J.Mike's Missives

Not sure if I can stick around Flowery Branch much longer. The team is long gone, starting personal expeditions of relaxation. With the Fall sun warming a soft breeze it’s hard not to day dream out the window.

Let’s throw some random Birdseed together to get the other creative juices flowing.

Then, it’s time for a few days of R&R.

Weems turning heads in return game, AF.com
The injury to Harry Douglas was bad and put a kink in the Falcons plans. But the play of Eric Weems has made fans feel just fine about the team’s return game.

Falcons’ Norwood returns from concussion, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jerious Norwood is healthy and the bye week is at hand. Time to get back into a rhythm before a key trip to San Francisco.

Atlanta Falcons Stats, NFL.com
Look at this positive from the bye week. With just three games down, stats are a little easier to work with (not as many big numbers).

From the Examiner’s Desk: Did the process for the Atlanta Falcons ever end?, Examiner.com
We all can agree last week’s game in New England shows the Falcons haven’t reached the ultimate goal. Considering the process won’t be “over” until a Super Bowl win, we’ll have to wait at least until February.

Power rankings: Saints climbing, Bucs falling, ESPN.com
Is there an adjective more descriptive than “falling” to associate with the Bucs?

NFL Power Rankings, Week 4, SI.com
Hard to argue with the top six (undefeated teams). How does an undefeated team like the Broncos fall out of the top 10? I understand the question marks. Heck, I have a few of my own. But until you fall to the ranks of the one-loss crowd, you deserve some recognition.

How I See It: NFC South Stock Watch, ESPN.com
There’s really nothing wrong with a 3.5-yard per carry average. Just depends on what the offense does around it.

The Falcons say they don’t practice censorship – really!, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No comment.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed AF.com, AJC, Eric Weems, ESPN.com, Examiner.com, Harry Douglas, Jerious Norwood, NFL.com, San Francisco 49ers, SI.com, stats, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tom Brady thew for 277 yards and a touchdown and the Falcons did not record a quarterback sack for the first time this season.

Atlanta lost to New England, 26-10 Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.

It’s a simple correlation the most novice of football fans can make.

With time to survey the field and throw, Brady found nine different receivers and piloted the Patriots on scoring drives of 15, 6, 12, 13, 16 and 6 plays. New England held the ball for 10:46 in the fourth quarter and just less than 40 minutes for the game.

It’s back to the drawing board for the Falcons defense which won’t shrug and accept getting beat by a future Hall of Fame quarterback.

Teams will always find ways to deal with John Abraham off the edge. Many times, the Pro Bowler will find a way through the mess. But, winning with defense isn’t about one player dominating at the line of scrimmage and forcing sacks and turnovers.

So there you have it… The focus of many an armchair quarterback this Monday morning trying to find a reason for a disappointing — but not season-ending — loss.

A few reminders:

• The Falcons are, after three weeks, right where they were at this point in 2008 (2-1)
• The defense ranked 15th in overall defense after Week 3, 2008. Heading into Monday Night Football this year, the ‘D’ is top-10 in points allowed and has a better average against the run.
• The team has forced more turnovers thus far than this point in 2008 (6-5)

The numbers won’t blow you away. They’re similar, even though 2009 is better in many categories. But be reminded, it’s only Week 3.

And a bye week ahead allows time to work out the kinks.

Complete Falcons-Patriots Game Coverage, AF.com
Game coverage including Falcons First Take (and Take Two) and locker room transcripts. Click here for NFL.com’s Game Center.

The Falcons suffer a thumping loss but learn a needed lesson, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The first fan comment in this blog described the post as “a sobering analysis.” Many would say that’s what the Falcons needed at some point. Better Week 3 than the postseason. Long way to go. For more from Mr. Bradley, click here.

Wrap-up: Patriots 26, Falcons 10, ESPN.com
“The schedule doesn’t get any easier, but maybe it will make the Falcons stronger. Maybe that’s all part of the process.”

Falcons falter late against Patriots, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You shy away from identifying “turning points” in football because the game is long and the players many. But the pass interference call on Michael Jenkins in the third quarter was as close to a turning point as you’ll see.

Matt Ryan can’t hit same Heights at Gillette, Boston Herald
I must say, the gameday hype about Ryan’s return to Boston was subdued. Just another game for the Falcons quarterback.

Matt Ryan handles homecoming with ease, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When you think about it, Ryan is lucky. In his first two years in the league’s he’s played in his hometown (Philadelphia) and his college town (Boston area). He lost both games, so that’s rough, but at least it’s out of the way.

Brady throws TD pass as Pats top Falcons 26-10, Associated Press
Is it just me, or is this a pretty bland headline?

Mailbag: Atlanta Falcons edition, ESPN.com
The Falcons do like what they have at defensive tackle in the wake of the Peria Jerry injury. Case in point, promoting one of your own from the practice squad — former Georgia Tech lineman Vance Walker.

Patriots double up on Falcons’ Gonzalez, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s a copycat league. I’m sure other defenses will try to recreate what the Patriots did with a new flavor. Of course, the Falcons offense has some change ups in the arsenal. Click here for more on the Patriots defense.

The New England Patriots control the clock and the Atlanta Falcons, win 26-10, Examiner.com
After Peyton Manning and the Colts won last week holding the ball for just less than 15 minutes, anything is possible. But that’s an anomaly in the world of time of possession.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed AJC, Associated Press, Boston Herald, ESPN.com, Falcons First Take, Indianapolis Colts, Matt Ryan, Michael Jenkins, New England Patriots, NFL.com, Peria Jerry, Peyton Manning, stats, Take Two, Tom Brady, Tony Gonzalez, Vance Walker

Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey wasn’t shocked by the uptick in single wing or “Wildcat” formations in the NFL last season.

In fact, if you listen closely, you can hear his confusion with the hype.

Regardless, the Falcons joined the Dolphins and other teams in the NFL in implementing some direct-snap plays to running backs.

It worked because of Jerious Norwood’s various talents.

“His ability to do some of the things as a quarterback (allowed it),” Mularkey said. “(But) we’ve been doing that for 10 years. I don’t think we caught anyone off guard with it. All of a sudden it has a name but Hines Ward, Antwaan Randle El and Roscoe Parrish have been doing those things for 10 years now.”

For the record, Mularkey coached Ward and Randle El in Pittsburgh. He wasn’t afraid to call the trick play, though the “Wildcat” is more of a nod to football’s past than its inovative tricksters.

(I watched similar plays in my days covering high school football).

Surprisingly, defenses had trouble containing the formation in 2008, leading experts — and Madden 2010 programmers — to think its sticking around.

Good news for Norwood who, according to Mularkey, can also throw the ball out of the formation.

Getting Norwood the football more is a hot topic among fans this offseason, who are dazzled by his speed and play making ability. With Pro Bowler Michael Turner starting at running back, however, some sharing is in order.

“We have a plan every week that involves Jerious,” Mularkey said. “We have a plan for every guy. Really, situations dictate whether those plans or plays get called. A lot of it is based on down, distance, field position, score… If those things evolve to get them. I think sometimes people believe we don’t use him enough but he has some plays.”

But the Falcons didn’t depend strictly on situations to get Norwood in the game in 2008.

He was the team’s primary kickoff return man, racking up 1,311 return yards. In just three seasons he’s moved to third place on the team’s all-time list for return yards.

Working on special teams allows Norwood more touches and puts him in line with Turner in terms of production.

The fourth-year back had 2,138 yards last season (rushing, receiving and returns). Turner had 1,740, but caught only six passes. The Pro Bowler had 200 more carries, but Norwood accounted for 27.8 percent of the total yards generated by the offense and special teams.

He averaged 5.1 yards per carry, a number that could go down with more rushing attempts.

But the Falcons aren’t concerned with numbers as much as creating mismatches. That changes with the game and the formation.

That’s where the Wildcat — or whatever you call it — comes into play.

And Norwood gives the Falcons something not every team has.

“He’s an explosive player,” Mularkey said. “He’s a fun player. He’s one of my favorite guys I’ve ever coached just because of the way he practices and approaches the game. He just has fun and is a good player.”

J. Michael Moore Feature, Offseason Heinz Ward, Jerious Norwood, Michael Turner, Mike Mularkey, Roscoe Parish, stats