J.Mike's Missives

EDITOR’S NOTE: About to pack up and head over to Hibbett Sports in Flowery Branch for the first Falcons LIVE, featuring Head Coach Mike Smith. It’s the coach’s weekly radio show that we’re going to stream live (video) on AtlantaFalcons.com. The action starts at 7 p.m. and you can get the live stream and other Falcons live coverage through the year at http://www.atlantafalcons.com/live.

I’ve been through a lot of Monday afternoon press conferences in my career but Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith takes the “business like” approach to a new level.

Each Monday after a game Smith strolls into the media room with a handful of notes and an opening statement. Today, the second-year coach praised his team’s “intensity and effort” in a season-opening win over the Miami Dolphins.

He liked the way the offense held the ball for more than half of the fourth quarter to secure a victory. He  also liked how the kickoff coverage team forced the Dolphins to start two drives after kickoffs inside the 20 (no worse than the Miami 24-yard line).

Of course, there are some things the Falcons can correct.

The team rushed for less than 100 yards which seemed unthinkable given the power of the offensive line and the play of Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner. Even with that, the coach found a positive.

“We were able to move the ball in other ways,” Smith said, noting the five-catch, one touchdown performance from Tony Gonzalez. “If they allow us a chance to throw the football, we’re going to throw the football.”

Smith did not provide a detailed update from his notes on team injuries, specifically when it came to rookie defensive tackle Peria Jerry, who left the game in the second half. He did say William Moore (hamstring) could return to practice this week and the Falcons “came out of the game healthy.”

J. Michael Moore News Head Coach Mike Smith, injury, Miami Dolphins, Michael Turner, Peria Jerry, press conference, Tony Gonzalez, video, William Moore

Tight end Tony Gonzalez said he’ll miss Kansas City but he’s ready to take the field in Atlanta and accomplish the ultimate goal.

“I’m here for one reason, that’s to win a Super Bowl.” Gonzalez said at an introductory press conference Friday evening. “I haven’t won a playoff game in my whole career and that’s something I’m going to make sure isn’t the end for me. I want to come here, go to the playoffs, win playoff games and go to the Super Bowl.”

The Falcons acquired the 10-time Pro Bowler from the Chiefs on Thursday afternoon. He provides an immediate threat at the tight end position, opening up the offense for Matt Ryan and Pro Bowlers Roddy White and Michael Turner.

GONZALEZ ONE-ON-ONE:
http://video.atlantafalcons.com/video/87345/87345_2009-04-24-191229.flv

Gonzalez said he’s ready to provide another option for Ryan, who he called earlier in the day. He also plans to act as a mentor for younger players.

“If you double team somebody, someone’s going to get open,” the veteran said. “If it’s one-on-one, we have to get open. Do I think I’ll catch 100 balls? I don’t have to. This is something we’re all going to work together on. I’ve been fortunate to have such a good career. It’s not about breaking records and all that stuff. It’s about going out there and moving those chains… I’m going to help those guys. I feel like I’ve got some stuff they can learn and I’m going to learn from them. I don’t mind putting in the work, I never have, and hopefully they feel the same way I do.”

Of course, Gonzalez has put up the numbers in his career.

He’s the all-time leader among tight ends in touchdowns (76), receptions (916) and yards (10,940). He’s played in 190 games (174 starts) and is a regular All-Pro selection. The 12-year veteran is regarded as one of the best tight ends in the game and a lock for future enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“I could go on and on and tell you about where and why we set forth in getting Tony Gonzalez as our next tight end here and continue to put up prolific numbers and statistics,” General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “We need to continue to provide the instruments to this offense.”

Dimitroff acknowledged the team took a look at available tight ends in this weekend’s NFL Draft and joked he could no longer use the position as “a smoke screen.”

While plenty of tight ends will turn pro Saturday and Sunday, the Falcons get a proven player in Gonzalez on the field, in the locker room and in the community.

GONZALEZ PRESS CONFERENCE:
http://video.atlantafalcons.com/video/87361/87361_2009-04-24-193634.flv

Gonzalez is a world traveler, taking time to study abroad over the offseason in 2004, 2005 and 2006. He was named the “2004 NFL Good Guy” by the Sporting News and is active in charitable efforts through the Tony Gonzalez Foundation, which he founded in 1998.

He made countless community visits during his 12 years in Kansas City and says he plans to move some of his foundation work to Atlanta.

He “grew up” as a Chief, noting he arrived in the NFL at the tender age of 21.

But he’s ready for a new challenge.

“I’m going to miss Kansas City but, having said that, I’m excited to be here,” Gonzalez said. “This is an unbelievable opportunity… This is going to be something special, I believe, and I’m really looking forward to being a part of this. After 12 years sometimes change is good and I couldn’t be more excited to be in this situation.”

MORE GONZALEZ COVERAGE:

• TWITTER: Some quick photos and commentary
• REACTION: Gonzalez trade excites, delights
• YOUTUBE: Footage of the jersey presentation
• PHOTOS: Images from Friday’s press conference
• BIO: Gonzalez career information on AtlantaFalcons.com
• RELEASE: Falcons agree to acquire Pro Bowler Gonzalez

J. Michael Moore News Arthur Blank, Kansas City Chiefs, Matt Ryan, press conference, Thomas Dimitroff, Tony Gonzalez, trade

Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith spoke to his team Monday morning for the first time since the close of the 2008 season.

His message was simple: Stay humble and hungry.

Atlanta surprised countless fans, players, coaches and executives in 2008, turning a 4-12 record in 2007 to an 11-5 finish and a playoff spot with a rookie quarterback, coach and general manager.

In many ways, the success defied logic but things are just starting to get complicated.

“The toughest thing is to maintain success,” running back Michael Turner said Tuesday morning. “(We) actually want to take it up a notch and get to the Super Bowl and win a ring.

“Once you get a little bit of success other teams are going to target you and they’re going to bring their best game week-in and week-out. Last year we snuck up on everybody. People didn’t know anything about us. People have tape on us now. They can watch us and know our scheme. It’s going to be tough. Nothing is going to be handed to us.”

(click here for video)

Turner and quarterback back Matt Ryan held press conferences Tuesday to talk about the team’s approach to the offseason, which officially began the moment the team lost in the Wild Card playoffs at Arizona but got traction when the time came to lift weights and get in shape.

The Falcons opened the second voluntary offseason conditioning program of Smith’s tenure last week.

Attendance has been high.

“I think it’s great we have a lot of guys here but, more importantly, we’ve got guys that are working hard,” said Ryan, who was named the league’s Rookie of the Year by several publications. “That’s contagious. I think everybody has been getting their work done, getting some extra work and trying to get ready for OTAs and mini camps so we can get better for next season but that camaraderie is contagious.”

(click here for video)

Ryan forced himself to digest film of the playoff loss immediately after the season. He took some time off — even played some golf at historic Augusta National Golf Club — but he got back to work before the start of conditioning drills.

Turner hinted many of his teammates hadn’t strayed too far mentally during the mandatory respite from the game. In fact, many were eager to get back because of the proven success of the conditioning program from a season ago.

The Falcons are humble. The Falcons are hungry.

“It’s perfect for where we’re at right now because that’s where guys are,” Ryan said of the new slogan. “They’re in here to get better. They’re in here wanting to improve and doing all the things they need to do to improve. We’re hungry and hopefully that translates into a good season next year.

“We have to understand we can get better and understand we can do a lot of things better individually and as a team.”

J. Michael Moore Offseason Augusta National Golf Club, Head Coach Mike Smith, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, offseason conditioning, press conference

Head Coach Mike Smith confirmed the team will take a “needs based” approach to the upcoming NFL Draft when he met with the media on Tuesday. He said more free agent moves aren’t out of the question, but the team has identified the positions it will take a look at in the rest of the offseason.

Of course, he didn’t share the details.

(click here for video)

More video to come from a day of press conferences and special media access to the Falcons offseason conditioning program.

J. Michael Moore Offseason Head Coach Mike Smith, NFL Draft, offseason conditioning, press conference

The offseason has its share of busy days but this day promises to be busier than most.

Head Coach Mike Smith, quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner are expected to meet with the media to talk about the offseason and the team’s conditioning program.

The press will also get a rare glimpse of the weight room at some point today.

We’ll have video of the interviews on AF.com at the close of the session but, you can follow my day on Flickr and Twitter.

PHOTOS ON FLICKR
FOLLOW ON TWITTER

Would love to stay and chat, but I’m running late.

J. Michael Moore Offseason Flickr, Head Coach Mike Smith, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, offseason conditioning, press conference, Twitter