Tag: Dan Quinn

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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Bills, Falcons talking joint training camp practices

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said his team might have joint practices with the Buffalo Bills during training camp.

Just last season, the Buffalo Bills front office used their Carolina connections to create some joint practices. Both Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane came to the Bills via the Panthers and during the 2019 training camp, the two teams had joint practices.

Since then, Ron Rivera and many of the connections the Bills had in Carolina have been fired. Since those are no longer there, the Bills are appear to be turning their head to the Atlanta Falcons.

According to Falcons head coach Dan Quinn via a conference call on Tuesday with reporters, the Bills have discussed having joint practices with the Falcons at some point. The Falcons, another NFC South team like the Panthers, have also had discussions with the Dolphins about doing so as well, per Quinn.

While discussing those joint practices with the Panthers a year ago, Beane called them a “benefit” to both teams.

Previously the Falcons have had joint practices with teams such as a Bengals, Patriots, Jaguars and Titans, all of which are AFC teams.

Naturally much of this depends on whether or not the NFL has a typical offseason with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Perhaps the two sides are discussing next year’s training camp as well.

 

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Falcons expecting Takk McKinley to have ‘significant’ role on defense

Quinn reiterated during a pre-draft meeting with reporters that he still thinks McKinley can get the job done and will have a “significant” role in 2020:

The Atlanta Falcons could still add an edge rusher when the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday. For now, though, it seems that head coach Dan Quinn is expecting the team to rely on fourth-year defensive end Takk McKinley to start opposite Dante Fowler next season.

As tweeted by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure below, Quinn reiterated during a pre-draft meeting with reporters that he believes McKinley can get the job done and will have a “significant” role in 2020:

Earlier this offseason, Quinn expressed similar sentiments, saying McKinley still had “so much ability and upside.” It’s a good sign that the former UCLA standout is recovering on schedule from the shoulder injury he suffered late in the year.

McKinley has felt like a potential breakout candidate for a couple of seasons, but has failed to rack up double-digit sacks despite an impressive pressure rate.

It’s safe to say he’s entering his make-or-break year in Atlanta, and if the team decides to add an edge rusher in the first three rounds, that would increase the pressure on McKinley.

Stay tuned when the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday to see which direction the Falcons go. Also, be sure to check out our galleries featuring the different prospects Atlanta has met with on offense and defense in preparation for the draft.

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Falcons coach says Brandon Powell is front-runner for kick return job

Talking to reporters Monday morning, head coach Dan Quinn offered his thoughts on the starting kick/punt return job

Last season, the Falcons went with veteran Kenjon Barner as their starting kick returner and he proved to be a solid and safe choice for the team.

Barner, 30, is currently a free agent, though, and Atlanta hasn’t indicated any intention of bringing him back in 2020. That leaves the team with several unproven options to fill this role.

Talking to reporters Monday morning, head coach Dan Quinn offered his thoughts on the starting kick/punt return job. He praised “leader in the clubhouse” Brandon Powell as the front-runner to handle the duties next season, per William McFadden:

Powell, 24, is an elusive receiver that has some experience returning kicks and punts with the Detroit Lions back in 2018. He can also bring a little something as a fourth receiver. The third-year wideout was signed by Atlanta last year but not given any playing time, which seems bound to change this season.

The Falcons could also use the upcoming NFL draft to add another player or two at the wide receiver and defensive back positions capable of competing for this spot in training camp.

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Dan Quinn says interior pressure harder to find than edge rushers

While there’s a slim chance that on of the top defensive tackles such as Javon Kinlaw and Derrick Brown could fall into the Falcons’ lap at pick No. 16, it seems unlikely that the team will acquire either without trading up

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn spoke with local media Monday morning and potentially offered a hint as to what the team may do in the first round of the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft.

While rumors of Atlanta trading up for a corner seem to be picking up steam, Quinn sounded as if he was determined to find an interior defensive lineman.

As tweeted by Kelsey Conway and William McFadden below, Quinn said interior pressure is harder to find than pressure off the edge:

While there’s a slim chance that one of the top defensive tackles such as Javon Kinlaw and Derrick Brown could fall into the Falcons’ lap at pick No. 16, it seems unlikely that the team will acquire either without trading up.

There’s some other interesting options in this class, including Justin Madubuike and Leki Fotu — both of whom held pre-draft meetings with the Falcons.

Grady Jarrett is one of the NFL’s top interior linemen, and with Dante Fowler Jr. signing with the team in free agency, it makes sense that Quinn would be looking to add another defensive tackle to maximize the team’s defensive talent.

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Dan Quinn says Damontae Kazee will remain at safety

Since the Atlanta Falcons released Desmond Trufant last month, many are assuming the team will add a cornerback in this week’s virtual draft.

Since the Atlanta Falcons released Desmond Trufant last month, many are assuming the team will add a cornerback in this week’s virtual draft.

The Falcons have Isaiah Oliver and Kendall Sheffield in place, but neither has proven they can be relied upon as starters next season. Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff spoke with local media Monday morning, giving some insight into how they view Atlanta’s 2020 roster.

One note to come from the video conference was Quinn’s preference for defensive back Damontae Kazee to play exclusively at safety next season, as tweeted by Falcons reporter Kelsey Conway below:

Kazee played some nickel corner in 2019, but was far more effective when playing the safety position. With Trufant out of the picture, some wondered if the team would make the versatile Kazee a full-time corner next season.

Obviously, Quinn and Dimitroff saw what everybody else did and will let the third-year defensive back play where he is most effective. Kazee will likely serve as a backup to both Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen.

Atlanta has no shortage of options at corner in the 2020 draft, with players such as CJ Henderson, Kristian Fulton, A.J. Terrell and Jeff Gladney as possible early-round targets.

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