J.Mike's Missives

Let’s take a look at the NFC South as the Falcons get ready for just their second division game of the year.

At first glance, the division-leading Saints have a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way. New Orleans has a home game next week against the Panthers, followed by road games at currently winless St. Louis and Tampa Bay. In a remarkable lucky stroke of scheduling, the Saints return home to take on the New England Patriots (on Monday Night Football) and have the Cowboys in New Orleans in Week 15 (on NFL Network).

I hate to be the messenger of bad news but, excluding the Falcons, just two teams in the Saints final 10 games currently have winning records.

But this is the NFL.

We’ve seen teams with improbable starts (looking at you 0-6 Tennessee Titans).

We’ve seen teams with low expectations succeed (how’s it going 6-0 Denver Broncos)?

We’ve seen reigning division champs look as if they’re falling apart (good morning, Carolina).

The Panthers won the NFC South last season with a 12-4 record (may take more wins than that this season), powered mostly by success at home and one key road win. You likely remember Carolina winning at New Orleans in Week 17 to become the only division team to win a road game inside the division. The Panthers finished 4-2 in the South, the Saints 2-4 and Tampa and Atlanta won three at home and three on the road (3-3).

Parity like that still exists. It doesn’t disappear because the Saints get off to a 6-0 start or the Bucs fall out of the gate.

The logic applies to any game played against the Panthers (2-4, third place in the division) or the Buccaneers (0-7). Let’s also assume the odds of a team getting better as the season progresses are still high and that the NFC South schedule is back loaded.

The Falcons have played just one division game, as have the Bucs. The Panthers have played just two in the first six games. The Saints? Monday night is the first NFC South game on their schedule.

There are some stories to be added to these rivalries.

And never forget… Plenty of football to play.

J. Michael Moore Commentary Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, NFC South, St. Louis Rams, standings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans

One day during his rookie season, quarterback Matt Ryan and other Falcons joined their head coach at PGA Superstore in Duluth for a golf lesson. Ryan didn’t really need it (he’s shot 88 at Augusta National) but he’ll never turn down a chance to learn something new.

But it was in the tennis section of the store Ryan contributed to the story.

During a break from golf instruction Ryan and other rookies took their turn fielding 110 mph serves on an indoor court. The reigning NFL Rookie of the Year returned balls with smooth confidence.

It wouldn’t be a surprise… If it wasn’t one of the first times he held a tennis racket.

Few knew the performance was a microcosm of the success Ryan had as a first-year player. His studies, his game, his off-the-field work… Textbook. Where Ryan walked, success followed and the Falcons finished 11-5 and made the playoffs.

It was the start to what many view as a potential Hall of Fame career.

Through the first two weeks of his sophomore season, Ryan is completing 68 percent of his passes, boasts a 2-0 record and has five touchdowns.

Today in Foxborough, “Matty Ice” has a chance to lead the Falcons to what could go into the top three or five wins of his regular-season career. He’d do so in front of a familiar fan base — many Boston College supporters at Gillette Stadium these days — and he’d make a statement against one of the best teams in the 21st century.

And he’d get an early edge on an opposing quarterback who has solidified his own Hall of Fame credentials.

Though Falcons fans would like to declare Ryan “the next Tom Brady,” it’s really too early to tell if the second-year quarterback will reach that level of international stardom.

Mrs. J. Mike isn’t what you’d call a football fan. She keeps up with little more than the occasional power rankings and watches the scoreboard mostly to know the mood I’ll be in when I get home.

But she knows Tom Brady.

Page one of an image search on Brady reveals just one action shot (just three photos in a Patriots uniform). The rest are model-tier images of the quarterback in designer clothes, getting stalked by the paparazzi or hawking cologne.

Brady was the league’s most valuable player in 2007. He threw 50 touchdowns and was the centerpiece of an offense that barrel rolled the competition for a 16-0, regular-season record. But, when it comes to Google, he gets just as much play for his off-the-field celebrity than his accomplishments between the white lines.

In a few words, Ryan’s name and face (though almost perfectly symmetrical) aren’t nearly as widespread outside Atlanta and NFL fan circles.

That could change with Super Bowl victories but is it something that’s in Ryan’s plans? Is it something that’s in the quarterback’s makeup? Is it something contrary to the Falcons blue-collar style?

Who knows? We’re not there yet.

But the journey continues in Foxborough.

J. Michael Moore Commentary, Gameday celebrity, Commentary, Gillette Stadium, Matt Ryan, New England Patriots, Super Bowl, Tom Brady

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

Welcome to Week 1, Falcons fans.

Welcome to the new evolution of the “Friday Pep Talk.”

Welcome, to Wildcat Falcons football.

Before you throw up comments ranging from insults to confusion, let me say I’m changing up the tradition of posting a video on Fridays from a straight pep talk to some football — or otherwise funny appropriate — video.

After recording Falconcast with Matt Moore this morning and talking about the Dolphins Wildcat formation for yet another day, I couldn’t help but think of the classic 80’s move “Wildcats,” featuring Goldie Hawn.

The last 30 seconds offers a motivational moment. The Falcons can relate to the “burning” of the schedule and looking forward — beyond any previous failures or success — to a new season with new opportunities.

Now it’s time to embark on another edition of Birdseed where we see just what makes football “the sport of kings” (better than diamond rings).

I really need to stop watching TV…

Nicholas looking to make most out of opportunity, AF.com
Stephen Nicholas’ story is unique and inspiring. He also represents a growing number of young players on the Falcons defense looking to make an impact.

Falcons’ Abraham practices, will play Sunday, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
John Abraham may show up on the injury report from time to time during the regular season but, unless it’s absolutely necessary, he won’t miss a sold-out game in the Georgia Dome.

Locker Room Report: NFC South, ESPN.com
Building an NFL team isn’t unlike finding the perfect recipe. A heaping spoonful of youth followed by a dash of experience.

Game 1 vs. Miami Dolphins…”A Kodak Moment,” The Canvas
Superfan is back for another season. This time, we’re giving him a “canvas” to work on. First up in the smack cartoon category, a fishing trip.

Comparisons continue between Dolphins’ Jake Long and Falcons’ Matt Ryan, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
The Matt Ryan-Jake Long connection isn’t as compelling as the Joe Flacco one, but it’s vital when looking back at the NFL Draft. The Dolphins went with long-term need. So did the Falcons.

More from the Sun-Sentinel:

• Yeremiah Bell is excited to face Falcons’ future hall-of-famer, tight end Tony Gonzalez
• Miami Dolphins plan to regularly rotate receivers
• Matt Ryan clarifies comments after calling Wildcat offense a fad

Turner and Norwood back to power the running game, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeroius Norwood has bulked up in the offseason. Now, he will never be a bruising NFL running back, but he’s put on some pounds and looks a little more like a traditional runner.

Blank’s fortune cookie: Parcells is goin’ down, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Bill Parcells incident likely won’t come up in any gameday conversation. That’s really the way it should be.

Young Falcons defense to be tested by Dolphins, The (Columbus, Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer
No better confidence booster than getting out of the gate with a good performance.

The Hot Button: Did Falcons redo too much of their defense?, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Valid points, but you have to make moves and changes when players are available. The Falcons obviously liked defensive players in the 2009 NFL Draft. Things will work out.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed, YouTube AF.com, AJC, Bill Parcells, ESPN.com, Friday Video, Goldie Hawn, Jake Long, Jerious Norwood, Joe Flacco, John Abraham, Matt Ryan, Miami Dolphins, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Stephen Nicholas, Superfan, The Ledger-Enquirer, Tony Gonzalez, wildcat formation, Wildcats, Yerimiah Bell

Halftime at the Georgia Dome during the Falcons-Chargers preseason game.

Some thoughts brewing in the blog, but we’ll pass the time with a YouTube clip of the team’s pregame introductions (upload took a little while).

J. Michael Moore Gameday, Georgia Dome, Preseason, YouTube Georgia Dome, Preseason, San Diego Chargers, video, YouTube

Random thoughts from the Edward Jones Dome press box while staring out on the light structure and rafters…

So the seats here aren’t the best in the league, at least when it comes to proximity to the field. From my perspective, tonight’s preseason game between the Falcons and Rams will take place between two waring parties of ants.

@FalconsJHicks and @FalconsMMoore will have a much better view from the sideline…

We’re just a few moments away from kickoff now. Lots to keep an eye on:

• Can the first-string offense continue its solid play?
• What will the defensive line rotation look like? Thomas Johnson is expected to start again.
• Will the secondary show something in the absence of Chris Houston?

If you’re in Atlanta you can watch live on WXIA. If you get NFL Network, you can see the replay of tonight’s game at 2 a.m. tomorrow morning (brew some coffee).

J. Michael Moore Gameday, Preseason, YouTube Chris Houston, Edward Jones Dome, Preseason, St. Louis Rams, Thomas Johnson, YouTube

NFL.com’s Steve Wyche — a friend of the AF.com program — was in Flowery Branch Tuesday working on his ongoing “On the Fringe” feature, which follows the fate of five players fighting for their NFL lives.

Falcons linebacker Coy Wire is among the featured players.

Wyche said fans can expect more of Wire and his teammates on NFL Network toward the end of the week or early next week (the whole Brett Favre to Minnesota story likely pushed back the NFL.com schedule).

But, since Wyche also has a great working knowledge of the Falcons, we hit on some more details of the preseason…

“On the offense, there’s not going to be any problems here as long as they stay healthy,” Wyche said, continuing the predominant chorus that sings the praises of 10-time Pro Bowler Tony Gonzalez and returning Pro Bowlers Roddy White and Michael Turner. “They’re going to move the ball; they’re going to score points.”

When it comes to defense, Wyche expects the team to have some growing pains.

“They’ll get there,” he said of the unit which will begin 2009 with five new starters. “They just need to get there before they get to that third or fourth game because the schedule gets really tough.”

Still, the veteran sportswriter and broadcaster said fans shouldn’t panic over the team’s performance in the preseason.

Wyche likes Thomas DeCoud’s range at free safety but said the second-year player must mature quickly if he’s to make an impact, especially if he’s backing up young corners like Brent Grimes or Christopher Owens.

Wyche also said fans should look for a scheme change along the defensive line, where it’s tough to replace the imposing, two-gap player Grady Jackson (especially in size). Rookie Peria Jerry is more of a “”gap penetrator,” according to Wyche and will disrupt more than he holds up linemen at the line of scrimmage.

J. Michael Moore Random, YouTube, training camp Brent Grimes, Christopher Owens, Coy Wire, Grady Jackson, Michael Turner, NFL Network, NFL.com, one-on-one, Peria Jerry, Steve Wyche, Thomas DeCoud, Tony Gonzalez

Just settled into my seat in the Ford Field press box. Time to get into the blogging spirit. But first, want to introduce everyone to a new feature for this season.

I have a new HD video camera, so I’ll put it through its trials by shooting and uploading a quick video from the Falcons sideline. It will be the first thing I do when I get off the bus.

Here’s “The View at Ford Field.”

More to come from the Motor City.

J. Michael Moore Gameday, Preseason, Random, YouTube Detroit Lions, Ford Field, Preseason, YouTube

They don’t call it “The Worldwide Leader” for nothing.

ESPN.com and its army of writers and bloggers take pride in knowing just about all there is to know on sports. That’s why whenever NFC South Blogger Pat Yasinskas comes to town I’m first in line to see if he’ll go in front of the Flip.

Special thanks to Pat for answering some questions and sharing his opinion on the Falcons thus far in Russell Falcons Training Camp.

Let’s start with the secondary — a position group that’s getting plenty of notice as coaches look to replace two starters from 2008.

“Brent Grimes seems to be the guy that has the edge for that job right now,” Yasinskas said, referring to the roster spot opposite three-year veteran Chris Houston. “Coaches and players are raving about his athletic ability. Yes his height is a bit of a question mark but he’s a guy that’s so athletic and has such great leaping ability he can make up for that lack of height.”

Yasinskas also likes what he sees from Stephen Nicholas at linebacker and first-round pick Peria Jerry at defensive tackle. The question a week ago was who would fill spots on defense, that’s getting answered, according to Yasinskas.

Now it’s time to gauge effectiveness.

The veteran blogger points out Nicholas and Grimes know the defensive system, so the Falcons could be ahead of the curve.

“There might be some ups and downs early on but, in the long term, I think they’re going to be very good players,” he said. “They were schooled in this system so I think it will work out well.”

J. Michael Moore News, YouTube, training camp Brent Grimes, Chris Houston, interview, NFC South, one-on-one, Pat Yasinskas, Peria Jerry, Russell Falcons Training Camp, Stephen Nicholas, YouTube

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