Peterson relishing second chance with Falcons

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - In 1994, when Todd Peterson went through his first training camp with the Atlanta Falcons, June Jones was the team's coach, Rankin Smith was the owner, and camp was held in Suwanee.

Now Arthur Blank is the owner, Jim Mora is entering his second season as coach and the team is holding its first training camp at its newly expanded Flowery Branch facility.

But none of those rank as the biggest change Peterson says he sees in his return to the Falcons.

"Things are just really positive," Peterson said Wednesday. "I see everybody heading in the same direction and having a real purpose behind what we're trying to accomplish.

"I think certainly Mr. Blank has created that type of environment. When you have somebody up top who really has vision and purpose and passion and he can pass that on and then people get it, it's hard not to be effective and productive. You see that in this organization."

Peterson speaks from experience gained in 11 years spent with eight NFL teams, including the summer visit with the Falcons in 1994. Through 143 regular-season games, Peterson has made 212 field goals in 271 attempts and has become one of the league's most consistent kickers from 45 yards or closer.

In his 1994 summer audition, Peterson was with the Falcons only to give himself a chance to be seen by other teams. Norm Johnson was secure as the Falcons' kicker, and Peterson's purpose was to take the practice and preseason kicks that would keep Johnson fresh for the regular season.

Peterson, from Valdosta High and the University of Georgia, is far more than a practice stand-in as he makes his return to his home-state team. Peterson, who made 18 of 22 field goal attempts (81.8 percent) with San Francisco last season, is the starting kicker after the team did not re-sign Jay Feely.

"He's a Georgia guy and he had an interest in being here," Mora said. "He has fit in very, very well in the locker room. I think the players respect him as a person and a player. He goes out and when he kicks in practice or in games, he just makes his kicks. I think that's what players want to see. They want to see a guy put it through the uprights, and Todd does that."

Peterson, who completed his college career at Georgia in 1992, was a seventh-round pick of the New York Giants in 1993 and spent time with New England, Atlanta and Arizona before finally sticking with Seattle for the full 1995 season - his first of five years with the Seahawks. Then came two years with Kansas City, one season in Pittsburgh and two years with the 49ers.

During all that time, Peterson had hoped a time would come when the Falcons were looking for a kicker and he was a free agent. Finally, the timing was right this offseason, and now, at 35, he hopes this is his last stop.

"I want to finish here," he said. "I want to help us win a Super Bowl. I think it's a great situation and a great environment to kick in and it's a great football team to be on."

Peterson's wife, Susan, is a native of Gainesville - only a few minutes from the Flowery Branch practice facility. They have made their offseason home in north Atlanta through his career, and he has maintained close ties to the University of Georgia.

Peterson holds an annual kicking camp in Athens. Such kickers as Luke Manget of Georgia Tech and Hap Hines, Billy Bennett and Jonathan Kilgo of Georgia have passed through the camp.

Peterson has a long friendship with Georgia athletic director Damon Evans, also a Gainesville native who grew up knowing Susan. Evans and Todd were teammates, dormitory neighbors and finance majors at Georgia.

"I hook up with him a few times a year and it's been exciting to see what has happened with him," Peterson said of Evans.

Peterson, who says he is interested in sports management as a career after he retires as a kicker, says he has joked about one day knocking on Evans' door and asking for a job.

Said Peterson: "It's something we laugh about."

Notes: The team released receiver Kerry Johnson, an undrafted rookie from Mississippi.... Mora said running back T.J. Duckett (hamstring) and defensive end Brady Smith (neck surgery) are recovering well from injuries. Smith hopes to play in the team's final preseason game at Miami on Sept. 1. Duckett is expected to play in Saturday night's home preseason game against Baltimore.... After a morning practice in shorts, a full-contact session was scheduled for Wednesday night.