If Roquan Smith didn't apparently have some kind of vendetta against Jake Matthews, he'd have as clear a lane to Desmond Ridder as you're likely to get...
I just went back and looked at some film, and Matt Ryan played with his right foot forward until the 2015 season - when Kyle Shanahan arrived in Atlanta. From then on, Matt Ryan has had his right foot back.
This may just be nothing (but it definitely could be something). Justin Fields has his right leg back at the Pro Day, but he played with his left leg back in college.
Just heard the story about Dan Quinn helping Kellen Moore with the head coach interview process, and I continue to be surprised by how highly I think of that man. Falcons fans, he may not have accomplished the ultimate goal, but he’s a great human being and does his best.
Since 2016 Matt Ryan has more passing yards and completions than any other NFL quarterback. He's also tied with Drew Brees for the second-most touchdown passes in that time with 119. Not sure how anyone could think he's not a franchise QB.
#Falcons
No easy way to say this, but I was let go by the Atlanta Falcons yesterday after four years of covering the team. I’m extremely thankful to the organization and my boss
@MatthewTabeek
for giving me the opportunity to cover my hometown team. 1/3
A reporter said Julio was in the same boat with Amari Cooper and Michael Thomas in waiting for a new deal and Julio replied, “Nah, we’re not in the same boat.”
#Falcons
Bruce Irvin says his agent told him “You know every team thinks you’re going to Atlanta.” He says he looked at his agent and said, “They’re right.”
#Falcons
Despite working with the Saints for 18 years, Terry Fontenot call his kids over and already has his kids decked out in Falcons gear. "Now they bleed black and red." His son's favorite player is Julio Jones.
Arthur Smith played a big role in turning around Ryan Tannehill's career with a great play-action passing attack, and his run schemes helped Derrick Henry post 1,500 yards in 2019 and 2,000 in 2020. Now, he's got Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley to work with.
All of the Michael Thomas news this season, and the Antonio Brown stuff last year, should only continue to highlight how rare Julio Jones is. Elite player on the field and the perfect teammate and level-headed leader. Falcons fans are lucky.
Some in the league believe
#Saints
might be willing to trade All-Pro WR Michael Thomas, according to
@ProFootballTalk
Thomas set the record for catches in a single season last year with 149 and was rewarded with a 5-year, $100M contract with $61M guaranteed with the
#Saints
Dante Fowler says the Raheem Morris has made Falcons players a little more "uncomfortable" this week. He's pushing players hard to ramp up the intensity. Fowler says he's getting the players to get mad at him to get the most out of them.
Joe Buck bringing up Tom Brady beating the Falcons in the Super Bowl but not mentioning the Falcons beating Tom Brady last weekend in a meaningless Week 18 game is irresponsible journalism
Jessie Bates says AJ Terrell, Casey Hayward and Kyle Pitts "did a really good job of recruiting me" to the Falcons. He mentioned they have the same agent as well, which certainly helps.
You better watch out, you better not cry. You better not pout, I'm telling you why. Matt Bosher will come to your house and tackle the living sh*t out of you.
Falcons wanted a face of the franchise in 2008 and Matt Ryan has been that since Day 1. Franchise doesn’t deserve Matt if they don’t show the same class.
Dan Quinn says Julio Jones has told him he's seeing good things from A.J. Terrell and that the two of them have a great back and forth while competing on the field. Quinn has been very pleased with what he's seen from Terrell.
The
#Falcons
2016 class of defenders has already made an impact on the NFL. Here are the combined numbers for
@Keanu_Neal
,
@debo
,
@Came_Along_Way
and
@poolioo
Starts: 97
Tackles: 506
INTs: 9
FFs: 11
Pass defenses: 61
Pro Bowls: 2
That's crazy.
Austin Hooper is on pace to shatter his previous career bests and is emerging as a legitimate star for the
#Falcons
. In a season with plenty of negatives, let's just appreciate Hooper's effort.
Taylor Heinicke says his mindset is to come in and to be the best backup he can be for Desmond Ridder with the Falcons. He says Atlanta was up front with him about his role with the club.
Cordarrelle Patterson has to easily be on the list of complete surprises in Atlanta Falcons history. Off the top of my head it’s CP, Harry Douglas in 2013 and any time Antone Smith touched the ball.
Reports have emerged that a combination of Joe Brady as head coach and Terry Fontenot as general manager is possible for the Falcons. No official word from the team, however.
Something that might have gotten lost in the shuffle today: Alex Mack may never suit up for the Falcons again. I truly hope he does, but if he doesn’t, he should be remembered as one of the franchise’s best all-time signings. I hope he gets into the HOF if he opts to retire.
There were plenty of people who doubted the Falcons' selection of A.J. Terrell at No. 16, but it looks like Atlanta made the right choice. He's doing everything the Falcons want and looks to have a bright future ahead in the NFL as a top corner.
Listening to Julio Jones talk about football is truly a masterclass. He knows so much about how to play the game, I'm honestly always in awe. I know I shouldn't be, but he's not just a physical freak, he's so sharp, mentally.
Bruce Arians, who has coached Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, among others, told the Atlanta media this week that he believes Matt Ryan is one of the league's "premier pocket passers."
#Falcons
After the game, an official gave Younghoe Koo the football that he recovered on his kickoff in the third quarter. It's headed right for his trophy case.
#Falcons
Dan Quinn opens his press conference by saying, "I'm glad that we're pissed, because it tells me where our expectations are as a team and as a fan base."
#Falcons
Dirk Koetter says the
#Falcons
offense was trying to catch the Eagles in that zero blitz during their final drive. Says they had that check on every single play and went with empty sets to get them to run that blitz.
Julio Jones says he "didn't feel anything" while running around in practice today and he "feels really good" heading into the weekend. Sounds like he could play on Sunday against the Saints.
TMZ caught up with Julio Jones and asked if the
#Falcons
should consider taking a QB if a guy like Tua Tagovailoa is available at No. 16. Matt Ryan's performance has spoken for itself, but Julio came to his defense anyway.
With the college football season in the books and the top of the NFL Draft order set,
@RiseNDraft
reveals his first mock draft of 2023.
Agree?
(presented by
@betonline_ag
)
Dan Quinn called Sunday's win against the 49ers a "blood-and-guts kind of day." It was certainly the gutsiest performance of the season for the
#Falcons
defense.