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QB RB WR TE PK | All Non-IDP | DT DE DL ILB OLB LB CB S DB | Footballguys View | All the news | FBG News Blogger Archive
Falcons | Arthur Smith to serve as own play-caller Tue Jan 19, 01:55 PM
Atlanta Falcons new head coach Arthur Smith told reporters Tuesday, Jan. 19, that he intends to call his own plays on offense in his new role.
Link to story Falcons | Terry Fontenot hired in ATL Tue Jan 19, 08:09 AM
Updating previous reports, the Atlanta Falcons hired Terry Fontenot as general manager Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Link to story Falcons | Frisman Jackson meets with Atlanta Mon Jan 18, 02:00 PM
Carolina Panthers wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson interviewed with the Carolina Panthers for their offensive coordinator vacancy Monday, Jan. 18.
Link to storyFrisman Jackson player page
Falcons | Terry Fontenot set to become Atlanta's GM Fri Jan 15, 05:20 PM
Updating a previous report, New Orleans Saints vice president/assistant general manager for pro personnel Terry Fontenot will be named as the Atlanta Falcons' general manager once the Saints' season has come to an end, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
| Footballguys view: That's the way things have been trending for some time now. Fontenot is smart, thorough and has worked in many different departments to get to this point in his career. The Falcons are making a splash with Arthur Smith as their new head coach, and he should work well with a guy like Fontenot. |
Falcons | Dave Ragone earmarked for Atlanta OC job? Fri Jan 15, 05:07 PM
Chicago Bears passing game coordinator Dave Ragone has a 'good chance' to become the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons under new head coach Arthur Smith, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
| Footballguys view: Ragone is a former NFL quarterback who was a third-round pick for the Texans back in the 2003 NFL draft. As a coach, Ragone was worked as a WR coach, QB coach and passing game coordinator. Smith should keep the Falcons offense one that Fantasy GMs keep harvesting talent (and points) from. |
Dave Ragone player page
Falcons | Atlanta settles on Arthur Smith as head coach Fri Jan 15, 04:56 PM
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith agreed to terms on an undisclosed contract to become the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, Jan. 15.
| Footballguys view: Smith was fantastic running the Titans offense. He turned things around for QB Ryan Tannehill and fed RB Derrick Henry the way he needed to be. Smith also got incredible play from guys like WR A.J. Brown, WR Corey Davis and TE Jonnu Smith. With the Falcons, Smith will have great weapons in QB Matt Ryan, WR Julio Jones and WR Calvin Ridley. Fantasy GMs should be excited about this hire as the Falcons offense should continue to have plenty of horsepower. |
Falcons | Arthur Smith is ATL's guy Fri Jan 15, 08:04 AM
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has received an offer from the Atlanta Falcons to be their next head coach Friday, Jan. 15.
| Footballguys view: Smith was fantastic running the Titans offense. He turned things around for QB Ryan Tannehill and fed RB Derrick Henry the way he needed to be. Smith also got incredible play from guys like WR A.J. Brown, WR Corey Davis and TE Jonnu Smith. With the Falcons, Smith will have great weapons in QB Matt Ryan, WR Julio Jones and WR Calvin Ridley. Fantasy GMs should be excited about this hire as the Falcons offense should continue to have plenty of horsepower. |
Falcons | Jess Simpson taking college job Thu Jan 14, 03:29 PM
Atlanta Falcons defensive line/tackles coach Jess Simpson reportedly accepted an undisclosed assistant coaching position with the University of Miami (Fla.) on Thursday, Jan. 14.
Link to story Falcons | Terry Fontenot the favorite with ATL Thu Jan 14, 11:03 AM
New Orleans Saints vice president/assistant general manager for pro personnel Terry Fontenot is the favorite to be the next Atlanta Falcons general manager.
Link to story Falcons | Alex Mack off COVID list Wed Jan 13, 06:54 PM
Atlanta Falcons C Alex Mack was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Jan. 13.
Link to story Falcons | Atlanta narrows GM list to three finalists Tue Jan 12, 02:40 PM
Former Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith, Los Angeles Rams director of college scouting Brad Holmes and New Orleans Saints Saints vice president/assistant general manager of pro personnel Terry Fontenot have reportedly been identified as the three finalists to fill the team's general manager vacancy, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Link to story Falcons | Brad Holmes has second meeting with Atlanta Tue Jan 12, 02:04 PM
Los Angeles Rams director of college scouting Brad Holmes interviewed a second time with the Atlanta Falcons for their general manager vacancy Tuesday, Jan. 12.
Link to story Falcons | Atlanta allows five to become free agents Mon Jan 11, 05:30 PM
Atlanta Falcons DE Austin Edwards, WR Devin Gray, WR Juwan Green, TE Jared Pinkney and LB Pita Taumoepenu had their practice squad contracts expire Monday, Jan. 11.
Link to story Falcons | Matt Ryan, Julio Jones not off limits Wed Jan 6, 08:56 PM
Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan and WR Julio Jones won't be 'off limits' in trades, according to team owner Arther Blank Monday, Jan. 4. 'You cannot hire the very best people you can hire,' Blank said in reference to the team's search for a new general manager and head coach. ' ... and then tie their hands and tell them, well, this person is off limits and that one is off limits and that one.' 'What you're asking them for ... do they have a plan on turning around the franchise sooner rather than later so we're winning in 2021?'
Link to storyMatt Ryan player page
Julio Jones player page
Falcons | Austin Edwards back on practice squad Wed Jan 6, 06:42 PM
Atlanta Falcons DE Austin Edwards was restored to the practice squad from the COVID-19 list Wednesday, Jan. 6.
Link to story Falcons | ATL seeks Todd Bowles interview Wed Jan 6, 10:48 AM
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is being requested for an interview for the Atlanta Falcons' head coaching vacancy.
Link to story Falcons | Morocco Brown meets with Atlanta Tue Jan 5, 05:28 PM
Updating a previous report, Indianapolis Colts college scouting director Morocco Brown interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons for their general manager vacancy Tuesday, Jan. 5.
Link to story Falcons | Matt Schaub hanging up his cleats Mon Jan 4, 04:42 PM
Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Schaub is expected to announce his retirement this offseason, according to team owner Arthur Blank.
Link to storyMatt Schaub player page
Falcons | Atlanta considering Dan Mullen Mon Jan 4, 03:54 PM
University of Florida head coach Dan Mullen is expected to meet with the Atlanta Falcons via Zoom on Tuesday, Jan. 4, to interview for the team's head coaching vacancy.
Link to story Falcons | Atlanta inks 11 to futures contracts Mon Jan 4, 03:44 PM
Atlanta Falcons CB Delrick Abrams, OL Willie Beavers, QB Kurt Benkert, RB Tony Brooks-James, WRs Greg Dortch and Chris Rowland, PK Elliott Fry, DB T.J. Green, DT Chris Slayton, DB Chris Williamson and OL Willie Wright were signed to futures contract Monday, Jan. 4.
Link to storyT.J. Green player page
Greg Dortch player page
Falcons | Brad Holmes sought for interview by ATL Mon Jan 4, 10:36 AM
Los Angeles Rams college scouting director Brad Holmes has been requested for an interview for the Atlanta Falcons general manager vacancy.
Link to story Falcons | Terry Fontenot to interview with ATL Mon Jan 4, 10:30 AM
New Orleans Saints vice president/assistant general manager of pro personnel Terry Fontenot will interview for the Atlanta Falcons' general manager vacancy Tuesday, Jan. 5.
Link to story Falcons | Atlanta to talk to Morocco Brown Mon Jan 4, 02:05 AM
Indianapolis Colts college scouting director Morocco Brown is reportedly on the short list of candidates the Atlanta Falcons want to interview for their general manager vacancy, according to a source.
Link to story Falcons | Robert Saleh set to talk with Atlanta Mon Jan 4, 01:21 AM
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is scheduled to interview with the Atlanta Falcons for their head-coaching vacancy via Zoom on Monday, Jan. 4.
Link to story Falcons | Atlanta doing due diligence on coaching trio Mon Jan 4, 12:39 AM
Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley are three of the outside candidates the Atlanta Falcons have researched in regards to filling their head-coaching vacancy, according to sources.
Link to story Falcons | Atlanta has solid offensive outing in Week 17 Sun Jan 3, 04:33 PM
Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan went 29-for-44 for 265 yards and two touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17. Ryan also added a rushing touchdown. RB Brian Hill rushed for 94 yards on nine carries and also caught three passes for 42 yards. WR Russell Gage Jr. caught nine passes for 91 yards and one touchdown on 11 targets, WR Calvin Ridley caught eight passes for 52 yards on 12 targets and TE Hayden Hurst caught four passes for 28 yards and one touchdown during the game.
| Footballguys view: The Falcons got within three points in the fourth quarter to make the Bucs nervous as they needed to win to secure the #5 seed and a date with the NFC East champion. Atlanta will hire a new GM and head coach this offseason, and next season could be the last with the team for Ryan and Julio Jones. |
Matt Ryan player page
Brian Hill player page
Calvin Ridley player page
Hayden Hurst player page
Russell Gage player page
Falcons | Grady Jarrett will not return Sun Jan 3, 02:42 PM
Updating a previous report, Atlanta Falcons DT Grady Jarrett (groin) will not return to the Week 17 game because of the groin injury he suffered during the game.
Link to storyGrady Jarrett player page
Falcons | Groin injury for Grady Jarrett Sun Jan 3, 02:40 PM
Atlanta Falcons DT Grady Jarrett (groin) suffered a groin injury during the Week 17 game and is considered questionable to return.
Link to storyGrady Jarrett player page
Falcons | Week 17 Atlanta Falcons inactives Sun Jan 3, 11:36 AM
The Atlanta Falcons have declared CB Darqueze Dennard, DT Deadrin Senat, TE Jared Pinkney, WR Brandon Powell, WR Julio Jones, DB Tyler Hall and RB Qadree Ollison inactive for Week 17.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Darqueze Dennard player page
Deadrin Senat player page
Qadree Ollison player page
Falcons | Atlanta promotes a trio Sat Jan 2, 09:43 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Devin Gray and WR Chris Rowland were elevated from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Jan. 2, and TE Jared Pinkney was elevated as a COVID-19 replacement.
Link to story Falcons | Calvin Ridley on a tear Fri Jan 1, 11:19 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley leads the league with 575 receiving yards since Week 12.
| Footballguys view: Ridley is a stud who should have made the Pro Bowl. We'll see Fantasy GMs take him off the board near the end of the first round or beginning of the second round in 2021 drafts. |
Calvin Ridley player page
Falcons | Ito Smith listed as limited Fri Jan 1, 07:16 PM
Atlanta Falcons RB Ito Smith (rib) was limited during practice Friday, Jan. 1, but is not on the injury report for Week 17.
Link to storyIto Smith player page
Falcons | Atlanta's injury report for Week 17 Fri Jan 1, 02:37 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring), CB Darqueze Dennard (quad) and WR Brandon Powell (foot) did not participate in practice all week and have been ruled out for Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. DE Charles Harris (personal) also did not practice all week but is listed as questionable. OT Jake Matthews (rest) did not practice Friday, Jan. 1, but is expected to start. RB Ito Smith (rib), DE John Cominsky (shoulder), LB Foyesade Oluokun (ankle), OG James Carpenter (groin), DT Marlon Davidson (knee) and TE Luke Stocker (elbow) were limited in practice all week but no longer appear on the injury report. DE Steven Means (hand) and C Matt Hennessy (knee) practiced in full all week and were also removed from the injury report.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Luke Stocker player page
Steven Means player page
Darqueze Dennard player page
Charles Harris player page
Ito Smith player page
Foye Oluokun player page
John Cominsky player page
Falcons | Julio Jones to miss finale Fri Jan 1, 02:36 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring) on Friday, Jan. 1, was ruled out of the team's Week 17 game Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
| Footballguys view: Jones tried to play through his season-long hamstring issues, but it was too much to overcome in the last few weeks of the season. He'll almost certainly be back with the Falcons next year, but 2021 could be his and Matt Ryan's last season with the team. |
Julio Jones player page
Falcons | Ito Smith limited Thu Dec 31, 07:36 PM
Atlanta Falcons RB Ito Smith (rib) was limited during practice Thursday, Dec. 31.
Link to storyIto Smith player page
Falcons | Julio Jones remains sidelined Thu Dec 31, 07:36 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 31.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Falcons | Thursday's practice report for Atlanta Thu Dec 31, 03:30 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring), CB Darqueze Dennard (quadriceps), DE Charles Harris (non-injury) and WR Brandon Powell (foot) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 31. TE Luke Stocker (elbow), LB Foyesade Oluokun (ankle), DT Marlon Davidson (knee), DE John Cominsky (shoulder), RB Ito Smith (rib) and G James Carpenter (groin) were limited. C Matt Hennessy (knee) and DE Steven Means (hand) practiced in full. The Falcons did not practice Thursday, so the report is an estimation.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Luke Stocker player page
Steven Means player page
Darqueze Dennard player page
Charles Harris player page
Ito Smith player page
Foye Oluokun player page
John Cominsky player page
Falcons | Alex Mack lands on COVID list Thu Dec 31, 03:11 PM
Atlanta Falcons C Alex Mack was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Dec. 31.
Link to story Falcons | Wednesday injuries for Atlanta Wed Dec 30, 05:35 PM
Atlanta Falcons CB Darqueze Dennard (quadriceps), DE Charles Harris (non-injury) and WR Brandon Powell (foot) didn't participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 30. TE Luke Stocker (elbow), LB Foyesade Oluokun (ankle), C Alex Mack (concussion), DT Marlon Davidson (knee), DE John Cominsky (shoulder) and G James Carpenter (groin) were limited. C Matt Hennessy (knee) and DE Steven Means (hand) practiced in full.
Link to storyLuke Stocker player page
Steven Means player page
Darqueze Dennard player page
Charles Harris player page
Foye Oluokun player page
John Cominsky player page
Falcons | Ito Smith puts in limited practice Wednesday Wed Dec 30, 05:33 PM
Atlanta Falcons RB Ito Smith (ribs) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Dec. 30.
| Footballguys view: Smith is working as the lead back for the Falcons with Todd Gurley and Brian Hill mixed in. He hasn't been doing much with more snaps in recent weeks, and up against the Buccaneers on Sunday Fantasy GMs have much better flex options in Week 17. |
Ito Smith player page
Falcons | Julio Jones doesn't practice Wednesday Wed Dec 30, 05:28 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring) didn't participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 30.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Falcons | Atlanta sets Week 17 protection list Tue Dec 29, 06:25 PM
Atlanta Falcons DB Delrick Abrams, QB Kurt Benkert, TE Jared Pinkney and WR Chris Rowland were designated as protected practice squad players for Week 17 Tuesday, Dec. 29.
Link to story Falcons | Greg Dortch added to practice squad Mon Dec 28, 09:33 PM
Free-agent WR Greg Dortch was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad Monday, Dec. 28.
Link to storyGreg Dortch player page
Falcons | Julio Jones could go in season finale? Mon Dec 28, 03:14 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring) worked out 'a little bit' on Monday, Dec. 28, according to interim head coach Raheem Morris, who added the team will wait 'until he is right' but also said 'if (Jones) is able to (play in Week 17), he will.'
| Footballguys view: As per usual with Jones, wait until Friday before setting him in your lineup and sometimes that's not even enough. Jones doesn't want to be shut down for the year but that's something the Falcons may decide for him. He's signed through the 2023 season and has a cap hit of $23 million in 2021. |
Julio Jones player page
Falcons | Russell Gage held in check Sun Dec 27, 04:52 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Russell Gage Jr. caught four passes for 23 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16. He was targeted five times during the game.
| Footballguys view: Gage had put up solid fantasy numbers in PPR leagues four of the last five weeks but came up small in the fantasy title game. He has had some ups and downs this year, but arrived as a legit slot receiver after being drafted as an athlete without a clear position in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. |
Russell Gage player page
Falcons | Hayden Hurst finds end zone Sun Dec 27, 04:47 PM
Atlanta Falcons TE Hayden Hurst caught five passes for 47 yards and one touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16. He was targeted five times during the game.
| Footballguys view: Hurst's touchdown came on a shovel pass. He hasn't been impactful enough to justify the second round pick Atlanta traded for him, but he has had scored in the last two games to stay on the fantasy radar. |
Hayden Hurst player page
Falcons | Calvin Ridley surpasses 100-yard mark Sun Dec 27, 04:33 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley caught five passes for 130 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16. He was targeted nine times during the game.
| Footballguys view: Ridley made the leap to elite in fantasy football circles this year and should finally be taken ahead of Julio Jones next year. |
Calvin Ridley player page
Falcons | Todd Gurley posts 50 total yards Sun Dec 27, 04:30 PM
Atlanta Falcons RB Todd Gurley caught three passes for 34 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16. He also rushed for 16 yards on four carries during the game.
Link to storyTodd Gurley player page
Falcons | Ito Smith finishes with 46 yards Sun Dec 27, 04:25 PM
Atlanta Falcons RB Ito Smith rushed for 46 yards on 10 carries against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16.
| Footballguys view: Even though Smith was called the lead back by the team before the game, he was still only the head of a committee and inconsequential for fantasy football. |
Ito Smith player page
Falcons | Matt Ryan throws for 300 yards Sun Dec 27, 03:52 PM
Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan went 27-for-35 for 300 yards and two touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16.
| Footballguys view: Ryan led a 98-yard touchdown drive and got better in the short quick passing game as the game went on even though the missed Younghoe Koo field goal denied the team a chance to go to overtime. He'll almost surely be the quarterback for the Falcons next year, but his days as Atlanta's franchise quarterback are possibly numbered. Ryan will get the playoff-bound Bucs next week. |
Matt Ryan player page
