MVN - Most Valuable Network

Twenty Questions with the Falcons Michael Boley

I recently had the opportunity to interview Falcons strong side linebacker Michael Boley.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with Boley, some history; 

Boley was drafted in the fifth round by the Falcons in 2005 out of Southern Mississippi.  He quickly was inserted into the linebacking rotation and immediately made an impact.  In his first start he tallied five tackles and a forced a fumble which was returned for a touchdown against the Saints.  Last year he recorded 125 tackles and has become an integral part of the Falcon defense.  You can read about his entire history with the team on their official site.  Michael is currently playing on a one year tender offer from the Falcons and he had no problem talking about his contract and his desire to play in Atlanta.

My questions with Boley covered this past Sundays’ game, the front office, the defense, and we even get an update on his son Mikey, who most of his fans know, suffers from Autism.  On a personal note I wanted to mention that this was my first interview with a professional athlete and I couldn’t have started with anyone better.  I found Michael to be funny, insightful, courteous and easy going.  He answered every question I posed to him and as an amateur writer I could’nt possibly convey his wit and gregarious personality through the keyboard. I learned a great deal about Michael and the Falcons hopefully you the reader will as well.

GL: Can you give me your assessment of Sunday’s game vs. Carolina. What do you think the team did well and what went not so well?

MB: I though we played pretty well. The offense, defense, even special teams. The problem was we gave up a few big plays and that’s what hurt us the most.

GL: Have your responsibilities changed as an outside linebacker? What are you being asked to do this year that is different under last years system.

MB: I actually haven’t really been asked to do a lot different. A lot of the stuff we use this year kind of carried over from my last couple years. I would’nt say its different. The thing when they first put this system in was terminology a lot of the stuff is still the same. So, now that we have the terminology and all that good stuff down things are looking pretty good. We’ve got some small stuff we need to clean up here and there but overall its good.

GL: I’ve noticed you’re playing the cover two more often.

MB: Yeah. That’s one of those things that when Coach came in that was one of the good things we wanted to do is a little more cover two and its been working pretty good for us.

GL: Can we expect some blitz packages that have YOU going after the QB this season?

MB: Yeah. (Laughs) The season is still young so we’re still trying to figure out a few things here and there but as the season goes on I would think that you’ll get some more of that.

GL: In the last few games we’ve seen some of the larger wide receivers exploit the Falcon defensive backs. Are there any changes being worked on to give the DB’s some more support?

MB: Not really. We just look at it as we need to get more pressure up front. Regardless how big receivers are or how big the defensive backs are if you give the quarterback too much time they can pick you apart. So I think that’s one of our main keys is to get more pressure upfront.

GL: Is there one aspect on the defense that you feel the team really needs to improve on, you just said pass rush, maybe that would be it but is there anything else…

MB: I would’nt say we need to improve on pass rush. I would say we need to be more consistent. We do a lot of good things at times and every now and then one or two plays get away from us a little bit.

GL: How has the overall atmosphere on the field and in the locker room changed under Coach Smith vs last year with Coach Petrino?

MB: (Laughs) Oh man complete 180. Man oh man (Laughs)

GL: So things are much much better yes?

MB: (Laughs) Oh yes, most definitely. Guys are a…you know he’s just given us a better atmosphere overall. Not just on the field but in the locker room and just the way the guys carry themselves.

GL: Has there been any talk about contract negotiations for you in the near future?

MB: I had’nt talked to anybody yet.

GL: Do you find it distracting playing on the one year deal?

MB: No, not really. You get to that point you try to block things like that out especially when the season gets going. That’s the kind of stuff you try to get done in the offseason but if you don’t get it done its one of those things where you’re like, well we’ll just put it off until after the season.

GL: Would you like to continue playing for the Falcons if given the opportunity?

MB: Most definitely, I love it here.

GL: Excellent, the fans want you here that’s for sure. Do you think the new front office has addressed the personnel needs of the team in the draft and free agency this past offseason?

MB: I think they’ve done a good job. Especially with Thomas Dimitroff coming in, he’s got some experience. You know just seeing some of the new players coming in you know he had a good draft plan good free agency and things are starting to look pretty good around here.

GL: I agree. How do you think Matt Ryan is doing overall is he progressing as expected?

MB: I think he is doing great. Just being around him everyday and seeing the things he does at practice and things that carry over to the game. He’s got tremendous poise for a young quarterback and you don’t really see that these days in guys who are coming in real young and getting their chance to start. I mean I’m very impressed with what he’s done so far.

GL: The team lost its last two roads games and Sunday you have another one with Green Bay. Is winning on the road that much more difficult or has the team just run into two very good teams on the road this year?

MB: Its tough to win on the road and that’s one of those things that we as a team have to learn how to do. You know if you win all your home games, you’re 8-8 and odds are you won’t get into the playoffs that way. I would say its hard but you have to overcome adversity on the road.

GL: Some of the fans from the Atlanta Falcons message board had some questions they wanted to get in. First is do you or any of the players every visit the AFMB and if so what are your thoughts on what you might have read.

MB: No. Actually I haven’t had a chance to visit the message board. With me if I’m not at work I’m running around with the kids at home.

GL: That leads to one of the other questions, everyone wants and update on Mikey and how he is doing.

MB: Mikey is doing really well. He’s getting better week in and week out. Just seeing the progress he’s making at school, and that carries over to him getting better at home, he’s doing real well.

GL: Is there an Autism website or foundation that you work with that you would like people to be aware of?

MB: Last year I was doing some work with the Marcus Institute, they specialize in children with Autism and Easter Seals of Northern Georgia they do a lot of work with not just kids with Autism but kids with special needs.

GL: Are you serving as a mentor for Curtis Lofton (rookie LB) and how do you think he is coming along?

MB: I think Curtis is coming along good. He is continuing to get better week in and week out. As a young guy he kind of looks to, (Laughs) I wouldn’t say I’m old but I guess being one of the older linebackers so to speak. I think its good for a guy like me to help out the young guys if they got a question here and there you know sit down and talk him through it and see if I can help him the best way that I can. Those are the things that I got coming in as a rookie.

GL: Who were some of your role models growing up, players on the field that inspired you or that you modeled yourself after.

MB: That’s actually funny. I didn’t grow up as a defensive minded guy. I was offensive minded growing up so I loved Jerry Rice, Barry Sanders it was those guys I loved growing up and I always watched them and then to actually make it here and playing defense….its a…its a little different.

GL: What position did you play in high school?

MB: I played running back, quarterback and safety. Never played linebacker in high school.

GL: I understand the fans can get your official jersey through Reebok. Anything you can tell me about your relationship with Reebok?

MB: I love Reebok. Just being part of the Reebok family its been good to me. I’ve been with them since I first came into the league and just being associated with a lot of different guys throughout the league guys like, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Tory Holt, I think its a good group.

Ok, so it was more than twenty questions.  Boley and the rest of the Falcons face the Packers this week in Green Bay at 1pm.  If you would like to see Michael in action, this clip from YouTube has some great Boley footage.

Milloy needs a Lawyer

This past weekends beating by the Tampa Bay Bucs proved costly in so many ways.  Not only did the Falcon steamroller come to a crashing halt, but multiple injuries and the arrest of team leader Lawyer Milloy on suspected DUI charges has the team falling back down to earth after last week’s fast start to the season. 

Matt Ryan got his first wake up call in Tampa as the Bucs sacked him four times and had him on the run all day.  He missed on his first 9 pass attempts to finish the day with a 39.4 completion percentage and two interceptions, one of which can be seen below.  

Michael Turner was coming off a career week but the Tampa defensive line kept him bottled up and the running game was never established.  Turner netted 42 yards on 14 carries, a fraction of his 220 from last week.

Injuries came fast and furious as well.  Starting OT Sam Baker was taken out of the game with a head injury.  Kicker Jason Elam has a hip injury, Tuner rolled his ankle, and OT Todd Weiner is nursing some soreness.  Starting CB Brent Grimes was taken out of the game for a few plays and while expected to practice this week, Grady Jackson’s absence was apparant.

Perhaps the most devastating blow to the Falcons came early the next morning as team leader and motivator Lawyer Milloy was arrested on suspected DUI charges.  Coach Mike Smith says the team will handle this internally and he is not expected to miss any games.  More importantly is the impact Milloy’s behavior will have on the large amount of young players on this team who look up to him.  Vocal both on and off the field, Milloy’s credibility has taken a shot here and its yet to be seen how this will impact his ability to lead on and off the field.

Despite the all the body shots the Falcons took over the past few days, things aren’t really as bad as they seem on the surface.  The smackdown by the Bucs is nothing new for the Falcons.  Veteran QB Chris Redman walked out of Tampa last year with a 0.0 QB rating and while Ryan’s rating of 29.6 is still horrible, its an improvement.  Every rookie has at least one game in his first year where nothing goes right. Peyton Manning’s entire rookie season was a disaster as was Troy Aikman’s.  Ryan still has much to learn and hopefully this game will serve as a wake up call for him and the entire team.  I still believe that the Falcons re-birth is moving ahead of schedule and that my comments of last week still hold true.

Look for the Falcons to rebound this week and get back on track.  What a great time to have the Chiefs on your schedule.

The NFL is in Big, BIG Trouble!

I know you’re asking why, so here it is. The expected re-birth of the Atlanta Falcons has come prematurely and the rest of the NFL had better take notice.

Last weeks coming out party led to an upset of the Lions and this week the Falcons will go from hunting game on the savannah to torpedoing the Jolly Roger as they face the 0-1 Bucs.

Months ago I wrote a piece about the rebirth of the Falcons and how, with time, this team would be a force to reckon with year in and year out.  I foresaw a team that consistently wins games and will finally get the monkey off their back that is consecutive winning seasons. A team that finally had their aces in the proper places and could be a dominant force in the NFL for years to come.

That time could be the here and now. I certainly expected the transition to take a full season to get underway but this past week’s gutting of the Lions has the Falcons progressing ahead of schedule and things have now become quite interesting in the NFC South.

The ground attack of Turner and Norwood combined to set a team record in rushing yards. Matt Ryan led the team to scores on its first three opening drives…something Mike Vick never did.  The defense, led by John Abraham, recorded three sacks and despite their diminutive size, the combo of Grimes and Houston kept two of the leagues premiere WR’s in check.

Arthur Blank deserves some credit for his acquisition of GM Thomas Dimitroff and Coach Mike Smith.  It appears that he has a very dynamic duo running the nest down in Flowery Branch.

Now, for the disclaimers….yes I realize it was one game. Yes I realize it was the Lions. Yes I realize that theoretically the team could crash and burn this Sunday in Tampa but I expect more of what we saw this past Sunday.  A spark has been ignited in Atlanta and this team and its management are in it for the long haul.  There will be hiccups along the way and with so many young players there is still much for them to learn. Yet that spark we saw in the Dome last Sunday will continue to grow. The team that everyone has overlooked for so many years is ready to prove that what has started in Atlanta isn’t smoke and mirrors but a bonafide supernova.

Old pro’s advice goes deeper than football

One of the most popular quarterbacks in Falcon history (no, not the one in federal prison) took some time last week to give some advice to new quarterback Matt Ryan.  Steve Bartkowski a first overall pick from the 1975 draft spent 11 seasons with the Falcons and holds numerous team records.

The advice Bart gives the new Falcon gunslinger is not only fitting in this case but could apply to any pro football player.  Matter of fact, his advice translates past football and could actually be a piece of a motivational speakers seminar.

 “Stay level and don’t forget the game is fun. Remember, you never are as good as they say you are, and conversely, you’re never as bad as they say you are. Focus on what you can do to be the best you can be and then set about to do it.

“Simply tune out both fans and critics. And if at any time you are tempted to listen, remember this: The ones talking, or writing, usually have little clue as to what it takes for you to do your job.”

 

“Comport yourself like a ‘long-shot, free-agent reach’ among the boys. Humility will always win friends, and you can do nothing at that position without friends.”

Take the football euphemisms out of his quotes and Bart’s advice could just as easily be applied to anyone’s job and almost anyone’s life.  Focus, fun, humility.  How can you go wrong with that advice?  I realize that Bart was trying to prepare young Matt for the rigors of the NFL but he very well may be preparing him for more than just handling the life of a pro football player.

I urge all of you to take a look at the article and the advice given by Bartkowski.  I for one found it as appetizing food for thought and applicable to much more than just a game.