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

The Falcons 80-yard touchdown drive to open the game was slow and methodical.

Quarterback Matt Ryan used surgeon-like precision to convert on four-straight third downs and place the ball exactly where his receiver, Roddy White, could get a hand on it for a score.

On defense, the Falcons started with speed and aggression.

The Cowboys went three-and-out on their first offensive possession and didn’t record a first down in the opening period.

But in the NFL, a sense of comfort is often rewarded with a Texas-sized dose of reality.

Dallas scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter, including a 59-yard touchdown from Tony Romo to Miles Austin one play after a Ryan fumble. The Cowboys also added a field goal and ended the first half with a Houdini-like play where Romo escaped the grasp of three Falcons defensive linemen to find Patrick Crayton in the back of the end zone.

In all, Romo had 185 net passing yards in the first half. He had zero in the first quarter.

The Falcons allowed three quarterback sacks in the first half after going four games keeping Ryan upright and healthy. Michael Turner started to find some daylight, but it wasn’t enough to keep the offense in gear.

ADDITIONAL IN-GAME THOUGHTS…

… Tye Hill and Spencer Adkins (my neighbor on the bus ride to the game) are active for the first time this season. Hill didn’t get significant playing time in the first half while Adkins worked on special teams.

… Jamaal Anderson blew up a run play and tackled Marion Barber for a loss on the Cowboys second drive of the game. Notable mostly because he made the play from the defensive tackle position. Anderson put together a nice first half.

… It may seem odd considering the Cowboys three-headed monster at running back (Barber, Tashard Choice and Felix Jones) but Romo was the leading rusher in the first half — one attempt for 17 yards.

J. Michael Moore Gameday Dallas Cowboys, Felix Jones, Jamaal Anderson, Marion Barber, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Patrick Crayton, Roddy White, Spencer Adkins, Tashard Choice, Tony Romo, Tye Hill

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

No Wes Welker for the Patriots.

No Jerious Norwood for the Falcons.

Not exactly a 1:1 exchange, but it’s close.

Welker, who has 12 catches for 93 yards in one game this season, is Tom Brady’s favorite target in blitz situations.  He’s also pretty good in the regular offense — team-leading 11 catches for 1,165 yards last season.

Norwood is a triple threat for the Falcons — rushing, receiving, returns — but the team showed a good additional option in running back Jason Snelling last week. Norwood suffered a head injury in Week 2 and, through the week, was “day-to-day.”

Additional Falcons inactives:

• QB John Parker Wilson (thrid quarterback)
• CB Tye Hill
• S William Moore
• LB Spencer Adkins
• OT Will Svitek
• OT Garrett Reynolds
• DT Vance Walker

Additional Patriots inactives:

• CB Jonathan Wilhite
• CB Darius Butler
• RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis‘
• LB Jerod Mayo
• OL Rich Ohrnberger
• G Kendall Simmons
• WR Wes Wlker
• LB Prescott Burgess

Injuries facilitate some lineup changes for the Patriots, who will start Mike Wright at defensive tackle (in place of Mayo) and Joey Galloway in place of Welker. The decision to move Wright into the starting lineup confirms the Patriots desire to mix plenty of 4-3 with the 3-4.

No lineup changes for the Falcons.

J. Michael Moore Gameday Garrett Reynolds, inactives, injury, Jason Snelling, Jerious Norwood, John Parker Wilson, New England Patriots, Spencer Adkins, Tye Hill, Vance Walker, Will Svitek, William Moore

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

Early this morning, before the storm clouds gave way to regular, gloomy rain clouds in Flowery Branch I bumped into Head Coach Mike Smith.

I was heading out of the cafeteria with a fresh cup of coffee. He was eating breakfast. But the second-year head coach took a moment, as he often does, to say hello and ask how some of the new web features were working thus far in 2009.

Smith is a vital part of two new offerings on AF.com: Falcons First Take and the simulcast of Falcons Radio’s Falcons LIVE.

(if you missed the first episode of Falcons LIVE, click here).

As always, special thanks to the coach for his help in getting compelling features on AF.com.

Aggressiveness pays off for Falcons defense, AF.com
There are — basically — three types of defenses in the NFL: ones that don’t allow a lot of yards, ones that create turnovers and ones that just, well, aren’t at the top of the league stat rankings. The Falcons forced turnovers Sunday afternoon. They also didn’t allow a lot of yards.

Falcons have Carolina on their minds, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’ll have some more thoughts out of Carolina later this week on Falconcast.

Even inactive, Naples’ Adkins still pretty active for Falcons, Naples (Fla.) Daily News
Spencer Adkins was one of the standouts in the preseason and is making the switch to an all-around linebacker after working as a rush specialists during his college career at Miami.

Falcons linebackers bond before they deliver the wallop, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Everything is better after a plate of wings (if you followed this blog for a while, you know all about my favorite food).

Falcons And Dolphins Recap: Starting The Season Off Right, The Falcoholic
The highlights far out-number the low-lights.

Prisco’s Musings, CBSSports.com
“… (Mike) Peterson can still play. He showed that Sunday.”

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano not ready to panic after one loss, The Boston Herald
This was bound to happen to the team that lost the opener between two franchises looking to continue turnarounds. Keep in mind 16 teams had to lose in Week 1. No way around it.

Defensive line rotation key in Sunday’s win for Atlanta Falcons, Examiner.com
Look back to the Giants Super Bowl run if you want to see what a healthy defensive line rotation can do.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed AF.com, AJC, Carolina Panthers, Examiner.com, Falcons First Take, FalconsLIVE, Head Coach Mike Smith, Miami Dolphins, Mike Peterson, Naples Daily News, Spencer Adkins, The Boston Herald, The Falcoholic, Tony Sparano

News from the Falcons starting lineup, where new cornerback Brian Williams is slated to start ahead of cornerback Brent Grimes.

Also on the inactive list, several Falcons who won’t suit up against the Dolphins, including recently-acquired cornerback Tye Hill. Second-round pick William Moore (hamstring) will also not play.

Other Falcons inactives include:

• QB John Parker Wilson (third quarterback)
• LB Spencer Adkins
• OT Will Svitek
• OT Garrett Reynolds
• DT Trey Lewis

The team released reserve fullback Verron Haynes Saturday afternoon, adding another change to the lineup.

The Dolphins counter with Chad Henne as the team’s emergency quarterback. This means Pat White, an effective runner, will be available to run the offense, perhaps in a variant of the Wildcat formation.

Other Dolphins inactives include:

• FS Chris Clemons
• OG Shawn Murphy
• OT Andrew Gardne
• DE Lionel Dotson
• WR Patrick Turner
• TE John Nalbone
• LB Cameron Wake

Wide receiver Greg Camarillo will start in place of Devone Bess.

J. Michael Moore Gameday, Roster Moves Brent Grimes, Brian Williams, Chad Henne, Garrett Reynolds, John Parker Wilson, Miami Dolphins, Pat White, Spencer Adkins, Trey Lewis, Tye Hill, Verron Haynes, Will Svitek, William Moore

New Falcons cornerback Tye Hill played his college football at Clemson, suiting up at a stadium less than two hours drive from Atlanta’s practice facility.

That alone provides some extra incentive for the former St. Louis Ram, who was traded to the Falcons Tuesday morning.

“It’s definitely going to motivate me a whole lot more,” Hill said to a small gathering of media Wednesday afternoon. “Not to say I wasn’t motivated in St. Louis, but just to be here and know people on the team and my family’s around… I feel like I’m home.”

Hill, a first-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, has recorded 94 tackles (79 solo), four interceptions, 15 passes defensed, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble in his career.

As a rookie, he started 10 of 16 games and finished the season with 42 tackles (33 solo), a team-high three interceptions, four passes defensed and one fumble recovery.

He worked on the right and left side of the field in St. Louis but says he’s willing to do whatever it takes to catch up and make an impact on the Falcons roster.

He also said he’s recovered from a knee injury that set him back earlier in his career.

Hill now turns his attention to learning the Falcons defense.

“Their verbiage is completely different then ours but, of course, there’s only so many things you can do with 11 guys,” Head Coach Mike Smith said. “It will be a learning curve for him but Tye has basically played under two different systems there in St. Louis.”

MORE WEDNESDAY NOTES…

… Smith is not ready to name a backup quarterback to Matt Ryan even though seven-year veteran Chris Redman played well and led a game-winning touchdown drive Saturday against the Chargers.

“We’re not going to make that announcement until about 90 minutes before our first game when we have to turn in our third quarterback,” the coach said.

Smith said the rotation between quarterbacks Thursday evening will be different than other preseason games.

… Jerious Norwood and William Moore will not play Thursday but, if the team weren’t on a short week, their chances of seeing action would increase

“Those guys will not play in the ball game,” Smith said. “We’re still hopeful if we were playing this Sunday they could possibly be ready to go… On a short turnaround we’re not going to put them out there.”

… The Ravens game offers a chance for players lower on the depth chart to show their skills before final cuts. It’s also a chance to evaluate position battles.

“In the secondary we want to continue to get a good look at Christopher Owens,” Smith said. “Chevis Jackson will not only play nickel in this ball game, but he’ll also get some snaps at corner.”

The coach also said linebackers Robert James, Spencer Adkins and Jamie Winborn could be fighting for one or two spots depending on how the team allocates special teams positions. He added four reserve offensive linemen are likely battling for just two openings.

J. Michael Moore News, Preseason Baltimore Ravens, Chevis Jackson, Chris Redman, Christopher Owens, Head Coach Mike Smith, Jamie Winborn, Jerious Norwood, Matt Ryan, Preseason, Robert James, Spencer Adkins, Tye Hill, William Moore

What does a Web-addicted, news-sniffing blogger do when he needs a vacation?

He goes to Hawaii and turns the phone off.

But now it’s time to say “aloha” (goodbye) to the islands and “aloha” (hello) to Flowery Branch.

The wife and I took a nine-day vacation to visit friends in Honolulu during this slow, offseason time but I did manage to stay informed on some of the sadder news from the NFL.

(Some things you just find out about).

Before recapping some Falcons news, a word on Steve McNair.

I was relaxing before a Fourth of July barbecue when our host turned from her computer to tell me about McNair’s death. It took but a moment to realize that, for the second time, a professional football player I knew and worked with had been killed.

But it wasn’t the same story.

Darrent Williams was an inspiration — an undersized cornerback looking to prove everyone wrong before his career was cut short by a bullet. McNair was the first player I met when my NFL journey began as a Titans intern in 2004.

One of the team’s PR men took me on a tour of the building and, there in the weight room (in May), was McNair. He smiled, and — through sweat and heavy breaths — said he looked forward to working with me through training camp.

Before that day I followed McNair’s career as a fan. I watched him lead the hometown Titans to a Super Bowl and marveled at his ability to overcome pain. As my NFL path grew longer, I learned more about his uncanny ability to play through injury.

My level of respect rose.

Then, news of his death reached me half a world away. But that didn’t take away the sting.

Rest in peace, Steve.

Leadership important in youthful secondary, AF.com
Before I left for paradise, I prepared features on the website focusing on key questions facing the Falcons at this point in the offseason. More on Tony Gonzalez and the running game here and here.

Ex-Falcons Tuggle prepares son for football limelight, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For as big a sport as it is, football certainly has some eerie connections.

Video: Tony Gonzalez on joining Falcons, ESPN.com
The Falcons new tight end talks about his new team.

Atlanta Falcons’ William Moore’s approach is with common sense and no expectations, Examiner.com
If you don’t keep a level head the NFL will throw you to the side. Too many ups and downs not to approach with an open mind and a calm demeanor.

All Time Falcons Team Results So Far, The Falcoholic
Continuing a great, offseason blog feature. We’re planning some history stuff on AF.com too, so stay tuned through the season.

Offseason spotlight: What will be Gonzalez’s impact in Atlanta?, NFL.com
Note no one says Gonzalez will not make an impact.

Local NFL player greets public, Lahontan Valley (Nev.) News
From small town star to one of the “meanest” players in the NFL. Tip of the hat to Harvey Dahl.

Arthur Blank: “No question we have a better team,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Eventually — perhaps sooner rather than later — we’ll be talking about “the power of the bird” in another sense.

Falcons enjoy productive offseason, The (Dalton, Ga.) Daily Citizen
I’m amazed at how little trust is put into the front office for a cornerback position that, though young, is one of the deepest on the team. I may think differently after the first preseason game but I’ll hold judgment for a while longer.

Davis to help hold camp before heading to Training Camp, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thanks for the link, D. Led! On a related note, blocking is something people forget about when it comes to tight end. Gonzalez isn’t a future Hall of Famer for his pass-catching ability alone.

Meet the rookies: Adkins happy to represent ‘The U,’ Gainesville Times
Spencer Adkins is an interesting player. He was a situational player at Miami, so keep an eye out to see where he fits into the Falcons defensive scheme.

The Falcons: From 1-15 to the NFC title game, SN says, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Certainly a different round of predictions expectations this season.

Rader returns to run youth football camp, The Charleston (W. Va.) Gazette
Sometimes I wonder how many of these great, offseason camps we never hear about.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed, NFL News AF.com, AJC, Arthur Blank, Chauncey Davis, Darrent Williams, ESPN.com, Examiner.com, Gainesville Times, Harvey Dahl, Hawaii, Honolulu, Jason Rader, Jessie Tuggle, Lahontan Valley News, NFL.com, Spencer Adkins, Steve McNair, Tennessee Titans, The Charleston Gazette, The Daily Citizen, The Falcoholic, Tony Gonzalez, vacation, William Moore

The Falcons announced the signing of linebacker Spencer Adkins Monday afternoon. Five of the team’s eight picks in the 2009 NFL Draft are now under contract.

First-round pick Peria Jerry, second-round pick William Moore and fourth-round pick Lawrence Sidbury remain unsigned.

Atlanta selected Adkins in the sixth round (176th overall) out of Miami (Fla.).

He was the first player taken from the school in the draft.

Adkins caught the team’s eye with his speed, which was confirmed with times as low as 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

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

On draft day, Falcons director of player personnel Les Snead said the Falcons like Adkins quickness 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.

J. Michael Moore NFL Draft, News, Roster Moves Lawrence Sidbury, NFL Draft, Peria Jerry, Spencer Adkins, William Moore