Tag: falcons news

Watch: Falcons cheerleaders stepping up amid outbreak

As reported on FOX 5 Sports in Atlanta, a handful of Falcons cheerleaders who work in the hospital have been doing their part on the front lines during this outbreak.

The Atlanta Falcons organization has been doing its part to help fight the COVID-19 outbreak. Owner Arthur Blank has donated millions in relief efforts, while defensive tackle Grady Jarrett has helped provide meals to first responders.

As reported by FOX 5 Sports in Atlanta, a handful of Falcons cheerleaders who work in the hospital have been doing their part on the front lines during this outbreak.

Check out this cool segment by Kelly Price highlighting some of the outstanding women stepping up in the trenches when the country needs it most:

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Falcons RB Todd Gurley not planning on filing grievance against Rams

Atlanta Falcons RB Todd Gurley, previously of the LA Rams & Georgia football, doesn’t plan on filling grievance against Rams for money owed.

Outside linebacker Clay Matthews is filing a grievance against the Rams over $2 million in guaranteed money that he’s apparently owed.

Former Georgia running back Todd Gurley, who has spent his entire career with the Rams before recently signing with the Falcons, does not have the same intentions as his former teammate, per ESPN’s Vaughn McClure.

Both Matthews and Gurley have been public with their frustration over the Rams and their non-payments, but Gurley has signed with a team while Matthews still has not. Both were released by the Rams on March 19th.

 

From RamsWire: 

Both players had offset language in their contracts with the Rams, which has likely caused the discrepancy between them and the team. However, unlike Matthews, Gurley has already signed with another team.

Because of that, the Rams owe him $2.5 million less than the $7.55 million he was originally scheduled to receive, because his contract with Atlanta is worth at least $2.5 million. As McClure points out, though, Gurley’s contract is still pending a physical even though he’s already signed on the dotted line.

“They’re definitely owed money. That money is guaranteed. We’re going to pay them,” Rams general manager Les Snead told NFL Network before the NFL draft. “There’s some language in the contract of exactly when you pay them, and that’s what we’re adhering by. What I do know is both Clay and Todd earned that money, and they’re going to get that money.”

Watch: Falcons rookie A.J. Terrell joins ‘Jim Rome Show’

Atlanta Falcons first-round pick A.J. Terrell is in for a tough rookie season as a likely starter at cornerback in a division with some of the NFL’s best wide receivers.

Atlanta Falcons first-round pick A.J. Terrell is in for a tough rookie season as a likely starter at cornerback in a division with some of the NFL’s best wide receivers.

Michael Thomas, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, DJ Moore and Robby Anderson are just a few of the NFC South wideouts the former Clemson standout will face off against this season.

Fortunately for Terrell, the Falcons’ duo of Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley will be practicing against him each day, which should help him progress a little quicker.

As a guest on the Jim Rome Show, Terrell talked about the challenges he will face as a rookie and the mindset he plans to bring to the football field in Atlanta:

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Falcons rookie Marlon Davidson named one of draft’s biggest steals

Falcons rookie defensive lineman Marlon Davidson was named in Touchdown Wire’s piece examining the 2020 NFL Draft’s biggest steals.

The Falcons were criticized by some draft experts for taking Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell with pick No. 16 of the 2020 draft. In the second round, the team landed Auburn’s Marlon Davidson, a pick that earned a much better reception from fans and analysts.

In Touchdown Wire‘s piece examining the draft’s biggest steals, the Falcons rookie defensive lineman was one of 15 players named by Doug Farrar. Here’s an excerpt from the article:

How did Davidson last until the 47th overall pick in the second round, despite all kinds of first-round tape? At 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds, Davidson may be considered too much of a “tweener” for some teams, especially as an edge-rusher, which is what he did a lot in college. But he should do well at the next level as an undersized interior guy, best-served working between the center’s outside shoulder and the tackle’s inside shoulder. He’ll put up a ton of pressures in that role, and since he’ll be doing it for the Falcons, his chances for success are higher.

Davidson figures to battle Falcons defensive lineman Tyeler Davison for the second starting defensive tackle spot next to Grady Jarrett. At worst, he’ll provide valuable reps as a rotational DL.

It’s possible Davidson plays some defensive end as well, which as Farrar alluded to, is why some teams labeled him a “tweener” and caused his fall to the middle of the second round.

Assuming the season starts on time, Davidson, along with A.J. Terrell and Matt Hennessy should provide the team with some exciting young talent at positions of need in 2020.

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Falcons rookie Matt Hennessy says he looked up to Alex Mack

Temple’s Matt Hennessy fills an immediate need for the Falcons at left guard and as a potential long-term replacement for center Alex Mack.

The Atlanta Falcons selected potentially the best center in the 2020 draft with their third-round pick. Temple’s Matt Hennessy fills an immediate need for the Falcons at left guard and as a potential long-term replacement for center Alex Mack.

Since signing in Atlanta back in 2016, Mack has been a model of consistency. He’s played in every game and was a key part of the team’s rise to contender status.

Hennessy hopes to reach the heights of Mack one day. The Falcons rookie lineman has actually looked up to team’s Pro Bowl center for some time. Watch Hennessy speak about his admiration for Mack growing up, as shared by the team’s Twitter account below:

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Instant Analysis: Falcons add depth by trading for DE Charles Harris

The Falcons now have two former first-round picks with a lot to prove competing for the job opposite Dante Folwer.

The Atlanta Falcons added another former first-round pick to their roster on Friday morning, trading a 2021 seventh-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for defensive end Charles Harris.

Harris, like current Falcons DE Takk McKinley, was selected in 2017 and hasn’t lived up to that first-round status as of yet. In three seasons with the Dolphins, Harris has only started eight games and recorded just 3.5 sacks.

Miami’s defense requires a little more technique from its ends, which Harris just hasn’t developed. While he thrived in Missouri’s attacking-style defense, it hasn’t came together during his three seasons with the Dolphins.

So why trade for Harris?

A seventh-round pick isn’t much to give up for a player that Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff was rumored to be interested in back in 2017. Harris is only 25 years old and coming to Atlanta means he’s not likely to have his fifth-year option picked up.

Knowing that, this essentially becomes a contract year for Harris. Unless he turns things around, there won’t be much free-agent interest in him in 2021. Money can he quite the motivator, though, and sometimes a change of scenery can be just what a frustrated, struggling player needs.

Harris is considered to be a better fit in the Falcons’ attacking-style defense. The Dolphins haven’t exactly been a model of NFL consistency over the past three seasons, either.

Without the expectations that Harris had as first-round pick in Miami, he can just go out there and play. In a rotational role likely backing up McKinley, Harris is a low-risk, high-reward acquisition.

The Falcons now have two fourth-year defensive ends with a lot to prove competing for the job opposite Dante Folwer. It could potentially bring out the best in both players and if not, the team can let both walk in free agency and try again next year.

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Falcons OL Matt Hennessy was PFF’s highest-graded center in 2019

The Atlanta Falcons went into the 2020 NFL Draft with an immediate need at left guard and a long-term need at center. By selecting Temple’s Matt Hennessy in the third round, the team may have found someone that can do both.

The Atlanta Falcons went into the 2020 NFL Draft with an immediate need at left guard and a long-term need at center. By selecting Temple’s Matt Hennessy in the third round, the team may have found someone that can do both.

The Falcons figure to let Hennessy compete for the starting left guard job this season, and potentially replace Alex Mack at center down the line.

Pro Football Focus was extremely high on Atlanta’s rookie lineman, ranking Hennessy as college football’s top center in 2019:

Hennessy’s overall PFF grade of 86.9 led the nation, but his pass-blocking ability is what separates him from the rest. The Falcons invested two first-round picks into the offensive line last season, adding right tackle Kaleb McGary and right guard Chris Lindstrom.

If Hennessy can translate his college success to the NFL, Matt Ryan should be more comfortable in the pocket than last season when the team allowed 50 sacks and 136 QB hits.

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Watch: Jaylinn Hawkins makes crazy one-handed INT

The Falcons made just six picks during the 2020 NFL Draft, but general manager Thomas Dimitroff made those picks count by finding players that can contribute right away.

The Falcons made just six picks during the 2020 NFL Draft, but general manager Thomas Dimitroff made those picks count by finding players that can contribute right away.

Late in the fourth round, the team took California safety Jaylinn Hawkins with the pick Atlanta received from the Baltimore Ravens in the Hayden Hurst trade.

Hawkins is a guy that should help right away on special teams as a gunner, while providing depth and emergency-starter insurance. His athleticism is matched only by his confidence, which you can see in this spectacular one-handed interception against Stanford below:

Hawkins is an exciting guy to listen to, and he clearly isn’t shy about the variety of things he can do. Watch below as he talks about his versatility to play as both a deep safety and an in-the-box defender:

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Watch: Falcons GM discusses Jaylinn Hawkins, Mykal Walker

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff added three more players during Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft that figure to have prominent roles this season.

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff added three more players during Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft that figure to have prominent roles this season.

With two fourth-round picks, Atlanta stayed committed to revamping its defense by selecting Fresno State linebacker Mykal Walker and Cal safety Jaylinn Hawkins.

Dimitroff gave his evaluations of both new Falcons defenders shortly after the selections were made. Speaking about Hawkins, Dimitroff praised the safety’s toughness:

Dimitroff praised Walker for explosiveness and athleticism:

The Falcons later selected punter Sterling Hofrichter in the seventh round, who should battle Ryan Allen for the starting punter job as well.

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2020 NFL Draft: Breaking down all 6 Falcons picks

After leading the league in trade rumors entering the draft, the Atlanta Falcons didn’t make a single move during all three days.

After leading the league in trade rumors entering the draft, the Falcons didn’t make a single move. The team was still able to fill needs at cornerback, guard and linebacker, while adding depth to its secondary.

Let’s recap all six of Atlanta’s picks and examine the roles they are likely to play in 2020.

Round 1 (No. 16): CB A.J. Terrell – Florida

Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Analysis: Terrell was the third corner drafted, but is a great fit for Atlanta’s scheme and fills the team’s desperate need for a starting cornerback. Some analysts felt the pick was a reach, however, the Falcons had no choice due to the position they put themselves in by cutting Desmond Trufant. Terrell is effective in press-man coverage as well as zone. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris should be able to maximize the abilities of the former Clemson standout.

Let’s take a look at his RAS (relative athletic score), courtesy of Kent Lee Platte, to highlight Terrell’s impressive athleticism:

2019 Stats: 34 tackles (24 solo), 2 interceptions, 3 pass deflections and 0.5 sacks.

Video: Here’s Terrell playing against Notre Dame last season:

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