Tag: Dan Quinn

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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Dan Quinn believes McGary, Lindstrom will ‘take a huge step’ in 2020

Quinn highlighted Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary and Russell Gage as players he thinks will make significant progress next year.

The Atlanta Falcons have a lot riding on next season. After two disappointing finishes, owner Arthur Blank elected to retain GM Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn. To validate Blank’s trust, the team must get back on the playoffs in 2020.

Speaking with Falcons reporter Matthew Tabeek, Quinn laid out his expectations for some of Atlanta’s younger players. He highlighted Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary and Russell Gage as players he thinks will make significant progress next year.

“I’m very excited to see the development at both right guard and right tackle with McGary and Lindstrom,” said Quinn. “I think these guys are going to take a huge step going into year two.”

Watch the entire five-minute interview below, as shared by the Falcons’ Twitter account:

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Video: Dan Quinn talks of his admiration for Kobe Bryant

One thing about Falcons head coach Dan Quinn that’s been the same since he was hired five years ago is his appreciation for competition in sports.

One thing about Falcons head coach Dan Quinn that’s been the same since he was hired five years ago is his appreciation for competition in sports.

Like the rest of us, Quinn was saddened to learn of NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s tragic death last month. Talking with NFL Network about watching Bryant’s memorial, Quinn spoke of his appreciation for the five-time champion, who embodied hard work and was never afraid to try and be the best.

“You recognize what it looked like for somebody to go for it at the highest level,” said Quinn. “I think he lived it, demonstrated it, and people saw it.”

Watch the interview below, as shared by the team’s Twitter account:

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Watch: Dan Quinn discusses new Falcons uniforms

The Atlanta Falcons have missed the playoffs for two straight seasons and while the front office elected keep the coaching staff in place for another year, the team will be wearing new uniforms in 2020

The Atlanta Falcons have missed the playoffs for two straight seasons and while the front office elected keep the coaching staff in place for another year, the team will be wearing new uniforms in 2020.

It seems like something only fans and players would get excited about, however, head coach Dan Quinn was apparently pushing behind the scenes to get a new look for a few seasons.

In a recent interview on Matthew Tabeek’s Bird Noises podcast, Quinn talked about the effect that getting new uniforms can have on a team. Watch below, as tweeted out by the Falcons’ team Twitter account:

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Touchdown Wire’s final Power Rankings led by Chiefs

Kansas City sits atop Touchdown Wire’s final 2019-20 Power Rankings, but coaching moves spur movement up and down our postseason list.