J. Mike's Missives

What's Next?

I feel I have a responsibility to share with fans a behind-the-scenes look at the Falcons and, at the end of the day, make everyone feel good about being a fan. But, that's not the reason I always point out the positive. My wife may disagree but, at the end of the day, I'm a positive person. It makes life so much better to think about what good has happened and what good is ahead.

Good is ahead for the Falcons, even when times may be rough.

I wish I could come up with something profound -- something to make everyone go: "Wow, that's great!" Not sure if I can find that common denominator at this point in a 3-10 season. I can say, however, that everyone with this team, from CEO and Owner Arthur Blank down, doesn't like losing. That's a fact and everyone does their part to try to correct a portion of the issue.

So, what's next? Well, I'm reminded of an old quote that is actually kind of appropriate for this holiday season: "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why they call it the present." Cheesy, yes, but truthful.

We don't know what is going to happen tomorrow. We don't know how the rest of 2007 will shake out. We don't know what players will be available at what draft positions. We don't know what free agents will be around. It's fun to think about, which is part of the fun of the NFL. But the 17-weeks of the regular season really are what this game is about.

That's why it's important to rally.

It's important to stand together at this moment and go from week to week.

The Saints had a losing record before their NFC Championship appearance last season. The Bucs were thought to be one of the worst teams in the NFC South. Now they're leading the division. Who knows what the future may hold? That alone is exciting.

Tuesday, Dec. 11., 1:13 a.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

Fourth Quarter Notes

14:24 -- The Falcons get the big play they've been looking for a 46-yard reception by Jerious Norwood that featured stepping out of tackles and trademark speed down to the Saints 28. That's a career long for Norwood.

12:45 -- The Saints take over after a fourth-down pass to Laurent Robinson comes up short. First-and-10 New Orleans at its own 25.

12:44 -- Well, it's getting late and I'm going to turn my attention to post game coverage. I'll be back to the blog post game. Have a good night.

Monday, Dec. 10., 10:58 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

Third Quarter Notes

13:00 -- A 17-yard gain by Aaron Stecker has the Saints on the move in Falcons territory as we get the second half underway. The Saints, who worked the ball through the air in the first half (250 Drew Brees passing yards) have worked almost exclusively on the ground to start the third quarter.

10:11 -- First-and-goal for the Saints as the clock keeps moving on this long, exhausting drive. New Orleans goes to more two-tight end looks and pounds the ball with Aaron Stecker.

9:13 -- I will compliment a nice move when I see one and Marques Colston just made a nice play for a touchdown (his second of the night). He caught the ball in traffic but was able to twist his body back toward the sideline and reach in for the score. Extra point. 24-7 Saints.

8:30 -- Interception. Touchdown. Redman's first pass of the drive went through Michael Jenkins hands and into the hands of Roman Harper. Harper returned the ball for a score and the Saints take a 31-7 lead.

4:57 -- The offense lines up for fourth-and-1 at the Atlanta 39. One wide, double tight end. Ball goes to Jason Snelling over right guard and he somersaults ahead for a first down.

1:24 -- On the edge of field goal range, the offense stays on again for fourth-and-9 at the Saints 35. Shotgun formation and a quick throw just out of the reach of Alge Crumpler. That gives the Saints the ball at their own 35.

Monday, Dec. 10., 10:58 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

Second Quarter Notes

10:45 -- The defense stands strong on third-and-goal, forcing Drew Brees up in the pocket and rushing his throw to his tight end in the back of the end zone. The ball is bobbled and dropped, bringing on Olindo Mare for a 23-yard field goal. It's good and the Saints lead 10-7.

9:24 -- Jerious Norwood has gotten the ball on three straight plays now, the last of which goes for a completion over the middle and a first down. The Falcons have the ball at their own 27.

7:55 -- Norwood gets the ball again on third-and-long and comes up just short of a first down. The ball is spotted at the Falcons 36 and it looks like the team is debating on whether to leave the offense in or not. Time out for a measurement and he's about a yard short. Punt team.

7:28 -- Haven't seen this one in a while. A member of the Saints return team runs into the return man. The ball bounces to their right and rolls to a stop inside the 10. It's the fourth New Orleans possesion to start inside the 15.

1:44 -- Quick pass from Drew Brees to David Patton in the face of a Falcons blitz and the Saints are in the red zone. First-and-10 at the Falcons 15. Timeout.

1:06 -- Touchdown, Brees to Marques Colston for 15 yards. The second-year receiver gets the catch in the back of the end zone, elevating over middle linebacker Keith Brooking. Extra point is good. 17-7 Saints. New Orleans drove 94 yards in 13 plays -- the second 90-plus yard scoring drive of the game for the Saints. Brees had one incompletion on the drive.

1:00 -- First-and-10 Falcons at their own 22. Shotgun formation, three wide. Redman finds Michael Jenkins for a first down at the 36 to start the drive.

0:10 -- Third-and-4 at the Saints 40. Redman back to throw and the ball falls incomplete (intended for Alge Crumpler).

0:06 -- Fourth down now and the offense stays on the field to take a shot at the end zone. Timeout Saints, so we'll get a little break. Well, Redman fakes to his right and finds Roddy White wide open deep. The pass is perfect and it's caught by White just outside the end zone with no time left. Halftime. White is now 8 yards shy of 1,000 for the season.

Monday, Dec. 10., 10:09 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

First Quarter Notes

15:00 -- Joe Horn, a former New Orleans Saint, leads the team out of the tunnel.

15:00 -- Atlanta wins the toss and elects to receive.

15:00 -- Jerious Norwood takes a knee on the kickoff and Chris Redman trots on the field for his first starting-quarterback snap since 2003. Pass on first down to Norwood in the flat. That's a 6-yard gain.

13:58 -- There's a sack that brings up second-and-13. Redman is running a lot of quick plays with short drops.

12:57 -- Falcons line up for third-and-5 out of the shotgun. The first third down of the game and the pass goes to Alge Crumpler, who makes a great catch but comes up just short of the first down.

12:09 -- Lance Moore calls for a fair catch of Michael Koenen's punt at his own 9. Redman was 3-of-3 for 22 yards and one first down on his first drive.

12:01 -- A trick play burned the Saints last week in a loss to the Bucs. Now, on the first play, they jump into the bag of tricks. The reverse goes to wide receiver Devrey Henderson, who rushes out to the Saints 24 for a first down.

10:37 -- New Orleans lines up for third-and-1 on against the Falcons top-ranked third-down defense. The ball goes to the fullback Mike Karney. Looks like he came up short and we're bringing out the chains... Yup. But no punt team. Fourth-and-inches at the Saints 33. The Saints line up single back and Drew Brees dives forward on the quarterback sneak. No first down. Ball goes to the Falcons at the Saints 33. Stop made by John Abraham.

There is SO much energy on defense right now as the entire group celebrates the play. There was no chance for the first down on that play, but the chains come in to prove it's short.

9:54 -- Atlanta lines up with one wide receiver, big set with two backs and the ball goes to Jason Snelling straight up the gut for a 4-yard gain.

9:11 -- The Falcons get to fourth down quickly, but first we'll have a challenge. On third down, Redman escaped pressure to his left side and tried to find Laurent Robinson on the near side. The ruling on the field was incomplete. Cue the Jeopardy music... The ruling stands and the Falcon bring on the punt team from their own 34. Jason David catches the punt at the 11.

8:07 -- Atlanta forces another three-and-out. This time, the Saints bring on their punt team deep in their own territory. The kick is low and Adam Jennings takes it at his own 39. He gets a great block from Demorrio Williams and gets up to his own 42 after reversing field. Long way to run for three yards, but it was fun to watch.

6:25 -- Three-and-out for the Falcons offense.

6:14 -- A 60-yard punt by Koenen skips out of bounds at the Saints 1-yard line. It's his longest punt of the year and it puts the Saints in really tough position in the shadow of their own end zone.

6:04 -- Brees rolls out to the right and hits Marques Colston for 12 yards and a first down.

4:47 -- The Saints convert their first third down of the night, hitting David Patton for 21 yards and a first down out to the New Orleans 39.

4:01 -- Next play goes to Billy Miller, a 37-yard throw and catch down to the Falcons 24. Rookie safety Daren Stone makes the tackle.

3:18 -- Touchdown David Patton. The Saints cap off a scoring drive that started on their own 1-yard line and went 83 yards in three plays. Extra point is good. 7-0 Saints.

2:30 -- The offense cracks out of an early slump with a 41-yard hook up between Redman and Laurent Robinson on third-and-6. The play gets Atlanta into Saints territory for the second time, first-and-10 at the 35.

1:22 -- Touchdown, Roddy White! Redman gets time and White streaks open down the near side. Extra point is good. 7-7. And no one is happier than Chris Redman, who can't find enough players on the sideline to celebrate with.

Monday, Dec. 10., 9:25 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

It's Gettin' Hot in Here

One observation as I dive into some live, Saints-Falcons coverage. Since when did December become the new Spring?

On the way to the Georgia Dome this afternoon I passed, not one, but TWO convertible with tops down. It's Dec. 10. Hello, global warming! Although, if you like nice weather there's nothing inconvenient about this truth.

Maybe it's because I'm a traditionalist. Maybe it's because last year at this time I was plowing through snow up to my waste in Denver. Maybe it's because I like cold weather... Whatever the reason, I hope I'm not the only one who feels like it's just too warm to be football season and really too warm to be the holiday season.

Anyway... Welcome in to The Dome where the Falcons hope they heat things up with thier play.

Right now I'm watching the teams' quarterbacks warm up with Chris Redman in the driver's seat next to offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. Redman will get his first start since 2003. It was just more than a week ago that Redman nearly led a fourth-quarter comeback at St. Louis. Falcons fans (and this reporter) are curious to see what he can do in a whole game.

Inactives for tonight include rookie guard Justin Blalock and defensive back Antoine Harris. Both have been key contributors this season. Of course, the Saints are without one of their biggest talents -- running back Reggie Bush.

As cliche as it sounds, records really can get thrown out for this rivalry game. The Saints may have more in terms of playoff hopes to lose in this one. But, on a day that saw Michael Vick get sentenced to 23 months in jail for dogfighting charges and an all-around media frenzy on all things non-football, the Birds have a lot of sporting energy to burn off.

It's going to be a hot one. Put the top down.

Monday, Dec. 10., 7:54 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

Bush Out Monday Night

Saints running back Reggie Bush suffered a partial tear of a knee ligament in practice Friday and will not play Monday night when New Orleans visits the Georgia Dome on Monday Night Football.

The Saints announced Bush's status Saturday afternoon but did not say if the injury would keep the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 draft out for the rest of the season.

Bush was carrying a heavy load for his team this season, taking over as the primary back in September after Deuce McAllister was placed on injured reserve.

He currently leads the team with 581 rushing yards and 73 receptions.

You're probably asking what this means for the Falcons heading into Monday night. Well, it's unclear what the Saints will do to compensate for Bush's absence, but it is clear they will be without one of the biggest play makers in the game.

Falcons players and coaches were not available to the media Saturday afternoon and were in meetings when word of the runner's injury broke late Friday.

Injuries are unfortunate. It's hard to deny how the game will change without Bush in the backfield, however.

Aaron Stecker, an eight-year veteran out of Western Illinois, figures to get the start in Bush's absence. He's rushed for 200 yards and one touchdown this season (1,200 yards and four scores in his career).

Of course, as the Saints throw the ball 60 percent of the time, the injury appears to place more of an emphasis on Bush's skill as a receiver.

Matt Moore and I spoke at length about the team's offense in our Falconcast Friday.

Saturday, Dec. 8., 5:45 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

First Quarter Notes

15:00 -- Joe Horn, a former New Orleans Saint, leads the team out of the tunnel.

15:00 -- Atlanta wins the toss and elects to receive.

15:00 -- Jerious Norwood takes a knee on the kickoff and Chris Redman trots on the field for his first starting-quarterback snap since 2003. Pass on first down to Norwood in the flat. That's a 6-yard gain.

13:58 -- There's a sack that brings up second-and-13. Redman is running a lot of quick plays with short drops.

12:57 -- Falcons line up for third-and-5 out of the shotgun. The first third down of the game and the pass goes to Alge Crumpler, who makes a great catch but comes up just short of the first down.

12:09 -- Lance Moore calls for a fair catch of Michael Koenen's punt at his own 9. Redman was 3-of-3 for 22 yards and one first down on his first drive.

12:01 -- A trick play burned the Saints last week in a loss to the Bucs. Now, on the first play, they jump into the bag of tricks. The reverse goes to wide receiver Devrey Henderson, who rushes out to the Saints 24 for a first down.

10:37 -- New Orleans lines up for third-and-1 on against the Falcons top-ranked third-down defense. The ball goes to the fullback Mike Karney. Looks like he came up short and we're bringing out the chains... Yup. But no punt team. Fourth-and-inches at the Saints 33. The Saints line up single back and Drew Brees dives forward on the quarterback sneak. No first down. Ball goes to the Falcons at the Saints 33. Stop made by John Abraham.

There is SO much energy on defense right now as the entire group celebrates the play. There was no chance for the first down on that play, but the chains come in to prove it's short.

9:54 -- Atlanta lines up with one wide receiver, big set with two backs and the ball goes to Jason Snelling straight up the gut for a 4-yard gain.

9:11 -- The Falcons get to fourth down quickly, but first we'll have a challenge. On third down, Redman escaped pressure to his left side and tried to find Laurent Robinson on the near side. The ruling on the field was incomplete. Cue the Jeopardy music... The ruling stands and the Falcon bring on the punt team from their own 34. Jason David catches the punt at the 11.

8:07 -- Atlanta forces another three-and-out. This time, the Saints bring on their punt team deep in their own territory. The kick is low and Adam Jennings takes it at his own 39. He gets a great block from Demorrio Williams and gets up to his own 42 after reversing field. Long way to run for three yards, but it was fun to watch.

6:25 -- Three-and-out for the Falcons offense.

6:14 -- A 60-yard punt by Koenen skips out of bounds at the Saints 1-yard line. It's his longest punt of the year and it puts the Saints in really tough position in the shadow of their own end zone.

6:04 -- Brees rolls out to the right and hits Marques Colston for 12 yards and a first down.

4:47 -- The Saints convert their first third down of the night, hitting David Patton for 21 yards and a first down out to the New Orleans 39.

4:01 -- Next play goes to Billy Miller, a 37-yard throw and catch down to the Falcons 24. Rookie safety Daren Stone makes the tackle.

3:18 -- Touchdown David Patton. The Saints cap off a scoring drive that started on their own 1-yard line and went 83 yards in three plays. Extra point is good. 7-0 Saints.

2:30 -- The offense cracks out of an early slump with a 31-yard hook up between Redman and Laurent Robinson on third-and-6. The play gets Atlanta into Saints territory for the second time, first-and-10 at the 35.

1:22 -- Touchdown, Roddy White! Redman gets time and White streaks open down the near side. Extra point is good. 7-7. And no one is happier than Chris Redman, who can't find enough players on the sideline to celebrate with.

Monday, Dec. 10., 9:25 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

It's Gettin' Hot in Here

One observation as I dive into some live, Saints-Falcons coverage. Since when did December become the new Spring?

On the way to the Georgia Dome this afternoon I passed, not one, but TWO convertible with tops down. It's Dec. 10. Hello, global warming! Although, if you like nice weather there's nothing inconvenient about this truth.

Maybe it's because I'm a traditionalist. Maybe it's because last year at this time I was plowing through snow up to my waste in Denver. Maybe it's because I like cold weather... Whatever the reason, I hope I'm not the only one who feels like it's just too warm to be football season and really too warm to be the holiday season.

Anyway... Welcome in to The Dome where the Falcons hope they heat things up with thier play.

Right now I'm watching the teams' quarterbacks warm up with Chris Redman in the driver's seat next to offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. Redman will get his first start since 2003. It was just more than a week ago that Redman nearly led a fourth-quarter comeback at St. Louis. Falcons fans (and this reporter) are curious to see what he can do in a whole game.

Inactives for tonight include rookie guard Justin Blalock and defensive back Antoine Harris. Both have been key contributors this season. Of course, the Saints are without one of their biggest talents -- running back Reggie Bush.

As cliche as it sounds, records really can get thrown out for this rivalry game. The Saints may have more in terms of playoff hopes to lose in this one. But, on a day that saw Michael Vick get sentenced to 23 months in jail for dogfighting charges and an all-around media frenzy on all things non-football, the Birds have a lot of sporting energy to burn off.

It's going to be a hot one. Put the top down.

Monday, Dec. 10., 7:54 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

Bush Out Monday Night

Saints running back Reggie Bush suffered a partial tear of a knee ligament in practice Friday and will not play Monday night when New Orleans visits the Georgia Dome on Monday Night Football.

The Saints announced Bush's status Saturday afternoon but did not say if the injury would keep the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 draft out for the rest of the season.

Bush was carrying a heavy load for his team this season, taking over as the primary back in September after Deuce McAllister was placed on injured reserve.

He currently leads the team with 581 rushing yards and 73 receptions.

You're probably asking what this means for the Falcons heading into Monday night. Well, it's unclear what the Saints will do to compensate for Bush's absence, but it is clear they will be without one of the biggest play makers in the game.

Falcons players and coaches were not available to the media Saturday afternoon and were in meetings when word of the runner's injury broke late Friday.

Injuries are unfortunate. It's hard to deny how the game will change without Bush in the backfield, however.

Aaron Stecker, an eight-year veteran out of Western Illinois, figures to get the start in Bush's absence. He's rushed for 200 yards and one touchdown this season (1,200 yards and four scores in his career).

Of course, as the Saints throw the ball 60 percent of the time, the injury appears to place more of an emphasis on Bush's skill as a receiver.

Matt Moore and I spoke at length about the team's offense in our Falconcast Friday.

Saturday, Dec. 8., 5:45 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore