J.Mike's Missives

Much easier to identify key points from a Falcons loss than list all the accolades from a big win.

“Win as a team, lose as a team” seems very appropriate after the Falcons 31-17 win over the Washington Redskins Sunday afternoon. We can highlight Michael Turner’s big runs, but that was the talk of gameday.

Instead, let’s take a moment to give some props to the defense.

The unit entered Sunday’s game ranked 17th in the league in opponent points per game (a key stat to remember before poring over pass or run yardage). Sunday the Falcons got their second defensive score in as many games and helped the Redskins extend a less-than-flattering streak of not scoring more than 17 points in 2009.

The Falcons have recorded at least one interception in six of eight games this season and, entering Week 9, helped the team to a plus-4 turnover margin (eighth in the NFL). Atlanta has just one game without a sack this season and Sunday tied a team record with five sacks in the first half.

All this with a new starter at cornerback (Tye Hill) and two Week 1 starters (Brian Williams and Peria Jerry) on injured reserve.

Not bad at all.

Before we get into Birdseed, here are some things to look for in Head Coach Mike Smith’s Monday press conference:

• Injury updates. Smitty usually doesn’t reveal details on injuries on Monday, but we may get a little more info on wide receiver Brian Finneran, who left the game with a knee injury.
• The skirmish. Likely some follow-up questions on the incident on the sideline between DeAngelo Hall and the Falcons bench after a late hit penalty.
• Second half slowdown. Smith talked at length last week about his team’s need to play for 60 minutes. Whether it was good adjustments by the Redskins or a letdown, the Falcons had only one possession in the third quarter and the Redskins scored 14 unanswered points. I guess that’s what 24-3 halftime leads are for.

Complete Falcons-Redskins Coverage, AF.com
For additional stats and highlight videos, visit the official NFL.com Game Center.

Smith leads Falcons again — in game and rumble, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“The Falcons responded to their first two-game losing streak under Smith by doing what good teams do. They beat a bad team.”

Redskins’ Hall accuses two Falcons coaches of misconduct in melee, NFL.com
Going to throw this into Birdseed for record-keeping purposes. My gut is that the whole thing is going to fade into the background.

Falcons End Uneven Effort With 31-17 Win Over Redskins, The Falcoholic
I almost forgot about Jonathan Babineaux! Actually, I did until The Falcoholic reminded me. Great game by the defensive tackle.

Turner busts Washington for 166 yards, 2 TDs, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Turner fantasy owners rejoice!

Hill’s interception boosts Falcons, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not only the interception, but the interception return… The Falcons defense is doing something it didn’t do much last season: scoring.

Zorn cautious about Portis’ return, The Washington Post
Great photo of the hit that put Clinton Portis out of the game after the link.

Atlanta Falcons end two-game losing streak with 31-17 win over Washington, Examiner.com
Ending the losing streak was crucial at this point of the season. With two road games ahead, the Falcons are in position to make a run.

Falcons’ Archer to speak at TD Club,  Macon Telegraph
Mark your calendars for color analyst and former Falcons quarterback Dave Archer.

Redskins go down fighting, The Washington Post
Some thoughts on the game from the Redskins paper of record.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed AF.com, AJC, Brian Finneran, Clinton Portis, Dave Archer, DeAngelo Hall, Examiner.com, Head Coach Mike Smith, Jonathan Babineaux, Macon Telegraph, Michael Turner, NFL.com, The Falcoholic, The Washington Post, Tye Hill, Washington Redskins

John Manasso just checked in with his first gameday blog. And, I must say, it’s a gem.

Next time you listen to the Falcons on the radio remember Voice of the Falcons Wes Durham and radio analyst Dave Archer have more than one job.

Durham works at Georgia Tech and calls all the Yellow Jackets’ football games during the season. Archer is a television analyst for Fox Sports’ SEC broadcast.

When Atlanta is on the road, Durham and Archer have to travel from their Saturday gig (wherever it may be) and meet up with the Falcons.

Wonder how Wes is feeling after that trip from Tallahassee, Fla. to San Francisco?

More…

J. Michael Moore Gameday Dave Archer, Georgia Tech, John Manasso, Wes Durham

One of my favorite things to do at practice is pick the brain of former quarterback — and current Falcons Radio commentator — Dave Archer. While there are many former players with a gift for analysis, Archer has a way to put the entire game into perspective and get inside the head of players on the field.

It’s what makes he and Voice of the Falcons Wes Durham the best in the business (in my opinion).

I caught up with Archer after Tuesday morning’s practice at Russell Falcons Training Camp to get his thoughts on the Falcons.

We started with quarterback…

The position fight between D.J. Shockley, Chris Redman and John Parker Wilson isn’t getting much pub but Archer’s keeping an eye on it.

“It’s going to be a huge battle,” he said. “It’s exciting because you have one player in Chris Redman who was out of football, gets an opportunity because a former coach gives him that shot and earns his way onto the team last year as the backup to Matt Ryan. He’s in a serious battle now with a guy who is rising, and that’s D.J. Shockley.”

Archer went on to compliment Shockley’s work in training camp and point out Wilson’s status as Alabama’s all-time leader status in several statistics, which is good for something when considering a position on the roster.

The broadcast veteran also noted Jerious Norwood’s effort to bulk up in the offseason and the team’s desire to get him more involved in the offense and take a load off Pro Bowler Michael Turner, who carried the ball 376 times in 2008.

Defensively, Archer sees improvement along the line, particularly in the play of third-year pro Jamaal Anderson.

“I think you do have to throw out 2007,” Archer said when asked about Anderson’s rookie year. “I think he made some big strides last year; I think the coaching has helped him significantly. I think Jamaal will be even better this year.”

Circling back to a quarterback’s perspective, Archer believes the team’s secondary could be a strength of the defense.

“They’re young, which is going to entice a quarterback to challenge them,” he said. “You better be on time with the football, that’s all I can say.

“They can run and they’ll make plays.”

J. Michael Moore News, YouTube, training camp Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley, Dave Archer, Falcons Radio, Jamaal Anderson, Jerious Norwood, John Parker Wilson, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, one-on-one, Russell Falcons Training Camp, YouTube

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

Falcons players signed jerseys, footballs and other items for various needs across the organization after Wednesday’s practice.

I must admit, the patio next to the practice field was a wonderland for any sports memorobilia enthusisits.

Here’s a brief video with some shots of your Falcons — fresh off the practice field — leaving their mark on various pieces of history.

Wondering how you can get your hands on some of this stuff? Not sure what to tell you other than most of it is used for various giveaways and other prizes throughout the season (stuff like June Fandemonium).

As for the addition of audio from Wes Durham and Dave Archer… The natural sound was a bit boring (lots of fans blowing to cool everyone off).

J. Michael Moore Offseason, YouTube behind-the-scenes, Dave Archer, OTAs, Wes Durham