ATLANTA -- It was one game. They kept saying as much on Sunday inside of the mostly business-like home locker room at the Georgia Dome. 
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons finished the 2008 season ranked 24th overall in team defense allowing 347.9 yards per game. In response to this lackluster performance, the Falcons used all but one of their 2009 draft choices on the defensive unit. That's brought a lot of youth and energy to training camp this week and it's created a different kind of atmosphere.
With the draft approaching, we ignore projections and identify the dream scenario for each team in a series we call The Perfect Draft.
The Falcons had no strongside linebacker after Michael Boley opted to sign with the Giants. They had no weakside linebacker after letting Keith Brooking go. Atlanta's breathing a little easier now, though, because, according to NFL.com, it has picked up Mike Peterson, a guy that can fill in at either spot.
Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.
The 2008 season has been a forgettable one for the Jaguars. They made it to the AFC Divisional round a year ago, and with virtually everybody returning, expectations were high four months ago. A run on injuries, a no-show defense and plenty of bad luck has a lot to do with the 5-10 situation they currently find themselves. ... [T]he middle linebacker made it a point to thank the writers for the stories they've written about him in his six years with the Jaguars.And maybe one day, Terrell Owens and Ed Werder will bury their hatches, mend their fences and hug it out, too.
"I appreciate that," Peterson said. "I've got a scrapbook at home with all the great stories. No matter what they [Jaguars] do or what the future has for me, they can't take away those great memories."
Yesterday MDS mentioned that Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio had banished muscle-flexin' Mike Peterson to the bench and stripped him of his captaincy for insubordination. Del Rio said there won't be any further discussions about Peterson regaining his job in the middle.Got that? Don't even think about asking Jack about Peterson getting his old job back because it ain't happening. And just to reassure those of you who think this has more to do with last week's falling out than it does with trying to fix a defense Gregg Williams has managed to render useless in two months on the job, well, you're wrong. Sorta:
"He needs to embrace his role," Del Rio said. "Daryl Smith is going to be our mike [linebacker], and it should be good for him."
"This move is more about giving Daryl Smith more opportunities in the middle than punishing Mike [Peterson]," Del Rio said. "He'll get some snaps at the will [linebacker]."Reading between the lines: this has EVERYTHING to do with punishing Mike Peterson and nothing to do with giving Daryl Smith more opportunities. Okay, got it.
"Daryl Smith is our starting middle linebacker," Del Rio said in a telephone conversation after Friday's practice, as the Jaguars got ready for the undefeated Tennessee Titans. ...So Peterson is now relegated to special teams, which he hasn't played in years. And that's ridiculous. If Peterson was good enough to start before, why is he suddenly not good enough to start after he talked back to Del Rio? Benching players for insubordination might build character when it comes from a high school coach. It smacks of desperation when it comes from a professional coach.
Del Rio was asked if he and Peterson have reached any kind of meeting of the minds after last week's dispute.
"There will be no meetings," Del Rio said. "He has to embrace his new role on the team."
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Mike Peterson has racked up over 900 tackles in his 10-year career. Now he's been ousted from his starting spot for insubordination and demoted to backup by head coach Jack Del Rio.
Scott Cunningham, Getty Images
The Jaguars came into the new season as one of the contenders in the AFC, but the last few months have been a nightmare off-the-field for Del Rio's team. Click through to see some of the other incidents that have surrounded the franchise.
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
July 10: Wide receiver Matt Jones was arrested and charged with possession of drugs. Police said he was cutting up cocaine with a credit card inside a vehicle.
Phil Coale, AP
Aug. 27: A lawsuit was filed against Dennis Northcutt in a California court. An ex-girlfriend claimed the wide receiver arranged for one of his cousins to beat her up.
Phil Coale, AP
Aug. 29: Fred Taylor was arrested outside a Miami Beach nightclub and charged with disorderly conduct. The running back later apologized for his behavior, and was not taken to jail.
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
Aug. 30: Even retired Jaguars couldn't stay out of trouble. Five-time Pro Bowler Jimmy Smith was arrested for a DUI in Jacksonville.
Phil Coale, AP
Sept 2: Richard Collier was shot inside his car while parked outside a Jacksonville apartment. The tackle was waiting in his vehicle for a woman at 2:45 a.m. with another player cut just days before.
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
The Jaguars are a mess. Apparently, that can't be stressed enough. After losing to the Browns two weeks ago, and the previous winless Bengals last Sunday, Jacksonville prepared for today's grudge match with the 0-8 Lions by sending linebacker and team captain Mike Peterson home for insolence. Because talking back to the Del Rio WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. 
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