Tag: Atlanta Falcons news

Ex-Justin Simmons teammate says safety is finalizing deal with Falcons

Su’a Cravens, who played for the Broncos in 2018, claims safety Justin Simmons is finalizing a deal with the Falcons.

Story update: Justin Simmons agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. See our original post below.

If a report from a former teammate can be trusted, free agent safety Justin Simmons has found a new home in the NFL.

Su’a Cravens, a former safety who played for the Denver Broncos in 2018, tweeted on Thursday that Simmons is “finalizing a deal” with the Atlanta Falcons. Another former teammate, cornerback Chris Harris, quote-tweeted the Cravens post. It’s unclear if Harris was confirming the report or merely reacting to the news.

Simmons, 30, was released by the Broncos earlier this year in a move that saved the team $14.5 million in salary cap space. Denver has since replaced Simmons with free agent addition Brandon Jones.

Simmons visited the New Orleans Saints last week and the Falcons this week. He is arguably the most notable free agent still available. If the Cravens report is accurate, the veteran finally has a new team after five months on the open market. Denver will host Atlanta in Week 11.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Falcons fans have seen enough of head coach Arthur Smith

Falcons fans have seen enough of head coach Arthur Smith, with many calling for him to be fired at the bye week

NFL fans will put up with almost anything as long as their team is winning, but passion and patience don’t exactly go hand in hand. Once you begin to lose games, you begin to lose fans.

This is what Falcons head coach Arthur Smith is experiencing after the team’s third consecutive loss in Week 10. Smith’s job appears to be safe for the moment, but fans are ready to see Atlanta make a change at the bye week.

On Monday, Smith declined to name a starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. The Falcons head coach was asked about his response to those calling for his job.

Chargers claim safety Jaylinn Hawkins, place Raheem Layne on injured reserve

The Chargers shored up the safety room.

In wake of Raheem Layne’s season-ending injury, the Chargers claimed Jaylinn Hawkins off waivers from the Falcons.

To make room for Hawkins, Los Angeles placed Layne on the injured reserve list.

Hawkins, a 2020 fourth-round pick, had 124 tackles, four interceptions, nine passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery across 48 games with 22 starts, most of them coming last season (16).

Hawkins spent his collegiate career at California, where he posted 158 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, ten interceptions, seven pass breakups and three forced fumbles.

Hawkins can play the deep part of the field, come down in the box and line up in the slot.

With Alohi Gilman still dealing with a heel injury, Hawkins could see the field as early as this weekend against the Chiefs.

Atlanta Falcons waive former Georgia Bulldogs DL

The Atlanta Falcons have waived former Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman John Atkins.

The Atlanta Falcons have waived former Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman John Atkins.

Atlanta waived several players following their preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans. The Falcons have to cut one more player to reach the NFL’s roster requirement by Tuesday.

Atkins played in 36 career games for the Georgia Bulldogs. He compiled 81 total tackles over his career in Athens, but he never recorded a sack. Atkins is more of a run-stopper than a pass rusher. Now, he will search for another NFL opportunity.

Jan 8, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle John Atkins is looking for a new NFL home. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Atkins has 22 career tackles during his NFL career. He previosuly played with the Detroit Lions in 2018-2019. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound defensive tackle went undrafted in 2018.

Atkins signed with the New England Patriots following the draft, but was cut before the regular season. Atkins signed with the Lions, with whom he had an opportunity to play in a few games as a rookie.

Atkins opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Detroit Lions cut Atkins on June 2.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[vertical-gallery id=45365]

Atlanta Falcons preseason: Three-game schedule kicks off vs. Titans

On August 13, the Falcons will host the Tennessee Titans and wide receiver Julio Jones from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Falcons are a week into training camp and their first preseason game is already fast approaching. On August 13, the Falcons will host the Tennessee Titans and wide receiver Julio Jones from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, assuming Kanye West has vacated the premises by then.

Here’s a look at the Falcons’ three-game preseason schedule, which kicks off next Friday.

Falcons expected to sign WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Falcons are hosting veteran returner Cordarrelle Patterson for a visit and he’s expected to sign with Atlanta

The Falcons have seen more than a handful of players leave for other teams since the start of free agency, including wide receiver/kick returner Brandon Powell, who signed with the Buffalo Bills. Atlanta may have found Powell’s replacement, though.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Falcons are hosting veteran returner Cordarrelle Patterson for a visit and the two sides are expected to reach a deal.

Patterson, a first-round pick in 2013, has played for four NFL teams and spent last season with the Chicago Bears. While he’s never been much of a threat as a true receiver, Patterson has been named to four All-Pro teams and four Pro Bowls for his outstanding kick-return ability.

Over his eight seasons, the former Tennessee speedster has returned 239 kickoffs for 7,118 yards and eight touchdowns. As a receiver, Patterson has 216 catches for 2,087 yards and 10 touchdown receptions.

[lawrence-related id=70541,70537,69882,70368]

[listicle id=70456]

Report: Vikings express ‘early interest’ in free agent Falcons S Keanu Neal

Could Atlanta Falcons free agent safety Keanu Neal sign with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason?

S Anthony Harris is arguably the best player in the Vikings’ 2021 free agency class.

Harris had a 2019 where he tallied six interceptions in the regular season and one in the playoffs. That year, he earned a PFF grade of 90.5.

In 2020, Harris regressed. He had no interceptions and a PFF grade of 66.2. However, based on his body of work, Harris should still command a decent price in free agency.

So it makes sense that Minnesota is reportedly looking for other safeties in free agency. Per multiple reports, the Vikings have expressed interest in Falcons S Keanu Neal, who is a free agent this offseason. Although, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press added the caveat that it is “early interest” at this time.

Neal had one interception and a PFF grade of 68.2 in 2020. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017 when he had one interception and a PFF grade of 78.1. He suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries in 2018 and 2019.

So Neal has been good in the past and the Vikings probably don’t need a stellar safety paired with someone as good as S Harrison Smith. That said, this move would likely be a downgrade from the Smith-Harris pairing back deep.

Falcons complete interview with Brad Holmes for GM vacancy

The Atlanta Falcons continue to interview candidates for their vacancies at head coach and general manager.

The Atlanta Falcons continue to interview candidates for their vacancies at head coach and general manager. On Monday, the team spoke to Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh virtually.

Then on Tuesday afternoon, as reported by the Falcons Twitter account, the team completed another virtual interview with Brad Holmes, the Los Angeles Rams director of college scouting.

Holmes has spent nearly two decades with the Rams organization, working his way up to college scouting director in 2013 and helping the team draft a ton of talented players. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, running back Todd Gurley and quarterback Jared Goff are just some of the names acquired during Holmes’ tenure.

Stay tuned for more interview updates throughout the week.

[lawrence-related id=63705,63676,63668,63726]

[vertical-gallery id=63650]

Falcons’ Jacob Tuioti-Mariner named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

One performance that warranted some praise was that of DT Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, who finished Sunday’s contest with six tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

The Atlanta Falcons thoroughly outplayed the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12, winning by 37 points and forcing five turnovers. Following the game, there was plenty for interim head coach Raheem Morris to like.

One performance that warranted some praise was that of DT Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, who finished Sunday’s contest with six tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Tuioti-Mariner has been NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

The 24-year-old is in his third season as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA and provided some much-needed pass rush against the Raiders. Tuioti-Mariner happened to be mic’d up for his Week 12 performance. Watch below, as shared by the team’s Twitter account.

The Falcons host the New Orleans Saints in Week 13, looking to avenge their loss from two weeks ago and stay in the playoff hunt.

[lawrence-related id=61675,61691,61627,61625]

[vertical-gallery id=61651]

Georgia great, Falcons RB Todd Gurley stars in new Gatorade commercial

Former UGA RB Todd Gurley, now with the Atlanta Falcons, was recently featured in Gatorade’s new  “Ready To Play Anything” campaign.

Former Georgia running back Todd Gurley, now with the Atlanta Falcons, was recently featured in Gatorade’s new  “Ready To Play Anything” campaign.

In a 30 second ad, Gurley was featured alongside Zion Williamson, Elena Delle Donne, Sydney McLaughlin and Bryce Harper, showing the athletes playing a variety of sports.

Gurley discussed his participation in the commercial:

“There’s nothing better than sports, and athletes can’t wait to get back to get back to doing what they love with their teams. Gatorade is inspiring the next generations of athletes by showing how the pros are down to play any sport, at any time, just because we love to play,” said Gurley.