Author: FalconAlley Football

The Ice Age Has Begun

January 13, 2026

Allison Smith

Former Quarterback and NFL MVP Matt Ryan was named the President of Football on Saturday morning, January 10, 2026. With that role, Ryan will manage football only, not the stadium and other operational type duties. Ryan hit the ground running with Head Coaching interviews with 3 interviews Saturday, 1 on Sunday and 2 more on Monday. Seems that the Falcons are definitely spreading a wide net and not focusing on one particular candidate as in the past. 

All interviews have been virtual at this point, noting that several were with coordinators involved in the playoffs on their off week. There will likely be more coordinators with playoff teams interviewed this week, if provided approval  by their current team. The first focus is on hiring the Head Coach vs. the open General Manager role, as there are 8 HC openings around the league, while the Falcons are the only team currently looking for a GM. While everyone is waiting to see what happens between Green Bay and Matt LeFleur.

There have not been any GM interviews yet…unless you count some of the candidates that interviewed for the President role.

 Coaches that have been interviewed:

  • Anthony Weaver – DC for Miami since 2024, coaching in the NFL since 2012
    • 45 years old, Defensive end from Notre Dame
  • Klint Kubiak – OC for Seattle since 2025, coaching in the NFL since 2016
    • 38 years old, Safety at Colorado State
  • Aden Durde – DC for Seattle since 2024, coaching in the NFL since 2014, with Atlanta from 2016 to 2020 in several roles
    • 46 years old, Linebacker, UK – London Olympians, an American football team based in London
    • Kevin Stefanski – HC for Cleveland since 2020, coaching in the NFL since 2006
    • 43 years old, Defensive back at Penn
  • John Harbaugh – HC for Baltimore since 2008, coaching in the NFL since 1998
    • 63 years old, Defensive back from Miami Ohio
  • Mike McDaniel – HC for Miami since 2022, coaching in the NFL since 2015, was an offense assistant for Atlanta (2015-2017)
    • 42 years old, Wide receiver from Yale

Ryan had an introductory press conference Tuesday at 11 am at Flowery Branch, hosted by Owner and Chairman Arthur Blank and CEO Greg Beadles.

Balling in the Bahamas….A Series

By Allison Smith

May 16, 2025

In September 2024, the Atlanta Falcons sent an email about a Falcons cruise. I immediately researched a few details and dates and signed up. We were promised sun, fun, and Falcon legends. Throughout the fall and football season, I checked with legends to see who was coming and recruit former players.

Anticipation built up over all these months and we are finally here. There are 14 Legends now listed, of the 16 originally signed up. Not sure yet how they were chosen, or if they volunteered. There appears to be 130ish fans attending as well.

I’ve been dieting, working out, plan packing and packing for months. Scheduled nearly daily appointments after work each day for hair, nails, lashes, everything to look perfect for the cruise.

We are sailing May 19 – 23 on the Utopia of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s two newest ships. Basically, a small city afloat. I researched the ship more than anyone should, planned meals and fun on the ship, as well as booking excursions off the ship.

So far, we know the schedule and special times with the Falcons. However many fans or Legends attend, it is going to be a great time meeting new people, cruising, sunning, drinking, eating.

The package offered is all inclusive, the main dining room dinner, all the drinks, 2 dinners with legends, 2 parties exclusively with us and Legends, panel and autograph day, and a day in Nassau with the Legends. We have themed nights that are different than the overall ship themes. Monday is T-Shirt (the one provided on embarkment), Tuesday is Black and Red, Wednesday is Football night, Thursday is Tropical. Pulled items from my Falcon closet, with lots of ideas since I started half packing in October/November.

Monday and Thursday nights we have parties with the Legends. Tuesday and Wednesday, we have dinner with a Legend. And Tuesday, while in Nassau, we will have hours of morning fun and games with the Legends, then a few hours of free time. Wednesday is free day in Coco Cay, then Thursday morning we have Legend panels and autograph sessions. Fun filled and packed cruise coming.

I am looking forward to meeting the other fans that decided to go, and hanging out with them and the Legends at dinner and on the beach and at the parties.

Legends scheduled to attend: Harry Douglas, Todd McClure, Jeff Yeates, Buddy Curry, Chris Mohr, Jessie Tuggle, Ray Buchanan, Ovie Mughelli, Michael Turner, Brian Finneran, Allen Rossum, Jerious Norwood, and Dave Archer. Not sure if there will be surprises or not. I spoke to a couple of Legends during the season and they were thinking/working on going, but not on the list.

We will see.

Be on the lookout for daily updates with all the fun and Falcons.

Kirk Cousins on 10.27.24

After Kirk Cousins lead the Atlanta Falcons to another 4-touchdown game and win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dave Archer of 92.9 The Game spoke to him in the locker room.

Asked about a near sack or possible scramble that turned into a pass to Bijan, Kirk commented that you “just have to be patient and drop the ball off sometimes.” Kirk was “really trying to not take the sack, so just give it to Bijan and most often, he will make something happen.”

Arch commented that this game was stressful with the back to back scoring and Tampa taking it to the last play. Kirk noted that it is stressful, but “fun to make big plays and have teammates make big plays.” He commented that the defense played really well too. Arch complimented Kirk on his game and reading the situations, noting two of the touchdowns that were not the first choices on the play. Kirk noted that Kyle’s first touchdown was the 4th progression and Bijan’s was his 5th. Kirk complimented the offensive line because he can’t get to 4th and 5th progressions without time.

Talking about the partnership with Darnell Mooney, Kirk said that they worked and talked about different angles that would work during practice that week. So when Kirk had a good pocket and Mooney had created that separation, Kirk knew it was time to throw it in that coverage for the touchdown.

Asked about bleeding the clock from 6:52 to 1:04 in the fourth quarter, Kirk replied, “the main focus is to bleed clock.” “You still needed to snap and play ball, gotta move the ball.” And noted that Charlie Woerner made a big play at the start of that drive, to get the offense down the field before starting several runs.

Overall about the team, “This team responds….it was tough coming back from last week, but we gotta pick ourselves back up off the mat, we are playing a good team, building from here.”

Jessie Bates on 10.27.24

Safety Jessie Bates on 10.27.24

After the Atlanta Falcons swept the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and extended their lead in the NFC South, Dave Archer of 92.9 The Game spoke to Defensive Player of the Game, Jessie Bates. Bates had a forced fumbled, that he recovered and an interception in the game.

Jessie told Arch that he was surprised that the Bucs took the ball first, when they did, we knew we needed to set the tone early on defense. On his forced fumble, Jessie said “the guys made a good tackle and I focused on punching the ball and then it was out.” He said that he does that in practice all week, so it translated on the field. You can see Nate Landman punching at the ball too.

Arch was surprised that Buccaneers’ quarterback Baker Mayfield tried Jessie on that interception. Jessie walked us through it. It was a flea flicker with the down safety in zone. They jumped the motion and Micheal Hughes was on the post as the WIL, so Jessie knew the ball was coming. He simply tracked it and picked it out of the air. Which is not completely accurate, Jessie picked it right out of the hands of the receiver.

Arch asked Jessie about the run game difference, 62 yards in the first quarter and 40 yards the rest of the game. Jessie said “once we settle in as a defense, we can stop the run and lay a good defense.” He did say they needed to settle in earlier. It also helps when the offense is scoring so the opposing team isn’t running as much.

Kyle Pitts on 10.27.24

Kyle Pitts Stiff Arm – Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

After a second win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dave Archer of 92.9 The Game spoke to Tight End, Kyle Pitts on Tight End’s Day.

Arch asked about these in conference, rival games, and Kyle said that it is “fun to play in them.” After two monster touchdowns, Kyle said “the ball was finding me, thanks to god for allowing it to happen now….the tight end gods.”

Asked about the two touchdowns, one with the big stiff arm, Kyle just knew he had to shove that guy away to make it in. On the other, where he nonchalantly carried the ball behind him the last yard or so, Kyle know that ball security is number one and next time “just need to run it through the back of the end zone.” He did get lit up by Rah after the play.

Arch asked Kyle about the bleeding of the clock the last 6 minutes of the game and Kyle said that this team is just “resilient – play as one – mindset as one.”