J.Mike's Missives

Some fans may not recognize — or initially be able to pronounce — the name Will Svitek.

But they should.

The four-year veteran stepped in for Sam Baker (ankle) in the second half of Sunday’s win over Washington, playing a role in some big runs by Michael Turner.

Svitek (pronounced Svee-tech) signed with the team in the offseason to provide depth on the offensive line. He had big shoes to fill replacing retired tackle Todd Weiner, who spent his career at right and left tackle and was a valuable reserve and part-time starter for the Falcons in 2008.

Sunday’s game proved Svitek’s preparedness.

“You have to be ready at any moment and you have to prepare like you’re the starter… There’s some good and bad always; definitely some things to build on and correct but it was good to be out there playing football,” Svitek said.

Svitek’s life story isn’t that of the typical NFL player.

He was born in the Czech Republic and came to the United States with his family and three siblings before the fall of the Berlin Wall. The family left in secret, hiking over the Alps and into Austria.

“Long story, but basically it was because of Communism,” Svitek said. “My parents wanted their four children to grow up in freedom and achieve the American dream. They sacrificed everything and risked everything so we could come here in 1984.”

Svitek started playing football in seventh grade and later attended Stanford. The Chiefs selected him in the sixth round of the 2005 draft but shoulder surgeries on a torn labrum put his career in jeopardy.

He missed the 2008 season in rehab but the Falcons cleared him to play and signed him in February.

He’s the primary backup at left tackle but said he also prepares to play on the right side. He was inactive for three games earlier in the season but has played in the past three contests.

Baker, the team’s starter at left tackle and first-round pick from a season ago, did not practice Wednesday giving Svitek additional reps.

Normally he’s left to prepare for linemen like Julius Peppers with mental reps and game film.

Given his progress in the Falcons system — and challenges from his life and career — it shouldn’t be too hard to get ready.

“You have to do a little extra on the mental side watching film and watching practice because, once you’re in there, there are no excuses,” Svitek said. “Obviously Peppers is one of the premier defensive ends in the league. I’m going to prepare like I have the last eight games… I feel I’ll be ready. I’ve got to be ready; that’s my job.”

J. Michael Moore Feature, News Carolina Panthers, Czech Republic, Free Agency, Julius Peppers, Kansas City Chiefs, Michael Turner, Sam Baker, Todd Weiner, Washington Redskins, Will Svitek

We’re still a few weeks from Thanksgiving, but I’ve already seen signs of the holiday season pop up around North Georgia. Another sure sign of the holidays has made its way to Flowery Branch: the annual sale of autographed ornaments.

They’re going fast, so here’s the sales pitch.

Each year the Falcons get a bundle of custom ornaments signed by players and coaches. They are then put on sale with proceeds going to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Ornaments can be purchased for $11 (click here to order).

I’m told ornaments are shipped out randomly, so no special requests on signatures.

Happy Holidays!

(Never too early to say that I suppose).

J. Michael Moore Feature CHOA, holidays, sponsorship, Thanksgiving

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

In my previous life as editor and publisher of Broncos Magazine, I wrote a story of Jay Cutler’s first day in Denver.

We chatted on the 45-minute ride from the airport to the team practice facility and I followed him through what was a momentous day in his personal — and Broncos — history.

Within minutes of arriving at Dove Valley, Cutler was at a breakfast table with a plate of scrambled eggs and a playbook. To his right, the team’s quarterback’s coach. To his left, the offensive coordinator.

No mistake, he was Denver’s quarterback of the future: the newest man to live in the shadow of John Elway.

But the future didn’t work out as planned.

Cutler started late in his rookie season and the Broncos missed the playoffs. Denver missed the postseason the next two years with Cutler as the unquestioned franchise quarterback and, after the 2008 season, long-time head coach Mike Shanahan, the man who drafted Cutler, was asked to leave.

Cutler and new coach Josh McDaniels didn’t see eye to eye after reports of trade talks. A few weeks later the former Vanderbilt star was in Chicago starting a new life as the franchise quarterback of another team. The Broncos are now 5-0 with Kyle Orton as the starter and the Bears — the Falcons opponent tonight at the Georgia Dome — are off to a 3-1 start.

It’s worth mentioning Cutler was the only visiting quarterback to win a game in the Dome last season, so the Falcons are aware of his talent and experience.

“I played with John Elway and he’s right up there as far as arm strength, and that’s saying something,” said kicker Jason Elam who played with Cutler in Denver and is now in his second year with the Falcons.

Cutler threw for more than 4,000 yards in his last year in Denver and, though he started his inaugural season with the Bears with a four-interception game at Green Bay, he’s rebounded to take advantage of some of the fastest receivers in the NFL.

His arm strength is key, but his mobility allows for the extension of plays and creates a test for the Falcons defense.

“You have to stay in coverage a little longer because he can make all the throws,” veteran linebacker Mike Peterson said.

Cutler threw for 216 yards and a touchdown in a Broncos win over the Falcons last season. He was sacked once.

Disrupting Cutler’s rhythm likely includes a heavy dose of pressure. He’s fumbled five times as a Bear and can get frustrated if he’s contained and forced to throw with a hand in his face.

That’s all covered in playbook study sessions.

But John Abraham and Co. can make Cutler’s breakfast a little uneasy in the stomach.

J. Michael Moore Feature, Gameday Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Jason Elam, Jay Cutler, John Abraham, John Elway, Josh McDaniels, Kyle Orton, Mike Peterson, Mike Shanahan

Thanks to the Motorola Player Challenge, linebacker Stephen Nicholas proved once and for all competitive nature doesn’t disappear the moment a Falcon leaves the field.

Just wait for his introduction…

Unfortunately, Nicholas went home early.

Curtis Lofton will face off against Michael Turner in Round No. 2.

Of course, most Falcons fans would rather Nicholas take that fiery personality — and any possible rage from losing to his teammate — to the field this Sunday in San Francisco.

I’m just sayin’…

J. Michael Moore Feature Curtis Lofton, Michael Turner, Motorola, Motorola Player Challenge, Stephen Nicholas, video

Football has matured since “Samurai” Mike Singletary suited up for the Chicago Bears but his passion for the game hasn’t disappeared.

If anything, Singletary’s non-stop, hard-hitting style has manifested itself into the shape of the San Francisco 49ers defense — a group he coached for nearly three seasons before being named head coach in 2009.

The Niners enter Sunday’s game against the Falcons ranked second in the league in opponents’ points per game (13.3). The group allows just under 74 yards per game on the ground and ranks sixth in passing ‘D.’

Linebacker Patrick Willis leads the team 38 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two picks and six passes defensed.

A connection between the team’s defensive signal-caller and the former Bears Hall of Fame hit man? Perhaps.

A coach inspiring players isn’t new. In fact, it’s one of the best parts about organized sports. But there’s something about the 49ers — the vicious hits and do-or-die attitude — that has the Falcons taking note of Singletary’s involvement.

Atlanta travels to Candlestick Park this weekend for it’s fourth game of the season.

“You can see it in their defense,” Falcons defensive end John Abraham said. “They look tough all together as a team but the defense looks hard-nosed and ready to hit.”

Smith had a more direct comment on Singletary, as a player and a coach.

“Those eyes… The intensity he brings… He brings that as a coach,” said the Falcons leader, who crossed paths with Singletary briefly in Baltimore.

In terms of tenure, Singletary is a young coach. He entered the re-entered NFL in 2003 and spent just two years as a coordinator before taking over as an interim head coach.

Now that he has the job outright, he’s molding a team with a unique brand of motivation.

It starts with honesty.

“He speaks from the heart,” Willis said. “Being a guy who has played this game for a long time and coached for a while now, he knows how to say it and when to say it. He’s never afraid to speak the truth to anyone.”

Singletary said his team, particularly the defense, hasn’t reached legendary status. But they are going in the right direction.

“I would say we feel better about ourselves, but as far as a swagger… We’re a long way from a swagger. We’re just a team out here fighting to try and get better each week.”

This week the Falcons plan to provide a road block and, when it comes to coaching style, they’ll know exactly what to expect.

Remember, it was just more than a year ago when the Falcons first drew power from the personality of a new, charismatic head coach who also happens to be a former linebacker.

J. Michael Moore Feature Chicago Bears, feature, Head Coach Mike Smith, John Abraham, Mike Singletary, Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers

It may not be the best time for a bye week — a little early in the season — but it’s a break from the action that, if used correctly, can help the Falcons through the rest of the 2009 season.

“Well I’ve never had a break this early in the season, so I am not accustom to it,” Head Coach Mike Smith said. “I would prefer to have it a little later, but this is when it was scheduled so we had to adjust a little bit in terms of how we where going to approach it.”

In practices on Wednesday and Thursday the Falcons spent time focusing on themselves: working out the kinks and getting younger and new players reps on offense and defense.

“You get to fix the stuff you messed up on in the first three games,” wide receiver Roddy White said. “You get to correct them and it is a good time for us to work on third downs and our deep passing game during our bye week.  So when we start these next 13 weeks we will be hitting on all cylinders.”

Friday the team moves into the next phase of the bye week.

Vacation.

“We’ll take a little time off and spend a little time with the family and unplug,” Smith said of his plans and the coaching staff. “We’ll get back here on Sunday evening and start working.”

Players aren’t required to return until Monday, when practice resumes.

Some choose to visit family or take a quick weekend trip. Others (and I can agree with this one) will look to do as little as possible.

“I am just going to relax and get my mind ready,” White said. “We are going to have a 13-week grind and you’ve got to get yourself mentally prepared for that and physically prepared.  You got to rest and not go on vacations and do things that you’re not supposed to be doing.  That’s what I am going to be doing, staying at my house and getting my mind set.”

But that’s one way to take advantage of the bye.

MORE FROM THE BYE WEEK:

• FALCONCAST: Matt, J. Mike and John talk about the Falcons and the bye
• NOTEBOOK: DeCoud looks forward to California homecoming
• NOTEBOOK: Weems getting credit for success
• TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith talks about the bye week | Thursday
• QUOTABLE: Players talk about the bye week plans
• BEAT BLOG: What They’re Saying | Three-and-Out
• J. MIKE’S MISSIVES: Thoughts on the bye from J. Michael Moore
• VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Ryan | Mughelli | White
• COMMUNITY: Area YMCA renamed for Falcons Owner and CEO

J. Michael Moore Feature, News bye week, Head Coach Mike Smith, Roddy White

When you cover a game for a living, it’s easy to get distracted with some of the “entertainment” life has to offer. Sometimes you get paid for such adventures, say, when one of the Atlanta Falcons is the subject of an online game…

I’ve spent too much time over the last day playing a pair of games at DefendTheDome.com, one of which allows you to take a first-person view of John Abraham and get after opposing quarterbacks. He suited up in a special suit to record signature moves for the game, which captures the essence of playing along the D-line right down to the snap count.

Before you play as Abraham, however, you need to race to the Georgia Dome in a Ford F-150 or Flex (not as easy as it sounds).

There are prizes involved, but I’m guessing — as a Falcons staffer — I’m not eligible for any big-time giveaways. That’s fine. I’ll settle for bragging rights around the office.

Time to get another high score…

J. Michael Moore Feature, Random Defend the Dome, Ford, game, John Abraham

Each week I learn something new from the Motorola Player Challenge.

I learn something about the team and about just how competitive Falcons players can be.

Michael Turner may look like he’s having a good time in this week’s competition against Jerious Norwood but, trust me, you’ll find no one more prepared for the quick-reflex action of buzzing in and answering a question.

I was there.

Turner came away victorious in this Round 1 matchup and will face the winner of Curtis Lofton and Stephen Nicholas in Round 2. One second-round matchup is already assigned: Todd McClure vs. Chris Houston.

J. Michael Moore Feature Chris Houston, Jerious Norwood, Michael Turner, Motorola Player Challenge, Todd McClure, vide

Marty Booker didn’t land on an NFL roster until August but he made sure he continued to work out during the time after he and the Bears parted ways. Who knew when a team in need would call his number…

“Unfortunately injuries happen in this league,” he said Wednesday in front of his Falcons locker. “I was just sitting around and continuing to work out. I figured it would come, it was just a matter of when. I got the call and I got on a plane and came here right away.”

The Pro Bowl receiver (2002) caught two passes in a division win over Carolina and is getting more involved in the Falcons high-powered offense.

Booker’s grabs came on back-to-back third-down plays for the Falcons, converting for 27 and 15 yards. Additional third-down grabs were provided by Pro Bowler Tony Gonzalez. His presence, according to Booker, opens the door for other players on offense.

“Those things help and I appreciate that,” Booker said.

The 11-year veteran spent time with the Dolphins and Bears before joining the Falcons. He has 525 career receptions for more than 6,500 yards and 36 touchdowns. He was signed soon after the team placed Harry Douglas (knee) on injured reserve and made the roster out of training camp.

The steady presence at receiver has paid off early, especially on third downs.

“That’s what they brought me here for — to come in and do the little things like that,” he said. “Whenever they call for me to go in and make a play, I’m there to make a play.”

J. Michael Moore Feature, News Harry Douglas, Marty Booker, New England Patriots, Tony Gonzalez