Peterson talks a big game

By CHRIS VIVLAMORE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Flowery Branch -- There is something about the mentality of a linebacker.

Consider these thoughts from Mike Peterson, the veteran free agent signed by the Falcons this offseason.

● On going against stout running back Michael Turner in practice: “It don’t matter. You can put a big truck through there. If you tell me I supposed to hit it, I’m going to hit it.”

● On his propensity to trash talk: “That’s my game, man. Michael Jordan is jawing when he dunks. Mike Peterson talks trash when he plays.”

● On his return to the outside linebacker position: “To me, if you want to be the best, you should be able to play all three positions. That’s me talking. That’s Mike Peterson talking.”

Yes, there is something about Mike Peterson.

With the departures of linebackers Keith Brooking and Michael Boley, the Falcons had a hole to fill. They didn’t have to look far when Jacksonville did not re-sign Peterson after six seasons. Falcons coach Mike Smith coached Peterson when he was the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator. He also played under Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, who was Jacksonville linebackers coach for one season.

“I know Mike, and when Mike was available, we talked,” was how Smith summed up the recruitment.

Peterson was a little stronger in speaking of his desire to join the Falcons.

“Atlanta was always the place I had eyed,” he said. “There was no recruiting needed. I took a couple of visits, and once I got the call from Atlanta and came here for a visit, the rest was just a matter of getting the numbers right. Once they got the numbers right, I signed within 24 hours.”

Knowing the defensive system was one plus. His 11 years of experience and leadership to add to a young starting unit of Curtis Lofton and Stephen Nicholas was another. Peterson, who spent most of career as an outside linebacker, played in the middle for Jacksonville. He moves back to the outside with Lofton, in his second year, in the middle and Nicholas, in his third year, on the other side.

Peterson, 33, welcomes the opportunity to pass on his knowledge.

“The majority of it is showing the guys the way it has to be done to be successful,” Peterson said. “Showing the guys if you want to make it 11 years, this is the way to have to do it. There is only one way to do it. You can’t cut corners. You can’t fake it. You can fake it in a lot of professions, but you can’t fake it once you are between those lines. If you get exposed, it’s going to show.”

Lofton welcomes the opportunity to learn -- sometimes more from Peterson than a coach.

“We sit right next to each other in meetings, so if I have a question he’ll answer it for me,” Lofton said. “Sometimes you can learn more from a player than a coach because the player’s been there and done it, and he understands what you are going through. He’s been through it all and he understands.”

Peterson does love to talk. He is almost constantly talking on the field — especially after a good defensive play. There is method to his gab.

“I’ve been doing that since little league,” Peterson said. “That’s just my game. The guys here got familiar with it. I don’t think the fans and the media have seen it yet, but you ask anyone, that’s my game. That’s how I get motivated. ... A lot of times it’s motivating other guys.”

“Yeah, he sure makes it fun,” Lofton said.

Peterson was selected in the second round of the 1999 draft by Indianapolis. After four seasons with the Colts, he signed as a free agent with Jacksonville. He is second in Jaguars history with 837 tackles — 21 behind franchise leader Donovan Darius.

Peterson’s departure from Jacksonville was not a surprise. Last season, he had a run in with coach Jack Del Rio, who twice forced Peterson to leave team headquarters and deactivated him for the game against Detroit in Week 10.

Peterson said he wants to look ahead with the Falcons after signing a two-year, $6.5 million contract.

“Things are probably a little better than I expected, but I expected a lot coming in,” he said. “There are a lot of young guys. These young guys are excited to be here. They listen. Curtis Lofton, Stephen Nicholas, they listen. If they listen, they want to learn and they want to win.

“I think a lot has to do with them getting a little taste of it last year. They want to get back [to the playoffs] and get farther. When you play with a lot of young guys that want to learn and want to win, it makes me feel like I’m 21 years old again.”