J.Mike's Missives

It’s Throwback Weekend in Atlanta and, besides honoring the 1966 team at halftime of today’s game, the Falcons are wearing some old-school jerseys.

Good look for the Falcons, who haven’t “thrownback” since the uniform and logo change after the 2002 season. The Falcons will also wear the 1966 jerseys — black shirts, red helmets and all — later this season against the Tampa Bay Buccaners.

More Falcons-Panthers game coverage to come.

J. Michael Moore Gameday, History, YouTube Carolina Panthers, History, Tampa Bay Buccaners, throwback, video

You probably noticed some changes on AtlantaFalcons.com this morning.

Don’t worry, it’s by design.

We’re honoring the 1966 Falcons and previewing “Throwback Weekend,” which culminates in Sunday’s division duel between Atlanta and Carolina. Ideally, we’d throw the site back to 1966 with the uniforms but, since the Internet didn’t exist (at least not in its current form), we had to get creative.

Higher screen resolutions get the full effect of a new background tile while every beauty image for the remainder of this week will either feature an old photo from the 1966 season or get treated like something from your grandmother’s scrapbook.

And, in case you’re wondering, we included a link to what AF.com used to look like. Enjoy!

The Falcons equipment staff placed the red throwback helmets in lockers on Monday. Players practiced with the gear on Wednesday and, if they need more adjustments, the support staff can make them before game time — either to the red helmet or by placing pads and “guts” from the black helmet into the new head gear.

“I like them,” Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez said of the throwback equipment. “You like anything different just to break the monotony.”

Offensive lineman Harvey Dahl said he may do a little something extra to get into the “1960s” spirit (I asked because lineman are notorious for being creative) but, more likely, the team just enjoys the look and plays football.

Dahl said he spent time with members of the 1966 team when they visited Flowery Branch during training camp, adding its nice to get a perspective from a group of veterans that still like to judge technique and intensity.

Wide receiver Brian Finneran said his wife gave him some grief when the jerseys were unveiled last month, saying they’re similar to the standard jerseys worn by the team when he arrived in 2000.

The opinion of the throwbacks in the locker room is positive.

As for the important business of throwback “uniforms”… There have been some vague promises made among media and AF.com team members to “throwback” the press box and sidelines.

(We’ll see if any of it comes true).

I’m going to see if I can find one of my grandfather’s old skinny ties at home tonight.

What should fans do to honor the throwback?

J. Michael Moore History, Random AF.com, Brian Finneran, Carolina Panthers, equipment, Harvey Dahl, History, throwback, Tony Gonzalez

Quick break from the grind of Falcons reporting to introduce two new venues for team news and behind-the-scenes insight.

This morning the Falcons Football Communications department launched a pair of blogs:

• Falcons Public Relations
• Time Machine

In the PR blog, you’ll hear from each member of the team’s football communications staff — a group charged with keeping a lengthy media schedule, setting up interviews and tracking the team’s statistical success. And that’s just three items on their lengthy to-do list.

In “Time Machine,” veteran PR man Frank Kleha will take you on a trip through Falcons past and present, drawing on his 20-plus years with the organization and love for vintage info.

Check them out and subscribe to the RSS. You can also follow Vice President of Football Communications Reggie Roberts (@FalconsPR) and the history blog (@FalconsHistory) on Twitter.

For a list of all the Falcons blogs, click here.

J. Michael Moore History, News, Random blogs, Frank Kleha, History, PR, Time Machine

On my birthday, I got a reminder of how time marches forward regardless of circumstances.

More than 70 Falcons alumni came to Flowery Branch Tuesday to swap stories and watch a new group of Falcons take the field. Some, like Morten Andersen, were with the team in the last few years.

Others, like William Andrews, have been away from the game for more than two decades.

That doesn’t mean he’s itching to play.

“My knees hurt,” joked the four-time Pro Bowl selection. “Every time I come out here and they’re practicing my knees start hurting.”

A look at the smiles on the aging faces and a listen at some of the tales of football greatness got me thinking about the timelessness of NFL football and life. Andrews and his former teammates may not look like they did when they were running up and down the practice fields in Suwanee or traveling the country representing the game and the city of Atlanta, but their hearts are still young.

And their friendships, though separated by time and distance, last.

“It’s great to come out here and see the young guys and how they’re working,” said Andrews, who racked up more than 5,000 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns in his career. “My joy comes from seeing the alumni because we share the stories from when we were playing. It’s hard to say we can’t relate to the young kids, but they haven’t been through what we used to go through.”

Former players gather for Alumni Day at camp, AF.com
Five members of the inaugural 1966 Falcons team were introduced in the post-practice huddle by Head Coach Mike Smith.

Falcons get feisty at practice, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Players are mixing it up, the wide receiver depth chart has depth again… All is right at Falcons camp.

Falcons put out first depth chart, ESPN.com
You can access the depth chart as it appears in the weekly press release by clicking here.

Atlanta Falcons: Sights and Sounds from Camp, Examiner.com
News and notes from Flowery Branch as the team pushes through the last practices open to the public in Russell Falcons Training Camp. The team will break camp after the second preseason game.

Countdown: Cougars, Shockley, and Brady says, ‘Kiss my…’ Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Whoa. This blog is kind of all over the place. There’s a mention of D.J. Shockley toward the bottom.

Breaking Down the 2009 Atlanta Falcons, Bleacher Report
The headline says it all. Get ready for more season preview pieces in the coming weeks as news organizations put out all the info from the notebooks before the start of the regular season.

Falcons Release Preseason Depth Chart, Fanhouse.com
I’ll check in with more thoughts on the new depth chart later today.

Former Falcons attend ‘Alumni Day,’ Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s hard not to smile when you look at former greats and hear their tales of games gone by. I think they’d come out every day to practice if they could.

Falcons’ DeCoud close to landing starting spot, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
From old veterans to young exuberance…

Checking in from Flowery Branch, ESPN.com
More from Pat Yasinskas today as he’s agreed to add to the “Quick Chat” segments I’ve been running in the blog (thanks in advance, Pat)!

‘Babs’ a strict mentor for young Jerry, The (Biloxi, Miss.) Sun-Herald
The veterans really aren’t mean to the rookies. Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s more of a “know your place and keep learning” type of relationship. The Falcons need each other.

Lions coach mum on which QB will start preseason opener, The Detroit News
Already time to start talking about hte opponent. I hear the Lions have a quarterback from this area. What’s his name? Matt something…

J. Michael Moore Birdseed, History, YouTube, training camp 1966, AF.com, AJC, alumni, Bleacher Report, D.J. Shockley, depth chart, Detroit Lions, ESPN.com, Examiner.com, Fanhouse.com, Head Coach Mike Smith, Jonathan Babineaux, Matt Stafford, Morten Andersen, Pat Yasinskas, Peria Jerry, Russell Falcons Training Camp, The Detroit News, The Sun-Herald, Thomas DeCoud, William Andrews, YouTube

Today is Alumni Day in Flowery Branch and more than 60 former players are expected for the afternoon practice (interviews and photos to come on AF.com).

In honor of this occasion — and as a thank you to the YouTube gods — here’s a gem from yesteryear.

Now for your daily dose of training camp Birdseed. Or would you prefer grits for breakfast?

Preseason opportunity awaits rookie lineman Walker, AF.com
It takes more than simple desire to get to the quarterback, though that may be the most important trait of successful defensive linemen.

Heading up to Flowery Branch, ESPN.com
Five things to watch from Pat Yasinskas’ notebook.

Roddy White addresses deal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If there’s a question to be asked about Roddy White and his preparedness, it should be on chemistry with quarterback Matt Ryan. And even that — according to the receiver — is nothing to worry about.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed, History, training camp AF.com, AJC, Alex Stepanovich, alumni, Brian VanGorder, Erik Coleman, ESPN.com, Head Coach Mike Smith, History, Matt Ryan, Pat Yasinskas, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Roddy White, Thomas DeCoud, Tony Gonzalez, Vance Walker, YouTube

Former Falcons defensive lineman Rick Bryan passed away over the weekend.

He was 47.

Tales of Bryan’s trademark toughness still circulate around his hometown of Cowetta, Okla. and the NFL. He was a two-time All-American in college, the ninth-overall pick in the 1984 NFL Draft and a Falcons defensive tackle and end for nine seasons.

He was a regular starter for the Birds and fought through countless injuries,  sometimes ignoring doctors’ requests to leave the game before his time.

Bryan led the Falcons in sacks in 1985 (7.5) and 1986 (7). He ranks 10th on the all-time team record list with 30.5 career sacks in Atlanta (tied with current defensive end John Abraham).

“Rick was one of the typical tough, no-nonsense players produced by Barry Switzer’s Oklahoma teams in the 1980s,” said Frank Kleha, the Falcons senior director of media relations. “Because he did his work in the trenches he was not a big household name with the Falcons. But he will always be remembered by our fans, his Falcon teammates and coaches for the way he played the game.”

Former Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer told the Tulsa World Bryan was a “great, great player.”

“No one outworked him,” Switzer told the World. “I just wish he had played on a national championship team. He had it all.”

“Rick was a warrior,” Tackle and Ring of Honor member Mike Kenn said when Bryan retired. “That’s what made him such a good football player.”

Bryan is survived by his wife, two daughers, son, mother, sister and two brothers, who also played at Oklahoma.

J. Michael Moore History, News Barry Switzer, John Abraham

Today is Falcons Day on DaveFM.

But, before there was a day on the radio devoted to the team’s history, there was the original Falcons “birthday.”

On this day 44 years ago the NFL awarded the city of Atlanta a franchise.

The team’s history has had its ups and downs, but the relationship with the devoted fans has been anything but hot and cold. So, before the Falcons embark on 2009 and the quest for back-to-back winning seasons, Falcons Radio wanted to tip its hat to countless supporters of the team and the rich memories from seasons past.

Starting at 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the day, DaveFM will air segments including flashbacks and other thoughts from former quarterback Dave Archer.

Segments like this…

Regardless of your favorite player or best memory, listen to some of the flashbacks on DaveFM (over the air at 92.9 or click here to listen online). Fans can also text the word “DAVE” to 22929 at points throughout the day for chances to win various prizes.

Happy Birthday, Falcons.

J. Michael Moore History 1965, Dave Archer, DaveFM, Falcons Radio, History

Keith Brooking, the last member of the Falcons to play on the team’s 1998 Super Bowl squad, signed with the Dallas Cowboys Saturday evening.

“Keith defined the Falcons in so many ways: his tenure, his leadership on and off the field, his commitment to excellence and his many resulting accomplishments, his love for Atlanta, and so much more,” Falcons Owner and CEO Arthur Blank said in a statement. “He will always be a Falcon in the hearts of his teammates and our fans. We wish him the very best in his future NFL endeavors, and we extend best wishes to his wife, Holly, and their children, Logan and Juliette.”

Brooking was a five-time Pro Bowler with the Falcons, totaling 1,474 career tackles, 17 sacks and 12 interceptions. He started every game at linebacker from 2001-2008.

J. Michael Moore Free Agency, History Arthur Blank, Dallas Cowboys, Keith Brooking, official statement, Roster Moves, Super Bowl XXXIII