March has been a busy month for not only NFL brass, but myself as well. I have some great things lined up if I can ever find time from work to persue them. Keep an eye out for an interview or two as well as some information I’ve dug up chatting with players on of all places, Twitter and Facebook.

I have to say, in the 21st Century the ability to follow the NFL has grown by leaps and bounds.

The big topic this week is the owners meetings and the changes to the Overtime system. I’ve spent most of my time working and trying to follow NFL radio. I’m telling you, there is something about listening to Pat Kirwin and Tim Ryan every day that gets you even more pumped up for the regular season. They have been interviewing all the owners this week and if you have a chance, I recommend it highly. I’ve learned a lot about teams I never before gave a second thought. But we will delve into that later.

The first thing I want to address is the well deserved bonus received by both cornerback Brent Grimes and safety Thomas DeCoud. The US loves an underdog and those two are poster children for the cause. Not as much DeCoud as injuries to William Moore and the release of Lawyer Milloy somewhat solidified his starting role. But he certainly made the best of it and was one of the few bright spots on defense last season.

But the resilience of Brent Grimes is amazing. He was never expected to be a starter for the team. I halfway expected him to be cut before the season last year due to his size and the selection of Christopher Owens in the draft. However, not only did he make the team but he stepped in for Brian Williams after his season ending injury. If ever there was a “Rudy” in the NFL it’s Grimes. The little engine that could spends his days in Flowery Branch.

I can’t mention DeCoud without mentioning the events happening today with teammate Chevis Jackson at the Atlanta aquarium. I have little information, but I do know it has something to do with a TV show the two are involved on. I hope all goes well for the duo. I’m partial to Jackson being a former LSU alumni and DeCoud is the kind of guy you can’t help but find yourself supporting.

I’ve also kept an eye on Tony Gonzalez on twitter of late. Yeah, I’m a tweeter. Anyways, besides singing karaoke on Tuesdays and eating better than most birds he has random contests. I have yet to figure out how to win or what the prizes are but I’m efforting that information. Personally, I want the yellow flag that hit him in the endzone last season signed and dated. So Tony if you’re reading this, let me know my odds big guy!

Another recent change in the Falcons personel occured this week. The birds hired the former defensive coordinator of The Citidel to work closely with Brian Van Gorder. Granted, he was only the coordinator for a month. He was however the linebackers coach at Georgia Southern under Van Gorder. So this indicates a need for more coaching assistance for Van Gorder which only fuels my belief the Falcons go linebacker with the first overall pick. Lets hope Sergio Kindle or Sean Weatherspoon fall to the #19 spot.

Michael Turner was in attendance Monday and gave J Michael Moore an brief interview. I mention this not only to confirm my jealousy of J Mike and his dream job but because something Turner said I felt deserved repeating.

“A lot of the young guys got playing time and experience,” Turner said. “That’s going to help us out… It’s a different feeling. They have the confidence in their abilities now because they’ve been tested on the field. Experience does a lot for the team.”

You have to admit Jason Snelling made the best of his oppotunity and backup receiver/special teams returner Eric Weems did as well. That playing time should carry over into a very solid offensive crew come September. I realize many feel receiver Michael Jenkins needs to be demoted after only posting one touchdown last season and the second receiver and the return of Harry Douglas may be all that’s needed for that to happen.

I am still a big fan of Jenkins and feel like the light will come on for him in 2010. He’s big, physical and can block as well as Hines Ward. He just needs to get into the end zone. He’s made about every clutch catch a player can make with the exception of the end zone fade. Remember, he will go down in history and the recipient of the first completion and touchdown of Matt Ryans career. He also made the sideline catch against Chicago with six seconds left that led to the Falcons come from behind win in 2008.

And just catching up here, but there was an article on CBS Sportline about the Falcons and I must point out that they gave my man Curtis Lofton some much due credit. I would also like to receive my credit so bare with me while I pat myself on the back a second.  They referred to him as a “Thumper” which is the nickname I gave him prior to his being drafted. I hope it sticks! I loved having “The Hammer” manning down the middle for many years. Now it’s time to acknowledge “Thumper” as the heir appearent.

Ok, I’ve stalled long enough now. Lets talk about the owners meetings and the changes to the overtime system. After the 28-4 vote held yesterday, the “Brett Favre Rule” was approved. For those not familiar with the new rule, it’s the followup to the Brady rule, aka the “tuck” rule. With this change, the first possession in overtime becomes much more stratagic.

According to the rules as I’ve heard them from Pat Kirwin, Peter King and Rich McKay there will still be a coin toss to start the quarter. The winner of said coin toss will have the option to kick or receive. If the team that takes first possession drives down field and kicks a field goal, the opposing team with be allowed to have a possession to either tie or win the game. Now here is where it gets complicated.

If the team with the first possession scores a touchdown, the game is over. There is no secondary possession by the opposing team. However, if the team allows a safety on the first possession all rules are off. The game is over. Also, if the team with first possession turns the ball over and the opposing team scores the game is over. It only matters if a first possession field goal is achieved.

What that does is makes the final two minutes in the 4th quarter relevant. In past history, there have been countless instances where the game was close and the team possessing the ball would move aprehensively downfield to set up that game tieing field goal. Now it gives teams a reason to try for a game winning touchdown rather than settling on a “5th” quarter.

Hopefully, the days of watching teams in the red zone with plenty of time left on the clock will stop taking knees. It’s not technically “Sudden Death” any longer being that overtime will allow for no better words, a do over in overtime.

Now these rules are strictly playoff only but sources have indicated that in May when the owners meet again it could be ruled for the entire season. That makes more sense to me personally. The rules should be consistent across the board.

Oh yeah, I called it the “Favre rule” because of the irony of the decision. I know the owners have discussed this for years but oddly enough it gets passed after Favre and the Vikings lose to the Saints in overtime. Yeah, we all wanted to see a Favre vs. Manning Superbowl. But regardless, the 2010 Super Bowl was the most watched TV show in history. So I guess things turned out ok. I just couldn’t post another article without giving Les Rivers his soapbox about the overtime changes. Maybe now he can get some sleep!

Otherwise, things are quiet in Flowery Brach this week. I suppose Dunta Robinson is still getting acclimated to his new surroundings and Rich McKay is enjoying his busy week in the NFL. Up next for me is a chance to chat with Falcons defensive end Kroy Biermann. Look for that soon as well as a couple of other players I’m efforting. Hopefully I can get you guys a voice out there so it’s important to respond to my articles and give me some ideas about what you want to know. Happy hump day all!