J.Mike's Missives

BLOGGER’S NOTE: A quick mention of programming. I’ll be flying (that’s right, flying) down to Ft. Benning in a bit to document Falcons players and cheerleaders paying soldiers a visit. More coverage, and video from the helicopter ride, coming on Tuesday.

Ah, the lazy days of summer.

Backyard barbecues… Days at the lake… Baseball… Watching golf tournaments on TV on a Sunday afternoon…

The Falcons news cycle, to say the least, is slow this time of year. The players get regular four-day weekends and will soon get a month-long break before the start of Russell Falcons Training Camp.

Things go along at a different pace this time of year.

In the past, I’ve called it “relaxed focus.”

So, let’s get into that spirit.

Here’s a little something that will hopefully get you to appreciate some of the fun to be had in sports and get you in the mood for a relaxing summer.

It seems the UCONN and South Florida baseball teams had a dance off during a rain delay last month.

If that’s not a good, random, summer kickoff for Birdseed, I don’t know what is.

Birds sign 2009 Draft picks Middleton, Walker, AF.com
That’s two down. Eight to go.

Share Your Favorite Gameday Memory, The Falcoholic
A great talking point in the slow days of the offseason. I’ll say my favorite game in the Georgia Dome is last year’s win over the Bears. My favorite moment in an NFL stadium as a fan (or non-football employee) came back in January 2000 at Adelphia Coliseum . That, of course, was The Music City Miracle.

Behind the scenes at Matt Ryan’s first football cam, Eagle in Atlanta
Good recap of Ryan’s football camp. I couldn’t make it, but it seems a good time was had by all.

Coleman becomes Falcons secondary’s elder statesman, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Players aren’t necessarily signed to be leaders, but Coleman started showing some of those properties early in his career with the Falcons.

Ranking the NFC South defensive linemen, ESPN.com
Three possible starters in the Top 10? I’ll take that.

Youth football fund awards grants to Falcons players, AF.com
I didn’t play football growing up, but it’s good to know so many players give their time to share the game with today’s youth.

Atlanta Falcons to visit Kelley Hill today, Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer
See “blogger’s note.” I’ll be there with cameras and pen in hand.

Smith Speaks but ETSU is a World Away, Bristol (Tenn.) Herald-Courier
There are bigger issues here, but note the other stop on Head Coach Mike Smith’s lengthy speaking tour. Falcons fans are lucky to hear him speak regularly.

Fantasy experts high on Falcons, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fantasy columns? Already? I just start talking about summer fun and the football season shows why it’s just around the corner… It never ends.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed, YouTube AF.com, AJC, Bristol Herald-Courier, Eagle in Atlanta, Erik Coleman, ESPN.com, Georgia Dome, Head Coach Mike Smith, Matt Ryan, The Falcoholic, The Ledger-Enquirer