J.Mike's Missives

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

On the scoreboard, the outcome of the final preseason game of 2009 wasn’t what the Falcons wanted. The Ravens are on their way home with a 20-3 win.

In terms of experience and tune-ups, the Falcons got a what they needed.

The Birds tested new rotations, got a look at some players on the bubble and gave the first-team offense and defense a chance to knock off some more rust Thursday night. In the end, some young players with familiar names shined.

Rookie defensive tackle Peria Jerry was credited with four tackles and notched his first sack of the preseason. His tackle number was just below team-leader Kroy Biermann, who recorded six total stops and a sack.

In all, the Falcons sacked Ravens quarterback John Beck four times.

The defense allowed 20 points and a 91-yard, first-quarter scoring drive, but all-in-all, some positives were found and the coaches got what they were after.

And isn’t that what the preseason is all about?

“The objective of tonight’s game, first and foremost, was to look at a lot of guys that were battling for roster spots and see how they handle certain situations,” Head Coach Mike Smith said. “Even some of the calls we made we may not have made in a regular-season game, just to see how they handle certain things.”

The Falcons trailed 7-3 for most of the game, but the Ravens opened up an insurmountable lead in the fourth quarter with 13 unanswered points.

Beck finished the night with 232 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns, while the Falcons worked with three signal-callers: Matt Ryan, John Parker Wilson and D.J. Shockley.

Wilson led the way with 80 passing yards on 13 of 19 completions.

Wide receiver Troy Bergeron caught three passes for 23 yards and running back Thomas Brown got 11 rushes for a game-high 39 yards.

The defense improved third-down play from last week, allowing a 44-percent success rate. The group also held the Ravens to less than 100 yards rushing.

All the numbers will get crunched Thursday evening, early Friday morning and into Saturday as the Falcons coaching and personnel staffs make calls on the 53-man list.

CLICK HERE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ROSTER

The team must cut 20 players before close of business Saturday, then turn attention to the Miami Dolphins.

“Putting the 53-man roster together is one of the most difficult things because there have been 80 guys working with us since March,” Smith said. “We’re going to have to make some tough decisions but that’s the way this league is set up.”

MORE FROM THE FALCONS-RAVENS GAME:

• GAME CENTER: Stats and more fromthe NFL.com Game Center
• GAMEDAY LIVE: Complete coverage from the AF.com team
• NOTEBOOK: Jerry, defensive line picks up the pressure
• BLOGS: J. Michael Moore’s blog posts from Sept. 3, 2009
• POLL: What are your thoughts about upcoming roster moves?
• GAME NOTES: Official game notes from the Georgia Dome press box
• FIRST TAKE: Head Coach Mike Smith | Jerry | Ryan | Brown
• NFL NETWORK: Highlights from the Falcons final preseason game
• QUOTES: Falcons players and coaches | Ravens
• BOARDS: Talk about the Falcons loss to the Baltimore Ravens

J. Michael Moore Gameday, Preseason Baltimore Ravens, D.J. Shockley, Head Coach Mike Smith, Kroy Biermann, Matt Ryan, Peria Jerry, Preseason, Thomas Brown, Troy Bergeron

Quarterback John Parker Wilson took over the offense after the opening drive of the game and led the team into the third quarter.

The undrafted rookie out of Alabama completed 13 of 19 passes for 80 yards against the Ravens, piloting the offense for much of the game.

Former Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley checked into the game with 2:14 left in the third quarter.

At no time during the preseason has the battle for backup quarterback been so apparent as Thursday night.

Against the Chargers, Matt Ryan and Chris Redman played the bulk of the game, with Redman leading a game-winning touchdown drive.

Shockley played significantly against the Rams in the second week of the preseason. Wilson got light work in other games.

Head Coach Mike Smith hasn’t named a No. 2 quarterback but said repeatedly during Russell Falcons Training Camp that the quarterback position behind Ryan was subject to competition.

SECOND-HALF, IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS…

… The Falcons got into Ravens territory early in the second half, but Jason Elam missed a 35-yard field goal that would have pulled the team to within one point. The Ravens held on to a 7-3 lead through the third period and took a 10-3 lead early in the fourth.

… Undrafted free agent Maurice Lucas (Colorado) got the Falcons fourth sack of the game with just more than two minutes left in the third quarter.

… After a solid first half, rookie defensive tackle Peria Jerry returned to work in the third quarter. He burst into the backfield on a play at the end of the third quarter that resulted in a tackle for loss and set up third-and-15 from the Ravens 45.

… Conerback Chevis Jackson got a key pass breakup in the first half. He had another in the fourth quarter. The second-year player knocked away a pass that forced a Ravens field goal with 13:20 remaining in the game.

… Georgia native Thomas Brown had a nice, 25-yard run in the third quarter that pushed the Falcons into Ravens territory.

… Keith Zinger and Jason Rader could be fighting for a single spot now that the team has released tight end Ben Hartsock. Zinger got into the game in the third quarter, recording two catches for 19 yards. Rader had one catch for 7 yards in the third period.

J. Michael Moore Gameday, Preseason Baltimore Ravens, Chevis Jackson, Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley, Head Coach Mike Smith, Jason Elam, Jason Rader, John Parker Wilson, Keith Zinger, Matt Ryan, Maurice Lucas, Peria Jerry, Preseason, Thomas Brown

The Falcons and Chargers scrapped to a 7-7 tie in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome Saturday evening. Exciting, but not the same fireworks the teams showed during the first two games of the 2009 preseason.

Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense put up 93 total yards. Ryan completed 6-of-8 passes for 59 yards and a score (a 12-yard strike to Brian Finneran on third down).

Running back Michael Turner had seven touches for 31 rushing yards.

The Falcons allowed just 16 rushing yards — all to Darren Sproles — but 10 of them went to an early touchdown run.

San Diego worked the screen pass early and often against the Falcons defense — a practice that continued into the second quarter and had defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, Head Coach Mike Smith and defensive end John Abraham fired up on the sideline.

SOME IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS…

… Ryan threw two early incompletions but the Falcons kept him upright. Blitz pickup looked solid.

… Wide receiver Eric Weems got into the game early as a wide receiver. Weems is fighting for a spot as the team’s punt returner and looking for a position in the receiver rotation. Brent Grimes got in on the punt return team for the first time in the preseason, a fair catch at his own 10.

… Tight end Tony Gonzalez caught two passes in the first quarter for 15 yards (one first down) Roddy White had one catch for 22 yards.

… Jerious Norwood returned the opening kickoff of the game, but he took a seat on special teams after that play and second-year running back Thomas Brown took over the return duties. His first return went for 21 yards.

J. Michael Moore Gameday, Preseason Brent Grimes, Brian Finneran, Brian VanGorder, Eric Weems, Head Coach Mike Smith, John Abraham, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Preseason, Roddy White, San Diego Chargers, Thomas Brown, Tony Gonzalez

Some important things to cover on this last day of Russell Falcons Training Camp.

What do ya say, Smitty?

“We will start (Tuesday) getting into our regular-season routine,” Head Coach Mike Smith said Monday morning. “Tomorrow will be a Wednesday, so it will be a typical Wednesday and we will just sequence through the week Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Of course we play on Saturday, which will be a regular Sunday game.

“Our guys are going to get indoctrinated this week starting tomorrow to our regular schedule. We will come in, work in the mornings, have a walk through, take a break for lunch and come back after lunch and practice.”

The biggest news from Monday includes injury updates… Or a lack there of.

Cornerback Chris Houston, who injured his hamstring in the first preseason game, returned to the field. Running back Thomas Brown, who did not dress for Friday’s win at St. Louis, also practiced.

Smith said the team limited Houston and will keep an eye on the hamstring to see if there are any negative side effects.

“It felt great, just getting back in and getting some of the soreness out of my leg, it felt good,” Houston said.

A three-year veteran, Houston has started 27 of 32 games in his career including 11 in his rookie season. But he and others at his position are locked in intense battles for jobs this preseason.

Brent Grimes is listed opposite Houston on the depth chart but Chevis Jackson, Von Hutchins and rookie Christopher Owens got plenty of snaps in the first two preseason games.

“Competition brings out the best in us and everybody is doing good,” Houston said. “Owens is learning, Brent is doing good and Chevis… Everybody is stepping up and doing good.”

He said he likes what he sees from Owens. He’s also provided some advice on playing corner as a rookie.

“With the calls he is getting in defense, things are going kind of fast,” Houston said. “Once he gets in the game and he learns from his mistakes it will really come to him. I just tell him to take his time.”

J. Michael Moore News, Preseason, training camp Brent Grimes, Chevis Jackson, Chris Houston, Christopher Owens, Head Coach Mike Smith, injury, Russell Falcons Training Camp, San Diego Chargers, Thomas Brown, Von Hutchins

Ran into assistant special teams coach Eric Sutulovich in the hall this morning. I got to know him when we crossed paths in Houston back in 2004 and his personality has changed little.

“Tell me something good,” the bubbly coach said.

“Something good for a Monday morning?” I said pre-cup of coffee.

“Yeah.”

“We get to play the third preseason game this week. You get to game plan.”

Sutulovich took the opportunity to remind me coaches do some planning for every preseason game but it’s in the third that things really take on a more “official” feel.

After practice Head Coach Mike Smith confirmed offensive and defensive starters will play into the third quarter Saturday night against the Charters — their most extensive action of the exhibition season.

Tell me something better than that.

‘More consistent, more urgent’ Falcons out to defy own history, USA Today
If you haven’t read anything about the Falcons this preseason this story will bring you up to speed. Now the Falcons turn to the third preseason game, perhaps the most important dress rehersal for the upcoming season.

Atlanta Falcons Report. A look back and forward, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Safety William Moore could return to practice this week.

Falcons’ Turner ready for a bigger year in ‘09, The (Columbus, Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer
Michael Turner says he feels better than he did this time last year. Amazing to think the Falcons could be fully refreshed and ready to go after a grueling training camp. Then again, that’s what adrenaline is for.

Sidbury finds some things to correct on game film, AF.com
Lawrence Sidbury also talked about his breakout game on Falcons First Take:

QB rotation changing for third preseason game, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As we go deeper in the preseason, the battle for backup quarterback positions gets more interesting.

Atlanta Falcons run game continues to impress, Examiner.com
It was little surprise Turner went to the bench after the first series of Friday night’s game. Six carries for 65 yards and a touchdown was enough.

Tony Gonzalez: Future Hall of Famer and so much more, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Anyone else amazed at how easy Tony Gonzalez made that touchdown catch look Friday night? Yeah… I didn’t think I was the only one.

Video: Gonzalez on fitting in with Falcons, ESPN.com
“It’s nice to be the old guy in the mix; it’s keeping me young and I’m having fun out there,” Gonzalez said.

Ex-Dog Brown tries to overcome injuries, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two preseason injuries in a row seems unthinkable. But, it’s what Thomas Brown is facing.

Falcons will break out the throwbacks, The (Anderson, S.C.) Independent-Mail
Start thinking about what you can wear Week 2 to honor the 1966 team. Anything old in the closet that never moves at the yard sale?

John Parker Wilson: 3rd Slot QB Dark Horse?, The Falcoholic
Let the quarterback debate begin. Believe it or not, this one could be more complicated than it is for teams with first-round picks at the position.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed, Preseason, training camp AF.com, Eric Sutulovich, ESPN.com, Examiner.com, Falcons First Take, Head Coach Mike Smith, John Parker Wilson, Lawrence Sidbury, Michael Turner, Preseason, San Diego Charters, The Falcoholic, The Independent-Mail, The Ledger-Enquirer, Thomas Brown, Tony Gonzalez, USA Today, William Moore

Over the past five days we’ve covered all the ground necessary after a preseason-opening loss.

Does the game count. No.

Were the injuries. A few.

Anything serious? It appears not.

But in the Groundhog Day that is the NFL and training camp, the topics are bound to come up again sooner or later. Thursday, the Falcons Pro Bowl tight end, starting quarterback and Head Coach took things a step further and laid down some expectations for Friday’s preseason game at St. Louis.

If you’re keeping count, that’s exhibition game two of four.

“Anytime we go out and play we want to win, but the main goal is for us to be healthy, be ready for the first game and do some evaluating,” Head Coach Mike Smith said Thursday. “There will be a different rotation as far as guys who will be playing and who they will be playing against.”

One thing fans can expect to see is more youngsters on the Falcons offense and defense playing earlier in the game. This, according to Smith, gives coaches the chance to evaluate second- and third-teamers against the Rams top-liners.

Atlanta won’t be as healthy entering the game as last week, however.

Cornerback Chris Houston (hamstring), defensive tackle Jason Jefferson (hip flexor) and linebacker Edmond Miles (knee) are out. The coach said second-year running back Thomas Brown will be a game-time decision.

When faced with some of the same questions, tight end Tony Gonzalez mentioned health as a top preseason priority.

He caught one pass in the preseason opener and the only first-team touchdown went to running back Michael Turner. Gonzalez would like to see continued balance on offense.

“It was a good mix of run and pass,” he said. “Let’s just pick up where we left off. That first drive we came out there and, once we got our rhythm, that’s when we started putting it on them a bit.”

Quarterback Matt Ryan completed five of seven passes for 37 yards but one of the incompletions sticks with him — a roll out pass to Michael Jenkins that missed its target and fell to the ground.

“We’ve got some clean some things up from what we did last week. That’s the biggest thing, cut down on mental errors, improve the execution and ultimately score points.”

There’s a unique focus that overtakes an NFL team during the preseason. It’s part passion, part preparation. The games count for something, they just don’t count.

“You never want to lose,” Ryan said. “All of us our competitive. But, ultimately, our No. 1 goal is to get to the regular season healthy and be as prepared and ready as we can be when Miami rolls around.”

J. Michael Moore News, Preseason, training camp Edmond Miles, Head Coach Mike Smith, injury, Jason Jefferson, Matt Ryan, Michael Jenkins, Michael Turner, Preseason, Russell Falcons Training Camp, St. Louis Rams, Thomas Brown, Tony Gonzalez

At the 13:38 mark of Saturday’s preseason opener at Detroit, the Falcons needed a first down. What do you do when you have a 10-time Pro Bowler at tight end? Throw him the ball on a quick out.

Seven yards. First down. Matt Ryan to Tony Gonzalez.

When the Falcons acquired Gonzalez, the league’s all-time leader among tight ends in catches, yards and touchdowns, fans thought of how the run game would open up for Michael Turner.

That’s true.

But Gonzalez’s long strides and soft hands make for a reliable safety valve over the middle and scoring threat in the red zone.

Need a first down?

The Falcons know where to go.

IN-GAME NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS…

… The early lead in the competition to replace Harry Douglas as the No. 3 — or slot — wide receiver goes to Brian Finneran. He worked at the No. 3 position on the Falcons opening series.

… Thomas Brown returned the opening kickoff at the game, slipping and getting tackled at his own 20.

… Defensive tackle Thomas Johnson, a second-year man out of MTSU, got the start at defensive tackle next to Jonathan Babineaux despite rookie Peria Jerry’s claim there on the unofficial depth chart. Johnson sacked Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper inside the 10-yard line on Detroit’s opening drive. The play forced a filed goal.

… Running back Michael Turner took a while to get started in the preseason opener, but he showed his trademark toughness and speed on the team’s second drive, bursting through the middle and racing 40 yards for a touchdown.

J. Michael Moore Gameday, News, Preseason Brian Finneran, Daunte Culpepper, Detroit Lions, highlights, Jonathan Babineaux, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, milestone, Preseason, Thomas Brown, Thomas Johnson, Tony Gonzalez

In about 29 hours the Falcons will hit the road for the first time in the 2009 season. While this is nothing short of thriling to fans, it’s a bit nerve-racking for those of us in the building.

For example…

Before the day is up the New Media Interns and I need to get web pages built and ready to go for the first game day of the season, test all the equipment needed for traveling and reporting a road game and I have to buy a new laptop bag, pack it with new bells and whistles, mow the lawn and throw some clothes together for a two-day trip to Detroit.

May be easy to an experienced business traveler, but you’d be amazed how quickly we all forget what we learn over 10 road trips a year.

Wish me luck.

Quick Chat with Pat Yasinskas, J. Mike’s Missives
Thanks again to Pat for going on the YouTube screen. Hope to talk with him regularly through the season and pass the nuggets of wisdom on to you.

Observations from Flowery Branch, ESPN.com
The main focus of most ESPN writers this time of year is to gather info for upcoming season preview packages. But it’s hard not to take notes at practice.

5 Falcons position battles, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I understand the excitement for the first depth chart of the season, but I caution everyone not to get too high or low at this point. The training camp depth chart has a mind of its own. And it’s only around for a few more weeks.

Smith gives Falcons a break from the heat, AF.com
I have a feeling after Wednesday, Head Coach Mike Smith could easily win the Flowery Branch mayoral election. His approval ratings are soaring!

Falcons: Five things to know, CBSSports.com
See, things change when the pads go on. For more from Prisco, check out this interview with Mike Peterson.

Falcons should soar with this receiving corps, The Sporting News
Nice lead. Wonder if anyone on the Falcons has judged a swimsuit pageant? Wonder if they need someone from the website to cover it?

Falcons excited about Thomas Brown, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
He’s got the name recognition and the skill set to be a fan favorite.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed, training camp AF.com, AJC, CBSSports.com, depth chart, Head Coach Mike Smith, Mike Peterson, Pat Yasinskas, Preseason, Russell Falcons Training Camp, The Sporting News, Thomas Brown, travel

BLOGGER’S NOTE: For an archive of the live blog from Friday Night Lights, click here.

Some names and faces on the roster have changed, but there’s nothing like a little rematch to get the juices flowing.

The Falcons defense took an early lead in the second Allstate All-Access Friday Night Lights, this time at Brookwood High School, but the offense stormed back to walk away with a 37-34 win.

The team’s defense won the inaugural event, which uses a unique offensive and defensive scoring system 29-28.

Defensive play makers included Brent Grimes, who expanded his group’s lead in the first half by stripping the ball from tight end Justin Peelle, recovering the fumble and racing 35 yards for a touchdown.

Minor scoring continued with points being awarded for defensive stops, three-and-outs and offensive drives into the defense’s half of the field (click here for detail).

The offense turned to the running game to wear the defense down and got three scores — touchdown runs by Jerious Norwood and Thomas Brown and a 20-yard pass to Michael Jenkins from Matt Ryan.

J. Michael Moore News, training camp Brent Grimes, Brookwood High School, Friday Night Lights, highlights, Jerious Norwood, Justin Peelle, Matt Ryan, Michael Jenkins, Russell Falcons Training Camp, Thomas Brown