Tag: Grady Jarrett

Were any Falcons snubbed from the 2021 Pro Bowl selection?

The Pro Bowl voting was finalized Monday evening and two Falcons players made the cut.

Voting for the 2021 NFL Pro Bowl was finalized on Monday evening and two Falcons players made the cut. Kicker Younghoe Koo was selected to his first career Pro Bowl and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett will be making his second consecutive appearance.

While both Koo and Jarrett rightfully deserved their places on the roster, did any Falcons players get snubbed?

The obvious choice that comes to mind is WR Calvin Ridley and when you look at his stats, he certainly does have a compelling argument. Despite ranking No. 11 in the NFC in total receptions, Ridley is third in the conference in receiving yards this season. Not to mention, Ridley is tied for second in the league in catches of 20 yards or more.

However, you also have to look at the four receivers selected over Ridley to understand why he was snubbed. Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, DK Metcalf and Justin Jefferson were voted into the Pro Bowl over the former Alabama star.

There is no denying that Metcalf, Adams and Hopkins should be placed ahead of Ridley. You could certainly make a case for Ridley over Jefferson, who’s having a great year but is a rookie.

Ridley has a higher yardage total, more receptions and above Jefferson in almost every major receiving statistic. Jefferson has eclipsed 100 yards six times, while Ridley has seven.

So if Jefferson doesn’t have better numbers, then why was he selected over Ridley?

It’s as simple as fanfare surrounding an up-and-coming star receiver, coupled with the fact that the Falcons’ offense has been an embarrassment. Ridley is just a casualty of the team’s dysfunction. In addition, Jefferson did break the Vikings single-season reception record that was previously held by Randy Moss.

So on paper, Ridley did put up better numbers. However, the difference in production between the two receivers isn’t big enough to cover the media attention that Jefferson has gotten — and deservedly so.

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Falcons DT Grady Jarrett, K Younghoe Koo selected to 2021 Pro Bowl

On Monday, two of Atlanta’s elite performers were recognized with 2021 Pro Bowl selections.

The Falcons haven’t had much to celebrate this season, winning just four of 14 games after Sunday’s 31-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Just because the team is having a bad year doesn’t mean that there aren’t some great players on the roster, though.

On Monday, two of Atlanta’s elite performers were recognized with 2021 Pro Bowl selections. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett was voted in for the second year in a row, and kicker Younghoe Koo was voted in for the first time in his career.

Jarrett, like always, plays well whether the team wins or loses. The former fifth-round pick has impressively worked on his craft each year and is arguably the NFL’s second-best interior lineman behind Aaron Donald.

As for Koo, the former journeyman was playing in the now-disbanded AAF not that long ago for the Atlanta Legends. To his credit, Koo was ready when he got his chance midway through the 2019 season.

He replaced a fan-favorite in Matt Bryant, but the move now appears to be one of the best that former Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff made over the past two years.

Koo broke a team record for field goals in a season during Week 15.

Congrats to both Falcons players for showing up every and every week, regardless of the team’s record. The 2021 Pro Bowl will be played virtually as a safety precaution to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

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Video: Falcons tell their fans to rise up and vote

Since it’s election day here in the United States, the Atlanta Falcons made sure to remind their fans of the importance of getting out to vote in this year’s election.

Since it’s election day here in the United States, the Atlanta Falcons made sure to remind their fans of the importance of getting out to vote in this year’s election.

The Falcons’ Twitter account released the following videos featuring quarterback Matt Ryan, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and team owner Arthur Blank encouraging fans to make their voices heard at the polls.

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Panthers vs. Falcons: 3 keys to a potential third-straight win

Panthers vs. Falcons: 3 keys to a potential third-straight win

The Carolina Panthers have a chance to push their winning streak to three games if they can beat the Atlanta Falcons on the road today. It won’t be easy. Carolina has been dominated in this rivalry over the last five years, even when they seem to have a better team on paper.

If the Panthers are finally going to get this monkey off their back and beat Atlanta, they’ll need to follow through on a few keys to the game. Here’s how they can get it done.

Offense: Attack the CBs, contain Grady Jarrett

This Falcons defense is one of the worst in the NFL this season. They’re most vulnerable at cornerback, which is where Joe Brady should be focusing his attack. Atlanta will likely start rookie A.J. Terrell and Isaiah Oliver, who can be exploited by even very average wide receivers. Brady and QB Teddy Bridgewater should go after him in coverage as much as possible.

The one guy Carolina needs to worry about is defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. He’s their best pass rusher and the only Atlanta defender who can really wreck your gameplan. If the offensive line struggles against Jarrett early in the game, they shouldn’t hesistate to start throwing double teams at him.

Defense: Make Russell Gage beat you

Offensively, this team has a powerful 1-2 punch at wide receiver with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, who has had his way against the Panthers defense the last couple of seasons. Bracketing both of them is impractical, but defensive coordinator Phil Snow’s strategy should be to neutralize those two as much as possible and force Atlanta’s No. 3 wide receiver Russell Gage to beat them. Jones and Ridley are both dealing with injuries, as well. Julio will be a game-time decision, but he plays hurt as much as anybody.

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Falcons will honor civil rights icon John Lewis in Week 1

Atlanta announced it would be celebrating the life of John Lewis, the former Georgia congressman and civil rights icon, by making him an honorary captain in Week 1.

The Atlanta Falcons are focused on football but will not ignore the bigger social issues in our country when they take the field for their season-opening matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

On Friday, the team announced it would be celebrating the life of John Lewis, the former Georgia congressman and civil rights icon, by making him an honorary captain in Week 1.

The man once known as “the conscience of the Congress” by his peers passed away in July at the age of 80. Lewis’ role in the country passing the 1965 Voting Rights Act is as relevant today as ever.

Falcons defensive end Steven Means and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett were among the players to show support for Lewis on social media after the team announced him as its honorary captain.

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Marlon Davidson following Grady Jarrett like a ‘gnat at a barbecue’

There’s arguably no better model of what it takes to succeed in the National Football League than Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.

There’s arguably no better model of what it takes to succeed in the National Football League than Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. In five years, Jarrett has gone from a fifth-round pick to an All-Pro player, anchoring the team’s defensive line with his freakish strength.

Atlanta added another talented lineman in the second round of the 2020 draft, selecting versatile Auburn DL Marlon Davidson. Unlike the team’s first-round pick, CB A.J. Terrell, Davidson can be eased into his role this season. Jarrett is only a year into a four-year extension, and the Falcons re-signed DT Tyeler Davison during the offseason. So Davidson doesn’t need to start right away.

The rookie is wisely using this time to soak up as much knowledge as possible, saying he’s been pestering Jarrett at practice like a “gnat at a barbecue.”

Davidson was considered a great value for the Falcons in round two, but has missed time at practice due to a knee strain. While the injury doesn’t bode well for his early playing time, he should still bring value as a rotational defensive lineman at both tackle and end.

Davidson played four seasons at Auburn where he racked up 90 solo tackles, 28 tackles for a loss and 14.5 sacks. In 2019, he played primarily at defensive end and had a career-best 6.5 sacks.

For the rookie to make an impact in the NFL, he simply has to put the work in. Staying close to one of the league’s premier defensive tackles is a good start, assuming he’s six feet away, of course.

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Falcons players show off team’s new all-black uniforms

Falcons fans are in desperate need of football, but Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season is still a month away.

Falcons fans are in desperate need of football, but Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season is still a month away. So for now, images of the players wearing Atlanta’s new all-black uniforms will have to do.

Let’s look at every picture the Falcons have released of this year’s team wearing the all-black version of its new design.

Gurley, Hurst and Fowler:

DT Grady Jarrett:

TGIII:

Running Backs:

2020 Rookie Class:

Return of S Keanu Neal:

WR Calvin Ridley:

Kicker Younghoe Koo:

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Grady Jarrett is ‘ready to go wreck it’ this season with Dante Fowler

Count Falcons DT Grady Jarrett among those excited to play with team’s offseason additions.

The Atlanta Falcons made two big acquisitions during free agency, signing former Rams defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. and running back Todd Gurley.

Both are expected to play big roles this year as the team attempts to rebound from another 7-9 finish in 2019. Count Falcons DT Grady Jarrett among those excited to play with Atlanta’s offseason additions.

Talking to reporters on Monday, Jarrett said he was “ready to go wreck it” with Fowler, as tweeted by William McFadden below:

 

With COVID-19 spreading throughout the NFL — including six Falcons players over the past week — there is growing concern since the league has already cancelled the preseason.

Jarrett was asked about the possibility of a shortened season, but said he wasn’t concerned about it and is preparing to play the full year:

Both the players and the fans continue to stay optimistic that the team will take the field in their new-look uniforms this season.

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Video: Falcons DT Grady Jarrett gives advice to rookies

If anyone knows the secret to maximizing success in the National Football League, it’s Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.

If anyone knows the secret to maximizing success in the National Football League, it’s Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. The former fifth-round pick made his first Pro Bowl last season and has established himself as one of the top interior linemen in the league.

As Falcons training camp gets underway, the team had Jarrett speak to the rookies over a video chat about what it takes to make it in the NFL.

“Don’t take this chance for granted, man,” said Jarrett. “You’ve got to look at it like it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — which it is.”

Watch Jarrett’s message in full below, as shared by the Falcons’ Twitter account:

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WATCH: Falcons DT Grady Jarrett makes ‘NFL Top 100’

Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett has been dominating the NFL trenches since 2015, but is only just now receiving the credit he deserves. 

Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett has been dominating the NFL trenches since 2015, but is only just now receiving the credit he deserves. 

An impressive 2019 campaign in which he racked up 69 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 16 QB hits helped Jarrett make his first Pro Bowl. The former fifth-round pick has become arguably the second-best interior lineman behind Aaron Donald.

Players around the league have taken notice. NFL Network released its Top 100 Players list, and Jarrett was voted in at No. 91. Watch the full three-minute segment on Atlanta’s star DT below:

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