Tag: Dan Quinn

Falcons one of three teams with zero player opt-outs

The Atlanta Falcons are fortunate enough to be one of three NFL teams without a single player opting out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 outbreak as Thursday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline passed.

The Atlanta Falcons were fortunate enough to be one of three NFL teams without a single player opting out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 outbreak when Thursday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline passed.

The Falcons join the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers as the only franchises to get 100 percent of their players to commit to playing this year.

There were 66 total player opt-outs, and some teams had more than a handful.

The Patriots had eight, the Browns had four and the Cowboys, Colts, Giants, Lions, and Raiders each had three players opt out.

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn has always been supportive of his players, whether they are struggling or not. It’s clear the team feels the same way about Quinn, especially after standing by him through last year’s early-season struggles.

The Falcons still have two players — FB Keith Smith and CB Jamal Carter — remaining on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list.

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Dan Quinn says no Falcons players have opted out of 2020 season

The Atlanta Falcons are ready to get to work with players arriving for the start of 2020 training camp, but it won’t be business as usual this season due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Atlanta Falcons are ready to get to work with players arriving for the start of 2020 training camp, but it won’t be business as usual this season due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

On Tuesday morning, it was reported that over 20 players had opted out of the upcoming season, including six members of New England Patriots.

The news has shaken up the league, but fortunately the Falcons have no players opting out as of yet, according to head coach Dan Quinn.

The fear of key players opting out is another hurdle for NFL head coaches, who were already at a disadvantage without having the preseason to evaluate talent.

Some of the notable players to opt out thus far are Seahawks guard Chance Warmack, Patriots safety Patrick Chung and Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

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How Mike Zimmer’s multi-year contract extension impacts the Eagles’ Doug Pederson

Minnesota Vikings finalizing a multi-year contract extension with head coach Mike Zimmer

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The NFL is predicated on high-profile quarterbacks and coaches who are able to manage the personalities of 53 players, his staff, and a bevy of other distractions.

Doug Pederson is one of the top head coaches in the NFL and although he received a contract extension during the summer of 2018 after leading the Birds to the Super Bowl, he appears to be a bit underpaid in some circles.

After leading the Eagles to their third straight playoff appearance in 2019, Pederson might be in line for a new deal after the Minnesota Vikings started formalizing a multi-year contract extension with head coach Mike Zimmer.

Zimmer has a 59-41 record, including playoffs, and he’s the third-winningest coach in Vikings history behind the late Dennis Green (101-70) and the legendary Bud Grant (161-99).

With Zimmer at the helm, the Vikings have had one of the top defensive units in the NFL. What The Vikings and Zimmer don’t have in that timeframe is a Super Bowl.

In his six seasons as coach of the Vikings, Zimmer has made the playoffs three times, including winning two NFC North Division crowns. Pederson has led the Eagles to the playoffs in three straight seasons, including a Super Bowl in 2017.

As of today, Pederson isn’t in the top-10 highest-paid coaches in football or the top-20 highest paid in sports despite his playoff prowess.

1. Bill Belichick: $12 million
2. Pete Carroll: $11 million
3. Jon Gruden: $10 million
4. Sean Payton: $9.8 million
5. John Harbaugh: $9 million
6. Matt Rhule: $8.5 million
7. Sean McVay: $8.5 million
T-8. Mike Tomlin: $8 million
T-8. Dan Quinn: $8 million
T-8. Andy Reid: $8 million

Pederson is 38-26 over his first four seasons and hasn’t had a losing season since his first season as a head coach back in 2016. The Eagles rarely have contract disputes with coaches but it’ll be interesting to see how Howie Roseman proceeds with Pederson having two-years remaining on his current deal.

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Watch: Dan Quinn discusses leadership with local high school coach

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn, along with several other members of the team’s staff, have been hosting virtual sessions with local high school coaches on some of the challenges and expectations of teaching young athletes. 

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn, along with several other members of the team’s staff, have been hosting virtual sessions with local high school coaches on some of the challenges and expectations of teaching young athletes.

In a recent session shared by Atlanta’s social media accounts, Quinn gave some pretty cool insight into the interesting aspects of his job with local high school coach Darren Myles.

The role of a head coach, as Quinn explains, is not just about leading the young men, it’s also about teaching assistants and spending one-on-one time with the entire coaching staff. Watch the full video below:

Quinn has always been one to stick up for his players and coaches, regardless of what kind of scrutiny they might be under. This is why his recent comments firmly backing any current Falcons players that choose to kneel during the National Anthem came as no surprise.

As the team enters the sixth season of Quinn’s tenure in Atlanta, it’s clear why the players enjoy playing for him.

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Dan Quinn on player protests: ‘Hell yeah, I’ll support them’

Watch Quinn speak about his decision to support his players, whether they kneel or not.

As the protests around the country have continued in response to the murder of George Floyd, the NFL is changing its tune on players kneeling during the National Anthem.

The Atlanta Falcons were one of the few franchises to clearly support their players’ right to peacefully protest when the issue first made waves a few years ago. According to head coach Dan Quinn, that stance hasn’t changed, telling reporters with conviction that he will undoubtedly support them in 2020.

“If and when the players choose to protest — and I would say — in whatever way they choose, then hell yeah, I’ll support them and I’ll be with them in whatever they choose to do,” said Quinn.

Listen to his comments below, as shared by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure:

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Falcons listed at No. 20 in ESPN’s continuity rankings

After a second-half turnaround in 2019, the Atlanta Falcons kept their coaching staff mostly intact. In terms of the roster, though, the team’s front office has made several moves on both sides of the ball.

After a second-half turnaround in 2019, the Atlanta Falcons kept their coaching staff mostly intact. In terms of the roster, though, the team’s front office has made several moves on both sides of the ball.

ESPN has tried to quantify the continuity of each NFL team by figuring out the percentage of snaps likely to be played by returning players as opposed to rookies for free agents.

According to the feature, the Falcons have 72.3 percent of their 2019 snaps returning, which ties them at No. 20 with the New York Jets. Atlanta has 17 combined starters coming back on offense, defense and special teams in 2020.

ESPN’s Vaughn McClure discusses Atlanta’s cohesion below:

Ryan and Koetter working in unison for the second consecutive year will be key, especially as they work out the kinks from Koetter’s return to the Falcons last season. There is cohesion, in a sense, on defense. New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has been a member of Quinn’s staff from the beginning and was a big part of the turnaround last season after being switched from receivers coach to working with the defensive backs. Now it’s about accelerating the growth of a handful of youngsters who missed on-field instruction during the virtual offseason.

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn are both likely fighting for their jobs this season after two 7-9 finishes.

As we examined last week, though, Atlanta’s continuity in its coaching staff could pay off after a shortened preseason.

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Dan Quinn, Thomas Dimitroff donate to Matt Ryan’s Atlanta fundraiser

Ryan got the ball rolling on his fundraiser with a $500,000 donation. On Saturday, head coach Dan Quinn and his wife Stacey followed suit, giving $25,000 to the cause.

Earlier this week, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan started a GoFundMe account aimed at “advancing the lives of the black community” in Atlanta.

Ryan got the ball rolling with a $500,000 donation. On Saturday, head coach Dan Quinn and his wife Stacey followed suit, giving $25,000 to the cause.

General manager Thomas Dimitroff donated $10,000, and wrote the following in the comments section:

“Like many of us, I’ve been holding back for too long. It’s time to step up. Thank you Ice for your leadership.”

To get a better idea of what Ryan is aiming to do, here’s the complete statement from his GoFundMe page:

Last week I made a commitment to listening and learning, and one of the messages that hit home for me was the difference between reacting to a situation and responding to a situation. For far too long I have reacted to social injustice with empathy and silent support but failed to follow through with active support. I feel the time has come to RESPOND. For ALL of us to respond.

I see my city hurting, which is why I’m starting a fundraiser to help improve the community for people of color in the city of Atlanta. I’m kicking it off with a $500K donation and am asking you to consider donating as well. Whether big or small, you will be joining me in making a difference.

Over the next few weeks/months I’ll be really listening to the needs of the community and working with black business leaders, sports figures, activists and local grassroots organizations to get guidance on how these donations can be most impactful.

Let’s rise up as a community. It’s time.

So far, there’s been nearly $650,000 raised by Ryan’s fundraiser. Click here to donate.

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NFL analyst names Calvin Ridley as potential breakout star for Falcons

NFL.com’s Adam Rank names former Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley as the Falcons 2020 breakout star.

Former Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2018 NFL draft with the No. 26 overall pick.

In two seasons with the Falcons, Ridley has reeled in 127 receptions for 1,687 yards and 17 touchdowns. Numbers that are to be appreciate, but nothing to rave about.

He would likely have a higher level of production if he was not sharing the field with fellow Alabama product Julio Jones, who caught 99 passes in 2019.

NFL.com’s Adam Rank wrote a detailed piece about what Atlanta has to look forward to when looking at head coach Dan Quinn and the Falcons as they head into the 2020 season.

In Rank’s piece, he lists Ridley as the team’s “2020 breakout star.”

His reasoning sites that the young receiver can finally hit his stride in year No. 3.

“Consider these numbers (all of which, of course, come from Next Gen Stats): Ridley was 16th in catch percentage last year (67.7%, among receivers with 50-plus targets), but sixth in catch percentage above expectation (59.0). Quarterbacks had a passer rating of 113.5 when targeting him, 12th in the NFL. Julio can still dominate like he does, but it feels like Ridley’s time to take over.”

An important factor in Rank’s prediction for 2020 is that Ridley’s success will not steal any of Jones’ limelight or production.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on Calvin Ridley’s third year in the NFL and what it means for Julio Jones.

WATCH: Mayor of Atlanta gives message to Falcons players

Falcons coach Dan Quinn hosted a special guest speaker earlier this week when the Mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Bottoms, joined him for a video chat with the team.

Good NFL coaches find ways to make their playbooks and concepts simple enough for young players to understand. During the 2020 offseason quarantine, coaches have had to work even harder to keep the team engaged.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn hosted a special guest speaker earlier this week when the Mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Bottoms, joined him for a video chat with the team.

She talked about what the players could do to help with everything that’s going on in the Atlanta community. Watch below, courtesy of the Falcons’ Twitter account.

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Familiarity with Dan Quinn may help Falcons after offseason quarantine

The Falcons did enough down the stretch of the 2019 season to convince owner Arthur Blank to retain head coach Dan Quinn and his staff for another year.

The Falcons did enough down the stretch of the 2019 season to convince owner Arthur Blank to retain head coach Dan Quinn and his staff for another year.

Even though some fans would have preferred the team to find a new voice, Quinn’s calm, pragmatic leadership style has helped him keep the respect of his players during two frustrating seasons.

Plus, Quinn has a 46-39 overall record after five seasons, going 3-2 in the playoffs with a Super Bowl appearance. But putting all of that aside, the biggest reason Atlanta’s decision to keep its head coach may pan out is because of the unusual nature of the 2020 offseason due to the COVID-19 outbreak and resulting quarantine.

The experience factor could favor Atlanta

As the NFL tries to become a safer league, players and coaches don’t get to spend as much time together as they would have in previous offseasons anyway. For a new coach, dealing with the quarantine could result in being miles behind by the time the league begins training camp.

Meanwhile, Quinn has the command of a very talented locker room as we get closer to what’s likely to be an unusual start to the season. There’s an advantage to experience, which the Falcons have plenty of.

Dimitroff’s plan this offseason was to trim the fat on the roster and create as much salary cap space as possible, while also trying to get younger. In other words, he’s betting on the young players to step up and fill different roles to create the most efficient possible version of the team.

The Falcons have veteran talent at key positions, a stable, proven coaching staff and are relatively under the radar nationally. It’ll be interesting to see if these factors, along with Dimitroff’s many offseason moves will be enough for the team to return to the playoffs in 2020.

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