J.Mike's Missives

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the NFL is helping educate its fan base by allowing teams and players to add pink to the color palet.

Tonight at the Dome, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Roddy White will wear pink cleats. White and several other Falcons will also wear pink gloves. There will be pink towels on the sideline and the cheerleaders will carry pink pom-poms.

It may seem like a simple gesture, but it’s something that’s near the heart of countless NFL players who have family members afflicted with cancer.

Players like Verron Haynes.

He lost his sister, Kidine, to breast cancer. She was 26. “She would have been 31 two days ago,” Haynes said Friday.

So Haynes takes every chance he has to educate others on the importance of early detection and supporting women fighting the disease.

“A lot of families are affected by it throughout the world,” he said. “We’re not aware until it really hits home. That made me conscious of it and anything I can do to help the cause and raise awareness I take it upon myself.”

Haynes was the keynote speaker at a “Dazzle and Dine” event hosted by the Falcons Oct. 13 for five breast cancer survivors. He complimented the ladies for their personal fight and energy to fighting breast cancer and increasing education.

“Anytime I can go out and talk about breast cancer awareness and how important it is, I jump at the chance to do so,” he said. “Breast cancer has personally affected my family and my goal was to come out and talk to the ladies and encourage them to carry on the mission.”

J. Michael Moore Falcons in the Community, Feature, Gameday cancer, Chicago Bears, Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Verron Haynes

Kickoff isn’t the only reason to get to the game early. Many times at the Georgia Dome collections will be made at gates to help a cause. This week’s game features two chances to donate for causes that directly affect the community.

The Falcons are partnering with United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta to collect monetary donations to provide relief to hundreds of individuals and families across the region affected by recent floods.

Fans can make donations at Falcons Landing (pregame) or Dome Service Centers. Donations will also be collected — until the end of the third quarter — at Gate A, B, C and D, Gate Upper C and D and Gate E.

You can also give directly to flood efforts online at http://www.unitedwayatlanta.org

Sunday also marks an opportunity, thanks to Verizon Wireless and the Falcons, to get rid of your old cell phone.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and for the sixth consecutive year, fans are encouraged to support the cause by donating no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories to benefit victims of domestic violence through the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program.

Used wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any service provider are recycled, or refurbished and sold for reuse. Proceeds from the HopeLine program are put toward cash grants and wireless phones with prepaid airtime to non-profit advocacy organizations and law enforcement agencies to aid survivors of domestic violence.

Phones will be collected at Falcons Landing Sunday evening starting at 5:30 p.m.

On a related note, wide receiver Harry Douglas is hosting a community event open to the public.

Douglas will be hosting Bowling for Babies for the March of Dimes Atlanta Chapter at Ten Pin Alley in Atlantic Station on Monday from 6-8 p.m. Individual tickets and sponsorship packages are on sale thru the March of Dimes.  Individual tickets must be purchased by calling, Lindsay Masters with the March of Dimes Atlanta Chapter at 404-350-9800.

J. Michael Moore Falcons in the Community, Fans, Gameday, News Chicago Bears, Falcons in the Community, Fans, flooding, Harry Douglas, March of Dimes, United Way, Verizon Wireless, Verizon Wireless HopeLine

There was no question Thomas Johnson was having a good time.

The smile on the Falcons defensive tackle’s face stretched from ear to ear at Sandy Springs Middle School, his body losing control to the rhythm of the music pumping into the gymnasium.

It may seem awkward — a 305-pound man doing step aerobics — but Johnson seemed at home among more than 60 eighth grade students in the gym Tuesday morning.

It was a particularly interesting day for the lineman, who spent more than a year out of football before signing with the Falcons in the offseason. He spent that time working  as a ninth-grade P.E. teacher at White Station High School in his native Memphis.

Johnson, quarterbacks Matt Ryan and D.J. Shockley, linemen Chauncey Davis and Vance Walker, linebackers Curtis Lofton and Stephen Nicholas and long snapper Mike Schneck traveled Sandy Springs Tuesday as part of Hometown Huddle 2009 — a team-wide, city-wide service project that included stops to thank fans and work with children in the midst of the school day.

“This was like coming back to the classroom,” Johnson said. “I had a ball today. They had the stations easy to explain so I just went out and had a little fun, put my own little twist to it. I think the kids had fun.

“A lot of people think they can do it but you definitely have to have patience. You have to be a great teacher because every school is different.”

Johnson and his teammates spent an hour going through various activities with students ranging from stretching, to core exercises to good, old-fashioned games of tag.

Johnson and Lofton tried to steal the show on stage, where a simple aerobics station was on display.

“This is pretty tough,” said Lofton, the Falcons middle linebacker who on this day dripped with sweat sans helmet and shoulder pads. “They put these kids through a pretty tough workout today.”

Falcons players made stops at eight locations around the city (additional photos and video footage to come on AtlantaFalcons.com).

Players thanked fans for support at Publix on Peachtree Road SW, Home Depot in Decatur, a retirement community in Stone Mountain and the Georgia Aquarium. Players and cheerleaders also visited four middles schools — including Sandy Springs — to promote physical fitness.

“I think it’s very important for kids to stay in good physical shape,” Ryan said. “The NFL has the Play 60 initiative. I think it’s a great thing for kids to go outside and play 60 minutes of day, regardless of what it is… I was impressed with what I saw today.”

J. Michael Moore Falcons in the Community Chauncey Davis, Curtis Lofton, D.J. Shockley, Falcons in the Community, Hometown Huddle, Matt Ryan, Mike Schneck, Stephen Nicholas, Thomas Johnson, video

In about two hours the Falcons will embark on an Atlanta-sized community mission.

You could call it the community “Super Bowl.”

Most of the team will give up a day off today for Hometown Huddle — a citywide community event that features a few surprise appearances around town and other trips to elementary and middle school physical education classes.

The AF.com crew is out in force and will bring you video, stories and blogs.  I’ll also be working the Twittersphere (sp?) to bring you some pictures and updates from a special stop on the north side of town. (@FalconsJMoore).

Look for more this afternoon and Wednesday morning on AtlantaFalcons.com.

Now… Off to surprise a few citizens.

Some Birdseed while you wait?

Ask Justin Blalock a Question, AF.com
The Falcons big offensive guard has agreed to take fan questions this week. New Media Intern Vance will follow up and select your questions on Thursday.

Falcons put rushing attack under microscope, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At some point, the Falcons will need to run the ball — to kill the clock or put together the offense. It’s been on the radar all season. Was the bye week a time to fix it?

Falcons’ Norwood says concussions ‘a serious deal,’ Associated Press
Study some of the science behind concussions and you’ll get a headache (seriously). The mind is an amazing thing and jostling it around in the skull isn’t good for business.

Run game a bye-week focus for Falcons offense, AF.com
Additional thoughts from Michael Turner and offensive lineman Harvey Dahl.

Falcons to workout three defensive linemen, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rumor has it…

The Quarter Season NFC South Landscape, The Falcoholic
I hate to break it to you Falcons Fans, but the Saints are good. Very good. Just a while longer before that big, Monday Night Football showdown.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed, Falcons in the Community AF.com, AJC, Associated Press, Falcons in the Community, Harvey Dahl, Hometown Huddle, Jerious Norwood, Justin Blalock, Michael Turner, Monday Night Football, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, The Falcoholic, Twitter

Tuesday afternoon Falcons players and cheerleaders spent time with American soldiers – in Flowery Branch and across the world — playing video games.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FALCONS COMMUNITY PHOTOS

“It’s a great opportunity to give back to those guys,” safety Thomas DeCoud said. “They’re over there risking their lives for our safety at home.”

Greg Zinone, co-founder and president of Pros vs. G.I. Joe’s — an organizer of the event said the Falcons went above and beyond, providing close to a dozen players to take part in the experience.

The troops in Flowery Branch Tuesday will soon be deployed to Iraq.

The community service aspect of an NFL players’ life often gets overlooked. But it’s a major portion of his in-season priorities and often takes up most days off through the year.

To keep up with as much community news as possible, the Falcons CR department has launched a new blog: “Spreading our Wings.”

You can also look for community news in Wednesday or Thursday editions of “Birdseed.”

Falcons defense keeping an eye on Panthers, AF.com
All eyes will be on Jake Delhomme this week to see if there’s a repeat of a dreadful performance against the Eagles (seven completions, four interceptions). The Falcons expect the best from the Panthers. It’s the only way to effectively prepare.

Falcons’ Jackson takes demotion in stride, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Things change when quality roster depth is added to the equation.

Expert’s Take: Panthers at Falcons, AF.com
NFL.com’s Steve Wyche talks about the solid quarterback play in Atlanta and the rest of the NFL.

From the Examiner’s Desk: The Beerman Cometh, Examiner.com
When Kroy Biermann was drafted, many analyst had him pegged as a 3-4 outside linebacker. But when I talked to Falcons defensive line coach Ray Hamilton in the spring of 2008 he assured me the Montana native was a defensive end. It’s all coming into focus now.

Digging Deeper into the Box Score: Week 1, The Falcoholic
This is what happens when you apply math and science to football. I like it.

Tony Gonzalez takes a Zen approach to tight end, Associated Press
“I love studying the mind, the hidden determinant in human behavior, that type of thing.” Whatever Tony Gonzalez is studying, it’s working.

Delays expected over Panthers game weekend, AF.com
I’m not naive enough to think road construction and improvements will ever be finished in Atlanta. But does it ever slow down?

Ex-Spiders’ star Sidbury getting adjusted with Falcons, Richmond Times-Dispatch
This is one of my favorite things in the NFL: local papers following-up on familiar heroes.

Falcons vs. Panthers (Preview), CBSSports.com
The fact this game is at home helps the Falcons. The fact the Panthers running game was almost as good as the Falcons in 2008 balances the scales.

Body balance key to Falcons staying uninjured, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Speaking of balance… It seems empirical tests have a place in the weight room and the draft room. Numbers don’t lie and science can solve plenty of problems.

Power Rankings: Big arms give teams leg up on competition, CBSSports.com
The Falcons are in the top 10 and ranked the third-best team in the NFC. That’s great for Week 1. Check back in Week 17.

Gonzalez likes chances in one-on-one coverage, ESPN.com
I can personally attest, via a few games on Madden 2010, Gonzalez wins in one-on-one battles.

Smitty gets to scheming, and the Falcons’ D gets good, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“One more truth we need to reaffirm: Mike Smith wasn’t going to let this defense stink when the real games began. He’s too good at his job.”

J. Michael Moore Birdseed, Falcons in the Community AF.com, AJC, Associated Press, CBSSports.com, ESPN.com, Examiner.com, Falcons in the Community, Head Coach Mike Smith, Jake Delhomme, Kroy Biermann, Lawrence Sidbury, Madden 2010, NFL.com, power rankings, Ray Hamilton, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Steve Wyche, The Falcoholic, Thomas DeCoud, Tony Gonzalez

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

General Manager Thomas Dimitroff threw some passes at Friday’s practice at Falcons headquarters. Not to Roddy White or Tony Gonzalez, but to 16-year-old Alex Van Etten.

Van Etten and his family made their way to Flowery Branch via the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Alex has a cancer called Rhabdomyoscarcoma.

His wish was to meet Matt Ryan.

“I’m a fan of quarterbacks,” said Alex, a Falcons fan that spends football season tracking every aspect of the NFL. “And (Matt’s) a good player.”

The Van Ettens will stay in Atlanta for Saturday’s preseason game against the Chargers and get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Georgia Aquarium Sunday morning. Alex, along with his older brother, mother and father, will watch pregame warmups from the sideline and move up to Dimitroff’s suite for the game.

Beth Van Etten said her son loves football season and was overjoyed when he got the news he’d meet his favorite player and other Falcons.

“We’re all huge football fans,” she said. “This is all he wanted, to meet these guys… He loves this team and has supported them through some down years.”

Alex was greeted in The Branch by a host of Falcons cheerleaders Friday morning. He went on to breakfast with some Falcons coaches and players. He moved on to practice, chatting with Dimitroff and other Falcons employees and watching as the team made last-minute adjustments for the Chargers.

He then “broke down” the huddle, leading the team off the field.

“If I’m able to help in any way, shape or form I’m excited to do it,” Ryan said when asked about his involvement with the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Alex said he was attracted to the players’ humble nature and “down-to-earth” personalities.

He now knows a different side of the game he sees when his family travels from their home in South Carolina to Panthers games in Charlotte, N.C.

Though they have season tickets, neither Alex or his brother, Sean, are Carolina fans.

Alex wears his Falcons jersey and, according to his mother, “takes the abuse.” Regardless, Ryan and the Birds have a few more friendly faces in the stands when they make the trip up I-85.

“I like everything about the game, but I’m not a Panthers fan,” Alex says.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has chapters around the country. According to Shavette Neal, the Georgia-Alabama chapter grants more than 400 wishes each year. Nationwide, a wish is granted about every 40 minutes.

BLOGGER’S NOTE: Look for more on Alex’s visit to The Branch, including video, on Monday on AtlantaFalcons.com.

J. Michael Moore Falcons in the Community Falcons in the Community, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Matt Ryan, Roddy White, San Diego Chargers, Thomas Dimitroff, Tony Gonzalez

Falcons tackle Sam Baker and Panthers center Ryan Kalil will host their first football camp at Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif. Saturday.

The former USC roommates turned NFL linemen expect 400 7th to 12th grade athletes and close to three-dozen coaches to attend the event, which they funded.

It’s one of many camps hosted by Falcons players and their friends around the league, who continually prove summer is about more than vacation.

It’s about giving back and ensuring the bright future of the game.

Baker and Kalil expect NFL stars including Matt Leinart, Keith Rivers, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathon Stewart and Kyle Williams to attend the camp (no word if Freddie Falcon or Will Ferrell will make an appearance).

More on the camp after the weekend.

J. Michael Moore Falcons in the Community, Offseason DeAngelo Williams, Falcons in the Community, Freddie Falcon, Jonathan Stewart, Keith Rivers, Kyle Williams, Matt Leinart, NFL, Ryan Kalil, Sam Baker, Will Ferrell, youth football

With emotion in his voice, Falcons linebacker Coy Wire brought a special message to soldiers stationed at Ft. Benning Monday evening.

Attitude is everything.

After thanking the gathering of more than 250 men and women for their service, Wire noted the urge to wilt in the face of adversity but asked everyone to rise above the challenges with a positive attitude.

Wire and 10 of his Falcons teammates flew to Ft. Benning on Army Blackhawk helicopters Monday afternoon to have dinner with soldiers soon to be deployed to Iraq. A group of Falcons Cheerleaders also made the trip and gave a brief performance — their first of the 2009 season.

“We came to show our appreciation,” Wire said. “To show how much respect we have to each and every one of you. We came to represent not only the Atlanta Falcons, not only the city of Atlanta for which we play, but for all the people across this country — strangers you’ve never met — who are thinking of you and praying for you every day.”

Wire said attitude is something people can choose to control and, through a brief anecdote, illustrated the impact of a positive outlook on life.

Everyone goes through tough times.

The secret is in the process.

“We see the world not as it is; we see the world as we are on the inside,” he said.

“There’s a saying that the strongest steel is burned in the hottest coals. Each and every one of you men and women will have to go through something difficult in the next few months or year. It’s going to make you strong. It’s going to refine you and make you ready for anything and everything that you may encounter in your lives.”

Wire said the Falcons plan to dedicate the first game of the 2009 season to the soldiers at Ft. Benning and across the nation.

Members of the brigade the Falcons visited should be deployed in October.

Running back Jerious Norwood, center Brett Romberg, lineman Quinn Ojinnaka, guard Justin Blalock, defensive end Willie Evans, fullback Ovie Mughelli, tight end Justin Peelle, wide receiver Brian Finneran and tackle Will Sviteck also made the trip.

Finneran’s father served in Vietnam, adding special meaning to his trips to military posts.

“It’s awesome, especially the ride in the helicopter,” Finneran said. “We’re here to support our guys, our troops that fight for us.”

The veteran wide receiver said it’s easy to take the joys in life for granted, particularly air conditioning after a hot training camp pracitce.

But he knows none of it’s possible without the daily activity of service men and women around the world.

He joined Wire and his teammates in an expression of gratitude.

“We’re here to say thanks, shake their hands and tell them how much we appreciate all they do.”

Members of the Army thanked the Falcons with a custom, engraved sledge hammer — the symbol of the brigade. Wire proudly carried it the rest of the day and, once practice starts, will find a way to keep it in front of his teammates for motivation.

The Falcons organization is also offering a military-only deal on tickets to the Carolina Panthers game on Sept. 20 (click here for details). Tickets are $30 and include a limited edition, camouflage Falcons hat (pictured).

Click here for more pictures from the Falcons trip and work in the community.

J. Michael Moore Falcons in the Community, Feature, News Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, Brett Romberg, Brian Finneran, community, Coy Wire, Ft. Benning, Jerious Norwood, Justin Blalock, Justin Peelle, Ovie Mughelli, Quinn Ojinnaka, Will Sviteck, Willie Evans

The Falcons practice facility is less than 10 minutes from the shores of mighty Lake Lanier. So, it’s no surprise many players have become avid fisherman during their time in Flowery Branch.

Tuesday the team’s community relations staff put the proximity to work, gathering more than a dozen players and coaches and teaming them with veterans from the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta for an afternoon on the lake.

The veterans came from a rehab unit at the medical center. Many served in Iraq and Afghanistan. They spend several weeks in Augusta getting acclimated for a return to everyday life. According to recreational therapy assistant Dave James, that includes events like Tuesday’s fishing excursion.

“It means a lot to me to see the smiles on their face,” he said. “It warms the heart.”

James said, in the past, many active duty service members were sent home after recovering from injuries. The Norwood facility is the only one of its kind in the country offering a “seamless transition” program for injured service men and women. The stop in Augusta allows for “the opportunity to get back to a high level of fitness.”

Falcons players and coaches spent more than three hours on the lake fishing. For the second year in a row, The Dam Store provided supplies while local fisherman donated boats and guide services.

While no record was kept for the amount or weight of fish caught, plenty of “fish stories” floated through Van Pugh Park at the close of the expedition.

Wide receiver Roddy White pulled in one fish in the Flat Creek area of Lake Lanier…

“I think it’s a very significant event,” Head Coach Mike Smith said at a post-fishing cookout hosted by the Falcons, Outback Steakhouse and Boudreaux’s Cajun Seafood Market. “We have to give a tribute to these men and women who fought… They’re over there fighting for the freedom we enjoy every day as Americans.”

Center Todd McClure, who grew up fishing in Louisiana, said he enjoyed spending time with veterans and learning more about their daily commitment to serving America.

He hoped Tuesday was a chance for them to “relax and have fun.”

“It’s a special day to get out on the lake and exchange stories with the people we were on the boat with and hear what they’ve gone through,” McClure said. “We look up to them as the men and women serving our country. It’s a great event for both sides.”

J. Michael Moore Falcons in the Community, Feature, News Falcons in the Community, Head Coach Mike Smith, Lake Lanier, Roddy White, Todd McClure

We’re getting ready for a busy couple of days in The Branch and around the community.

I’ve often said how great it is to cover a team that does so much in the community at all points of the year (it’s not only about the in-season Tuesdays).

Tonight, Head Coach Mike Smith and some of the veteran players are at a community event (video coming tomorrow afternoon). Also tomorrow, the team’s community relations department will host a fishing expedition with Falcons players and more than a dozen veterans of U.S. combat operations in Iraq and Afgahnistan.

On Wednesday, the team will open a portion of its OTA (organized team activities) workout to the media. Such will be the case for the next five weeks as the team gets a little extra work in before the start of Russell Falcons Training Camp on Aug. 1.

Details and coverage to come, but don’t think we’re just taking it easy.

Can’t take a breath when you’re hunting for a Super Bowl.

Falcons more than $20 million under new salary cap, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
People get payed a lot of money to tinker with the economics of the salary cap. It’s relatively simple, but extremely complicated. This news, of course, doesn’t kick off a spending spree. It doesn’t really work like that.

Bergeron gets second chance with Falcons, The (Columbus, Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer
Troy Bergeron also has the luxury of learning a new system from one of the best receiver coaches in the game: Terry Robiskie.

NFL Photos: New Falcons for 2009, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Share your thoughts on some of the Falcons recent additions.

You call it: Best NFC South rivalry, ESPN.com
My vote is for Falcons-Saints. Sure, Panthers-Falcons may have been more relevant over the past decade but the New Orleans-Atlanta connection, especially the struggles through lean years, make for the most story lines.

Falcons announce the release of three players, AF.com
Proof that tweaking the roster isn’t reserved for the preseason.

Falcons DE Abraham still recovering from 2008 campaign, Pro Football Weekly
Go ahead and speculate, but you can’t argue with the logic behind holding out Pro Bowl caliber players in an effort to retain energy and health for the regular season.

Falcons finding right blend on defense, ESPN.com
There’s work to be done. No question about that. But I’ve always liked the idea of youth and speed on defense. Leaders will rise to the top and the Falcons will benefit from young players eager to play.

Atlanta Falcons ‘09 Draft Review, NFLDraftCountdown.com
Quick notes and another grade on the Falcons draft. I’ll give you a hint. It’s better than passing.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed, Falcons in the Community AF.com, AJC, ESPN.com, Falcons in the Community, Head Coach Mike Smith, John Abraham, New Orleans Saints, NFLDraftCountdown.com, Pro Football Weekly, salary cap, Terry Robiskie, The Ledger-Enquirer, Troy Bergeron