J.Mike's Missives

BLOGGER’S NOTE: For an archive of the live blog from Friday Night Lights, click here.

Some names and faces on the roster have changed, but there’s nothing like a little rematch to get the juices flowing.

The Falcons defense took an early lead in the second Allstate All-Access Friday Night Lights, this time at Brookwood High School, but the offense stormed back to walk away with a 37-34 win.

The team’s defense won the inaugural event, which uses a unique offensive and defensive scoring system 29-28.

Defensive play makers included Brent Grimes, who expanded his group’s lead in the first half by stripping the ball from tight end Justin Peelle, recovering the fumble and racing 35 yards for a touchdown.

Minor scoring continued with points being awarded for defensive stops, three-and-outs and offensive drives into the defense’s half of the field (click here for detail).

The offense turned to the running game to wear the defense down and got three scores — touchdown runs by Jerious Norwood and Thomas Brown and a 20-yard pass to Michael Jenkins from Matt Ryan.

J. Michael Moore News, training camp Brent Grimes, Brookwood High School, Friday Night Lights, highlights, Jerious Norwood, Justin Peelle, Matt Ryan, Michael Jenkins, Russell Falcons Training Camp, Thomas Brown

BLOGGER’S NOTE: I’ll be live blogging the events at Allstate All-Access Friday Night Lights for those who can’t make it out to Brookwood or into the state of Georgia. You can access it at www.atlantafalcons.com/live.

Football in the south is serious business.

Any time I start to doubt this assertion, something comes along to slap me back to reality.

Take a look Falcons fans at the facilities at Brookwood High School.

When Sam Baker gets to the Dave Hunter Sports Complex in a few minutes he’ll surely shake his head in approval when he takes in the locker rooms.

Football in the south is serious business.

The only way an event like Friday Night Lights works is if it’s held at high schools that can handle the masses of an NFL football team and its legions of fans.

Judging from the thousands of fans that were at the gate nearly an hour before opening, the Falcons will be in good shape on both fronts.

J. Michael Moore Feature, training camp Allstate All-Access Weekend, Brookwood High School, Fans, Friday Night Lights, high school football, Sam Baker

Curtis Lofton injured his hamstring Saturday but, after a few days of working on the side with trainers, he’s close to a return to the field.

“Curtis, I think is getting closer,” Head Coach Mike Smith said Monday. “If it was during the season and we were closer to a game. I think it would be a different situation in terms of getting him back.

“We’d like to get him back as quickly as possible.”

Lofton started 15 of 16 regular season games last season at middle linebacker. He was working with the starting unit again this preseason before the injury.

MORE NOTES FROM PRACTICE BEFORE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS…

… Wide receiver Robert Ferguson finished his second practice with the team on Friday morning. Recently acquired receiver Marty Booker was not at practice. Smith said the team expects Booker, who signed late Thursday night, should join the team before the end of the weekend.

… Quarterbacks will wear blue jerseys at Friday’s scrimmage (makes sense considering the classic “red” jerseys for QBs would blend in. Remember, red means stop).

…So what will the coaching staff look for at Friday Night Lights? “We know there’s going to be mistakes in the scrimmage tonight,” Smith said. “We’re looking for the guys to go out and communicate, play with a lot of effort and play with a lot of enthusiasm. If you communicate properly, it means you’re all on the same page.”

… Ferguson, a seven-year veteran, said he hopes to provide some leadership to the Falcons. “It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been playing. I think leadership is a personality; it’s definitely a personality trait of mine. I feel like I carry myself as a leader all the time. That comes with the territory, being around young guys and just going out there and working hard.”

J. Michael Moore News, training camp Allstate All-Access Weekend, Curtis Lofton, Friday Night Lights, Head Coach Mike Smith, injury, Marty Booker, Robert Ferguson

Almost every morning during Russell Falcons Training Camp, second-year cornerback Chevis Jackson says hello to his fans.

Behold, the power of Twitter.

Jackson, who is one of a handful of defensive backs fighting for a starting job in 2009, has embraced the social media website which lets anyone tell the world what they’re doing or what’s on their mind. If it sounds simple, it’s because it is.

But that doesn’t make it any less powerful.

Many NFL players and teams (including the Falcons) use the service with various levels of interaction and controversy. Jackson likes to have fun with his audience, putting on a nightly “did you know?” segment after team meetings (see above).

“I like getting out there and communicating with people,” said Jackson, who goes by the Twitter name “DirtyByrd22.”

On the field Jackson is locked into his own “did you know,” learning more about the team’s young defense and competing against an offense that — on paper — could rank among the best in the NFL.

“With all of us being young, we have something to prove,” said Jackson, who played in all 16 games last season as the team’s nickel back, recording 33 tackles and an interception for a touchdown. “Everyone thinks we’re the question mark back there. We’re just going out there trying to make plays, trying to get better and having fun.

“(Defensive coordinator Brian) VanGorder always tells us (the offense) is trying to get one over on us. We just have to go out there, play ball and stay with our rules and go out there and execute.”

And when things are going well, you could hear about it right from Jackson’s cell phone or MacBook.

On Twitter.

J. Michael Moore Feature, training camp Chevis Jackson, Russell Falcons Training Camp, social media, Twitter

Got a chance Thursday evening to talk to Kevin Thomas of WSFN “The Fan” Sports Radio in Brunswick, Ga. about the Falcons, specifically the next steps following Harry Douglas’ placement on injured reserve.

Douglas’ will certainly be missed as the Falcons’ slot wide receiver, but replacing his punt return abilities may be more pressing at this point in Russell Falcons Training Camp.

At first glance, neither Robert Ferguson or Marty Booker can fill in for Douglas there but the Falcons have other players on the roster capable of taking on that special teams spot.

My colleague John Manasso reported Thursday morning that the Falcons used a handful of players in punt return drills including Jerious Norwood, Eric Weems and Chandler Williams.

J. Michael Moore News, YouTube, training camp Chandler Williams, Eric Weems, Harry Douglas, interview, Jerious Norwood, Marty Booker, Robert Ferguson, WSFN

Want to loop everyone in on the plans for tonight at Allstate All-Access Friday Night Lights. I’ll be doing a live blog via CoverItLive (click here to get a peek and set a reminder).

The Falcons will conduct their first live scrimmage at Brookwood High School and, though it’s offensive against defense, Head Coach Mike Smith developed a scoring system to make it like a real game.

I understand many Falcons fans won’t be able to attend so I’ll give you as much insight and play-by-play as possible, especially since this is the first time the Falcons will really hit and take each other to the ground.

More from practice later this morning and more from Brookwood tonight. But, for now, enjoy a late Birdseed breakfast.

Falcons sign free agent WRs, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Busy night in Flowery Branch. It’s all about press releases, roster moves and bio building!

Team examines options in absence of Douglas, AF.com
Before the roster moves, John Manasso wrote about the players that could help fill in for Harry Douglas all ready on the roster. They still could have an impact.

Roveto back at Brookwood with Falcons, Gwinnett Daily Post
If the Falcons practice facility is “Cheers,” Roveto is Norm. Veto! Happy to see your name in the headlines. Now you’re never going to hear the end of it.

White’s agent discusses holdout, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Starting to think we’ll see a story a day on this.

Falcons add WR Booker, ESPN.com
Between the addition of Marty Booker and Robert Ferguson the Falcons added a combined 18 years of NFL experience to the roster on Thursday.

Staying focused becomes the top priority for Atlanta Falcons, Examiner.com
It’s an old but proven saying. Something about how a man handles himself in the face of adversity.

Roddy’s rude awakening: WRs aren’t held in high esteem, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Interesting perspective. Ranking receivers can get you in trouble but throw in the idea of “interchangeability” (is that a word?) and it makes the argument more diverse.

Blank found paradise in solitude of Montana, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Having spent some years living out west, I can say it’s one of the most beautiful locations on Earth.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed, training camp AF.com, AJC, Allstate All-Access Weekend, Arthur Blank, CoverItLive, Examiner.com, Friday Night Lights, Gwinnett Daily Post, Harry Douglas, Head Coach Mike Smith, John Manasso, John Roveto, Marty Booker, Robert Ferguson, Roddy White