Tag: marlon davidson

Falcons place rookie DL Marlon Davidson on reserve/COVID-19 list

On Tuesday, the Atlanta Falcons placed rookie Marlon Davidson on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the third member of the team’s 2020 draft class to land on the NFL’s virus designation.

On Tuesday, the Atlanta Falcons placed rookie DL Marlon Davidson on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the third member of the team’s 2020 draft class to land on the NFL’s virus designation.

The Falcons also announced they had signed CB Tyler Hall to the 53-man roster and LB James Burgess to the practice squad.

Falcons first-round pick A.J. Terrell just returned to the team in Week 5, while fourth-round pick Jaylinn Hawkins spent a few weeks on the reserve/COVID-19 list back in training camp.

Davidson has been battling a knee injury that’s kept him out of two games this season.

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Dan Quinn gives thoughts on Falcons rookies after Week 1

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn spoke to reporters on Monday afternoon to discuss the team’s Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn spoke to reporters on Monday afternoon to discuss the team’s Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Quinn touched on numerous topics, including the performance of Atlanta’s rookies in their debut.

When asked about cornerback A.J. Terrell, Quinn said he tackled well and played with physicality, while admitting the rookie got burned a few times. Watch below, as shared by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure.

Third-round pick Matt Hennessy didn’t get the start at left guard, but did play some reps in relief of James Carpenter. Don’t expect Hennessy to start in Week 2, though.

According to Quinn, Carpenter played one of his better games since joining the team. Hennessy will still get some reps at left guard, per Jason Butt of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Quinn also gave an update on defensive lineman Marlon Davidson, who sat out of Sunday’s game with a knee injury. Davidson could make his debut in the team’s Week 2 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys if he gets a full week of practice:

Rookie punter Sterling Hofrichter looked comfortable in his first NFL action. The seventh-round pick out of Syracuse averaged 50 yards per punt, with a long of 55 yards.

It wasn’t a great first showing for the Falcons rookie draft class overall, but that should have been expected. Going forward, experience will be as important as ever since the NFL cancelled the 2020 preseason.

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Look: Marlon Davidson living the good life in brand new home

The former Auburn star is living a good life after being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons.

Marlon Davidson certainly seems to be living the good life.

The former Auburn star posted a picture of his new home along with a monstrous truck on Instagram and … well … it pays to be one of the top defensive players in college football and turn that into a pro career.

View this post on Instagram

Home Sweet Home 🏡🙏🏾

A post shared by Marlon Davidson (@_mkd7_) on

Good for Davidson.

Dan Quinn says Falcons DE Dante Fowler has sprained ankle

There was some concern among Falcons fans after Fowler was seen wearing a knee brace while sitting out of Monday’s practice.

The Atlanta Falcons are counting on free-agent defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. to be a difference maker on defense this season, and the early returns from camp have been overwhelmingly positive.

However, there was some concern among Falcons fans after Fowler was seen wearing a knee brace while sitting out of Monday’s practice. According to head coach Dan Quinn, though, Fowler has a sprained ankle, per team reporter Kelsey Conway.

Quinn said Atlanta will be without RB Todd Gurley (rest), OL Alex Mack (rest) and rookie DL Marlon Davidson (knee strain) on Tuesday. Davidson sounds like he’s still a few weeks away from being able to contribute, as tweeted by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure.

Lastly, the Falcons’ other starting defensive end, Takk McKinley, will be limited today as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

Check back for more updates after the team’s Tuesday training camp practice.

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Dante Fowler, Marlon Davidson held out of Monday practice

Falcons training camp practice resumes on Monday, but the team will be without two key defensive linemen.

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Falcons training camp practice resumes on Monday, but the team will be without two key defensive linemen. Both rookie DL Marlon Davidson and free-agent DE Dante Fowler are being held out, per ESPN’s Vaughn McClure.

Knee issues are always a concern, especially Fowler’s knee brace. But we don’t know how severe either injury is at this point. Fowler figures to play a big role on defense this season, replacing Vic Beasley — the team’s 2019 sack leader.

As for Davidson, the more time he misses, the less of an impact he will be able to make in 2020. Rookies are already at a big disadvantage without a preseason to get early game reps. Davidson is still making the most of his time at camp, however, saying that he’s following around DT Grady Jarrett “like a gnat at a barbecue.”

Falcons defensive end Steven Means is out today as well after landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list over the weekend.

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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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WATCH: Falcons defensive line bonding at practice

As training camps open up around the league, the Falcons already have a leg up on the competition by being one of three NFL teams with zero player opt-outs for 2020.

As training camps open up around the league, the Falcons already have a leg up on the competition by being one of three NFL teams with zero player opt-outs for 2020.

Atlanta’s veteran leadership and familiarity with its coaching staff should also benefit the team in a big way this season. Integrating a new system and players is always a challenge, but exceptionally tough without a preseason to evaluate.

While national analysts aren’t high on the Falcons, the team’s chemistry appears to be as good as ever. Check out this video of the defensive line running drills and clearly enjoying themselves, as shared by Atlanta’s Twitter account.

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LOOK: Falcons rookies in team’s new all-black uniforms

More images of the Atlanta Falcons rocking their new all-black uniforms have been posted on social media and fans can’t seem to get enough.

More images of the Atlanta Falcons rocking their new all-black uniforms have been posted on social media and fans can’t seem to get enough.

The team’s Twitter account unveiled four of Atlanta’s rookies — Marlon Davidson, A.J. Terrell, Matt Hennessy and Mykal Walker — in the Falcons’ new design. Take a look below.

Plus, check out this menacing image of Falcons safety Keanu Neal in Atlanta’s new all-black jersey.

But how do Atlanta’s newest offseason additions look in the team’s new gear? Judge for yourself below. 

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Marlon Davidson named one of TD Wire’s Rookie of the Year favorites

Davidson was compared to Grady Jarrett coming out of college, and if that ends up being true, the sky is the limit for what should be a vastly improved Falcons defensive line in 2020.

While not everyone agreed with the Atlanta Falcons‘ decision to select Clemson’s A.J. Terrell in the first round of the 2020 draft, it was easy to understand the logic behind the pick.

The team’s selection of Auburn’s Marlon Davidson in the second round got a much better reception from fans and analysts. At 6′ 3″ and over 300 pounds, Davidson’s size and pass-rushing ability make him a perfect 4-3 defensive tackle.

What makes him even more valuable, though, is his ability to line up at defensive end and provide reps outside if need be. Grady Jarrett and Dante Fowler will be the focal points of opposing offensive lines, which could leave Davidson in position to thrive as a rookie.

In Touchdown Wire’s best bests for 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year feature, Doug Farrar mentioned Davidson as a player capable of winning the award:

Davidson wasn’t always the ideal edge defender for Auburn at 6’3″ and 303 pounds, but Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is one of the NFL’s most creative defensive line schemers, and Davidson should be an every-gap star in that system. He lined up everywhere from head-over center to off-ball in college — expect the same in the pros.

Davidson was compared to Grady Jarrett coming out of college, and if that ends up being true, the sky is the limit for what should be a vastly improved Falcons defensive line in 2020.

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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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