J.Mike's Missives

In case you missed it on the radio or the ESPN simulcast, Mike Golic and Erik Kuselias spent a good 15 minutes talking Falcons football Friday morning.

Some talking points…

1. Will Atlanta need a bigger year from Matt Ryan and Michael Turner to return to the playoffs?
Golic said it’s hard to expect a bigger year from Turner, who was second in the NFL with 1,699 rushing yards. That puts the pressure on Ryan, who earned Rookie of the Year honors after throwing for a respected, 16 touchdowns.

“If you want me to answer the question, I’d say Matt Ryan,” Golic said.

Kuselias pointed to the combined scoring total of Ryan and Turner (34 touchdowns).

“I think they’ll have to do better if Atlanta’s going to have a better season,” he said.

2. Is Roddy White the most underrated wideout in the NFL?
White went to the Pro Bowl last year after his second-straight 1,000-yard season.

Golic considers White one of the least-talked about, but most feared players in the league and that, in 2009, he’ll “start getting the glory he deserves.”

Kuselias said White is “exceptionally underrated” and what the receiver did in 2008 with Ryan and in 2007 with multiple quarterbacks proves the point.

3. How much will the addition of veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez aid the offense?
“He walks into the Hall of Fame five years after he retires,” Golic said of the 10-time Pro Bowl tight end. “He’s been around a long time but he’s still incredibly productive.”

Of note from the broadcast: Last year the Falcons posted the least catches by tight ends in the league (19). Gonzalez had 96.

4. Have the Falcons made enough changes to solidify and inconsistent defense?
Golic isn’t sure the Falcons did enough to sure up the defense, saying it will continue to be a question mark on an otherwise solid team.

5. What will the record be?
Three separate but similar opinions.

Kuselias: 9-7. Falcons split with New Orleans and Carolina, sweep Tampa Bay. Doesn’t like the ease of the team’s road schedule.

Golic: 10-6, 11-5 (maybe)

Mike Greenberg: 10-6

BLOGGER’S NOTE: Special thanks to New Media Intern Vance for listening to the last segment and reporting reaction while I was out taking care of some other blog business.

J. Michael Moore News, Preseason Erik Kuselias, ESPN, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Mike and Mike, Mike Golic, Mike Greenberg, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez

BLOGGER’S NOTE: Hitting the road this afternoon for St. Louis and the Falcons second preseason matchup. Follow me on Twitter (@FalconsJMoore) and take a look at what others in the AF.com team are saying about our progress to the Gateway City.

Thursday we kicked off Birdseed with a mention of Chris Mortensen and his ESPN tour bus, which parked on the hill overlooking the Falcons practice field.

As of early Friday morning, Mortensen moved on to Tampa, leaving some interviews and coverage in his wake: Falcons blending ‘old’ with the ‘new’

I’m a fan of what “The Worldwide Leader” does to add a new twist on the camp tour concept. Of course, add a tricked-out bus to just about anything and you have something worth talking about.

Mort spent some time Thursday with quarterback Matt Ryan and All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez. The pair have quickly formed the on-field bond you want to see from quarterback and tight end.

They also represent the interesting dynamic between young and old players taking shape in Atlanta.

Gonzalez on the offense, 11-year veteran Mike Peterson on the defense, 17-year veteran Jason Elam on special teams. Not many other players on the roster boast 11 or more years in the league.

You need some elders (and I use the term with all respect) in the locker room to have success in the NFL. You also need the don’t-know-any-better excitement young players can provide.

If it seemed like Mort welcomed two players with very different personalities — and eating habits — on his bus, it’s because he did.

But they’re united by a common goal.

Atlanta Falcons: Sights and Sounds from Camp, Examiner.com
We’re cruising through the preseason with the speed and efficiency of a NASCAR driver skirting around a turn.

Falcons’ top pick Peria Jerry learning the ropes, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Oh the joys of rookie hazing. Good to know the Falcons don’t make it an all-camp affair. There has to be some focus on work, right?

Video: Gonzalez vs. Witten in fantasy football, ESPN.com
Time to start the fantasy football debate. Witten over Gonzalez? I’ve removed the bias and it’s still hard for me to understand (though Witten did look good in the Cowboys preseason opener).

Rookie CB Chris Owens battling for starting job, San Jose (Calif.) Mercury-News
Now’s the time for rookies to show what they’ve got. There won’t be many reserves playing next week against the Chargers and incumbent starter Chris Houston could be healthy by then.

Matt Ryan anxious for more playing time Friday, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Catch the note at the bottom: No Ryan on Twitter. This is a good time to remind everyone the AF.com team will confirm any Falcons found on Twitter. If you think you’ve got a guy, let us know.

Eric Weems Pushing Hard For A Roster Spot, The Falcoholic
Saw someone on the FalconsLIFE Message Boards started an “Eric Weems Fan Club.”

Falcons expect Curtis Lofton to be long-term leader on defense, Los Angeles Times
There are some unwritten rules in football. “Middle linebackers are team leaders” seems to be one of them. And Lofton is growing into one of the best around.

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Matt Ryan is your Best Breakthrough Athlete of 2008.

The Falcons quarterback won the award at the 2009 ESPYS, which will air 9 p.m. Sunday evening on ESPN. Ryan, the winner of the Associated Press Rookie of the Year award, won over Olympian Shawn Johnson, baseball star Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays and NBA player Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.

The award was decided by fan votes.

Ryan led the Falcons to an 11-5 regular-season record, completing 256 passes for 3,340 yards and 16 touchdowns. He becomes the seventh NFL player to receive the ESPN honor and the first quarterback since Tom Brady (2002).

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Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has been nominated for an ESPY for his role in the team’s 2008 success.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Ryan was named the starter prior to the end of the preseason and completed his rookie campaign with countless accolades and the Rookie of the Year award.

He led the Falcons to an 11-5 regular-season record, completing 256 passes for 3,340 yards and 16 touchdowns.

He is nominated for the “Best Breakthrough Athlete” award.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson won the award in 2008 and, should Ryan win, he would be the seventh football player to receive the honor (the first quarterback since Tom Brady in 2002).

The 2009 ESPYs will air Sunday, July 19 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on July 11.

J. Michael Moore Awards, News ESPN, ESPYs, Matt Ryan