Hey yardbarkers,

I’m writing you from Tampa. I drove down yesterday with my old college teammate and fellow yardbarker, Calvin Pace of the NY Jets.

I was kinda upset because it didn’t stop raining all night, and I didn’t bring an umbrella. I made the most of it, though.

We started out at Dwight Freeney’s Pool Tournament, which was a fundraiser for his foundation. I had to go support my boy because I am all about guys working to better the community and help kids out.

I was supposed to play in the tournament, but I changed my mind. I was shocked when the MJ (Michael Jordan) walked in and everybody, including me, got quiet and just watched as he and Charles Oakley entered. MJ still has the swagger walk and everything.

Next I stopped by GQ magazine and Yardbarker’s party with T.O. Then we went back to the pool tournament and hung the rest of the evening all the other players at the EA Sports MaddenBowl Party. I saw couple of my fellow barkers on there: Donovan, Marshawn Lynch, former teammate Ray Lewis and many others.

The first night in Tampa was cool. The rain is killing the mood, but I am going to make the best of this weekend. I sing a solo in the Super Gospel Celebration tonight. Wish me luck.

Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

After the Chicago game, I didn’t think there would be a more exciting, down-to-the-last-second whirlwind of a game, but then there was the Bucs. We knew it was a must-win game, even though our coaches didn’t dare utter those words, but we knew that if we didn’t win that we wouldn’t control our own destiny when it came to the playoffs. It was the perfect backdrop for a very intense, violent, trash-talking game, and that’s definitely what it was. My hamstring was bothering me a little bit before Sunday, but once the game started I didn’t even feel it. I knew that I was the only fullback we had and that I needed to be on the field blocking for Mike, Jerious, and Matt. Everybody plays through pain in the NFL, and Sunday was my turn. John Abraham, with 3 sacks despite his injury, inspired me to do all I could to help my team.

We didn’t play our best game. We had plenty of opportunities to increase our lead, but with interceptions, the almost-touchdown turning into a fumble, and the calls just not going our way ? there was a tension in the air as everyone hoped that these missed opportunities wouldn’t come back to bite us. The Bucs came back, but we weren’t ready to give up, and neither were our fans. The Georgia Dome was louder than I’ve ever heard it, and the fans definitely helped us out by throwing off the opposing offense with their noise. We all left absolutely everything we had on the field. I hit every linebacker as hard as I could, I ran every route as hard as I could ? I felt like I had laser beam focus, like in The Matrix. I have a little history with Kato June, who played for the Colts when I was with the Ravens. He’s a smaller linebacker, so he’s always trying to prove himself against me, and he almost always fails. This was like a playoff game for us, so I made sure to hit Kato as hard as I could on each play. If you watch the film, you’ll definitely see him on his back at least 3 times.

We were almost untouchable yesterday ? a wall of black jerseys marching down the field that would accept nothing but positive yardage. When we got enough yards to get that field goal, I was no less excited than winning my high school state championship. I jumped up in the air like a little kid. This is just one of those games that I will be telling my kids about, sitting around the fire, talking about my good ol’ NFL days. Even though we didn’t play flawlessly, this just shows that if we avoid mistakes and play our best game?I don’t think anyone can stop us.

Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

Whenever I get free time in my hectic football schedule, I like to wind down and relax. My teammates go bowling, watch a lot of movies?but me personally, I love to play video games. They help me relax. Surprisingly enough, I’m not a Madden guy. When I’m not playing football, I want to do something a little different. I love FPS (first person shooter) games. There are a lot of great ones out there, but my favorite is Halo 3. I’m great at it. I don’t think anyone can beat me. It’s just so much fun to get together with people, put together strategies for how to infiltrate the enemy base, and dominate the other team?it all lets you get away from reality a little bit and have some fun.

Give me your best Halo story, tell me why you love Halo as much as I do, or why you think you can beat me. I’ll choose the best and give you my screenname. Then we’ll see if you can live up to the challenge.
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

Before I get into our game today, I want to mention last week, when we finally got our first road win in Green Bay. Everyone said we were too young and inexperienced to do it, but Coach really emphasized how important it was not only to win on the road, but to get a winning streak going. Yo-yoing back and forth between wins and losses is what really kills you. So we went out there and showed them what we could do, and we finally got a nice winning streak going for us.

This week, against the Bears, I was a little nervous but also excited about the challenge of going up against one of the best linebackers in the game, Brian Urlacher. All week my teammates were teasing me. They kept asking if I was scared of him and telling me not to fake an injury to get out of it. But I felt confident. I’m just as big and bad as he is, and when my teammates were clowning me, I told them that he should be shaking in his boots, too. I was excited to show him what I could do.

The game was electric. It was great to see all those fans there, and everyone was so into it. This year we’re showing them that this team is for real, and everyone is responding in a very positive way. It was a fun atmosphere from the first kick-off to, of course, the very last second. The ending was like what you would see in Any Given Sunday or Remember the Titans or something. It was a storybook ending that I couldn’t have written any better myself.

Especially during these kinds of games, the most important thing is to put personal goals aside, and just win as a team. I really felt that the whole team did just that today, which is why we came out on top. Everyone was giving it everything they had, especially because we knew we’d have the bye week to recover. There were a couple heartstopping moments, which we could definitely do without. I’d prefer to have a blowout, but this made for a really memorable 5th game.

I have to say it was surprising and disappointing the first time Jason Elam missed. But it reminded us that he is human, despite being such an established player. When we gave him another chance, though, he dusted himself right off and came back to help us win the game. Douglas also had an amazing return on that last drive, and Ryan and Jenkins hooked up for that perfect pass downfield. Those two things combined to give Elam his second chance. Jenkins deserves a lot of credit there. You could see him turn to face the clock as soon as he caught the ball, making sure to plant his feet and get out of bounds with just that one second left on the clock. Perfect.

Our defense was also key - they were better than our offense. They ALWAYS show up at the critical moments of the game, like that last goal line stand that we needed so desperately. Watching them be so physical and do anything and everything to stop the ball was amazing. On the drive before that, all the offense needed to do was run out the clock, but we just couldn’t do it. Instead, we fell back on our defense as a crutch, knowing they would bail us out. We should really stop thinking that way, but it’s good to know they’re there to back us up.

Now it’s time for a little celebrating and then some rest. Next week I might actually get to sit down and watch some football. What games will you guys be watching?
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

If you’re going to vote, I think you should vote for someone that will create the change that we need in this country. I know I might get in trouble because players aren’t supposed to voice their political opinions, but I really think that Senator Obama is the right man to lead this country. I encourage everyone to go out on Election Day and let your voice be heard.

I was lucky enough to participate in an amazing and inspirational video promoting Barack Obama and everything he stands for. Check out the link below.
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

Recently I had a contest in the Yard where fans suggested nicknames for me. The winning nickname was The Drill. Now I’m here in the Yard to give away an autographed drill to one lucky fan! All you have to do is post a video, photo or leave a comment explaining why you need the drill. What kind of project are you working on? What do you need to fix? Show me why you deserve this autographed drill!

I’ll be picking a winner on Monday, November 17 (give or take a few days). Then after this contest, I’ll have another one for you.

Thanks to all my fans in the Yard… go Falcons!
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

What’s up Yardbarkers, I have another contest for you. This one’s about Thanksgiving. Watch the video and get at me with your entries!
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

Braylon Edwards from the Browns was giving me a hard time because I don’t have any nicknames. Braylon has about 10 of ‘em. So I need a nickname. What’s it gonna be, Yard?
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

Two nights ago I went to see the Thrashers, the Atlanta hockey team, play against the Washington Capitals. I was invited by some good friends of mine, who got me amazing seats - front row, against the glass. It was basically a chance to see football on ice. They won 7-4 when nobody expected them to, and although the stands weren’t full, there were plenty of diehard fans there to cheer them on. They pulled out a great win. I had never really been into hockey before, but I am now. It was just so impressive to see the athleticism they have on those skates. It was obvious that I wasn’t too familiar with the sport, though. I kept yelling “Stop the ball!” and my friends had to remind that it was called a puck. Overall, it was an awesome experience, though it was a little lame that toward the end of the game one of the huge Washington ogres picked a with our star rookie, who was much smaller. I was just thinking how funny it would be if in the NFL they allowed us 20 second fights with anyone we picked out on the opposing team. That would cause a whole lot of chaos.

At one point they recognized me - had me on the jumbotron and everything, and they wished me luck against the Bears this weekend. That’s when I told them that we were going to beat Chicago, which is exactly what we just did.
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog

This is one of the happiest days of my life. Not only for myself, but also for the Falcons owner, the head coach, my teammates, and the city of Atlanta, we needed this win so bad. I’ve had a lot of nervous energy leading up to today, knowing how much rides on this. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. We spent the pre-season talking about how we were a new team, new head coach, new quarterback, new outlook. But we didn’t just want to talk the talk; we knew we had to walk the walk. I wanted more than anything to silence all the critics that didn’t believe in us.
The Lions are a great team, but if you can’t beat them at home, there isn’t much hope for the rest of the season. Prior to the game, all the naysayers kept throwing out the Lions’ preseason stats, talking about how Matt Ryan was too young and inexperienced, and just giving any reason they could for why we couldn’t beat Detroit. With so many non-believers out there, the importance of this game couldn’t have been stressed enough. To not only win, but to really go out there and put on a show, meant so much to all of us.
For me personally, it was amazing to actually be in the game this year, since last year I was on the bench cheerleading. For our first touchdown of the 2008 season, I made a key block and looked on like a proud father as Matt Ryan got his first NFL touchdown pass. That feeling made it all worth it.

I couldn’t be more happy that my family came out to support me today. We just got back from our post-game team dinner, where my parents had a chance to meet my coaches, who spoke very highly of me. I don’t know if they were just being nice and saying the things you’re supposed to say when you meet someone’s family, but it meant a lot to me to hear them say how happy they were to have me on the team. I can’t even explain how important it is to me that I made a difference in this game.

After the game, I was joking around with Michael Turner and telling him that if he goes to the Pro Bowl, he’s flying us all out there with him. Then I thought, “Actually, if he’s going, then I’m going.” My goal this year is to get Mike 1,000 rushing yards, and I expect for you all to see both of us in Hawaii in February.

Now it’s time to go celebrate with all of my friends and family. Tonight’s going to be a great night, but then it’s back to work, so we can put on another show in Tampa.
Source >> Ovie Mughelli’s Blog