey Mike… do you think this guy will retire a Falcon?
Mike,
Do you know the song or group that you have for the Falcons Advantage?
Not sure what you’re referring to. is that an event?
Good question and one that’s impossible to answer. He hasn’t played in his first official game with the team yet. I will say he’s excited to be here and working with Mike Smith again. The rest depends on contracts and the like.
we need corners chris houston is a lock down we’re gonna need another one on the opposite side the d-line is awesome and wit the addition with mike the linebackers will make more plays so its all on the secondary
I love how M.Peterson insists he isn’t 30 yet. I love his kind of attitude. Attitudes like his are not only positive for himself but for the team as a whole. Great, great pickup in the offseason by TD.
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Since wen did chris houston become a lock down coner back? lol your joking right??
i wit james on this one?
Do you think we could still bring lawyer milloy back i think his leadership would be helpfull.
The team announced at the start of free agency that Lawyer Milloy would not be re-signed and he went on to talk to other teams.
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[...] young guys who can probably lead on offense, but on defense it’s nice to have veterans like Mike Peterson, who seems to be embracing his new [...]