Falcons-Vikings Coverage

Saturday, Sept. 1

• NEWS: Falcons make roster moves, cuts

Monday, Sept. 3

• NEWS: Falcons make roster moves, form practice squad
• NEWS: Prater turns workout into roster spot
• TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Bobby Petrino

Tuesday, Sept. 4

• NEWS: Roster a mix of veteran and youthful exuberance

Wednesday, Sept. 5

• NOTEBOOK: Coleman eases into practice
• TRANSCRIPT: Quarterback Joey Harrington
• VIDEO: Quarterback Joey Harrington
• TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Bobby Petrino
• VIDEO: Head Coach Bobby Petrino
• VIDEO: Countdown to 2007: This One's For Real
• VIDEO: Wide receiver Joe Horn
• VIDEO: Defensive end John Abraham
• VIDEO: Running back Warrick Dunn
• FALCONCAST: Preparing for the Vikings
• AUDIO: Vikings head coach Brad Childress
• AUDIO: Vikings safety Darren Sharper

Thursday, Sept. 6

• ONE-ON-ONE: Fullback Ovie Mughelli 
• FEATURE: Harrington to see familiar faces in Minnesota
• NEWS: Falcons name 2007 team captains
• TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Bobby Petrino
• VIDEO: Head Coach Bobby Petrino
• VIDEO: Guard Kynan Forney
• VIDEO: Running back Warrick Dunn
• NFL NETWORK: Interview with wide receiver Joe Horn

Friday, Sept. 7

• NOTEBOOK: Coleman gets more work on quadricep
• SCOUTING REPORT: Falcons at Vikings
• NFL FILMS: Falcons-Vikings Preview
• FALCONCAST: Scouting the Vikings
• INJURY REPORT: Final Falcons-Vikings Injury Report

J. Mike's Missives

Encore and Final Thoughts

So the first game is in the books and the Falcons came up on the wrong side of a 24-3 score. This game was one for the record books because of Adrian Peterson's performance (new Vikings rookie rushing record) and because it was the first opening-game loss for the Falcons in five years.

It also stings.

The Vikings defense returned two interceptions for scores and the Falcons offense never seemed to get in gear. As with any game, win or lose, there's plenty to work on next week at Flowery Branch. We'll have the coverage for you on AF.com.

Next week in Jacksonville will be a battle for the "win" column as the Jaguars just dropped their opener to the visiting Tennessee Titans.

Check AtlantaFalcons.com later on this evening for more updates, including quotes from the locker room.

3:56 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9
J. Michael Moore

Fourth Quarter Notes

12:22: A false start penalty has backed the Falcons up to the Vikings 39, slowing what appears to be a promising drive highlighted by a big first down reception by Laurent Robinson, his third of the game. The Falcons dig out of this hole and get another first down off a Harrington-Dwayne Blakley pass.

10:16: Harrington has just been sacked for the third time today and it sets up a third down conversion attempt that fails. That brings the crowd to life as Prater trots on for a 45-yard field goal attempt, which he nails to close the gap.

10-3 Vikings.

9:13: Peterson rushes for 15 yards around the left side as the Vikings offense takes the field again. Two plays later Peterson is dropped for a loss of three and leaves the Falcons defense with a manageable third-and-5 from the Minnesota 40. Jackson finds Peterson on a screen pass on the play and, after a brief bobble of the ball, the rookie darts 60 yards for a touchdown.

7:19: The Vikings used 2:04 of game clock on that play. I'm going to need some more than that as we move toward zero hour and wrapping up our coverage on AtlantaFalcons.com. Take care and thanks for reading.

17-3 Vikings.

2:18 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9
J. Michael Moore

Third Quarter Notes

11:32: Jackson scrambles for 10 yards and a first down to keep a Vikings drive alive as we ease into the third quarter. The Falcons opened the half with the ball but went three-and-out.

9:02: There are some tipped balls you think no one has a chance at getting... the ones that shoot off at a crazy angle. Well, DeAngelo Hall just picked off one of those passes. Hall dived to get the errant ball and picked off a tipped pass from Jackson at the 22 and returned it out to the Vikings 41 in a play that could change the momentum of the game.

7:00: The Falcons line up for third-and-11 at their 39 in an effort to keep the drive alive. Harrington avoids the blitz and finds Dunn for a short gain. The play brings the punt team back on the field for the Falcons.

4:23: One play after nearly taking a sack, Jackson finds a wide-open Bobby Wade over the middle and the Vikings are set up first-and-10 at the Falcons 45.

2:31: The Vikings try to run the reverse to wide receiver Troy Williamson, but the Falcons defense isn't biting. The unit holds the gain to 3 yards, which brings up second-and-7 just outside the Falcons 30-yard line. The Vikings are focusing more on the pass now, as three of the last five plays have been to the air.

1:51: A blitz by the defense forces a Jackson throw out of bounds, bringing Ryan Longwell in for a 49-yard field goal, which he hits.

10-0 Vikings.

1:35: Robinson catches a pass from Harrington and steps out of bounds for a first down. He hustles back after the 15-yard completion and the Falcons work quickly back to the line. It's not a no-huddle offense, but it's close.

0:33: Two Norwood runs weren't enough for a first down so the Falcons face third-and-7 from their own 32. This time Harrington finds Robinson to his left. The rookie turns out field and spins out of a tackle to get just enough for the first down.

2:00 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9
J. Michael Moore

Second Quarter Notes

14:26: Falcons line up for third-and-7 at their 13. A tipped pass ends the drive just three plays after it begins.

14:13: You get the sense the Falcons need a big punt and, from his own end zone, Koenen launches the ball 51 yards. A return by Bobby Wade gives the Vikings first-and-10 at their own 43.

12:45: Wade gets his number called again, this time on third down. But cornerback Lewis Sanders would have none of that as he knocked the ball away from the receiver near the first down marker. The Vikings are back to punt as Jennings takes the ball inside his own 10 for the third time. No fair catch, though, and he's tackled at the Falcons 3.

11:13: Well, here we are again. The Falcons had an average drive start of their own 11 in the first quarter. Now it's third-and-9 from the Atlanta 4. The crowd is nuts, but Harrington is cool. The quarterback finds Alge Crumpler over the middle for 14 yards the first down.

8:40: Another third down conversion, this time off a pitch and run by Dunn. The veteran tip toes down the sideline for a first down at the 39. Two plays later a shoe-string tackle was all that kept Norwood from busting down the near side for a touchdown. Instead the Falcons get a first down at the Vikings 43 (the team's first trip into Vikings territory).

6:10: The Falcons are looking at another third down (third-and-2 from the 35). After a timeout the team lines up three receivers and Norwood in the back field. The swift-footed second-year pro ducks under the pile on the right side and pushes ahead for a first down at the Vikings 33.

4:44: A quick pass to Dunn on third-and-16 falls 4-yards short, bringing in Matt Prater and the field goal unit. His 44-yard attempt from the right hash is no good.

1:11: A bobbled snap by Jackson has backed the Vikings way back, all the way to their own 31 as a matter of fact. The play went for a loss of 38 yards and was nearly recovered by linebacker Michael Boley. Instead, the Vikings punted to Jennings. With less than a minute to go, running plays killed the clock.

1:14 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9
J. Michael Moore

First Quarter Notes

15:00:Plenty of noise in the Metrodome even though it's not filled to capacity. Of course, that may be because rookie sensation Adrian Peterson is in to return the opening kickoff.

14:03: The Vikings are coming out throwing, as Tavaris Jackson finds Visanthe Shiancoe in the flat. He is stopped by safety Jimmy Williams, who is starting in place of Chris Crocker. First down Vikings.

11:51: The Falcons defense forces third-and-7 at their own 44 and a pass to Sydney Rice is short. The fans don't like it, but the Vikings bring in the punt team. Adam Jennings elects not to take Chris Kluwe's punt, and it kicks right and bounces out of bounds at the 11.

10:42: The Falcons offense takes the field for the first time in the 2007 season with rookie wide receiver Laurent Robinson part of a three-wide receiver set. Harrington drops back to the shadow of the goal line and avoids two Vikings pass rushers before finding Alge Crumpler in the flat for 8 yards. A roughing the passer penalty pushes the Falcons up to their own 34.

8:58: The Falcons quickly find themselves in third-and-3 after a run and short pass. Harrington finds Roddy White for the second time in the game for a first down (9-yard completion). Atlanta appears to be looking for quick passes off short quarterback drops. Three plays have been run out of the shotgun.

7:56: Another third down, this one with 4-yards to go at the Vikings 35. Harrington looks over the middle but his pass goes into the big body of defensive tackle Kevin Williams, who returns it 52 yards for a touchdown. Harrington and left tackle Wayne Gandy, both on the ground after the play, can do nothing but watch as the 311-pound lineman rumbles down the sideline.

7-0 Vikings.

5:51: Back-to-back first downs (a completion to Joe Horn and a first-down run by Jerious Norwood) has evaporated with a 4-yard sack and a tackle on Warrick Dunn for a 5-yard loss. The Falcons face third-and-19. Harrington checks down to Crumpler, who gets back to the original line of scrimmage at the Falcons 38.

4:00: Peterson's first NFL carry goes for 13 yards and a first down against the Falcons defense.

1:42: Atlanta gets a little help after an offensive holding penalty. That brings up first-and-15 at the Falcons 45 and puts the pass back into the Vikings offense. Jackson's next attempt is incomplete, bringing up second down.

1:22: Minnesota faces third-and-15 now from the Falcons 45 after defensive back Antoine Harris smacked away a Jackson pass. You could hear the impact from the press box. A gang tackle of Peterson on the next play brings on the punting unit.

12:38 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9
J. Michael Moore

Mascot Madness

I don't think this is his debut, but it's our first time to get a live look at the Vikings mascot -- Viktor. Am I the only one reminded of "The King."

Inactives Announced

About an hour before game time now and we have inactives. For the Falcons, safety Chris Crocker, offensive lineman D'Anthony Batiste, defensive tackle Quinn Ojinnaka, guard Tyson Clabo, tight end Martrez Milner and defensive end Josh Mallard will not suit up. Casey Bramlet has been listed as the third quarterback. The Vikings will be without safety Mike Doss, running back Mewelde Moore, tight end Garrett Mills, tackle Chase Johnson, wide receiver Robert Ferguson, defensive ends Jayme Mitchell and Erasmus James and quarterback Kelly Holcomb (emergency quarterback).

10:55 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 9
J. Michael Moore

Stuck in a Bubble

I've been in a lot of press boxes over the years. I've feared for my life in high school boxes supported by rotting timber and I've enjoyed the open-air workspace in beautiful San Diego. But, I've never worked in a press box that required ear plugs.

AF.comer Dan Levak, who made the trip to the Metrodome in 2002, just informed me they will soon come along with some hearing protection for us.

That's a first.

There's also this thing called the "Viking Horn" down on the field. They've tested it a few times already. It kind of sounds like a dying yak. I'm sure the Vikings will get that going during the game (refer back to hearing protection).

I'll close this entry with a quote from one of the finest actors of my generation (Pauly Shore) that hopefully previews the Falcons performance.

"Just because we're stuck in a bubble, doesn't mean we can't cause any trouble."

And, hopefully you'll all keep reading after that...

9:40 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 9
J. Michael Moore

Three Cheers for Hayden Fox

So, the plane is easing it's way back to the ground about two hours ago as the Falcons made their way to Minneapolis and I get a strange song in my head -- the theme to the prematurely-canceled Coach. You may be ashamed to say you remember the show, which chronicled coach Hayden Fox and his Minnesota State Screaming Eagles.

So, humor me.

I'll give you a moment to search Google. Or, you can save yourself some time by clicking here.

One thing that made the show so great was it's ability to work football -- something that doesn't necessarily appeal to the masses -- into acceptable 90s' sitcom story lines. Fox was a family man trying to balance his life with the pressure of a football team. We saw ups. We saw downs. At this moment, I'm feeling very "up" as the Falcons get ready to open the season and very "down" that I have yet to purchase Coach on DVD.

You might be wondering what this has to do with the Falcons. Nothing really, except for the fact that we're here in Minnesota ready to play in a dome shared by the University of Minnesota and the Vikings (I believe the Screaming Eagles beat Minnesota in a momentous upset).

Coach gave everyone a glimpse into the life of a football coach so, in a way, we can get at least a sliver of an idea of what's going through Falcons Head Coach Bobby Petrino's mind as he prepares to coach his first regular-season NFL game. He doesn't appear nervous. Neither does his team.

We're all waiting to see what's next.

4:55 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8
J. Michael Moore