Tag: atl falcons

Report: Georgia football’s Jalen Carter visiting NFC North team

Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Jalen Carter has now visited every team picking 5-10 except the Atlanta Falcons

Georgia football defensive tackle Jalen Carter is visiting the Detroit Lions on April 17. Carter has visited every team scheduled to pick between No. 5 and No. 10 with one notable exception: the Atlanta Falcons.

Carter, who recently visited the Las Vegas Raiders (No. 7 pick), has been busy throughout the predraft process. Carter also visited the Seattle Seahawks (No. 5), Chicago Bears (No. 9) and Philadelphia Eagles (No. 10) ahead of the draft. Several NFL teams have concerns over Carter’s off the field behavior.

Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, disclosed Carter will not visit teams picking outside of the top 10 ahead of the draft. The Detroit Lions hold the sixth pick of the 2023 NFL draft.

Carter plans to attend the 2023 NFL draft. Carter has had an up and down NFL draft stock. Numerous NFL draft scouts consider Carter the No. 1 prospect in the draft. However, he is projected to be selected after several quarterbacks and Alabama’s Will Anderson. Where will Carter be selected in the draft?

In 2022, Carter fought through a knee injury to record three sacks, 32 total tackles, and three pass deflections. Carter capped his Georgia football career with back-to-back national championships.

The 2023 NFL draft will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, from April 27-29. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Jalen Carter’s plan to visit the Detroit Lions:

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz2y40j067srkf player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Former Georgia Bulldog LB returning to the Atlanta Falcons

Former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Lorenzo Carter is back in Atlanta on a two-year deal

Former Georgia Bulldogs outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter is reportedly returning to the Atlanta Falcons on a two-year deal. Carter is one of the Falcons’ top pass rushers.

Carter signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons last offseason. Carter has 18.5 career sacks in his five-season NFL career.

Carter is expected to continue have a large role with the Falcons in 2023. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound outside linebacker is expected to start for Atlanta. Carter has all the physical traits to succeed.

The Falcons need to have a stronger pass rush. Atlanta had the fewest sacks in the NFL over the past two seasons (39 total sacks). The Falcons finished with only 21 sacks last year, which was No. 31 in the NFL.

Carter was the Falcons’ second-leading sack man in 2022. Carter finished the season with four sacks, which was only behind defensive end Grady Jarrett. Carter also recorded 58 total tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown in his first season with the Falcons.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta addressed the edge rusher position in the 2022 NFL draft. The Falcons selected Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie in the second round and Western Kentucky edge rusher DeAngelo Malone in the third round.

However, the Falcons need more pass rushers: 21 sacks in a season is not going to cut it in the NFL. Atlanta needs to continue to bolster its pass rush after signing Lorenzo Carter. You can never have too many pass rushers in the NFL.

An improved defense would go a long way toward helping the Falcons compete for a division crown in the wide-open NFC South.

The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the news that Carter was returning to the Falcons on a two-year contract. The Falcons shared Lorenzo Carter’s official contract signing. Carter is wearing a nice looking jacket:

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz2y40j067srkf player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Former Georgia Bulldog will play critical role in Falcons’ defense

Former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Lorenzo Carter is expected to be the top edge rusher for the Atlanta Falcons next season

Former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Lorenzo Carter signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. Carter, a former New York Giant, has 14.5 career sacks in his four season NFL career.

Carter is expected to have a large role with the Falcons in 2022. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound outside linebacker is expected to start for Atlanta. Carter has all the physical traits to succeed. Atlanta’s 2021 sack leader, Dante Fowler (4.5 sacks), left the team in free agency. Now, the Falcons are looking for pass rushers to step up.

Atlanta addressed the edge rusher position in the 2022 NFL draft. The Falcons selected Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie in the second round and Western Kentucky edge rusher DeAngelo Malone in the third round. Still, Atlanta needs more production from veterans.

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Lorenzo Carter is the most experienced and talented edge rusher on the team. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

If the Falcons want to improve defensively, they must have a stronger pass rush. Atlanta had 18 sacks last season, by far the fewest of any team in the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles (29 sacks) were the only other team to record fewer than 30 sacks.

Atlanta outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji will also compete for playing time, but Ogundeji is young and recorded one sack during his rookie season in 2021. That’s why it will be critical for Carter to disrupt opposing quarterbacks this season.

The Falcons are in the middle of a rebuild on both sides of the football. Atlanta will be much more fun to watch in 2022 if it can get more production from its pass rush and Carter.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Watch: Falcons’ draft call with Georgia TE John FitzPatrick

Georgia tight end John FitzPatrick is staying home with the Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons made some Georgia Bulldogs fans happy in the NFL draft. Atlanta selected Georgia tight end John FitzPatrick and offensive guard Justin Shaffer.

The Falcons picked FitzPatrick in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft with the No. 213 pick.

FitzPatrick is a strong blocking tight end and could be more of a receiving threat this upcoming season. FitzPatrick played through a foot injury during much of the 2021 football season with Georgia.

The 6-foot-7, 250-pound tight end and Atlanta native played soccer with the Falcons owner’s son growing up. FitzPatrick is a little big to be a soccer player these days and that suits the Falcons just fine.

Here’s the Falcons’ NFL draft call with Georgia’s John FitzPatrick:

It is always awesome when hometown players get to play at home during the NFL draft.

FitzPatrick played in all 15 games for Georgia during the 2021 season. He finished the year with six catches for 83 yards, and his career-long catch of 28 yards came in a win against Vanderbilt. FitzPatrick did not see many targets partially because he was behind Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington on the depth chart.

[vertical-gallery id=72917]

Report: Falcons turned down signing former Georgia Bulldog LB

The Atlanta Falcons reportedly turned down signing a former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker and instead signed former Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans

The Atlanta Falcons reportedly turned down signing former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Alec Ogletree. Instead, Atlanta opted to sign former first round pick and Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans.

Ogletree, who remains a free agent, played the 2021 NFL season for the Chicago Bears. He recorded 87 tackles and forced a fumble last season for the Bears.

Alec Ogletree played high school football for Newnan High School and may have to wait or accept a smaller role in order to have a Georgia homecoming. The move is disappointing for Georgia Bulldog fans, but at least the Falcons added former Georgia Bulldog Lorenzo Carter this offseason.

Atlanta will have numerous chances to draft Bulldogs in the 2022 NFL draft.

The Falcons are trying to replace leading tackler Foyesade Oluokun, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Rashaan Evans began his NFL career with Atlanta coaches Arthur Smith and Dean Pees. He will provide a veteran presence for the Falcons.

Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reported the news:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz2y40j067srkf player_id=none image=https://ugawire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Atlanta Falcons put former Georgia Bulldog on IR

The Atlanta Falcons have put former Georgia Bulldogs punter Cameron Nizialek on injured reserve

[mm-video type=video id=01fh922tc5p0mkpw86k0 playlist_id=01eqbz2y40j067srkf player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fh922tc5p0mkpw86k0/01fh922tc5p0mkpw86k0-8593ed2b26b331aef64c584138b371c5.jpg]

The Atlanta Falcons have placed former Georgia Bulldogs punter Cameron Nizialek on injured reserve. Nizialek made the Atlanta Falcons’ roster this season, but has had up and down performances.

The 26-year-old punter has punted 18 times for an average of 45.4 yards this season. Nizialek additionally handles kickoffs for Atlanta. He has a 40% touchback rate on kickoffs this season.

Cameron Nizialek suffered a right hamstring injury in week four against the Washington Football Team. Nizialek’s injury forced Younghoe Koo to attempt kickoffs. The Football Team burned the Falcons for a kickoff return touchdown in the contest.

In a corresponding move, Falcons punter Dustin Colquitt was promoted to the Atlanta’s 53-man roster. It is unclear who will handle kickoff duties.

Nizialek, who came to UGA as a graduate transfer from Columbia University, was Georgia’s punter during the 2017-18 season when the Bulldogs won the Rose Bowl and came one play away from capturing a National Championship.

Nizialek was the punter for the Atlanta Legends in 2019. The Legends were briefly a member of the now extinct Alliance of American Football.

Georgia Bulldogs punter Cameron Nizialek (92) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2018 CFP national championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In his one year with Georgia, he averaged 45.0 yards per punt on 61 total punts. 26 of his punts landed inside the 20-yard line.  His career-best punt of 61 yards came in the Rose Bowl against Oklahoma. Nizialek has a long of 62 yards this season.

We wish Nizialek a speedy recovery. He can return in three weeks.

[vertical-gallery id=50567]

[listicle id=50532]

 

Atlanta Falcons sign former Georgia Bulldog

Atlanta Falcons sign former Georgia Bulldog punter Cameron Nizialek

The Atlanta Falcons have once again signed former Georgia Bulldogs punter Cameron Nizialek. Nizialek signed a deal to join the Atlanta Falcons practice squad last September, but only spent three weeks with their practice squad.

The 26-year-old punter has also spent time in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens but has not appeared in an NFL game.

To make room for the former University of Georgia punter, the Falcons have waived punter Sterling Hofrichter due to an injury.

Nizialek, who came to UGA as a graduate transfer from Columbia University, was Georgia’s punter during the 2017-18 season when the Bulldogs won the Rose Bowl and came one play away from capturing a National Championship.

Nizialek was the punter for the Atlanta Legends in 2019. The Legends were briefly a member of the now extinct Alliance of American Football.

Feb 24, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Legends punter Cameron Nizialek shows emotion after a punt against the Birmingham Iron in the second half at Georgia State Stadium. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

In his one year with Georgia, he averaged 45.0 yards per punt on 61 total punts. 26 of his punts landed inside the 20-yard line.  His career-best punt of 61 yards came in the Rose Bowl against Oklahoma.

The Falcons brought in Nizialek along with Colby Wadman of California-Davis and Matt Wile of Michigan for workouts earlier this week following Sterling Hofrichter’s injury. Atlanta elected to sign Nizialek, who will have an opportunity to showcase his talent to the Falcons and NFL for the preseason.

[listicle id=44988]

[vertical-gallery id=44971]

Todd Gurley to Rams on Instagram: “thanks for the check today”

After his contract with Atlanta was announced, the former Bulldog standout provided parting words to the organization that drafted him.

Since a somewhat surprising release from the Los Angeles Rams, Todd Gurley has committed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

Following a move that delights a large number of local Dawgs and Dirty Birds, the Georgia Bulldog alumnus will wear red and black in Georgia for at least one more season.

Gurley took the news in stride on Thursday, playfully tweeting about having been fired on his day off. He agreed to terms with Atlanta the following morning.

After his contract with Atlanta was announced, the former Bulldog standout provided parting words to the organization that drafted him.

Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire first reported Gurley’s expert session in subtle pettiness.

Georgia faithful took to Twitter following his release with asserting that Gurley would be a great fit for the Falcons, who recently released tailback Devonta Freeman.

The next day, football fans who exist in the middle of the Falcons-Bulldogs Venn diagram got their wishes fulfilled.