J.Mike's Missives

Even with a stomach full of delicious Chick-fil-A, sweet tea, coffee and a dash of trail mix (trying to do better with the diet) I couldn’t satisfy a hungry writing muse this afternoon.

While the gut may not be the only source of inspiration in my arsenal, it is where my classy sappy words of inspiration and insight often flow. So, with writer’s block firmly entrenched, I won’t waste your valuable time.

Here’s what they’re saying about the Falcons before we turn complete attention to this weekend’s game against the New York Giants…

Ask Vance Walker a Question, AF.com
We’re dusting off the Voices Heard question gathering/voting device and putting it to work for a special interview with rookie defensive tackle — and former Georgia Tech standout — Vance Walker.

Turner update coming Wednesday, ESPN.com
Don’t get upset with the Falcons for not releasing more news about Michael Turner. In the NFL, competitive advantage is everything and teams aren’t required to reveal any details on injuries until Wednesday afternoon.

Falcons re-sign Stecker, release receiver Bergeron, AF.com
Time on the 53-man roster is sometimes short. Regardless, Bergeron has been a contributor on the practice squad and Stecker returns to add to his numbers through two games.

Giants’ owner doesn’t like Thanksgiving schedule, ProFootballTalk.com
Outside of physically shrinking the country, there’s nothing to do to avoid some of these schedule complications. (Memo to disaster movie makers: please do not pull a 2012-style film out of your hat about shrinking the United States).

Ryan down, Turner out as Falcons lick wounds from Carolina loss, Examiner.com
When headliners are struggling, younger players must step up.

Elam takes blame for missed field goal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kicking isn’t a one-man operation. Jason Elam and Head Coach Mike Smith made that clear. That said, as the veteran player, Elam will be called upon to correct any mistakes.

History on Atlanta’s side going into N.Y., ESPN.com
Well that’s interesting. For more on the series history check out Frank Kleha’s recent Time Machine post.

How I See It: NFC South Stock Watch, ESPN.com
“After an almost flawless rookie season, Ryan has been only ordinary. At times, he’s been worse than ordinary.”

Turner’s injury has Falcons juggling running backs, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hard to imagine a more epic doomsday scenario than losing Turner in 2008 (Hollywood, see earlier comment). With Jason Snelling playing well, the Falcons have additional options at running back in 2009.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed Aaron Stecker, AF.com, AJC, ESPN.com, Examiner.com, Frank Kleha, Georgia Tech, Head Coach Mike Smith, Jason Elam, Jason Snelling, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, New York Giants, ProFootballTalk.com, Time Machine, Troy Bergeron, Vance Walker, Voices Heard

Seven years ago this evening my life changed forever. It’s all thanks to a wonderful woman and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”

Mrs. J. Mike and I had our first date 2,555 days ago. The night included watching an old VHS copy of one of the best — or worst — horror movies ever made (who says I’m not a hopeless romantic)?

Today I find myself remembering all the stuff that’s happened to my family since my wife and I started dating.

• We’ve graduated from college
• Got married (duh)
• Have — alone and/or together — lived in six different states

And those are just the highlights. Topic headers for the countless stories adding to our lives. There have been challenges, joys, defeats and triumphs but we’ve done it all together.

I like to say my wife and I make a great team (she says she’s the coach). Well, with seven years in the same system, we’re getting more experienced and poised for success.

But, in relationships, it takes a lifetime.

And that’s fine by me.

Ask Brian Williams a Question, AF.com
In just a few months Brian Williams has gone from starting in Jacksonville, released for salary cap reasons, to starting in Atlanta. Ask a question about his journey and he’ll answer the best on Friday.

Falcons will try to dodge the bye-week bullet, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“According to Elias Sports Bureau, teams coming off bye weeks in the past three seasons won nearly 60 percent of the time (57-38-1, .599).” Since 2000, that number drops to closer to 50 percent.

Mughelli misses practice in prep for Bears, AF.com
Also in the notebook: thoughts on the running game and some fan information for this weekend’s game.

Cutler has conquered the Georgia Dome vs. Smitty, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I can safely say this marks the first time a photo of Fergie and Rush Limbaugh appear in the same blog. Nice work, D-Led.

Matt Ryan’s Best Throw?, The Beat Blog
I like to think the best throw of Matt Ryan’s career is somewhere in the future. He also had that nice strike in Philly that threaded a defenders hands.

Could Jamaal Anderson Start At Defensive Tackle?, The Falcoholic
A valid question (much better than those who want to see him at tight end).

Falcons vs. Bears Preview, CBSSports.com
Both teams are 3-1, but the stats seem to indicate a less-than-balanced matchup.

Yet Another Look Ahead, The Falcoholic
Taking a glimpse at future opponents in this schedule can be hazardous for your health. Sometimes I get a little sick to my stomach. Other times I get light-headed with excitement.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed AF.com, AJC, Associated Press, Brian Williams, CBSSports.com, Chicago Bears, D. Orlando Ledbetter, family, Fergie, Free Agency, Jamaal Anderson, Jay Cutler, life, Matt Ryan, Ovie Mughelli, Rush Limbaugh, The Beat Blog, The Falcoholic, Voices Heard

Three more questions answered and I’m sorry I couldn’t get to all 114.

With training camp less than two days away, I give you the final edition of “Pre-Camp Questions” powered by Voices Heard Media and the revamped “Ask a Question” page on AtlantaFalcons.com.

We’re keeping the question machine going through the season. If it’s not me, it will be a Falcons player, coach or staffer taking questions for a spell. Feel free to ask us about anything, but understand if there’s some things we won’t talk about (especially when it comes to specifics about practice or maintaining competitive advantage).

J. Michael Moore YouTube, training camp Russell Falcons Training Camp, Voices Heard

Every NFL training camp has its own feel. Team to team. Year to year.

My first training camp in 2003 featured a series of practices between the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans — a preview of two teams obviously heading in different directions.

My second training camp in 2004 was in Houston. It was hot (that’s about all I can remember).

Camps in 2005 and 2006 were filled with the normal buzz of a team poised to return to greatness. In 2005, the Broncos did just that, making it all the way to the AFC Championship game despite starting two rookies at cornerback for a chunk of the season (Falcons fans take note).

What about 2007 in Falcons camp? Well, too much going on.

Last year was all about something new. Something that became special.

What will 2009 bring? Well, all indications point to high expectations and discussion focused almost exclusively on one side of the ball.

That’s what happens when you have a defense looking to replace five starters…

I’ll answer a few more of the more than 90 fan questions that have been submitted sometime next week, though it will be busy around The Branch getting ready for training camp.

Click here to submit or vote on questions.

J. Michael Moore YouTube, training camp Russell Falcons Training Camp, Voices Heard, YouTube

I realized this afternoon that with the time limit on YouTube videos and the multitude of questions fans have already asked via Voices Heard, that it may be impossible to answer every query before the start of Russell Falcons Training Camp.

Please keep the questions coming, however, since I’ll jump on and record at least two more rounds of answers before training camp begins. I’ll also dive down into the list for some of the more recent — less popular — questions to get a good cross section of what you can expect from the team in the 2009 preseason.

Speaking of training camp… I’ve seen some questions in regards to practices, autographs and admission. Answers?

Open.

Yes.

Free.

Once training camp gets going you can call the training camp hot line (770-965-2752) to get updates on weather, possible practice cancellations and changes. Give it a call and hear my voice telling you of the day’s events.

(At some point I became a pseudo-spokesman).

The player report date for camp is July 31.

J. Michael Moore YouTube, training camp Russell Falcons Training Camp, Voices Heard, YouTube

Writing about a football team is like a muscle.

Get lazy and avoid workouts, you lose something. Work it to hard, you burn out.

With that in mind, this will be my last blog post until July 13. I know everyone is starved for some Falcons info so I’ve written a few things for the website that will publish while I take some time off but, keep in mind, a quiet time in Flowery Branch is most rare (and we must take advantage).

Enjoy the second installment of “Questions and Answers” and feel free to ask more questions while I rest my blogging brain.

In the next week you can expect features on Tony Gonzalez, Michael Turner and the running game and the team’s young secondary to pop up on AtlantaFalcons.com.

J. Michael Moore YouTube, training camp Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez, training camp, Voices Heard

A few days ago I put up a Voices Heard widget to capture your questions about the team as we near the start of Russell Falcons Training Camp.

Here’s a complete video from the first round of answers:

But I’m not done.

Click here to ask more questions, see previous answers and vote on the best and worst queries. I’m planning a few more rounds of YouTube and answers before we get into camp.

J. Michael Moore YouTube, training camp training camp, Voices Heard

Weather permiting, the Falcons will open up Saturday’s mini camp practices to fans.

Considering a thunderstorm is currently raining down on the team’s practice facility, my hope is the wet weather will pass through well before the first practice.

And, when the Falcons take the field for said workout, the show will begin.

There’s a lot to do over the weekend on AF.com, including interviews, posting pictures and tweeting from the grounds.

But, we’re going to do some things slightly different, starting with opening the weekend up to questions. Click here to ask me a question about camp. I’ll start answering them on Friday and will use some of the best posts to guide coverage through the weekend.

J. Michael Moore News, mini camp mini camp, Voices Heard

Just finished answering some questions via Voices Heard on AF.com. I’m going to keep the widget open through draft weekend and will address your thoughts on draft picks or news that’s filtering out of New York and Flowery Branch.

Click here to take a look at the first round of answers and to ask your questions. Don’t forget to vote for the best questions because it will be tough to answer them all as the weekend moves along.

J. Michael Moore NFL Draft NFL Draft, Voices Heard

Thanks to Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith for inviting the AF.com team to the first “Hacks vs. Jocks” golf outing Wednesday. My initial hope was to cover this inaugural coach-media tournament. But, since Dan, Matt and I are sort of like the media, we were given spots on three foursomes.

Fantastic day.

My team included director of player personnel Les Snead, John Kincaid (of “Buck and Kincaid” fame on AM 680 The Fan) and Randy Waters of 11Alive.

Snead played golf in high school and, after a few holes, he was reunited with his booming tee shot.

Randy and John showed some touch around the greens.

Me? Well… I chipped in for a birdie on our fourth hole, but that was about it.

Team “Les and Moore” finished at 4-under par. Good enough for fifth place and eight strokes behind the winning team of Dan, VP of PR Reggie Roberts, Buck Belue of 680 The Fan and Falcons President Rich McKay.

Though it may seem like a day away from the office, we worked hard to help our teams and pass along some info through Twitter…

• J. Michael Moore
• Dan Levak
• Matt Moore

… And Flickr.

Judging from where my team finished, maybe I should have focused a little more on my game.

OU’s Robinson ready to come home, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We hear a lot about “due diligence” as the NFL Draft approaches. If you’re in the “Falcons Should Draft Defense” camp, don’t worry. The team needs to know all the players on the board and, at the right spot, Robinson would be a nice pick to build the future of the offensive line.

Falcons might dump McClure for Newberry, ProFootballTalk.com
This still falls into the rumor mill.

Falcons announce 2009 regular-season schedule, AF.com
Sixteen games. Got to play them sometime.

Early And Wildly Irresponsible 2009 Schedule Predictions, TheFalcoholic
That’s what I’m talking about! Predictions, predictions, predictions. I admire anyone who takes the time and effort to go through the season game-by-game.

Mocking with McShay, ESPN.com
We read about the Falcons needing defense. But, at the end of the day, many mock drafts have the Birds taking a tight end in the first round.

Report: Chiefs, Falcons Haven’t Talked about Gonzalez Trade, ArrowheadPride.com
Speaking of tight ends… It amazes me how quickly rumors get legs.

On the Beat Mock Draft: Falcons, NFL.com
D. Led loves Clint Sintim. I have to say, the more I watch and learn about him, I love him too.

General Manager Thomas Dimitroff takes fan questions, AF.com
Questions are rolling in for the Falcons GM. Some are pretty specific, so I don’t know if T.D. will tip his hand.

Falcons schedule analysis, ESPN.com
Four out of five on the road is tough, but the Falcons had a similar stretch last season. The team also won two games on the West Coast (not easy). This schedule isn’t harder than last season or the season before that. It’s just different.

Five Atlanta Falcons To Keep Your Eye On, Bleacher Report
Let’s not forget about the players already on the roster.

A closer look: The 2009 Atlanta Falcons schedule, Examiner.com
You got to love how Smitty approaches the schedule release, saying it presents “a unique set of opportunities.” That’s the way you have to look at it.

Offensive lineman Dahl signs tender offer, AF.com
This is almost a formality in restricted free agency, but it’s a nice feeling to know the Falcons have their starting right guard on the roster for another year.

Matt Ryan and Michael Turner: By the Numbers, Bleacher Report
Ryan’s numbers dipped at the end of the season but it’s an understandable change given the amount of snaps he took over the calendar year. That said, he was one of the most consistent rookie quarterbacks in NFL history.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed 11Alive, 2009 Schedule, 680 The Fan, AF.com, AJC, ArrowheadPride.com, Bleacher Report, Buck, Clint Sintim, D. Orlando Ledbetter, dan, Duke Robinson, ESPN.com, Examiner.com, Harvey Dahl, Head Coach Mike Smith, Kincaid, Les Snead, matt, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, NFL Draft, NFL.com, ProFootballTalk.com, Randy Waters, Rich McKay, Thomas Dimitroff, Todd McClure, Voices Heard