J.Mike's Missives

For the second-straight week the Falcons will be be without their No. 2 and 3 running backs.

Jerious Norwood (hip) and Jason Snelling (hamstring) were added to the Falcons-Redskins inactive list about an hour before kickoff Sunday. Look for Aaron Stecker, signed last week, to back up Pro Bowler Michael Turner and fullbacks Verron Haynes and Ovie Mughelli to see additional action.

Atlanta went with the same setup last week against the New Orleans Saints and Turner rushed for a season-high 151 yards.

Other Falcons inactives:

• QB John Parker Wilson (thrid quarterback)
• S Charlie Peprah
• LB Spencer Adkins
• T Garrett Reynolds
• G Quinn Ojinnaka
• DT Thomas Johnson

We knew the Redskins would be without tight end Chris Cooley (foot) so the rest of the inactives aren’t a surprise. Normal punter Hunter Smith will miss the game, but reserve Shaun Suisham will take over those special teams duties.

Washington inactives include:

• P Hunter Smith
• CB Kevin Barnes
• CB Byron Westbrook
• FB Eddie Williams
• TE Chris Cooley
• G Chad Rinehart
• DT Antohny Montgomery
• DE Renaldo Wynn

The Falcons placed Jamaal Fudge on injured reserve early in the week and signed Peprah. Head Coach Mike Smith was impressed with Peprah’s play with the Packers last season, but he likely needs to freshen up on the Falcons system before seeing playing time.

The team also has special teams ace/reserve safety Antoine Harris (knee) back in the lineup.

“Charlie Peprah has started in this League,” Smith said. “He was a starter when we played Green Bay last year so we have some familiarity with him. He’s not familiar with our scheme in terms of verbiage and all of that, so it’s going to take some time. He was also a special teams player for the Packers last season.”

Some other things to keep an eye on in Sunday’s game at the Georgia Dome:

• Snap ready? Newly-acquired long snapper Bryan Pittman will play in his first game with the Falcons. He has more than 90 games of NFL experience, but he’s working at a key position
• Burner beginning? Turner got his game in gear against the Saints. The Redskins aren’t as good against the run as they are the pass (No. 2 in the league). Is that how the Falcons will attack their opponent?
• Healthy and ready? “Questionable” is one of the more interesting designations on the injury report. Not quite probable, but not a guarantee to be out. Many questionable players this week are suiting up. How productive will they be? Can the Falcons get a big lead and give players a chance to get healthy?

J. Michael Moore Gameday, injury Aaron Stecker, Antoine Harris, Bryan Pittman, Charlie Peprah, Chris Cooley, Garrett Reynolds, Head Coach Mike Smith, Hunter Smith, inactives, Jamaal Fudge, Jason Snelling, Jerious Norwood, John Parker Wilson, Michael Turner, New Orleans Saints, Ovie Mughlli, Quinn Ojinnaka, Shaun Suisham, Spencer Adkins, Thomas Johnson, Verron Haynes, Washington Redskins

Cornerback Tye Hill will wait at least another week before suiting up for the Falcons.

Atlanta de-activated the former first-round pick, who was acquired in a late-preseason trade with the St. Louis Rams. Head Coach Mike Smith has spoke highly of Hill, who has spent the first four weeks of the season and the bye week learning the defensive system.

Other inactives include…

• QB John Parker Wilson (third quarterback)
• FB Verron Haynes
• S Antoine Harris
• LB Spencer Adkins
• OT Garrett Reynolds
• OG Quinn Ojinnaka
• DT Vance Walker

The 49ers did not de-activate recently-signed receiver Michael Crabtree but will be without Frank Gore. He’s the only starter out and will be replaced by rookie Glenn Coffee.

Other San Francisco inactives…

• QB Nate Davis (third quarterback)
• CB Allen Rossum
• S Reggie Smith
• LB Jeff Ulbrich
• LB Marques Harris
• C Cody Wallace
• DT Ricky Jean Francois

J. Michael Moore Gameday Antoine Harris, Frank Gore, Garrett Reynolds, Glenn Coffee, Head Coach Mike Smith, incatives, injury, John Parker Wilson, Michael Crabtree, Quinn Ojinnaka, San Francisco 49ers, Spencer Adkins, Tye Hill, Vance Walker, Verron Haynes

Few surprises on the Falcons inactive list, which was just confirmed in the Georgia Dome press box but the Panthers will be without a pair of defensive starters.

Atlanta inactives include:

• QB John Parker Wilson (thrid quarterback)
• CB Tye Hill
• S William Moore
• LB Spencer Adkins
• G Quinn Ojinnaka
• OT Garrett Reynolds
• DT Trey Lewis
• FB Verron Haynes

Panthers inactives include:

• QB A.J. Feeley (third quarterback)
• RB Tyrell Sutton
• CB C.J. Wilson
• S Chris Harris
• T Gary Williams
• G Duke Robinson
• DE Hilee Taylor
• DT Nick Hayden

Hayden and Harris are listed as starters on the Panthers unofficial depth chart, but Quinton Teal (safety) and Louis Leonard (defensive tackle) are reported to start today’s game.

This makes for an interesting problem for the Panthers, who lost a defensive tackle in the preseason and have concerns about the middle of the defense. Good sign for the Falcons, who will certainly look to establish a trademark running game for this division battle.

J. Michael Moore Gameday, injury Carolina Panthers, Chris Harris, Garrett Reynolds, inactives, injury, John Parker Wilson, Nick Hayden, Quinn Ojinnaka, Spencer Adkins, Trey Lewis, Tye Hill, Verron Haynes, William Moore

If you watched a college football game over the weekend you likely saw massive linemen slamming against one another on some hot, early September afternoon.

If you played close attention, you probably saw some subs come into the game to give the front five some relief.

Either way, you saw two gigantic lineups on either side of the field with plenty of bodies to step up in the case of injury or exhaustion.

Not the case in the NFL when teams can ill afford to keep too many players at one position and upset the balance of a 53-man roster.

Take the offensive line…

The Falcons kept nine linemen on the active roster and two additional players on the practice squad. On game day, one or more linemen could be declared inactive, making it imperative some players backup multiple positions.

That’s where Brett Romberg, a free agent addition in the offseason, can be of help.

Romberg is expected to backup at guard and center. The Falcons also kept offensive linemen Quinn Ojinnaka, who took snaps at every position on the line in 2008 training camp, and tackles Will Svitek and Garrett Reynolds. Jose Valdez and Michael Butterworth are on the eight-man practice squad.

“As an offensive linemen it’s more beneficial to you if you know what the guy next to you is doing,” said Romberg, who has 18 career starts. “In the beginning, when you’re young, you’re just trying to learn your position and your role on the offensive line. But, as the years go on, knowing what the guy next to you is going to do helps build cohesion.”

The six-year veteran started two of the Falcons final three preseason games in place of Todd McClure. He appreciated the extra experience, saying it gave him a feel for the starting offensive line and the new system he’s been learning since March.

“It’s good as a center, especially, to get in there and hear the quarterback’s cadence,” Romberg said. “It makes a big difference as opposed to sitting on the side and listening to a coach call the plays. Getting a few reps with Matt (Ryan), especially game speed and game tempo was definitely beneficial.”

The Falcons lineman also appreciated the extra day of work, as the Falcons hit the practice field on Labor Day to get ready for the Miami Dolphins.

“It’s always good to get an extra day in,” he said. “You usually don’t fully focus on your opponent on days like today, but you introduce a few things. Luckily the last couple of games we played in the preseason address that 3-4 (defense) look Miami plays.”

MORE FROM THE AFTERNOON PRACTICE…

… Head Coach Mike Smith sent Ryan home Monday morning because the quarterback felt ill. “Matt wasn’t feeling well today so we sent him home to rest. We anticipate he’ll be back on Wednesday,” the coach said.

… Running back Jerious Norwood and safety William Moore did not practice Monday.

… New defensive back Brian Williams took the field for the first time as a Falcon wearing No. 29. Smith stressed his versatility (he started games at corner and safety in 2008), adding he’s ahead of the curve having worked in a similar defense in Jacksonville — the coach’s former post.

“It’s a different situation in terms of familiarity with our scheme because it’s basically the same scheme and verbiage he’s used to hearing,” Smith said.

J. Michael Moore News Brett Romberg, Brian Williams, Garrett Reynolds, Head Coach Mike Smith, Jerious Norwood, Jose Valdez, Matt Ryan, Miami Dolphins, Michael Butterworth, Quinn Ojinnaka, Todd McClure, Will Svitek, William Moore

The Falcons released 13 players Saturday and the list includes some familiar names.

Former Georgia standouts Thomas Brown and D.J. Shockley were released along with two players from the team’s 2009 Draft class: cornerback William Middleton and defensive tackle Vance Walker.

The team also released wide receiver Troy Bergeron, offensive lineman Michael Butterworth, wide receiver Robert Ferguson, linebacker Robert James, wide receiver Aaron Kelly, defensive end Maurice Lucas, tight end Jason Rader, offensive guard Jose Valdez and linebacker Jamie Winborn.

“Today is never an easy day for anyone in the organization,” General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “With that said however, we are pleased with our roster heading into the 2009 campaign. Our staff did a tremendous job of evaluating the entire team throughout the offseason, which included mini-camp, OTAs, training camp and preseason games.”

Shockley was the team’s third quarterback in 2008 but lost the position to undrafted rookie John Parker Wilson, who put up solid stats in the preseason in limited snaps.

Brown worked as a kickoff return man and reserve running back in the preseason after missing all of 2008 — his rookie year — with a groin injury.

“It’s always difficult to see players being released especially considering how hard everyone has worked,” Head Coach Mike Smith said. “I feel like we have a good group of guys in place and I’m looking forward to moving on to the regular season.”

Winborn was signed just before the start of Russell Falcons Training Camp and provided support at linebacker and on special teams during the preseason.

Kelly, Valdez and Lucas were rookies that joined the Falcons after the NFL Draft.

James was a 2008 Draft selection that spent the season on injured reserve.

Rader joined the team for the second time in 2008 and played in five games (one start) after former tight end Ben Hartsock went on IR.

Ferguson joined the Falcons early in training camp after No. 3 receiver Harry Douglas tour an ACL in his knee. He spent the first part of his career with the Packers and Vikings.

Bergeron spent three seasons with the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League. He was in his second stint with the Falcons, working with the team 2006 training camp.

Butterworth worked at right tackle through the preseason. He joined the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2008.

The final roster breakdown includes:

• Nine defensive linemen (four tackles, five ends)
• Six linebackers (three starters and a backup at each position)
• 10 defensive backs (five cornerbacks and five safeties)
• Five wide receivers (including 11-veteran Marty Booker)
• Three quarterbacks (two will likely be active on gameday)
• Three tight ends (Keith Zinger wins the final spot over Rader)
• Nine offensive linemen (Quinn Ojinnaka continues to backup multiple positions)
• Five running backs (three tailbacks and a pair of fullbacks: Ovie Mughelli and Verron Haynes)
• Two kickers (Jason Elam and Michael Koenen)
• One long-snapper (returning starter Mike Schneck)

The Falcons can establish an eight-player practice squad starting on Sunday.

J. Michael Moore News, Preseason, Roster Moves Aaron Kelly, Ben Hartsock, breaking news, D.J. Shockley, Harry Douglas, Head Coach Mike Smith, injury, Jamie Winborn, Jason Elam, Jason Rader, John Parker Wilson, Jose Valdez, Keith Zinger, Marty Booker, Maurice Lucas, Michael Butterworth, Michael Koenen, Mike Schneck, Ovie Mughelli, Preseason, Quinn Ojinnaka, Robert Ferguson, Robert James, Thomas Brown, Thomas Dimitroff, Troy Bergerson, Vance Walker, Verron Haynes, William Middleton

With emotion in his voice, Falcons linebacker Coy Wire brought a special message to soldiers stationed at Ft. Benning Monday evening.

Attitude is everything.

After thanking the gathering of more than 250 men and women for their service, Wire noted the urge to wilt in the face of adversity but asked everyone to rise above the challenges with a positive attitude.

Wire and 10 of his Falcons teammates flew to Ft. Benning on Army Blackhawk helicopters Monday afternoon to have dinner with soldiers soon to be deployed to Iraq. A group of Falcons Cheerleaders also made the trip and gave a brief performance — their first of the 2009 season.

“We came to show our appreciation,” Wire said. “To show how much respect we have to each and every one of you. We came to represent not only the Atlanta Falcons, not only the city of Atlanta for which we play, but for all the people across this country — strangers you’ve never met — who are thinking of you and praying for you every day.”

Wire said attitude is something people can choose to control and, through a brief anecdote, illustrated the impact of a positive outlook on life.

Everyone goes through tough times.

The secret is in the process.

“We see the world not as it is; we see the world as we are on the inside,” he said.

“There’s a saying that the strongest steel is burned in the hottest coals. Each and every one of you men and women will have to go through something difficult in the next few months or year. It’s going to make you strong. It’s going to refine you and make you ready for anything and everything that you may encounter in your lives.”

Wire said the Falcons plan to dedicate the first game of the 2009 season to the soldiers at Ft. Benning and across the nation.

Members of the brigade the Falcons visited should be deployed in October.

Running back Jerious Norwood, center Brett Romberg, lineman Quinn Ojinnaka, guard Justin Blalock, defensive end Willie Evans, fullback Ovie Mughelli, tight end Justin Peelle, wide receiver Brian Finneran and tackle Will Sviteck also made the trip.

Finneran’s father served in Vietnam, adding special meaning to his trips to military posts.

“It’s awesome, especially the ride in the helicopter,” Finneran said. “We’re here to support our guys, our troops that fight for us.”

The veteran wide receiver said it’s easy to take the joys in life for granted, particularly air conditioning after a hot training camp pracitce.

But he knows none of it’s possible without the daily activity of service men and women around the world.

He joined Wire and his teammates in an expression of gratitude.

“We’re here to say thanks, shake their hands and tell them how much we appreciate all they do.”

Members of the Army thanked the Falcons with a custom, engraved sledge hammer — the symbol of the brigade. Wire proudly carried it the rest of the day and, once practice starts, will find a way to keep it in front of his teammates for motivation.

The Falcons organization is also offering a military-only deal on tickets to the Carolina Panthers game on Sept. 20 (click here for details). Tickets are $30 and include a limited edition, camouflage Falcons hat (pictured).

Click here for more pictures from the Falcons trip and work in the community.

J. Michael Moore Falcons in the Community, Feature, News Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, Brett Romberg, Brian Finneran, community, Coy Wire, Ft. Benning, Jerious Norwood, Justin Blalock, Justin Peelle, Ovie Mughelli, Quinn Ojinnaka, Will Sviteck, Willie Evans