J.Mike's Missives

Yesterday afternoon I did something unusual.

After planning for the week and getting a jump start on Monday’s emails, I sat the computer on the ottoman and — through the power of ESPN360 — watched the U.S. take on Brazil in the Confederations Cup soccer final.

To get the impact of this moment, you should know I’m not a soccer player. As a high school sports reporter, I got a 10-minute crash course on the game from a friend in chemistry class. But as I grow older something about international soccer draws me in.

Before I knew it I was cheering loudly and celebrating the United States’ early — and improbable — 2-0 lead over one of the best soccer teams in the world.

Watching the Americans falter in the second half and fall 3-2 was like a punch in the gut.

Now it pains me to think, in reality, I’m still a bandwagon fan.

But with the United States rising quickly among the ranks of the world’s most popular sport, it’s hard not to take notice.

Who wants to teach this football fan about the other football?

Ask a (Training Camp) Question, AF.com
I’m planning to answer a second round of fan questions on Wednesday before I take a week or so off. Time for a little rest, relaxation and put-off housework before the start of the season.

Two former Bulldogs, D.J. Shockley and Thomas Brown, know their roles with the Atlanta Falcons, Examiner.com
It’s not surprising Shockley and Brown are local favorites. It goes beyond their Bulldog heritage and straight to their attitude.

Atlanta Falcons Facts, The Falcoholic
Required reading for a Falcons fan. Perhaps something to keep on the end table during my upcoming respite?

Besides Ryan, Falcons are strong, ESPN.com
Saw this on the FalconsLIFE message boards. Looks like I missed it on Birdseed a while back.

Free football camp with Atlanta Falcons’ Chauncey Davis, Examiner.com
The headline says it all.

Peterson excited about fresh start with Falcons, The Gainesville (Fla.) Sun
Linebacker Mike Peterson is making the Florida youth football tour and talking about the Falcons along the way.

Summer Fantasy Outlook: Atlanta Falcons, Examiner.com
Fantasy football? Already? This is getting a little ridiculous. Then again, anything with as much fan affinity as fantasy football deserves year-round attention. I’ll still wait until late August to start my draft prep, however.

Let’s pick NFC South all-decade team, ESPN.com
Looks like Pat is taking some time off, too. This is where user-generated content has time to play. Falcons NFC South all-decade team anyone?

J. Michael Moore Birdseed Chauncey Davis, Confederations Cup, D.J. Shockley, ESPN.com, ESPN360, Examiner.com, Mike Peterson, NFC South, soccer, The Falcoholic, The Gainesville Sun, Thomas Brown

I’ve always admired the game of soccer. No other sport in history has demanded such world-wide attention and devotion.

Unfortunately I was brought up before the arrival of the youth soccer craze and never developed a deep tie with the sport. I actually attended my first game as a junior in high school when I was assigned to cover a match between rival high schools.

It didn’t take long for the game to intrigue me.

“A perfect mix of strategy, physicality and luck,” I thought.

Maybe more fans will be introduced to the game — and its global impact — later this summer when two of the marquee teams in the world square off at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons announced the game yesterday.

With such popularity and intrigue I’m sure tickets won’t be around for long.

Complete rundown of Atlanta’s draft picks, ESPN.com
The Falcons did not receive any compensatory picks in the draft but the awarding of those selections did alter the team’s selection number in rounds three through six (the Falcons don’t have a pick in the seventh round).

Some Birds on the Mend, J. Mike’s Missives
Trey Lewis isn’t the only player cleared to get back to work after an injury.

Falcons Interested in Small-School DE, Scout.com
Anyone have an “insider” account with Scout.com?

Report: Safety in Flowery Branch?, J. Mike’s Missives
Thanks for your comments. They really make a short blog post interesting. This news is particularly interesting on its own however because it’s a rare look at who the Falcons may be having conversations with.

Falcons start offseason workouts, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Does that photo give anyone else the chills? I remember that day and it didn’t take a football genius to realize the team’s defensive line just wouldn’t be the same without Lewis. It wasn’t.

On the Air: March 24, 2009, J. Mike’s Missives
Got a chance to talk a little Falcons football yesterday with Kevin Thomas down in Brunswick. I’ve never been to Brunswick, but it seems the Falcons fans are doing a good job holding Jags fans at bay.

NFL Sunday Ticket to be available to non-satellite subscribers, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kelli and I had Sunday Ticket in 2007 (thanks to DirectTV for the free promo). I must say it’s impressive and great for displaced fans. Unfortunately I didn’t get to watch too much of it.

You will see a lot less of Falcons coach Smith this year, NFL.com
I haven’t seen Smitty around lately but it seems, when I do see him, I’ll be seeing less of him.

NFL player speaks at SWIC Wednesday, Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat
Some more Falcons in the community news.

The Reemergence of Thomas Brown Could Be a Boon for the Atlanta Falcons, Bleacher Report
One of the interesting position battles toward the end of 2008 training camp was the one for the No. 3 running back spot. Jason Snelling and Thomas Brown were neck-and-neck until an injury ended Brown’s season. Get ready for that battle to heat up again.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed AJC, Belleville News-Democrat, Bleacher Report, ESPN.com, Georgia Dome, Head Coach Mike Smith, Jason Snelling, Kevin Thomas, NFL.com, Scout.com, soccer, Thomas Brown, Trey Lewis, WSFN