J.Mike's Missives

A move at running back wasn’t a surprise for the Falcons in light of Michael Turner’s high ankle sprain and yet-to-be determined game status.

With reserve Jason Snelling just one game removed from a hamstring injury and Jerious Norwood still nursing a sore hip, the Falcons re-acquired the services of veteran running back Aaron Stecker Monday evening.

To make room for Stecker, Atlanta released wide receiver Troy Bergeron.

Head Coach Mike Smith did not offer many details on Turner’s injury other than to say he’s confident the Pro Bowler will be back in 2009 and that more tests need to be done to determine a prognosis.

Turner suffered the sprain in the first half of Sunday’s loss at Carolina after rushing for 111 yards on just nine carries.

Stecker was originally signed on Oct. 27 to fill a roster spot created when rookie William Moore went on injured reserve.

In two games with the Falcons, Stecker totaled two rushes for six yards and five catches for 34 yards. The 10-year veteran has more than 1,500 rushing yards and 1,445 receiving yards in his career.

J. Michael Moore News, Roster Moves Aaron Stecker, Carolina Panthers, Head Coach Mike Smith, Jason Snelling, Jerious Norwood, Michael Turner, Troy Bergeron, William Moore

In a move to add depth to the receiving corps, the Falcons released veteran running back Aaron Stecker on Saturday and promoted wide receiver Troy Bergeron from the practice squad.

Bergeron, 6-foot-2, 195 lbs., played with the Georgia Force of the now defunct Arena Football League for three seasons, totalling  328 receptions for 4,335 yards and 96 touchdowns. He was named the AFL Rookie of the Year in 2005 and was a second-team All-Arena selection in 2007.

He was a mini camp addition that stuck through 2009 training camp in Flowery Branch. Though he was released on the final cut day before the regular season, he was quickly signed to the practice squad.

Stecker was signed on Oct. 27 to fill a roster spot created when rookie William Moore went on injured reserve. He played six days later in New Orleans, stepping in for an injured Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood. He served in a similar role last week against Washington.

In two games with the Falcons, Stecker totaled two rushes for six yards and five catches for 34 yards. The 10-year veteran has more than 1,500 rushing yards and 1,445 receiving yards in his career.

J. Michael Moore News, Roster Moves Aaron Stecker, Jason Snelling, Jerious Norwood, New Orleans Saints, Troy Bergeron, Washington Redskins, William Moore

We all have moments when the past accelerates itself into the present. Moments when subtle reminders ignite flames of memory that haven’t burned in years.

Sept. 10, 2004 wasn’t that long ago but so much has changed since the time I, at the time an intern with HoustonTexans.com, published an article on long snapper Bryan Pittman.

On Sept. 10, 2004 I wasn’t engaged, had school to finish, no leads on a full-time job and no mortgage. The Texas were about to start a 7-9 season that included a surprising 4-2 finish in the AFC South. The Falcons were about to begin a March to the NFC Championship Game.

Little more than five years later…

The Falcons have signed Bryan Pittman as a long snapper to take the spot of Mike Schneck (injured reserve). The Texans still haven’t made the playoffs. I’m married with a house note.

Pittman now has 92 games experience and a string of 598-straight error-less snaps. The carer history I chronicled back in 2004, however, hasn’t changed.

An undrafted player, Pittman started his football career as a defensive lineman. He moved to tight end in college and started long snapping. After stops in a couple NFL cities, he became the Texans long snapper in 2003.

It’s a job that requires repetition and focus.

Not unlike life.

“One snap at a time.”

J. Michael Moore News, Roster Moves Bryan Pittman, Houston Texans, injury, Mike Schneck

The Falcons injury situation in the secondary took a turn for the worse Wednesday as the team placed recently re-signed safety Jamaal Fudge on injured reserve.

In his place, Atlanta brought in four-year veteran safety Charlie Peprah.

Fudge, who was with the team in 2008 and the preseason, was re-signed on Oct. 20 after the team placed starting cornerback Brian Williams on injured reserve. The team also lost second-round pick safety William Moore (hamstring) for the season last week.

Thomas DeCoud and Erik Coleman have started every game at safety in 2009 but injury concerns have hit the reserve unit hard with Moore and Antoine Harris, who returned to the lineup last week after missing four games with a knee injury.Wor

Peprah, 5-11, 203 pounds, spent the past three seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2006-08). He was released by the Packers following training camp this season.

In 37 career games (one start), the Alabama graduate has totaled 21 tackles (10 solo) and forced two fumbles on special teams in 2007.

At Alabama, Peprah played in 50 games (45 starts) at multiple positions in the secondary. He finished his career with 210 tackles, nine interceptions, five fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles and 24 passes defensed. He was a first-team All American (The NFL Draft Report) as a senior.

J. Michael Moore News, Roster Moves Antoine Harris, Brian Williams, Charlie Peprah, Erik Coleman, Green Bay Packers, injury, Thomas DeCoud, William Moore

For the second time this season the Falcons have placed a 2009 draft selection on the season-ending injured reserve list.

The team placed second-round pick William Moore (hamstring) on the list Tuesday afternoon, just more than a month after adding first-round pick Peria Jerry (knee). In all, the Falcons have four players on IR.

Moore underwent knee surgery during training camp but recovered in time for the start of the 2009 season. However, a lingering hamstring injury suffered at the end of the preseason led to his being shelved for the rest of the campaign.

He recorded two special teams tackles against the Chicago Bears in Week 6.

In Moore’s place on the roster, the Falcons added 10-year veteran running back Aaron Stecker.

Fans likely remember Stecker from his time with the New Orleans Saints.

In 120 career games (16 starts), the Western Illinois graduate has totaled 381 carries for 1,511 yards and eight touchdowns. He has also contributed with 161 receptions for 1,141 yards and three touchdowns and 167 kickoff returns for 3,880 yards and one score.

His best season was 2007, when he carried the ball 115 times for 448 yards and five touchdowns (all career highs). He also has experience as a kickoff returner and is a former NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

The Falcons also made practice squad moves Tuesday, adding cornerback Glenn Sharpe to practice squad-injured and bringing safety Eric Brock back to the practice squad. Sharpe and Brock both saw time on the active roster at the end of 2008. Sharpe started ‘09 on the practice squad while Brock was released on Sept. 4, 2009.

Sharpe is essentially on an injured reserve list and can’t be added to the Falcons practice squad or 53-man roster. However, like any practice squad player, another team has the option of signing him to the 53-man roster.

J. Michael Moore News, Roster Moves Aaron Stecker, Chicago Bears, Eric Brock, Glenn Sharpe, injury, New Orleans Saints, William Moore

Normally roster moves on an NFL practice squad isn’t headline news. But, when a team needs to get healthy bodies in practice and releases a popular name, the script is changed.

Wednesday the Falcons released former Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley from the practice squad.

Facing injuries to fullback Ovie Mughelli and running back Jerious Norwood on the active roster, Atlanta added rookie running back Antone Smith in Shockley’s place.

Shockley spent 2008 as the team’s No. 3 quarterback but was placed on the practice squad before 2009 began when rookie John Parker Wilson won the third spot behind Matt Ryan and Chris Redman.

Shockley was drafted by the Falcons in 2006, spending that season as the third quarterback. He injured his knee in the 2007 preseason and went on injured reserve for the remainder of the year.

Smith, 5-9, 190 pounds, was originally signed as a rookie free agent by the Detroit Lions at the conclusion of his collegiate career at Florida State.

He graduated ranking eighth on the school’s all-time career rushing list with 492 attempts for 2,253 yards and 26 touchdowns.

In his senior season (2008), Smith led the ACC in touchdowns with 15 and was second overall in the conference in scoring.

J. Michael Moore News, Roster Moves Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley, Jerious Norwood, John Parker Wilson, Matt Ryan, Ovie Mughelli, practice squad

The Falcons made a roster move Tuesday to sure up the depth chart in the wake of a season-ending injury to defensive back Brian Williams

Tuesday the team signed free agent safety Jamaal Fudge and placed Williams on the injured reserve list. Fudge originally joined the team just before the start of the 2008 season. He was released on Sept. 7 of this year.

Fudge played in 10 games in 2008, recording 12 tackles and one start. He also stepped in for an injured Lawyer Milloy in Week 4 at Carolina.

For his career, Fudge has 27 tackles (21 solo), one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two passes defensed.

In his Monday press conference, Head Coach Mike Smith said the team would make a move to sure up the secondary. He also talked about three cornerbacks currently on the roster — including former first-round pick Tye Hill — that will get a chance to fill in for Williams.

The situation is slightly more complicated because Williams started on the outside in the team’s base defense and moved to the nickel, or third, cornerback position on passing downs.

“This will be an opportunity for Tye Hill, as well as I mentioned for Chris Owens and Chevis Jackson,” Smith said. “Tye had not gone through our [offseason team activities] and really had not gone through training camp. He was a late addition, very similar to last year with Domonique Foxworth, so there is a learning curve and Tye has been working very, very diligently to learn our defense and he’s going to get an opportunity this week to step in and compete for that corner position.”

J. Michael Moore News, Roster Moves Brian Williams, Chevis Jackson, Chris Owens, Domonique Foxworth, Head Coach Mike Smith, injury, Jamaal Fudge, Lawyer Milloy, Tye Hill

The Falcons announced the return of cornerback William Middleton to the team’s practice squad Monday afternoon, just more than a week after he was initially released by the club.

By rule, players must clear waivers before being signed to a practice squad.

Middleton was claimed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the Falcons waived him.

The rookie was selected in the fifth round (138th overall) by the Falcons in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Furman graduate and Atlanta native was a three-year starter for the Paladins and posted 194 career tackles, five sacks, seven interceptions, 26 passes defensed, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries.

The move reunites the team with each of its draft picks.

Middleton and defensive end Vance Walker are on the practice squad. The other six selections are on the 53-man roster.

The Falcons made two additional roster moves Monday, releasing practice squad member Glenn Sharpe and re-signing reserve fullback Verron Haynes.

Sharpe spent time on the active roster at the end of 2008 after joining the practice squad. Haynes was signed prior to 2009 training camp, named to the 53-man roster, and released on Saturday.

J. Michael Moore News, Roster Moves 2009 Draft, practice squad, Vance Walker, William Middleton

News from the Falcons starting lineup, where new cornerback Brian Williams is slated to start ahead of cornerback Brent Grimes.

Also on the inactive list, several Falcons who won’t suit up against the Dolphins, including recently-acquired cornerback Tye Hill. Second-round pick William Moore (hamstring) will also not play.

Other Falcons inactives include:

• QB John Parker Wilson (third quarterback)
• LB Spencer Adkins
• OT Will Svitek
• OT Garrett Reynolds
• DT Trey Lewis

The team released reserve fullback Verron Haynes Saturday afternoon, adding another change to the lineup.

The Dolphins counter with Chad Henne as the team’s emergency quarterback. This means Pat White, an effective runner, will be available to run the offense, perhaps in a variant of the Wildcat formation.

Other Dolphins inactives include:

• FS Chris Clemons
• OG Shawn Murphy
• OT Andrew Gardne
• DE Lionel Dotson
• WR Patrick Turner
• TE John Nalbone
• LB Cameron Wake

Wide receiver Greg Camarillo will start in place of Devone Bess.

J. Michael Moore Gameday, Roster Moves Brent Grimes, Brian Williams, Chad Henne, Garrett Reynolds, John Parker Wilson, Miami Dolphins, Pat White, Spencer Adkins, Trey Lewis, Tye Hill, Verron Haynes, Will Svitek, William Moore

The Falcons just announced the release of safety Jamaal Fudge, a move necessary to keep the roster at 53 players with the addition of cornerback/safety Brian Williams.

A graduate of Clemson, Fudge was originally signed by the Falcons off of waivers on Sept. 2, 2008. Last season, he competed in 10 games and recorded 12 tackles.

Notably in 2008, Fudge filled in for an injured Lawyer Milloy at Carolina and made one start for the veteran safety later in the year (Week 17 against the Rams).

It was his first and, to date, only career start.

Fudge was one of three late-preseason additions to the Falcons defense in 2008.

Head Coach Mike Smith and General Manager Thomas Dimitroff brought in the safety, who worked under Smith in Jacksonville and former Jaguars linebacker Tony Gilbert, who is still with the team.

Atlanta also added now-Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth via a trade with the Denver Broncos.

J. Michael Moore News, Roster Moves Brian Williams, Domonique Foxworth, Head Coach Mike Smith, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jamaal Fudge, Thomas Dimitroff, Tony Gilbert