LATEST STORIES FROM J. MIKE'S MISSIVES
Falconcast: Giants Preview
1 day ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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Plenty of football remains on the schedule for both teams, but it’s hard not to think of Sunday’s game between the Falcons and Giants without considering the playoff race.
Both teams are 5-4.
The Falcons have a long way to go to catch the undefeated Saints in the division...
Birdseed: November 19, 2009
2 days ago by
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Who says there’s no good news coming out of Flowery Branch?
Thursday Head Coach Mike Smith confirmed running back Jerious Norwood returned to the practice field. The fourth-year pro was limited, but it’s a welcome sign of progression for the speedster, who suffered a concussion...
Week 11 Television Notes (and Maps)
2 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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Time for a little behind-the-scenes info…
Each week NFL teams and their public relations departments schedule conference calls or production meetings between key coaches and players and members of the broadcast crew.
Some are longer than others. In the case of this week’...
Smith: Turner “Made Alot of Strides”
3 days ago by
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In the ambiguous world of NFL injuries, any hint of good news can be built into a case for euphoria or deception.
Keep that in mind when analyzing, breaking down and/or poring over Head Coach Mike Smith’s Wednesday comments about injured Pro Bowler Michael Turner.
“Mike...
Stecker in Familiar Territory
3 days ago by
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Falcons fans are still waiting to get official word on the injury report concerning Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner’s sprained ankle. But, as of early Wednesday afternoon, some news — and options — emerged in case the team is without its leading rusher.
For...
Birdseed: November 17, 2009
4 days ago by
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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...
Stecker Re-Signs, Bergeron Released
4 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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A move at running back wasn’t a surprise for the Falcons in light of Michael Turner’s high ankle sprain and yet-to-be determined game status.
With reserve Jason Snelling just one game removed from a hamstring injury and Jerious Norwood still nursing a sore hip, the Falcons...
Birdseed: November 16, 2009
5 days ago by
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Jason Elam knows the life of a kicker is often lonely.
But when he gets attention, it’s for one of two reasons: A game winning kick or a miss that could have made a difference in the outcome of a game.
Elam missed a 34-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter Sunday that...
Struggles in the Face of Chances
6 days ago by
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BLOGGER’S NOTE: For additional coverage of Sunday’s game against the Panthers, visit AF.com and The Beat Blog, powered by John Manasso.
Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense continued to have their struggles Sunday in Carolina, but the sophomore quarterback had the ball when...
Some Pregame Roster Moves
7 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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In a move to add depth to the receiving corps, the Falcons released veteran running back Aaron Stecker on Saturday and promoted wide receiver Troy Bergeron from the practice squad.
Bergeron, 6-foot-2, 195 lbs., played with the Georgia Force of the now defunct Arena Football League...
Falconcast: Panthers Preview, Part Deux
8 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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We learned two things in the aftermath of last week’s Redskins-Falcons sideline skirmish:
The team will always stand up for and protect its quarterback.
The head coach will always watch his players’ backs.
Let’s be clear.
Head Coach Mike Smith moved on from the...
Birdseed: November 13, 2009
8 days ago by
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This weekend the Falcons take the I-85 rivalry to a different level.
Saturday afternoon the team will climb aboard charter buses and burn rubber on the way to Charlotte and a date with the Carolina Panthers.
But this isn’t the first trip by bus for the Falcons in this series...
Smith, Falcons Move on from Fine
9 days ago by
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Head Coach Mike Smith said he received a letter from the NFL office in New York Thursday morning informing him of a disciplinary fine for his role in a sideline altercation in Sunday’s game against the Redskins.
Smith said he accepts the fine and, along with his team, wants to...
Birdseed: November 12, 2009
9 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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As expected, mid-season television numbers for the NFL are through the roof.
You can check out some of the details with Falcons Biz blogger Dan (the numbers and anecdotes are mind-boggling). For example, The second-most watched sporting event since Super Bowl XLIII was the Falcons...
Snelling, Johnson Return to Practice
10 days ago by
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Jason Snelling and Thomas Johnson were limited, but the running back and defensive tackle returned to the Falcons practice field Wednesday according to Head Coach Mike Smith.
Snelling, who led the team in rushing yards two weeks ago in Dallas, has been nursing a hamstring injury. Johnson...
Svitek’s NFL Journey Hits Atlanta
10 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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Some fans may not recognize — or initially be able to pronounce — the name Will Svitek.
But they should.
The four-year veteran stepped in for Sam Baker (ankle) in the second half of Sunday’s win over Washington, playing a role in some big runs by Michael Turner.
Svitek...
Birdseed: November 10, 2009
11 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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A tip of the cap to “Sesame Street,” which today celebrates its 40th anniversary. Apparently, more than 1,000 studies have been done to prove how watching the famous children’s show is good for you. No research is scheduled to prove if this blog has any long-term...
Turner Up for FedEx Ground Award
11 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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Falcons running back Michael Turner is up for FedEx Ground Player of the Week on NFL.com for his performance in a victory over the Washington Redskins Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
Turner rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in the 31-17 victory. He also caught two...
Smith Focused on Continued Progress
11 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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More cameras than usually filled the media room in Flowery Branch Monday afternoon for Head Coach Mike Smith’s weekly press conference.
It wasn’t long before questions moved toward a very non-football topic.
Smith was asked again about an incident on the sideline in Sunday...
Feeling the Holiday Spirit
12 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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We’re still a few weeks from Thanksgiving, but I’ve already seen signs of the holiday season pop up around North Georgia. Another sure sign of the holidays has made its way to Flowery Branch: the annual sale of autographed ornaments.
They’re going fast, so here&...
Birdseed: November 9, 2009
12 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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Much easier to identify key points from a Falcons loss than list all the accolades from a big win.
“Win as a team, lose as a team” seems very appropriate after the Falcons 31-17 win over the Washington Redskins Sunday afternoon. We can highlight Michael Turner’s big...
Hello Again, Mr. Turner
13 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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I finally figured out what makes Michael Turner so good.
He’s actually a sophisticated football robot sent from the future to power the Falcons through the rest of the 2009 season. Or maybe, simply, he’s one of those FOX Sports‘ machines with skin.
Whatever the true...
Something You Don’t See Often
13 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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This just in from the “Did that Just Happen?” department…
The Falcons took a 24-3 lead into the locker room at halftime of Sunday’s matchup against the Redskins but not before fisticuffs nearly erupted on the home sideline.
With 1:37 left in the opening half...
Keeping the Foot on the Gas
13 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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One of the biggest problems the Falcons faced in back-to-back losses over the last two weeks was a lack of intensity past the opening drive.
Through the opening quarter of Sunday’s game against the Redskins, the Falcons kept the foot on the accelerator and held a 14-0 lead. That...
Pregame Notes and Inactives
13 days ago by
J. Mike's Missives
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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...
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