Falcons' veteran linebacker finds groove

By Sekou Smith

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Scanning a stat sheet for tangible evidence of Mike Peterson's impact on the Falcons' defense this season won't turn up his most valuable contribution.

That's because there is no category for moxie, a quality Peterson's teammates insist he has in surplus.

"He's a great ballplayer and a great leader," Stephen Nicholas said. "When you've been in the league 11 or 12 years, there are things you've seen that young guys haven't, on the field and in the film room. He's definitely a guy with a lot of wisdom and know-how and the good thing for the rest of us is he's spreading it around."

The Falcons needed every bit of Peterson's wit and wisdom in Sunday night's 21-14 victory against Chicago, a defensive slugfest that ended with the Falcons' defense holding Jay Cutler and the Bears out of the end zone in the game's final seconds to improve to 4-1.

"If you're a defensive player that's the way you want to end the game," Peterson said. "It feels good to go out and know the game is on your shoulders and you have to go out and make a play. And that's what we did."

It was a particularly sweet outing for Peterson, an 12-year veteran acquired as a free agent in March to take over the spot that five-time Pro Bowl weakside linebacker Keith Brooking occupied for 12 years before going to Dallas as a free agent in the offseason.

Peterson registered his first sack in a Falcons' uniform and finished with six tackles. But more importantly he watched a young defense add to its budding legacy in what has the makings of a special season, the next chapter being Sunday's game against the Cowboys in Dallas.

"We're coming together," Peterson said. "I've been saying that we have to play as a family and play as a team. And we're slowly getting to that point, with guys depending on each other and trusting the guy next to him. And you see the outcome of that."

The Falcons forced three fumbles against the Bears, intercepted Cutler twice and recorded a goal-line stop early and the game-clinching stand late in a prime-time affair that showcased not only quarterback Matt Ryan and the offense but a scrappy defensive bunch that is quickly turning into the kind of group that bends to the will of its vocal and emotional new leader.

"It's just the guys playing good Falcons defense," Peterson said. "We know when we are going up against a great offense. Our job is to keep them out of the end zone. We were able to do that a couple of times tonight."

It helps when one of the guys in the middle of the action has been in a few tense situations before. Peterson's career tackle total is approaching 1,400. And at 33, he doesn’t appear to be slowing down.

"For us, Mike was something and someone that we really needed," reserve linebacker Coy Wire said. "He's a guy that's been in a lot of battles and played at a high level for a long time. He came in with these high expectations and confidence to match it and that's really affected the players around him. We're just real thankful we've got him."

Peterson is equally grateful for the reception he's received after six stellar seasons in Jacksonville.

"There are different situations for different people," he said. "I was accepted by a lot of the young guys and some of the older guys just off the way I play the game and what I've done in the past. So I think my situation was a little better than a lot of the older guys in my situation because of that."

Still, he had to do more than just talk a good game and flaunt an impressive resume. He had to deliver on the field as well. And he has. Peterson ranks second on the team in total tackles (43) behind middle linebacker Curtis Lofton.

"You know I do a lot of talking," Peterson said. "But I also have to lead them with what I do. The way I prepare for the game, the way I approach the game and the way I play the game has to be on point. These guys have taken to that and it's just been a great fit."