J.Mike's Missives

The Falcons and Chargers scrapped to a 7-7 tie in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome Saturday evening. Exciting, but not the same fireworks the teams showed during the first two games of the 2009 preseason.

Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense put up 93 total yards. Ryan completed 6-of-8 passes for 59 yards and a score (a 12-yard strike to Brian Finneran on third down).

Running back Michael Turner had seven touches for 31 rushing yards.

The Falcons allowed just 16 rushing yards — all to Darren Sproles — but 10 of them went to an early touchdown run.

San Diego worked the screen pass early and often against the Falcons defense — a practice that continued into the second quarter and had defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, Head Coach Mike Smith and defensive end John Abraham fired up on the sideline.

SOME IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS…

… Ryan threw two early incompletions but the Falcons kept him upright. Blitz pickup looked solid.

… Wide receiver Eric Weems got into the game early as a wide receiver. Weems is fighting for a spot as the team’s punt returner and looking for a position in the receiver rotation. Brent Grimes got in on the punt return team for the first time in the preseason, a fair catch at his own 10.

… Tight end Tony Gonzalez caught two passes in the first quarter for 15 yards (one first down) Roddy White had one catch for 22 yards.

… Jerious Norwood returned the opening kickoff of the game, but he took a seat on special teams after that play and second-year running back Thomas Brown took over the return duties. His first return went for 21 yards.

J. Michael Moore Gameday, Preseason Brent Grimes, Brian Finneran, Brian VanGorder, Eric Weems, Head Coach Mike Smith, John Abraham, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Preseason, Roddy White, San Diego Chargers, Thomas Brown, Tony Gonzalez

Re-signing defensive end Chauncey Davis in March was just an early step in the team’s defensive line building project for the 2009 season.

Three linemen were added in the draft (Peria Jerry, Lawrence Sidbury and Vance Walker) were added in the draft. Then there was the addition of undrafted rookie Maurice Lucas. And let’s not forget the earlier signings of Tywain Myles, Willie Evans and Thomas Johnson.

Davis, a five-year veteran, represents a core group of players asked to keep the defense in line through an infusion of youth.

“It is a change for the better,” Davis said Thursday when asked about the team’s task to replace five starters from the 2008 campaign. “We lost and added some people. It is going to be an exciting, hard-nosed, stopping the run, getting after the quarterback defense.”

Davis is currently behind Jamaal Anderson on the team’s depth chart but all the team’s linemen have seen time in various rotations and sets.

In defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder and Head Coach Mike Smith’s hit-the-quarterback-and-force-mistakes system, fresh legs are valued.

“There is a lot of competition in camp,” said Davis, who finished with four sacks and three fumble recoveries last season. “We are getting better and really helping each other. When one man is doing better he is pushing the other to get better as well.  When you have that kind of competition out there it’s great.  We want to make it hard on the coaches to make a decision on who gets to go out there and play, because our rotation is so strong.  We have a great rotation so it doesn’t matter who is out there.  We are getting after the quarterback and doing our assignment, just getting the job done.”

Smith said the team will rotate through several line pairings during the preseason opener at Detroit.

OTHER NOTES FROM THURSDAY…

… If you’re looking at position battles, Saturday will be an educational day. “I want to see how well our punt returners do,” Smith said when asked about plans for Detroit. “They are going to be auditioning for a spot since Harry Douglas is out.  I want to see the rotation on the defensive line and see how those guys compete. Also, our young corners Chris Owens and William Middleton play.”

… Smith said all four quarterbacks will play Saturday. “In terms of when each will play I don’t want to divulge that right now. I don’t think anyone should read into how the rotation takes place.”

J. Michael Moore News, Preseason, training camp Brian VanGorder, Chauncey Davis, Chris Owens, Harry Douglas, Head Coach Mike Smith, Jamaal Anderson, Lawrence Sidbury, Maurice Lucas, Peria Jerry, Preseason, Russell Falcons Training Camp, Thomas Johnson, Tywain Myles, Vance Walker, William Middleton, Willie Evans

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

Brian VanGorder certainly has a way with words.

The Falcons defensive coordinator barked at his team for much of the morning practice at Russell Falcons Training Camp, often hinting that everyone — linemen to secondary — attack the ball like flames were overtaking their skulls.

I think the helmet would snuff out the fire, but maybe I’m wrong…

“Cmon! Play like your hair’s on fire!”

Well, his players listened and some hair was burning in Flowery Branch.

The defense — especially the secondary — gathered most of the highlights from the morning practice at camp.

• Cornerback Brent Grimes picked off a deep pass from Chris Redman intended for Harry Douglas. It was a leaping pick and both players came to the ground in a mound struggling for control of the ball. Grimes, who has been described as the best overall athlete on the team, won.
• Rookie Christopher Owens broke up one pass down the sideline in 7-on-7 drills, using his arm to reach back and knock the ball away.
• Linebacker Mike Peterson nearly walked away with another interception, which would have been a juggling, one-handed grab of a Matt Ryan pass intended for Justin Peelle.
• A total of 2,342 fans attended the morning practice in Flowery Branch with a larger crowd expected in the afternoon.

For more highlights, from the field, follow me on Twitter.

J. Michael Moore News, highlights, training camp Brent Grimes, Brian VanGorder, Chris Redman, Christopher Owens, Harry Douglas, highlights, Justin Peelle, Matt Ryan, Mike Peterson

BLOGGER’S NOTE: You can follow Russell Falcons Training Camp on the Twitter feed (click here for all the Falcons Twitter accounts) and Qik, if I can figure out some technical aspects, find a subject and get the live streaming to work on the phone. Enjoy!

I don’t get sick very often. So, when I do come down with something, it’s usually severe — and at the worst possible time.

A year ago, on the opening day of training camp, I thought I was dying. What started as summer sniffles evolved into full-blow, throat-clogging, cough-inducing bronchitis.

Not the way you want to start a new season full of hope.

Some say the Falcons were sick entering 2008, suffering from something that started small but ballooned into some disease no one in pro sports had ever heard of. But with time — and an infusion of talented personnel executives, coaches and players — the team recovered.

Now, stronger than ever, the Falcons look to show last season’s playoff appearance was no fluke.

Training camp is here.

At last.

Russell Falcons Training Camp, AF.com
Get all the information on training camp, including practice times and notifications on changes.

White fined for no-show at Falcons camp, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More on this story today when Head Coach Mike Smith talks to the media (should be around 11 a.m.).

Team enjoys increased buzz in ticket sales, AF.com
Before we hear from Smitty, single-game tickets for the 2009 season will go on sale. Click here for ticket information and set your alarm for 10 a.m.

Six potential Atlanta Falcons on the bubble in training camp, Examiner.com
Whether you’re talking March Madness or NFL football, being “on the bubble” isn’t a stress-free environment.

Ole Miss’ Jerry ready to go for Falcons, The (Biloxi, Miss.) Sun-Herald
Saw Peria Jerry this morning in the lunch room. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder reminded him to eat breakfast. Preview of a hard day of work?

Falcons Arrive At Training Cam, WSBTV.com
Players had most of the day to check in and many of them took their time. Sure, training camp is exciting but it’s also a lot of work.

Falcons start camp with high expectations, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s plenty to watch at training camp, even if most of the major questions focus on defense.

When Auto Plants Close, Only White Elephants Remai, The New York Times
I know this doesn’t really have anything to do with training camp but the Falcons are mentioned. I also love chances to put The Gray Lady in Birdseed. It adds credibility.

Falcons sign free agent lineman Adam Speer, AF.com
Last minute roster moves are sometimes popular before camp. They don’t really facilitate the web team taking a day off, though.

Falcons position battles to watch, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Let me guess… All the position battles on defense? Oh, OK. Backup quarterback is in there. I was wondering if we’d all be watching one side of the ball for the next three weeks.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed, training camp AF.com, AJC, Brian VanGorder, Examiner.com, Mike Smith, Peria Jerry, Russell Falcons Training Camp, Sun-Herald, The New York Times, WSBTV.com

Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey doesn’t have the same concerns as his defensive counterpart.

Brian VanGorder is looking to replace five starters from the Falcons 2008 defense. Mularkey has every starter from the league’s sixth-best offense returning for 2009.

That includes a pair of Pro Bowlers (Michael Turner and Roddy White) and a quarterback that, though in just his second year, gathers heaping amounts of praise like Atlanta asphalt collects heat.

Throw in the acquisition of 10-time Pro Bowler Tony Gonzalez and Mularkey sleeps even easier.

I sat down with the veteran offensive coordinator and former NFL head coach Thursday afternoon to get some sound bytes for July. There are some stories in my head that just wouldn’t flow without a few thoughts from the offense’s chief architect.

We talked about every position group but some of the more eyebrow-raising discussions centered around Gonzalez and quarterback Matt Ryan.

No surprise Mularkey is pleased with his team’s success in 2008 and that, in the second year of the system, thinks every player will do better.

But some of the long-term goals were exceeded from the first week of the season.

“You would think (we held things back) and maybe that was the plan when we initially got here before we knew what we had but we were fortunate enough to be around a lot of players that are football intelligent,” Mularkey said. “When you have that, then you can expand and not handcuff yourself into doing some things.

“We went into the Detroit game with Matt and we had more checks than I had with any quarterback prior to that game. We were that comfortable and confident in him. We screwed some things up, we really did, but it didn’t make us want to cut back. We felt like we had the personnel to do some of the things we did and now we think it’s even greater in what we can put out there on the field.”

No wonder Ryan’s teammates say his continued improvement is “scary.”

Mularkey went on to talk about Ryan’s leadership ability and his knack to get players of all levels to follow him on and off the field.

In short, the coach admires the quarterback’s thirst to get better at what he already does well.

While Gonzalez isn’t really a reward for Ryan’s hard work — more an extra dimension for an already proven offense — he will make finding targets easier for the quarterback.

Ryan threw 11 interceptions on the year and saw some of his numbers dip toward the end of the season. Undoubtedly, defenses started to throw a few curve balls in November and December.

The Falcons finished 11-5 and went to the playoffs but Gonzalez could bring exponential increases in production.

Note his game-by-game numbers compared to other Falcons tight ends in 2008:

“Tony will help our offense in a number of ways,” Mularkey said. “One thing he’s going to do is that he’s a productive blocker and that’s important in our offense… As successful as he’s been as a receiver, he’s a good blocker too and he really doesn’t get the credit that he should.

Gonzalez finished with 96 catches for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns last season — his sixth-straight year with at least 900 receiving yards.

Ryan spent the offseason working on accuracy and reading defenses, which will be vital in finding the tight end over the middle of the field and getting it into his receivers’ hands in the red zone.

“I think the No. 1 thing for me going into the offseason was to improve decision-making,” the 2008 Rookie of the Year said. “I’ve watched a ton of film just trying to get better and sharpen up for next season. I’m going to continue to do that for the next two or three months before we open up with our first game.”

Mularkey didn’t go into detail about his plans to change up the play book or add new looks.

Honestly, I didn’t expect him to reveal any secrets.

But you can’t start talking about the addition of a Pro Bowl tight end, the return of stars at receiver and running back, a rising star at quarterback and countless other playmakers without asking the question.

Defensive coordinators having nightmares?

“It’s going to be interesting to see how people match up with us and we’ll try to create some mismatches with where we put people,” Mularkey said. “That’s kind of the offense anyway, even before Tony got here. We’re trying to create mismatches and create problems for defenses. That’s not going to change. That’s our philosophy.”

Spoken like a coach who doesn’t want to tip his hand.

J. Michael Moore Feature, Offseason Brian VanGorder, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Mike Mularkey, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez