J.Mike's Missives

Falcons running back Michael Turner is up for FedEx Ground Player of the Week on NFL.com for his performance in a victory over the Washington Redskins Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

Turner rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in the 31-17 victory. He also caught two passes for 14 yards. Turner is going against Titans running back Chris Johnson (135 yards and two scores) and Bengals running back Cedric Benson (117 yards and one touchdown).

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR TURNER ON NFL.COM

Turner was named NFC Offensive Player of the week three times in 2008 and then-rookie quarterback Matt Ryan was named NFC Rookie of the Month for October. Wide receiver Harry Douglas also won an NFC award last year, being named Special Teams Player of the Week after a touchdown on a punt return against Carolina.

Earlier this year, safety Thomas DeCoud was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

DeCoud, a second-year player out of Cal, earned the honor after his two-interception performance against the Bears in Week 6.

He was the first Falcons defensive player to earn conference honors since 2006, when efensive end John Abraham (Week 1) and safety Lawyer Milloy (Week 13) earned won the award. Twenty-three Falcons Players have earned NFC Defensive Player of the week in franchises history, with the first coming in 1988.

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If I had a nickel for every time I read a message board post or hear a fan comment on the “disrespect” of the Falcons in the national media I’d have about $1.20 (takes a lot of nickels to build revenue).

But that doesn’t change the fact that, when it comes to one piece of recognition, fans have a vote.

Voting for the 2010 Pro Bowl is underway (click here for a ballot).

Two Falcons went to the annual all-star game last season: Michael Turner and Roddy White. Fan voting isn’t the only factor in selection (players and coaches also get a vote), but it can build publicity.

These numbers will change, but take note of a few Falcons who could be featured on Pro Bowl ballots across the country:

• Roddy White — Leads team with 33 catches for 435 yards and five touchdowns.
• Michael Turner — Leads team with 118 carries for 403 yards and seven touchdowns
• Matt Ryan — A Pro Bowl alternate last year, currently has 11 touchdown passes, six interceptions and a 90.2 passer rating.
• John Abraham — Tied for team lead with three sacks.
• Curtis Lofton — Team leader with 49 solo tackles, two passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
• Tony Gonzalez — A new favorite target of Ryan’s, currently has 33 catches and three touchdowns.
• Mike Peterson — Four tackles for loss, an interception, a sack, four passes defensed and two forced fumbles.

J. Michael Moore Awards, Fans, News Curtis Lofton, Fans, John Abraham, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Mike Peterson, Pro Bowl, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez

Second-year safety Thomas DeCoud has improved steadily since taking over as a starter in the offseason.

Cross another accomplishment off his checklist for success.

DeCoud was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week Wednesday for his two-interception performance against the Chicago Bears. The first two picks of his young career ended Bears scoring threats and were key in the Falcons 21-14 victory on Sunday Night Football.

The 24-year-old recorded just one interception in college but now has professional numbers that includes five starts, 34 tackles, a fumble recovery and five passes defensed.

DeCoud is the first Falcons defensive player to earn conference honors since 2006, when efensive end John Abraham (Week 1) and safety Lawyer Milloy (Week 13) earned won the award. Twenty-three Falcons Players have earned NFC Defensive Player of the week in franchises history, with the first coming in 1988.

Running back Michael Turner was named NFC Offensive Player of the week three times in 2008 and then-rookie quarterback Matt Ryan was named NFC Rookie of the Month for October. Wide receiver Harry Douglas also won an NFC award last year, being named Special Teams Player of the Week after a touchdown on a punt return against Carolina.

J. Michael Moore Awards, News Awards, Chicago Bears, Harry Douglas, John Abraham, Lawyer Milloy, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, NFC, NFC Defensive Player of the Week, Thomas DeCoud

Falcons running back Michael Turner recorded his best game of the season against the 49ers — 97 rushing yards and three touchdowns — and, with a little help from the fans, he can get some national recognition.

Turner is up for FedEx Ground Player of the Week for his performance in San Francisco. He’s competing against running backs Cedric Benson (Bengals) and Ahmad Bradshaw (Giants).

Turner has the most touchdowns of the trio. All teams won their respective games.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR TURNER

The running back was named FedEx Ground Player of the Week twice in 2008. He also earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors on three occasions en route to a spot in the Pro Bowl.

Winners of NFL.com’s weekly awards are announced Friday evening.

J. Michael Moore Awards Ahmad Bradshaw, Awards, Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals, Michael Turner, New York Giants, NFL.com, San Francisco 49ers

Matt Ryan is your Best Breakthrough Athlete of 2008.

The Falcons quarterback won the award at the 2009 ESPYS, which will air 9 p.m. Sunday evening on ESPN. Ryan, the winner of the Associated Press Rookie of the Year award, won over Olympian Shawn Johnson, baseball star Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays and NBA player Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.

The award was decided by fan votes.

Ryan led the Falcons to an 11-5 regular-season record, completing 256 passes for 3,340 yards and 16 touchdowns. He becomes the seventh NFL player to receive the ESPN honor and the first quarterback since Tom Brady (2002).

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Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has been nominated for an ESPY for his role in the team’s 2008 success.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Ryan was named the starter prior to the end of the preseason and completed his rookie campaign with countless accolades and the Rookie of the Year award.

He led the Falcons to an 11-5 regular-season record, completing 256 passes for 3,340 yards and 16 touchdowns.

He is nominated for the “Best Breakthrough Athlete” award.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson won the award in 2008 and, should Ryan win, he would be the seventh football player to receive the honor (the first quarterback since Tom Brady in 2002).

The 2009 ESPYs will air Sunday, July 19 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on July 11.

J. Michael Moore Awards, News ESPN, ESPYs, Matt Ryan

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 Coach of the Year by the publication following the team’s 11-5 record and run into the 2008 playoffs. Ryan was named Rookie of the Year for his role in the team’s success. Dimitroff was later bestowed the honor of Executive of the Year for his contributions in rebuilding and retooling a Falcons roster that finished at 4-12 in 2007.

“It was a wonderful event,” Smith said. “It was a great turnout and I’m very proud of what our organization was able to do… I think it bodes well for the future in terms of the foundation that we’ve set.”

Click here for more photos from the event.

J. Michael Moore Awards Awards, Head Coach Mike Smith, Matt Ryan, The Sporting News, Thomas Dimitroff