J.Mike's Missives

With the third pick in the sixth round (176th overall) the Falcons selected Miami (Fla.) linebacker Spencer Adkins.

He was the first player taken from Miami in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Adkins (5-foot-11, 230 lbs.) did well at his Pro Day, running the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds.

He was a backup middle linebacker and came into games as a pass-rusher. He finished 2008 with 20 tackles and four sacks.

“There were a couple questions about if I liked the inside or rushing off the edge,” Adkins said at his Pro Day. “I told them, ‘It doesn’t matter. Whatever you want me to do I’ll be able to do.’ I think (the Pro Day) opened up a lot of eyes.”

Adkins’ high school coach said he spoke with the linebacker Saturday and up to 17 teams were interested in his services.

Snead said the Falcons like Adkins speed and look to use him as a rush linebacker and special teams contributor.

“He was a part-time starter mainly used in a sub-package where they rushed him off the edge,” Snead said.

The personnel man also talked about Miami’s fall from grace but, like many players who went through the high school system in Florida and played college ball in the state, Adkins has plenty going for him.

“They’re usually where USC is right now,” Snead said when asked about the Hurricanes. “They’re been down. But if you notice one thing about Florida players they’re fast and that’s what this guy is.”

MORE ON SPENCER ADKINS:

• SNEAD: Thoughts on the pick from Les Snead
• AJC: Falcons select Miami running back in sixth round
• NEWS: Former Naples star taken by Falcons (Naples Daily News)
• FORUMS: Talk about the selection with other fans
• AJC: Falcons continue defensive focus in Day Two

J. Michael Moore NFL Draft Les Snead, Miami, NFL Draft, Spencer Adkins

With the second of two, fifth-round selections in the NFL Draft the Falcons picked North Carolina tackle Garrett Reynolds.

A massive lineman (6-foot-8, 309 lbs.), Reynolds is noted for his toughness. What he lacks in athleticism he makes up for in grit.

Director of Player Personnel Les Snead said that played a role in the decision as the team looked to add some depth back to the offensive line in the wake of Todd Weiner’s retirement.

Reynolds was a three-year starter at North Carolina, primarily at right tackle.

The Falcons like tough, hard-working offensive linemen and used work ethic to put together one of the best years in franchise history for the front five. The group led the way for Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner’s 1,699 yards and finished with a franchise-low 17 sacks allowed.

Reynolds is the nephew of former 49ers linebacker Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds.

MORE ON GARRETT REYNOLDS:

• AJC: Falcons stay in the ACC, take lineman
• PHOTOS: Images of the Falcons new offensive tackle
• FORUMS: Talk about the selection with other fans
• SNEAD: Director of Player Personnel Les Snead breaks down the pick

J. Michael Moore NFL Draft Garrett Reynolds, Les Snead, NFL Draft, North Carolina

The Falcons selected Richmond defensive end Lawrence Sidbury Jr. in the fourth round of the NFL Draft Sunday, picking up a player that can be an immediate threat as a pass rusher.

Director of Player Personnel Les Snead said Sidbury had the fastest “10″ time at the Combine (the time it takes to run 10 yards in the 40-yard dash). That’s a sign of explosiveness and an ability to attack quarterbacks and running backs near the line of scrimmage.

He was also the leader among defensive linemen in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.64 seconds.

Sidbury, 6-foot-2, 266 lbs., also led Richmond to a national championship in 2008. He finished with 11.5 sacks.

It was while watching highlights of that game on a road trip that some Falcons coaches took a closer look.

“What we’re banking on is trying to get a young player who is from a smaller level competition to pass rush off the edge,” Snead said.

“If you think about it not many people, especially defensive linemen will run a 40-yard dash. They have to be really fast within that 10 yards. They’re 10 yards from the QB; they’re 10 yards from the hashes when they’re running running backs down.”

MORE ON LAWRENCE SIDBURY:

• DRAFTGUYS: Analysis of Sidbury at the Senior Bowl
• AJC: Falcons take Richmond standout in fourth round
• HIGHLIGHTS: Sidbury’s national championship game
• YOUTUBE: Sidbury working in the weight room
• NEWS: Falcons select UR’s Sidbury (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• PHOTOS: Images of the Falcons newest defensive end
• FORUMS: Talk about the selection with other fans
• SNEAD: Director of Player Personnel discusses Sidbury selection
• NEWS: It’s all adding up for Sidbury (The Washington Post)

J. Michael Moore NFL Draft Lawrence Sidbury, Les Snead, NFL Draft, Richmond

Thanks to Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith for inviting the AF.com team to the first “Hacks vs. Jocks” golf outing Wednesday. My initial hope was to cover this inaugural coach-media tournament. But, since Dan, Matt and I are sort of like the media, we were given spots on three foursomes.

Fantastic day.

My team included director of player personnel Les Snead, John Kincaid (of “Buck and Kincaid” fame on AM 680 The Fan) and Randy Waters of 11Alive.

Snead played golf in high school and, after a few holes, he was reunited with his booming tee shot.

Randy and John showed some touch around the greens.

Me? Well… I chipped in for a birdie on our fourth hole, but that was about it.

Team “Les and Moore” finished at 4-under par. Good enough for fifth place and eight strokes behind the winning team of Dan, VP of PR Reggie Roberts, Buck Belue of 680 The Fan and Falcons President Rich McKay.

Though it may seem like a day away from the office, we worked hard to help our teams and pass along some info through Twitter…

• J. Michael Moore
• Dan Levak
• Matt Moore

… And Flickr.

Judging from where my team finished, maybe I should have focused a little more on my game.

OU’s Robinson ready to come home, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We hear a lot about “due diligence” as the NFL Draft approaches. If you’re in the “Falcons Should Draft Defense” camp, don’t worry. The team needs to know all the players on the board and, at the right spot, Robinson would be a nice pick to build the future of the offensive line.

Falcons might dump McClure for Newberry, ProFootballTalk.com
This still falls into the rumor mill.

Falcons announce 2009 regular-season schedule, AF.com
Sixteen games. Got to play them sometime.

Early And Wildly Irresponsible 2009 Schedule Predictions, TheFalcoholic
That’s what I’m talking about! Predictions, predictions, predictions. I admire anyone who takes the time and effort to go through the season game-by-game.

Mocking with McShay, ESPN.com
We read about the Falcons needing defense. But, at the end of the day, many mock drafts have the Birds taking a tight end in the first round.

Report: Chiefs, Falcons Haven’t Talked about Gonzalez Trade, ArrowheadPride.com
Speaking of tight ends… It amazes me how quickly rumors get legs.

On the Beat Mock Draft: Falcons, NFL.com
D. Led loves Clint Sintim. I have to say, the more I watch and learn about him, I love him too.

General Manager Thomas Dimitroff takes fan questions, AF.com
Questions are rolling in for the Falcons GM. Some are pretty specific, so I don’t know if T.D. will tip his hand.

Falcons schedule analysis, ESPN.com
Four out of five on the road is tough, but the Falcons had a similar stretch last season. The team also won two games on the West Coast (not easy). This schedule isn’t harder than last season or the season before that. It’s just different.

Five Atlanta Falcons To Keep Your Eye On, Bleacher Report
Let’s not forget about the players already on the roster.

A closer look: The 2009 Atlanta Falcons schedule, Examiner.com
You got to love how Smitty approaches the schedule release, saying it presents “a unique set of opportunities.” That’s the way you have to look at it.

Offensive lineman Dahl signs tender offer, AF.com
This is almost a formality in restricted free agency, but it’s a nice feeling to know the Falcons have their starting right guard on the roster for another year.

Matt Ryan and Michael Turner: By the Numbers, Bleacher Report
Ryan’s numbers dipped at the end of the season but it’s an understandable change given the amount of snaps he took over the calendar year. That said, he was one of the most consistent rookie quarterbacks in NFL history.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed 11Alive, 2009 Schedule, 680 The Fan, AF.com, AJC, ArrowheadPride.com, Bleacher Report, Buck, Clint Sintim, D. Orlando Ledbetter, dan, Duke Robinson, ESPN.com, Examiner.com, Harvey Dahl, Head Coach Mike Smith, Kincaid, Les Snead, matt, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, NFL Draft, NFL.com, ProFootballTalk.com, Randy Waters, Rich McKay, Thomas Dimitroff, Todd McClure, Voices Heard