Atlanta Falcons beat writer for
@TheAthletic
. There'll be some golf and maybe even a little college football at times, too. Email: jkendall
@theathletic
.com
On the day the Ravens put the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson, five NFL teams made it known they would not get involved in a trade discussion.
After Monday, four have fired their head coach (Falcons, Panthers, Commanders, Raiders)
Taylor Heinicke showed up for his Wednesday press conference in a Busch hoodie. “I got fined for drinking Busch Light on the (Commanders team) plane last year so they sent me a bunch of stuff.”
The only person to beat Desmond Ridder into the Falcons building Saturday was Tyler Vrabel, the undrafted free agent offensive lineman and son of Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.
Me to Will Muschamp: "How have you addressed voting with your team?"
Muschamp: No response
Me: "You know there's an election today?"
Muschamp: "I do now. I'm getting ready for Florida."
Atlanta Falcons lose 21-15 to Tampa Bay. Grady Jarrett was as angry as I've ever seen him, or any other human being, coming off the field. Jarrett tipped over a waist high water cooler and screamed a curse word. Multiple times.
Falcons fall to 2-3.
A BOT member asks what the definition of fired "for cause" entails for a DL coach. After an explainer, she says, "So 'cause' would not be if every SEC team we play runs for 400 yards?" This is my favorite ever moment in board of trustee meeting history.
Full statement from Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on Thursday regarding Uvalde school shooting: “I’m not going to get into some political rant. Part of me thinks our political process is broken. On both sides. It has been hijacked, in my opinion, by extremists. 1/3
Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (hamstring) said he believes he'll play Sunday. Needs 50 yards to set the NFL's record for rookie tight end receiving yard.
"My biggest priority now is to beat the Saints because it’s the last game and they’re a divisional opponent and it’s the Saints."
Cordarrelle Patterson said this sweatshirt "popped up" his locker several weeks ago and he doesn't know who put it there.
Upon speculation gift giver might have been Terry Fontenot.
"The GM? He need to put more than this in my locker."
Cordarelle Patterson, who has 459 receiving yards, 278 rushing yards and leads Atlanta with seven touchdowns: "I just love it here in Atlanta, appreciate everybody just giving me my shot. Can’t thank them enough for that. If it was up to me, I’d be here the next 10 years."
During his visit to Flowery Branch last week, Matt Ryan told Desmond Ridder "I'm here for you if you need me. Anything you need, don't hesitate to reach out."
“a concerned citizen. I believe in the people of this county, and I think it’s a shame the leaders, and I don’t care about your politics, that you can’t find a compromise solution to keep military grade assault weapons out of the hands of mentally ill people.” 3/3
Will Muschamp on Tavien Feaster: "I told him today, 'I wish you were an underclassmen,' because you’re a fun guy to be around. He’s always got a smile on his face. We are very fortunate to have him."
South Carolina scored 35 points against Clemson Nov. 24. Alabama and Notre Dame totaled 19 points in the two CFB Playoff games. Gamecocks had 600 yards. Tide/Irish combined for 691.
Raheem Morris: "I have hated the Saints for a long time. Started back with Sean Payton. I was hanging out at the pool the other day with Dennis Allen. I hate him just as much. It’s a fun rivalry though. It’s really fun. ... I really don’t hate those guys."
New Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke said last week it's challenging to learn the team's long play calls.
"I like the fact that he’s complaining," Arthur Smith said. "It’s our job to push Taylor out of his comfort zone. Taylor is a very smart guy… regardless of how he looks."
USC's players report each day at 6:30 a.m., practice in the AM & think noon games benefit them. Donell Stanley's advice for fans how hate early kickoffs: "They can go to bed at 5 o’clock Friday evening, wake up around 3, start drinking beer and come on to the game."
SEC commissioner
@GregSankey
on
@dpshow
: "Our medical advisory group has said, ‘Yes, we can continue to go forward.’ Should that advice change, that would certainly be a stopping point."
Desmond Ridder heard all the Atlanta QB trade talk this offseason and the accompanying insinuation that the Falcons needed a quarterback.
"Yeah, I have a TV in my house."
"Yeah, it puts a chip on my shoulder."
Deion Sanders in full dad mode on the sideline pregame. Of course, most dads don't have that sweet custom-made Gamecock hats. Deion's son Shilo is a freshman defensive back at USC.
Javon Kinlaw sometimes brings his 7-month-old daughter on the field at Williams-Brice Stadium. "I tell her, 'See all these people? They love your daddy."
Javon Kinlaw: "It’s been a long journey man, just coming from the bottom of the bottom. I am really proud of myself and all the things that I have accomplished. I owe this university everything, couldn’t do it without everybody who has been involved."
South Carolina BOT member Chuck Allen tells
@TheAthleticCFB
SEC vote was 13-1. "My understanding is the vote was 13-1 with our president, Bob Caslen, being the sole dissenting vote and part of the reason for his dissenting vote was the rivalry with Clemson."
Alabama not exactly kissing Clemson's ring here. Nick Saban mentioned his team's late-season distractions. LB Dylan Moses says: "It was more preparation. I wouldn't say they were a better team." Also Moses: "Georgia is definitely the hardest team I have played in college."
The best thing that I couldn't get in the story: Spurrier called Arizona HC Rick Neuheisel as the word was circulating Tuesday. "I said, 'Ricky congratulations on finishing second in the Alliance this year.'"
Asked about the glasses, Muschamp says: "You know what? I’m getting old. I can't see as well, especially at night. It’s been a shitty fall. I’ve got more gray hair than I’ve ever had. My wife doesn’t like hanging around with losers and we’ve been losing so it ain’t been good."
Will Muschamp still hasn't made it to the postgame media room and the music was loud in the USC locker room. I fear the Muschamp dancing videos we will see soon.
USC president Robert Caslen unveiled school’s 8-point, long-term strategic plan today. Point No. 8? “You won’t find this on any other college’s strategic plan, and I don’t care. … Build (athletics) teams that win. That includes beating our rival.”
Joseph Charlton had more punts (8) than South Carolina had points (6) and was 2 yards shy of being team's leading rusher in 30-6 loss to Texas A&M. Goodnight from Texas.
Georgia TE John FitzPatrick said being drafted by the hometown team "means rent is great. I can keep staying in my mom and dad’s basement."
When FitzPatrick told his parents and four sisters he had been drafted by the Falcons, "there were tears and there was screaming."
Ulric Jones didn't know this family until Saturday and took it upon himself to be their tour guide and from everything I saw did a wonderful job. That's something good Gamecocks can take from Saturday.
The Atlanta Falcons will start Taylor Heinicke at quarterback against Indianapolis, benching second-year QB Desmond Ridder a second time and perhaps ending his tenure as starter in Atlanta.
Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors on South Carolina: "They have no holes. Dawn will try to downplay it so they can stay sharp, but they’re the hardest team to play against that I’ve ever coached against."
Good morning gang, a quick update: I’ll be moving to a new role at
@TheAthletic
covering the Atlanta Falcons and more golf. Thanks to all the South Carolina fans who have been such great supporters of
@TheAthleticCFB
. I’ll still be right here if you need me.
MLB Foyesade Oluokun, the NFL's leading tackler with 179, is set to be an UFA but said he'd like to stay in Atlanta.
"My agent and them will start discussing that after the season. I’m just trying to play as good as I can so they will think highly of me this offseason."
One of the people in attendance at Friday's open Falcons practice is Angelena Jackson, rookie edge rusher DeAngelo Malone's mother. Her shirt says, "Son, bring me that quarterback."
Marcus Mariota will not try to bargain Kyle Pitts out of jersey No. 8. He's going to No. 1, which he wore with his youth football team, also the Falcons
Sounds like WR Russell Gage, who just finished rookie deal, would be fine not to test free agency. "My momma always said it’s good to have options, but I love it here. In my mind, (the Falcons) have first priority," he said. "If those guys start talking, I’m going to talk back."
A tension breaker on a heavy day: Asked Steve Spurrier this morning to reminisce on 2010 Alabama game: "The whole team played well that day and then we go lose to Kentucky. Now how in the hell do you do that?"
ZaQuandre White, a 2020 signee who was the No. 1 JUCO RB in the last recruiting cycle, has been cleared academically and is expected to join the Gamecocks later this week.
Drake London: "We’re moving in the right direction and I can’t wait to go out there and put on that jersey and just be a Dirty Bird." Describes his play as "fearless."
Steve Spurrier says he's the man to blame for 2014, 2015, and he opens up about "Urban Meyer disease" and the behind-the-scenes issues that led to his decision to leave. From faith to Jake Fromm, there's a lot here.
The Falcons had the wrong number when they first tried reaching out to Washington edge Bralen Trice. "My agent texted and said, 'Answer your phone.' I’m like, 'I’m not getting any calls.'"
Shane Beamer on Monday morning Zoom identified as "Olivia Beamer."
"Nothing screams SEC head football coach like using your daughter’s iPad to do a Zoom call," Beamer joked.
Will Muschamp and company now debating exactly what "discouraged" means in terms of tailgating before the game. "We need them loud at 7:30 so they need some beverages," Muschamp said.
Cordarrelle Patterson said his favorite thing about Atlanta is "they treated me like I was a kid (last season), just having fun all over again, treating it like I was young in the backyard playing football. Why not retire here in Atlanta? I found myself all over again."
Atlanta draft picks Justin Shaffer and DeAngelo Malone were not only teammates at Cedar Grove High School, they are also first cousins.
"It’s a miracle how this whole situation played out," Shaffer said.
“I think there is a lost art to compromise. I’m an independent thinker, appreciate everyone’s opinion. There’s a lost art to debate, but I’m going to stay out of the political debate because that’s now why I’m concerned. It’s more as a parent, father, husband, son... 2/3
Connor Shaw on Gamecocks' new digs: " I joke around and say our class helped fund this place." That's not a joke, actually. This $50 million building is not here without that 2010-2013 run.
Desmond Ridder had a passer rating of 112.9 on third down in his four starts. Small sample size and all that, but that would have ranked second in the NFL over full season. League average was 88.4.
Watching Kiel Pollard go from losing football to coaching with a smile on his face in two days, and Dakereon Joyner navigate this situation in such a public space has been impressive.
Parker White: "In years past, we had the tendency to drop our heads a little bit. What separates this team from the past, it sounds kind of dumb, but how much we love each other. We weren’t playing as well as we wanted to, but we had a ton of confidence."
New OC Mike Bobo is bringing the huddle back to South Carolina football. "No huddle football is very, very effective. It stresses the defense. It allows you to sometimes get cheap yards, but to me football has fundamentally gone downhill because of going so fast."
Marcus Mariota texted Desmond Ridder after Ridder's start on Sunday and said, "Keep slinging it," Ridder said.
"Like I said when I first got here, Marcus is like a big bro to me and that’s how he’s kept it."
Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks coach Charles London will interview for Miami's offensive coordinator position, according to a source. Mike McDaniel was jumped named Dolphins head coach.
Sunday's referee Jerome Boger to pool reporter
@gregauman
: "What I had was a defender grabbed the quarterback while he was still in the pocket and unnecessarily throwing him to the ground. That is what I was making my decision based upon."
This week will be my last at The State. This place and these people, past and present, have been very good to me, and I’ll always appreciate them for that. Appreciate all of you, too.
.
@UofSC
has conducted 7,255 COVID tests with 3.67 positive rate for students, 0.67 positive rate for staff, only 2 percent of campus quarantine/isolation space being used. All those numbers sound good.
Falcons WR Drake London said Wednesday he's not frustrated by his diminished production of late: "At the end of the day, I’m just trying to do my job, do what’s best for this club, best for my teammates. It’s a job. I’m a rookie right now. I have to go through all this."
If Alabama wins 2 more games (and beats Duke and N.M. State to open 2019) it will be defending national champ and on 19-game winning streak when it comes to Williams-Brice on Sept. 14, 2019. Exactly as it was on Oct. 9, 2010.
I am firmly in the Recruiting Rankings Matter camp, but it's interesting South Carolina's lowest-ranked recruiting class of last 12 years (No. 34, 2010) included Marcus Lattimore, Connor Shaw, A.J. Cann, Vic Hampton, Ace Sanders, Dylan Thompson, Kelcy Quarles and Byron Jerideau
The news Monday wasn't that Desmond Ridder is the Falcons new starting quarterback. It was that Marcus Mariota is not currently with the team. And may not return. More here-->
A Chick-fil-A worker in North Carolina said he knew the Popeyes had been super crowded and stressful for the employees, so he brought them free sandwiches.
Will Muschamp called crowd support "absolutely amazing. We need it again next week. It’s Senior Night and we have an awful lot of guys who mean a lot to this program and personally mean a lot to me."
Mike Bobo says glass is so thick in USC coaches box that sound is muted. He asked OL coach if it was loud on the field. “He said, ‘You just keep drinking those Diet Cokes up there, we’re down here in this damn jungle and it’s loud and we can’t get a first down.’”
Atlanta folks came away from first interviews very impressed with Macdonald, Weaver and both Detroit coordinators, which is one reason this search might go on a little longer than we originally thought.
The
#Falcons
requested to interview
#Ravens
DC Mike Macdonald and associate head coach and DL coach Anthony Weaver for second interviews for their vacant HC job, sources say.
Will Muschamp's buyout is just north of $13 million. It was cut slightly as part of the most recent amendment to his contract. There had been growing concern among school officials and supporters that continued fan apathy could cost South Carolina more.
Due to Hurricane Dorian, Charleston Southern is staying in Charlotte, busing to Columbia every day to practice in USC's indoor facility, eating at USC's academic building and lifting in USC's weight room. "We will do everything we can do to help," Will Muschamp said.
Bryan McClendon will no longer call plays for South Carolina, a source told The Athletic. Strength coach Jeff Dillman has been fired,
@gogamecocks
reports. Dillman and QB coach Dan Werner fired, per
@247Sports
. All of this lines up with "changes" Muschamp talked about Saturday.