J.Mike's Missives

Tony Gonzalez likely won’t take part in every practice during Russell Falcons Training Camp. Head Coach Mike Smith told the media Saturday select veterans would take afternoons off to stay fresh.

Gonzalez confirmed in his meeting with the press.

Training camp is never a breeze, but this one has a different feel.

“They only make me go one a day,” the 10-time Pro Bowler said. “That’s one of the perks of being an old guy. It’s never easy. It’s never something you can totally be prepared for. But it’s part of the business whether you agree with it or not. We’re out here trying to get better; trying to make that march. Hopefully it will pay off.

“Anyone who says they look forward to this is crazy in my book. And there are some guys out there that are crazy. You enjoy yourself during the offseason but it’s time to get back to work. It’s the first day of camp. I’m excited, don’t get me wrong, but it’s tough. But it’s something we have to do in order to get to where we want to go.”

Gonzalez was acquired via trade with the Chiefs just before the NFL Draft. He’s been to the playoffs once in his record-breaking career but hasn’t won a postseason game.

His quest to win a Super Bowl continues in Atlanta with a young quarterback that’s racking up additional accolades like passing yards.

“He’s definitely ahead of the curve,” Gonzalez said of reigning Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan. “I’m very impressed by him. All the hype means something and you can see it when you step out here and get on the field with him. He know exactly where (the ball) is going. He knows where to put that ball and he works hard. I think that’s indicative of what a great player is: someone that works hard. That’s what separates guys like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. They’re constantly trying to get better on the field and off the field and that’s what Matt does.”

Gonzalez thus becomes an even greater asset to the Falcons.

When he’s on the field, he provides soft hands and a physical presence along the line and over the middle… and experience.

When he’s taking a break he’s watching the play, offering advice and helping his teammates… with experience.

He certainly has his goals in mind.

“We’re going to be very good and not just because of me,” Gonzalez said. “They were good last year. I’m not trying to come in here, catch 100 balls and save the day. I’m going to come in here and do what I always do. When they call on me and call my play I’m going to try to produce. Things will take care of themselves. I can’t get caught up in anything else besides that. It’s making sure I take care of my half and making this team get better.”

J. Michael Moore News, training camp Head Coach Mike Smith, Matt Ryan, Peyton Manning, Russell Falcons Training Camp, Tom Brady, Tony Gonzalez

Last season on the opening days of Russell Falcons Training Camp, Brent Grimes was getting noticed.

He went on to start six games for the Falcons at cornerback opposite Chris Houston.

On the first day of 2009 training camp, we return to a familiar subject matter.

Grimes, a 5-foot-10 player from tiny Shippensburg University, recorded two interceptions on the first day of practice including a highlight-worthy, body-contorting grab in front of Michael Jenkins, who was breaking away for an easy touchdown.

(More highlights from the day on the Twitter feed).

Just more than two months ago during organized team activities Head Coach Mike Smith called Grimes “the most athletic player” on the team.

He may lack prototypical size, but he used that athleticism to his advantage Saturday. In all, four interceptions were recorded by three different players on the first day of training camp.

Grimes has been known to leap over practice equipment at the end of plays and shows other feats of speed and agility.

Where he ends up in the battle for starting spots in the secondary remains to be seen.

But we’ve been re-introduced to one player to keep an eye on.

J. Michael Moore News, training camp Brent Grimes, Chris Houston, Head Coach Mike Smith, highlights, Michael Jenkins, Russell Falcons Training Camp

Early Saturday morning linebacker Jamie Winborn was summoned to Flowery Branch to start the proceedings.

He was joining a new team.

The nine-year veteran, who official became a Falcon Saturday morning before the first practice of Russell Falcons Training Camp, said he got just a few hours of sleep before getting up at 6 a.m. and driving from Atlanta to Flowery Branch.

He still doesn’t have anything to wear other than practice gear but that doesn’t temper the excitement over a new opportunity.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Winborn, who was a member of the Broncos defense for the past two seasons. “I played this team last year and thought it was a great team even though we won the game against them. The offense was tremendous, to me. Unfortunately they didn’t get to go as far as I thought they would go in the playoffs. I thought they had a huge chance. I’m just happy to be a part of a team that definitely has a chance to win it all.”

He said he can play any linebacker position and hasn’t had time to talk about specific plans with coaches.

“I just want to come in, get familiar with the system and get to know my teammates,” he said.

An accomplished special-teamer, Winborn has posted 46 career tackles covering kicks. In 2007 he led the Broncos with 11 special teams stops. In 2004, Winborn tallied his best statistical season with the 49ers. He ranked third on the team with 104 tackles, a career-high 4.5 sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

J. Michael Moore News, training camp Jamie Winborn, Russell Falcons Training Camp

Brian VanGorder certainly has a way with words.

The Falcons defensive coordinator barked at his team for much of the morning practice at Russell Falcons Training Camp, often hinting that everyone — linemen to secondary — attack the ball like flames were overtaking their skulls.

I think the helmet would snuff out the fire, but maybe I’m wrong…

“Cmon! Play like your hair’s on fire!”

Well, his players listened and some hair was burning in Flowery Branch.

The defense — especially the secondary — gathered most of the highlights from the morning practice at camp.

• Cornerback Brent Grimes picked off a deep pass from Chris Redman intended for Harry Douglas. It was a leaping pick and both players came to the ground in a mound struggling for control of the ball. Grimes, who has been described as the best overall athlete on the team, won.
• Rookie Christopher Owens broke up one pass down the sideline in 7-on-7 drills, using his arm to reach back and knock the ball away.
• Linebacker Mike Peterson nearly walked away with another interception, which would have been a juggling, one-handed grab of a Matt Ryan pass intended for Justin Peelle.
• A total of 2,342 fans attended the morning practice in Flowery Branch with a larger crowd expected in the afternoon.

For more highlights, from the field, follow me on Twitter.

J. Michael Moore News, highlights, training camp Brent Grimes, Brian VanGorder, Chris Redman, Christopher Owens, Harry Douglas, highlights, Justin Peelle, Matt Ryan, Mike Peterson

Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith said General Manager Thomas Dimitroff and his staff are working to get any disagreements resolved and have wide receiver Roddy White in training camp for future practices.

The Pro Bowl wide receiver officially started a holdout Friday night when he did not report to camp.

“It’s not a distraction,” Smith said after the team’s opening practice. “I’m not angry. How can you be angry when it’s the first day of training camp and the first day of the 2009 season? This is my favorite day of the year. I’m not angry at all and I don’t believe it will be a distraction. You can’t concern yourself with guys who aren’t here. All we can do is coach the guys who are here. Our job as a coaching staff is to prepare our team for 2009.”

White set a Falcons single-season receiving record with 1,358 yards in 2008. He recorded seven touchdowns and seven 100-yard receiving games (also franchise records).

According to the collective bargaining agreement, the Falcons are allowed to fine White for unexcused absences during training camp.

Smith said those “mechanisms” are in place and he’s concerned with coaching players in camp. That included 78 faces on Saturday morning (minus White and cornerback Glenn Sharpe, who was excused for personal reasons).

“As far as our practice today, I thought the guys came out with a lot of energy and worked extremely hard,” Smith said. “It was a good start. It was also nice to have all eight of your draft picks out here from the very beginning.”

The Falcons have a practice scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning the team will wear shoulder pads for the first time.

“We’re not going to do a whole lot different,” the coach said when asked about changes from ‘08 to ‘09. “We’ve evaluated everything we’ve done as a coaching staff and made some subtle changes in how we present things but, as far as the sequencing of practice, our main goal is to get to the opener as healthy as possible… We’re going to work hard but we’re also going to work very smart.”

J. Michael Moore News, training camp Head Coach Mike Smith, Roddy White, Russell Falcons Training Camp, Thomas Dimitroff

BLOGGER’S NOTE: You can follow Russell Falcons Training Camp on the Twitter feed (click here for all the Falcons Twitter accounts) and Qik, if I can figure out some technical aspects, find a subject and get the live streaming to work on the phone. Enjoy!

I don’t get sick very often. So, when I do come down with something, it’s usually severe — and at the worst possible time.

A year ago, on the opening day of training camp, I thought I was dying. What started as summer sniffles evolved into full-blow, throat-clogging, cough-inducing bronchitis.

Not the way you want to start a new season full of hope.

Some say the Falcons were sick entering 2008, suffering from something that started small but ballooned into some disease no one in pro sports had ever heard of. But with time — and an infusion of talented personnel executives, coaches and players — the team recovered.

Now, stronger than ever, the Falcons look to show last season’s playoff appearance was no fluke.

Training camp is here.

At last.

Russell Falcons Training Camp, AF.com
Get all the information on training camp, including practice times and notifications on changes.

White fined for no-show at Falcons camp, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More on this story today when Head Coach Mike Smith talks to the media (should be around 11 a.m.).

Team enjoys increased buzz in ticket sales, AF.com
Before we hear from Smitty, single-game tickets for the 2009 season will go on sale. Click here for ticket information and set your alarm for 10 a.m.

Six potential Atlanta Falcons on the bubble in training camp, Examiner.com
Whether you’re talking March Madness or NFL football, being “on the bubble” isn’t a stress-free environment.

Ole Miss’ Jerry ready to go for Falcons, The (Biloxi, Miss.) Sun-Herald
Saw Peria Jerry this morning in the lunch room. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder reminded him to eat breakfast. Preview of a hard day of work?

Falcons Arrive At Training Cam, WSBTV.com
Players had most of the day to check in and many of them took their time. Sure, training camp is exciting but it’s also a lot of work.

Falcons start camp with high expectations, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s plenty to watch at training camp, even if most of the major questions focus on defense.

When Auto Plants Close, Only White Elephants Remai, The New York Times
I know this doesn’t really have anything to do with training camp but the Falcons are mentioned. I also love chances to put The Gray Lady in Birdseed. It adds credibility.

Falcons sign free agent lineman Adam Speer, AF.com
Last minute roster moves are sometimes popular before camp. They don’t really facilitate the web team taking a day off, though.

Falcons position battles to watch, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Let me guess… All the position battles on defense? Oh, OK. Backup quarterback is in there. I was wondering if we’d all be watching one side of the ball for the next three weeks.

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Two days after the first reports that veteran linebacker Jamie Winborn had “agreed to terms” with the team, the Falcons signed the linebacker to a contract.

The deal was done Saturday morning before the first training camp practice. Winborn is on the field wearing No. 49.

To make room for the nine-year veteran, the team released rookie Rashad Bobino.

In 92 career games (32 starts), Winborn has logged 407 tackles (105 solo), 10 sacks, three interceptions, 23 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. The former Vanderbilt standout has spent time with the 49ers, Buccaneers, Jaguars and Broncos during his nine-year career.

An accomplished special-teamer, Winborn has also posted 46 career tackles covering kicks. In 2007 he led the Broncos with 11 special teams stops. In 2004, Winborn tallied his best statistical season with the 49ers. He ranked third on the team with 104 tackles, a career-high 4.5 sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

For his efforts, he was nominated by his teammates for the Ed Block Courage Award after returning from an injury he suffered the previous season.

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