FalconAlley Football

Blessings Are Key for the 2024 Atlanta Falcons Draft Class

Allison Smith – May 16, 2024

Another awesome interview by the voice of the Atlanta Falcons, Dave Archer. Today, Arch had the first three draft picks of the 2024 draft with him. Talk about some impressive young men. After the interview was over, I texted a friend, “I am fully on the Super Bowl train again.”

Archer introduced the guys and asked a few questions before asking fan submitted questions.

Asked about being drafted to Atlanta, Michael Penix, Jr. from the University of Washington called out that being drafted into the NFL in general is amazing, he grew up wanting to play in the NFL and here he is. He’s very excited to be in Atlanta.

Clemson Defensive Tackle, Ruke Orhorhoro noted that his is very familiar with Atlanta and is happy to not have to move far and learn a new place. He is ready to “put my big boy pants on” and get to working.

Bralen Trice, also from the University of Washington is ecstatic to come to Atlanta.

Asked how he will handle pressure on the field and relationship with quarterback Kirk Cousins:

Penix said that he doesn’t feel pressure any more. He played in the National Championship game and felt no pressure. It is the game that he loves and played since he was 5 years old. He prepares himself mentally and physically for everything, then just goes about his business. He is ready for any moment. As for Kirk, he is planning to lead the team to win. “I am going to do my part and play my role.” Kirk is a veteran and a professional, there is allot to learn from him.

With a deep defensive line and lots of rotation, how are you feeling about your part:

Ruke is ready to contribute to the culture , excited to bring new energy to the team. With a big smile and energy beaming, Ruke noted that when he steps on the field, his energy level goes up and he cannot wait to get to work on and off the field. He is ready to learn from starting DT’s Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata, then put his own spin on what they teach.

Trice said this may sound corny, but, “I let go and let God.” He knows that God will handle the stress and pressure and Trice just does his job and trusts his teammates to do theirs.

Ruke commented on his style of play. He said it is fast, physical and aggressive. He is always ready to put his nose into stuff, is not scared of anything, and is ready to do the dirty work. He tries to model himself after Kansas City DT Chris Jones, he is tall and good with hands. Jones always sees what he hits. Ruke is preparing to slow down in his head and see the bigger picture.

Trice on preparing to be an aggressive edge rusher. He began by commenting on many edge rushers that just focus on the passing game and are going after the sack count. Trice plans to focus on the rushing game as much as the passing game. He wants to be aggressive and take on any situation. He models himself after the Las Vegas Raiders’ Max Crosby, he is all effort, relentless. Trice had 16 sacks in his last 28 games, sounds like he goes after the passer quite successfully.

Things may change entering the NFL now, but they are already planning how to prepare on game day.

Penix prays, has a favorite gospel song “God’s Got a Blessing,” then kicks other tunes to pump up. Penix’s song ensures that he keeps his head up, through many difficult circumstances over the years, he realizes that there are no excuses, you have to overcome and help the team win.

Ruke starts his time on the field with a prayer, then walks around alone and visualizes everything he did in practice and what he plans to do on the field that day.

Trice has a good prayer the night before. Then on gameday, after meetings and prep, he tries to slip in a 30-minute nap to refresh. We will see if he manages nap time in the busy NFL Sunday.

Asked what it means to have played in front of their families over the years, Trice said that seeing his Mom in the stands nearly makes him tear up. His Mom did allot for him and his siblings and is so happy, that motivates him to be great for her and the people around him and God.

Ruke asked his family not to come his freshman year at Clemson as he did not play and was mad about it. Parents still came, they were just happy to see him in his jersey on the sideline. That gave him inspiration and now gives him extra energy to play.

Penix talked about the many sacrifices his parents made and he has to pay them back, on the field and as a man. He always looks for his parents in the stands and knows that it is a true blessing to be able to play.

Penix is excited to work with Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson and Quarterback Coach TJ Yates. They both have great personalities. Penix loves being in a QB room with coaches that can relate to you, your position and experience of being a rookie in the league. They are going to ensure Penix gets to where he wants to be.

Ruke is excited to play with Jarrett, he noted “it’s crazy, been watching film on him since freshman year and now I to get to soak up the knowledge from him directly.”

Trice played for new Defensive Coordinator Jimmy Lake when Lake was the head coach of U of W. Trice called Lake as soon as he got drafted saying, “Let’s turn it up.” Trice knows Lake’s style of coaching and how he leads a team. Lake knows how to flip the switch, be nasty and get everyone in same mindset.

Having come from the latest national championship contender, Penix said the major change is that this is your job now. In college, you have classes and football, here, football is everything. While you have more time to learn, you need to watch the veterans, they won’t tell or teach you everything, so you have to notice the small things and better your game on your own.

Clemson and U of W have been pumping guys into the league lately and Trice and Ruke have many resources to reach out to for assistance and questions. Clemson being D Line U, Ruke reached out to former teammates like Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins who are always willing to provide advice, no question is a dumb question and Ruke has appreciated that.

Although everyone’s time in Atlanta has been limited, mostly at Flowery Branch, Trice noted that the folks around are always so nice and welcoming and trying to have conversations vs. many places, people don’t even look up to speak. Ruke is very familiar and knows the lay of the land and is planning to take the guys to all the good restaurants, “I like to eat” he says with a big smile.

If they could be as good at another sport as they are at football, Penix would be a golfer. He just started playing recently and isn’t that good, but gets really happy when he gets the ball on the green. It is a good sport that you can play for a long time. Ruke said he is already good at basketball, so he would do baseball, that is where the big bank is. Trice played tennis for 6 years and was pretty good, so he would continue tennis. It provides lots of cardio and movement and is addicting when you are good at it. Arch is concerned about starign Trice down across the tennis net, but is excited to tell Penix about all the great local golf courses.

And finally, the big question….what is your WHY?

Penix has two younger brothers and they have been looking up to him from a very young age. He noticed at 14, his brothers would come home from school talking about what their friends had said about him. He realized that his brothers were going to copy him, so he needed to be great on the field and a role model off the field. He wanted to show them that you can be strong and overcome adversity. Even though they are spread across the country, he wants to show them, every time he steps on the field, what they can also become, that adversity comes to everybody, but adversity can’t stop you.

Ruke plays for the shear love of the game. He loves every aspect, when your “legs are heavy, drives me to grind harder.” “If love and respect the game, it will love you back.”

Trice does it all for Mom. She set him up for success, sacrificed for him. He wants to take care of her. He loves the game, but first, plays for Mom.

All of the guys are super excited to step into and out of the tunnel for the first time, come onto the field, see the fans, the stadium view. Penix said he is excited to see the fans, run on the field and WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP.

We are with you Penix, we are with you.

#RISEUP #DIRTYBIRDS

FALCONALLEY OWT

2024 Draft Night in Atlanta

Allison Smith, April 29, 2024

As a season ticket owner, we get a free party at the Mercedez Benz Stadium for opening night of the NFL draft nearly every year. This year was a disappointment on several levels. In years past, 4 to 5 photo stations were set up with 3 to 4 legends, 3 to 5 current players and a set of cheerleaders at each station. After an hour or so, another set moved in, so if you timed lines correctly, you could get a ton of pix and have good chats with players. Fans are scattered between all these groups and other photo opportunities, food, bars, games.

This year, only two photo lines were set up. One had Kirk Cousins as the headliner, the other Bijan Robinson. Other current players were in both sections as well, all in pairs. In total, you could obtain pix with 12 players. A few notable names, others I didn’t even know where on the team (no slander intended). The lines were super long because there were only two.

Kirk Cousins and Jovaughn Gwyn
Ta’Quon Graham & Zach Harrison
Micah Abernathy & David Onyemata

I went through the Cousins’ line, that was really a good option since he is the newest big name, QB1 and all. I met Bijan at camp, otherwise would have made it through that line as well. Again, in past years, there were legends from a variety of years as well as the last draft class with others mixed in. The pictures moved a little quicker this year because they had photographers taking your pix instead of you handing your phone over and back, then you checked in to have a link texted to you to receive your pictures.

Everyone was super nice and gracious. Kirko was all smiles, I really felt bad for him later. Likely he was still driving home when they called to tell him they were about to “pick a QB at 8…..but he is still number one.”

The roof started closed, but was opened at some point during the night. It was a perfect night for an open roof and always fascinates me that it opens or closes without any of us even knowing. Despite the draft party disappointment, we still have the best stadium in the league.

There was also less photo options around. The RISE UP sign was there as well as the Red helmet, but no wings or other opportunities. The letters were so spread out, you would never get a single, clean picture there. Freddie and Lil Fred were there, social as always. There were several corn hole games, lots of beer vendors and high top tables on the field. This year, over half the field was covered with panels making it easier to walk, so that was nice. Locker room tours were also available, very long line all night, so no sure if they were limiting numbers or scheduling time, but I’ve been through there so many times since before the stadium even officially opened.

I did have a fun time visiting with Falcon friends that I only see on game days for a few minutes because we all come from somewhere different and are headed to different seating locations or different events inside. The food and drink lines in the Delta club were not horrible, long, but didn’t seem as bad as previous years. They anticipated 8000-10,000, not sure how many attended, but seems like allot of people were everywhere all the time.

Carl Dukes and Mike Bell were wrapping up their pre-draft coverage and regular programming as the night kicked off. Then Dave Archer, Wes Durham, Beau Morgan, and Mike Conti provided draft coverage from one of the field suites for 92.9 The Game. Got to chat with all of them for a short time, so that was a definite plus to the evening. Not living in Georgia, I don’t have access to all these guys regularly or at local remotes, so excited when I do get a few minutes to chat and not just tweet them during the day.

There was music and draft coverage on the halo board, couldn’t hear well, but could see as each team as they made their picks. Music was cut for the Falcons’ pic, maybe should have kept that going to muffle the reaction and language from much of the attendees with a quarterback was taken at 8. Only Ovie Mughelli thought the Falcons were going with Michael Penix, Jr with their first pick of this 2024 draft. Ovie and John Abraham were in attendance and helped kick off the event from the stage.

Now….to the pick. First, I have NOTHING against Michael Penix, Jr. From everything I have seen and heard so far, seems like a great guy, great work ethic, one of the best quarterbacks coming out this season. And another 6 year college guy. He has a longer story than most, with the COVID years, changing colleges, recovering from injury. Penix had 2 healthy, solid years at Washington, winning 20+ accolades and leading the Huskies to the National Championship game for the 2023 season. From an interview with 92.9’s Dukes and Bell, Penix talked about returning for a second year to Washington to show he was healthy by having that 2^nd healthy college year. Sounds like he has quite an arm and is known for his accuracy. From that same interview, seemed very excited to be coming to Atlanta and learning under such an experienced Kirk Cousins.

With all of that said, several days later, I can semi get behind the selection, but when it happened, the entire stadium was rocked and mad and upset and all the things. I literally just met some new folks and we were talking about needs and I said “I don’t watch enough college to know all the names, but I am going to be really angry if we pick a quarterback, offensive lineman or receiver at 8.” So when it happened, of the 5 people I was standing with, 2 said words I won’t repeat here and walked off. The other 3 and I raged at each other in disbelief and confusion mixed together.

Later, we will find out that General Manager Terry Fontenot and Head Coach Raheem Morris decided that we will not be in this position again for years (with such a high pick) so we needed to draft the quarterback of the future now. Even if “he sites for 3 to 5 years.” WHAT? With all the needs we have, we are going to waste that high of a pick on someone that is not planned to be contributing for 3 or more years? The recent deal with Cousins is $100 million over the first two years, $90 million of that guaranteed. Then you are going to draft and pay Penix another $22.8 million over his first 4 years…..when he MAY NOT PLAY. I get the “plan” is to be winning so much with Cousins that Penix learns from a legit quarterback, but he will be 24 this May, so he could be late 20’s before he ever actually plays?

If all goes as Terry and Ra think, I am all in. I am concerned about money, now and in the future, but smarter minds than mine manages more money than I do, so I am trying to have the faith I originally had with Raheem was named head coach.

I don’t know how you are going to evaluate a player’s ability in 3+ years with him as the practice QB, but hopefully we will have such good leads over the next several years, Penix will get good playing time to stay in playing shape while waiting to get the start. I know that we needed another quarterback to back up Cousins, run practice/drills and be ready for the future. I guess that Terry was too traumatized from the Marcus Mariotta/Desmond Ridder failed test that we didn’t want to grow a guy from farther down in the draft.

As I wrap here, I will go glass half full. I’ve had several days to calm down, lots of radio talking me off the ledge, and watched several interviews with Penix. The last time that Atlanta had a quarterback from Washington, Chris Chandler took us to our first Super Bowl.

Football is back!

In Ra We Trust

#RISEUP #DIRTYBIRDS

FalconAlley OWT

The D in Draft Stands for Defense

Allison Smith

April 29, 2024

After being the most talked about team from night one, after taking a quarterback at 8 after just signing a $100 million quarterback in free agency, the Falcons rebounded with four back to back defensive players, filling current and future/rotation needs.

The Falcons moved up a few spots in the second round to take Clemson Defensive Tackle, Ruke Orhorhoro, just before a run on DT’s began. Then in the 3^rd through 5^th rounds, Linebacker Bralen Trice, DT Brandon Dorlus and another LB, JD Bertrand. With 3 picks in the 6^th and final round for the Falcons, they drafted a Running Back, Wide Receiver and another DT. These will be development players, playing some on special teams and seeing if they stick on the team or not.

After being legit angry for nearly 24 hours, including driving 4 hours back from Atlanta, listening to 92.9 The Game the whole way, I was starting to calm down and buy in, but then triggered again, then calmer again. By the time the 2^nd round pick came in, I was 15% less angry with Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris. I had full faith until that 1^st round pick, but trying to come around and believe they have a plan.

As a Clemson fan, I was very happy about Orhorhoro, I know he is a beast. I’ve heard his name 1000 times in Clemson games. I’ve seen how disruptive he has been and can be in the NFL. Ruke is excited to join former teammate AJ Terrell and another Clemson legend, Grady Jarrett….who he will be able to learn behind. Ruke wants to prove he was worth trading up for. At 6 foot 4 and nearly 300 pounds, he had 12 starts, 22 tackles, 8 for losses and 5 sacks in his last year at Clemson. And was even more often, around the ball. Ruke is versatile and can play any position on the line and was considered a top 5 DT.

Bralen Trice is out of Washington, the near 2023 National Champions, so you know he has good experience on the field and in big pressure situations. Trice will be a great edge rusher, which is a definite need for the Falcons and should be contributing early on. He started 15 games, amassed 49 tackles, 11 for loss and 7 sacks in his final season. Trice was the top player in all of college football in the last two seasons for pressures.

Not to confuse Bralen with Brandon….but in the 4^th round, the Falcons drafted Defensive Tackle, Brandon Dorlus from Oregon. Dorlus will make a great addition to this line, whether starting or in rotation learning behind Jarrett and David Onyemata. Dorlus started 13 of 14 games with 25 tackles, 6 for loss and 5 sacks. At 280 pounds, Dorlus is a little small for a nose tackle, but is versatile and can move to other locations on the line.

Note that sacks are starting to add up already with these additions and you can’t outrun everyone, so if you escape Ruke, Bralen, or Brandon, there will be someone else waiting for you.

In the 5^th round, the Falcons continue on their defensive draft and snapped up another Linebacker, JD Bertrand from Notre Dame. A homegrown product from Alpharetta, GA, making his family happy for short drives to home games. In 12 starts, Bertrand had 76 tackles, 7 for loss, and a forced fumble. He led the Irish in tackles in his last 3 seasons. Bertrand seems to match the current linebacking core in makeup, personality and play. Hopefully he will be the force that Kaden Ellis, Troy Anderson, and Nate Landman have been in their short times in Atlanta. Bertrand is likely not a day 1 starter, but has a great group to learn behind and grow with and rotate in quickly, specifically behind Landman.

All of these guys have played college since 2019, so they are a little older, but also more experienced and more mature. I believe that was intentional by Fontenot and Morris.

While trying to buy in to the draft so far, one must remember that the only constant over the last few years is Fontenot. Not only is the head coach new, his coordinators are new to being coordinators and everyone is bringing fresh eyes to the game. The guys just drafted (and obtained in free agency) fit what this new regime has planned.

Now, it gets a little sideways for me again, but going to try to assume that Fontenot and Morris have a plan. They are drafting and planning for their jobs, I just want to have a team to win games, they NEED this team to win, and win NOW.

In the 6^th round, the Falcons had 3 picks and selected Alabama Running Back, Jase McClellan, Illinois’ Wide Receiver Casey Washington, and then another DT, Zion Logue from Georgia. McClellan and Washington will likely be on special teams for a while, but a roster spot is a roster spot. Logue is a straight up Nose Tackle at 6 foot 5 and 315 pounds. If he can learn and follow from the current defensive line, he can win a spot onto the final roster as well. These later rounds aren’t necessarily for finding starters, but diamonds in the rough, special teamers, practice squad guys.

One of my biggest questions is the lack of drafting a cornerback (CB2), but maybe he is already on the roster, he just needs to be coached up. Several were obtained in free agency (Clark Phillips, Kevin King, Antonio Hamilton) and others were already on the roster (Dee Alford, Richie Grant), so with new coaching, maybe he identifies himself in mini or training camp. I have to believe that Fontenot and Morris know they need a corner opposite of Terrell.

The second big question is money….isn’t it always? Can we pay everyone that we need to pay. As I type this, the Falcons exercised their 5^th year option on Tight End Kyle Pitts. Terrell will need to be dealt with next year at the latest, it would be smart to lock him in now, just in case he gets even better. We don’t know if Calius Campbell is coming back….and if so, will he take a discount to stay one more year in The Atl? We don’t want to start restructuring too many contracts and get into the same mess we were in previously, but again, smarter people than me, that are fighting for their jobs know that.

The more I think that way, this isn’t “just” a job for Fontenot and Morris, this is their livelihood and you have to believe that Fontenot, for sure, is on a short leash. Being evaluated on what he can do separated from former coach Arthur Smith. Can Morris redeem himself as a head coach and take Atlanta to the promised land?

Seems that some of these picks, or lack of picks say that this coaching staff and GM think this team is set now and ready to “Win Now.”

With that said, I close by saying, when Raheem Morris was announced as the new Head Coach, and held his first press conference, while being so excited to have Ra back, tearing up some, I felt (and have told countless people) that I had a good feeling and am planning to travel to New Orleans next February to watch us win the Super Bowl. So, as the days move farther from the shock of the draft, I am still saving my time and money and planning on a Super Bowl win for my Falcons.

#RISEUP #DIRTYBIRDS

FALCONALLEY OWT

Atlanta Falcons Lose a Rainy One in New York

August 22, 2022

Article by Allison Smith

Atlanta Falcons 16 at New York Jets 24

New York won the toss and decided to kick to Atlanta. Avery Williams takes the kick to the 23. Damian Williams is the only set back, Marcus Mariota from the shot gun, hands to Williams who gains 4 yards around the left side. Cordarrelle Patterson is lined up in the slot as Mariota drops back and hits Kyle Pitts for a 52-yard gain. From the Jets’ 21, Mariota drops back, rolls to the right and hits Brian Edwards at the 9. On first and goal, a quick handoff to Williams for a couple of yards up the middle. On second down, Tyler Allgeier has checked in and takes the fake, Mariota under pressure skips the pass to Parker Hesse for an incompletion. On third down, under center, Mariota throws to Allgeier for a few yards. Younghoe Koo comes on for the 23-yard field goal.

Q1 11:22, Atlanta 3/New York 0

Bradley Pinion kicks 68 yards into the end zone, Tevin Coleman comes out to the 19. Mike White rolls to the right and passes for a 4-yard gain. On 2^nd and 6, Brian Hall carries for one yard, quickly stopped by Casey Hayward. A defensive holding penalty moves the ball to the 29 and a first down. Hall tries to go up the middle, but is met behind the line by Adetokunbo Ogundeji and Anthony Rush (who just had the penalty). On 2^nd and 13, under great pressure by Lorenzo Carter, White gets the ball away to Tyrek Black for an 8-yard gain. On 3^rd down, swarming pressure in the backfield, White tucks the ball and runs for a yard, stopped by Ta’Quon Graham, forcing the punt.

Williams returns the punt to the 25-yard line. Allgeier gets the ball for a 4-yard gain along the right side. On 2^nd down, from the shotgun, Mariota finds KhaDarel Hodge for a first down, but takes the ball 34 yards…..which was called back because his knee touched down at the 42. Defense has an encroachment penalty, first and 5 at the 47. Mariota, behind great blocking, finds a wide-open Anthony Firkser for a 40-yard gain. From the 19, Allgeier gets the call along the right side for a singe yard. On 2^nd down, Mariota starts to run, then drops back and throws towards the end zone, in complete. On third down, with 2 high safeties, Mariotta sees Olamide Zaccheaus for a 13-yard touchdown reception. Tight coverage, Zaccheaus out reaches the defender for the ball. Koo makes the extra point.

Olamide Zaccheau’s Touchdown Reception Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Q1 5:16 Atlanta 10/New York 0

Coleman brings the ball from the 3 to the 20. White hits the fingertips of Jeff Smith for an incompletion. A quick pass to Garrett Wilson along the sideline, immediately stopped by Corey Ballentine, who refused to allow Wilson to gain another inch. Third and 3, offense is moved back for offsides, White throws the ball into the grown near the receiver. White was under pressure from Ogundeji, who was called for roughing the passer (tackling his legs) while Arnold Ebikitie was being held and horse collared. Free first and 10, running back is quickly met by Ogundeji for a 1-yard gain. Hall goes left for another yard. On 3^rd and 7, White drops back and hits Wilson who is tripped up by Dee Alford, stopped 3 yards short of the first down, forcing another punt. Williams takes the kick at the 10.

Qadree Ollison gets the first rush of this possession. A low throw to Ollison follows, then a pass behind Zaccheus that falls incomplete. A quick three and out brings Pinion on to kick from the end zone to 50.

White quick throws to his tight end, Mike Ford makes the stop. On 2^nd and 3, White hands off to Coleman who finds room on the left side for 8 yards and first down.

End of Q1

From the Falcons’ 35, White throws an incompletion out of bounds. Coleman tries to run right, but his forced wide by Daren Hall until out of bounds. A hold backs the Jets up 10 yards, on 2^nd and 20 from the Falcons’ 46, White drops back, sets up the screen and hits Ty Johnson for a short gain. On 3^rd and 18, a short pass to Jeff Smith is forced out by Ballentine. Another penalty, backs the Jets up, a 3^rd and 27 White hits the receiver for 8 yards and is stopped by Dean Marlowe. Another punt, goes into the end zone and the Falcons will begin on their 20.

Desmond Ridder fakes to Allgeier, then passes to MyCole Pruitt for 18 yards. Next is a handoff to Allgeier for no gain. On 2^nd and 10, Ridder fakes the handoff and finds a tightly covered Firkser for a 17-yard gain. Allgeier with the ball again for 3 yards behind the right side. On 2^nd and 7, under center, Ridder hands off to Ollison, who goes up the middle for 4 yards, another Jets’ penalty gives the Falcons another first down. From the 33, Ollison gains another yard. Ridder drops back, then stands casually and throws up 12 yards to Jared Bernhardt for the first down. From the Jets’ 20, Ridder fakes to the left, finds Cameron Batson who gets to the line of scrimmage and is demolished there. On 2^nd down, a fake hand off and Ridder hits Damiere Byrd in the chest for 12 yards. Another penalty moves the Falcons to the 8, Allgeier shoves his way to the 1. Allgeier moves forward slightly, Rick Leonard gets a holding penalty, so back at the 10, Ridder throws up to Allgeier at the 5. On 3^rd down, Ridder from the shotgun, finds Allgeier at the one and is forced out of bounds. Offense stays on the field, 4^th and goal from the 1, Jalen Mayfield has a false start, calling the offense off the field and Koo on for the field goal.

Q2 4:20 Atlanta 13/New York 0

From the 15, White fakes the hand off and throws a completion just short of the first down marker, stopped by Erik Harris. From the 24, White is nearly intercepted by Ballentine who jumped high just in front of the receiver. Harris makes the 3^rd down stop, forcing another punt. Batson takes the punt, trying to make some moves, loses 5 yards.

Ridder begins at the 32 from the shotgun, throws the ball out of bounds. Ridder is called for intentional grounding, clearly a miscommunication. On 2^nd and 20, Ridder fakes the handoff and finds Bernhardt for 34 yards, clearly the play intended for the first down play.

Two Minute Warning

From the Jets’ 44, play fake, Ridder fires the ball down the field, but the ball was tipped en route to Frank Darby. On 2^nd down, Ridder drops back and hits a wide-open Pruitt for a gain of 24, but another flag. Illegal shift, two receivers in motion. Back to the 49, Ridder drops back and finds an open Bernhardt for 22 yards, penalty….on the defense. The ball is on the 14, Ridder pitches it back to Kaleb Huntley who gains 4 yards. Ridder rushes to the left, gains the first down at the 3. Mayfield called for another hold and the Falcons are back at the 22 with a 2^nd and 18. Ridder escapes pressure, hits Byrd for a short gain, another penalty for holding, Rick Leonard this time. Now at the 32, Ridder throws to Byrd, who had cleared out the middle and had no defenders close, for 20 yards. Play action is gutting the defenders. On 3^rd and 8, Ridder misses Darby and another flag is thrown. Offensive pass interference on Williams (ran into a defender) is declined, it is fourth down and Koo hits another field goal.

Q2: :32 seconds Atlanta 16/New York 0

The kick off is returned to the 35. With 23 seconds remaining, White drops back and finds the receiver at the 42, Alford with the quick stop. On 2^nd down, White finds a wide-open Denzel Mims for a 26-yard gain. From the Falcons’ 31, the receiver can’t haul in the reception. Another pass to Mims who is instantly stopped by Marlowe. With 5 seconds remaining, the Jets kick a 44-yard field goal.

Half Time: Atlanta 16/New York 3

White and the Jets begin on the 25 with a hand off for a loss of a yard, stopped by Jalen Dalton. From the shotgun, White finds Irv Charles for a 2-yard gain. Another errant pass by White is followed by a flag for PI on Alford, but picked back up. Batson returns the punt to the 20.

Huntley carries the ball 6 yards then 3 more yards, on 3^rd down, he cannot gain the final yard for a first down. The Falcons punt to the 35, returner to the 40 with a flag for illegal block in the back by two players.

First and 10 from the 26, a run up the left side for 5 yards. Johnson takes the ball for 14 yards until he is pushed out of bounds by Marlowe. Followed by an offensive holding penalty, backing the Jets up to their own 25. Second and 11, Chris Streveler passes up to Laurence Cager who gains 23 yards and is stopped by Marlowe. Near midfield, the running back is stopped Thurman for no gain. Streveler drops back and finds a wide open Black in the middle of the field for another first down. From the 25, Streveler short pass for 4 yards, then a handoff to Knight for a 4-yard loss, forced out by Ballentine. Third down, Streveler hits wide open Cager for a touchdown. Falcons had a communication issue, 2 men covering one receiver, man to man across the field, and the free safety in the middle of the field.

Q3: 7:26 Atlanta 16/New York 10

From the 25, Feleipe Franks is under center and fakes to Ollison, throws right to Pruitt for 11 yards. Franks hands off to Ollison who goes 5 yards behind the left side, then is sacked for an 8-yard loss. Pressure came quick, Pruitt didn’t touch the defender. Ollison gets the short reception and is rocked by the defender for a 3-yard loss. Pinion punts to the 25.

The running back gains a single yard along the left side. After a penalty, Streveler drops back for 1^st and 20 and runs the ball up the middle 7 yards. On 2^nd down, Streveler passes close to the first down marker, but is stopped and slung out of bounds by Teez Tabor. On 3^rd and 2, Streveler hits his receiver for a first down. Streveler throws an incompletion way down the field. Second and 10 from the 44, a handoff gains a first down across midfield. Streveler on the run, drops back and finds his receiver who is stopped by 36 and 44, for a 6-yard gain. On 2^nd down, a fake, then Streveler completes a pass across the middle, followed by an offensive pass interference call, receiver pushed off of Jaylinn Hawkins to make the catch. From midfield, Streveler runs for 14 yards, near the marker.

End of Q3 – Atlanta 16/New York 10

From the 35, Streveler drops back, throws near the end zone into double coverage, Lafayette Pitts and Henry Black on the coverage and Pitts called for the PI, giving the Jets the ball at the 7. The running back immediately gets the ball, turns the corner and speeds into the end zone, just out of reach of DeAngelo Malone.

Q4: 14:49 Atlanta 16/New York 17

Bernhardt returns the kick off 27 yards to the Falcons’ 24. Franks fakes the handoff, runs himself for 4 yards. Allgeier runs up the middle for 2 yards, then Franks scrambles for 8 yards along the right side, lowers the shoulder and takes the hit to go out of bounds. Shaffer with the false start, from the 32, Allgeier runs out of bounds for 5 yards, but offensive holding backs the Falcons up to a 1^st and 25 from the 22. From the shotgun, Franks hands off to Allgeier, who goes up the middle, but a flag for illegal shift. Now, 1^st and 30 from the 17, Franks runs up the middle, gets hit and fumbles the ball. His knee was marked down and continues the offensive drive. On 2^nd and 18 from the 30, Franks fakes the handoff and runs, puts his head down and runs into two defenders, gaining 10 yards. With a 3^rd and 8, Atlanta calls time out.

Franks scrambles, has the football knocked out while scrambling and the defender takes the ball in for the touchdown. With the rain, Franks is hit and slips and put the ball hand down and the ball squirts out towards the defender.

Q4: 10:22 Atlanta 16/New York 23

Bernhardt brings the ball out to the 27. Huntley is tripped up before he can get to the line of scrimmage. Franks is nearly sacked, but gets the ball to Huntley for a gain of 5 yards. Huntley another few yards, short of the first down. Pinion punts 48 yards to the 18. Darby makes the hard stop after a 3-yard return.

Teez Tabor and Dee Alford Celebrate an Interception, Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Streveler hands the ball off, Landon makes the quick stop. An incomplete pass is followed by an interception by Tabor. Alford in tight coverage on one side of the receiver, Tabor lunges and takes the ball out of his hands for the interception, giving the Falcons the ball back on their own 47. Personal foul on the Jets, moves the ball to the Jets’ 32.

Franks is in the shotgun and hands off to Huntley 4 times in a row. At 3^rd and 6, Franks runs along the sideline, knocking the helmet off one of the defenders as he heads out of bounds. First and goal from the 6, Franks throws out the back of the end zone, followed by 3 additional incompletions outside the end zone.

The Jets take over at the 5, make it out to the 31 then kneel on the ball to end the game.

#DirtyBirds

FalconAlley Owt

Atlanta Falcons With A Bloody Good Win in England

From Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

New York Jets 20 at Atlanta Falcons 27

The New York Jets won the coin toss and allowed the Atlanta Falcons to receive the ball to start the game.

From the 25, Mike Davis in the backfield, fake, Matt Ryan passes to Kyle Pitts behind the line of scrimmage. On 2^nd down, Davis goes for the first down. From the 35, Olamide Zaccheaus goes in motion, Davis up the middle for a yard. On 2^nd and 9, Ryan from the shotgun, fake to Davis with a good block, down the field deep the Hayden Hurst who was double covered, but ball was overthrown incomplete. On 3^rd and 9, Ryan in the shotgun with Davis next to him, he throws toward Tajae Sharpe and is nailed as he releases, gets a roughing the passer penalty and automatic first down.

Falcons at midfield now, Ryan under center and hands to Cordarrelle Patterson who goes for 6 yards along the left side – behind a big block by Keith Smith. On 2^nd and 4, Ryan play fakes on the slant, throws to Sharpe but the ball is knocked out by the defender. Ryan finds TE Lee Smith for 3 yards. On 4^th and 1 at the 40, Patterson gets the call, makes a stutter step and goes over 10 yards. Next play is a handoff to Patterson who passes the ball out of bounds….no receiver in place. As time runs down, Ryan calls a time out.

Patterson is in the blue tent – concussion protocol. This could be huge if he does not return.

After a quick first down pass to Pitts for 16 yards, Davis goes for a single yard, now on 2^nd and 9 from the 11, Ryan throws low to Pitts, incomplete. On 3^rd and 9 at the 11, Ryan from the shotgun, Davis next to him, TEs off to the right, Ryan passes up to Davis who cannot get back to the line of scrimmage. Younghoe Koo in for the successful field goal.

First play is a run up the middle for 5 yards. On 2^nd and 5, a play fake from Zach Wilson, then he has to run to the far right, AJ Terrell takes him down before he can even get out of bounds. On 3^rd and 2, high snap, Wilson batts it back to himself, then passes the ball incomplete to the receiver in tight coverage – also had an illegal shift by the Jets, so it is now 4^th and 2. The Jets punt to Zaccheaus, who is planted by his own TJ Greene and the ball rolls past to the 10.

On first down, Davis is spinning up, there is a chop block called on the Falcons, but the refs realize the defense caused it, so it is 1st and 10 from the 16. Ryan drops back and screen to Davis falls to the ground. On 2^nd and 10, Patterson is back and goes an easy 9 yards on the right side. Ryan drops back and finds Sharpe for a big first down at the 40. Next play is a rush by Patterson for no gain. Ryan fake to Patterson, then finds Pitts over the middle for 18 yards. Patterson up the middle for 3 yards. Ryan back under center, Zaccheaus in motion, fake to Paterson, wide open L. Smith for the first down at the 19-yard line. Smith with the crossing route. Next play is to Patterson inside the 5 for the reception and another first down. At the 2, Ryan throws the touchdown pass to Pitts, for his first NFL touchdown of his rookie season.

Rookie Kyle Pitts with 1st TD of the season photo courtesy of NFL network

Q1 5:16 – Jets 0/Falcons 10

Former Falcon Tevin Coleman receives the kick off and runs it back to the 28, tackled by Koo. First pass falls incomplete with tight coverage by Fabian Moreau. On 2^nd and 10, a handoff Tyler Davison and Grady Jarrett in converge to stop the running back and force a 3^rd and 13. Jets call a time out. Wilson finds the receiver, 3 yards shy of the first down.

Zaccheaustakes the punt up 14 yards to the…. as the first quarter ends.

Davis in the backfield, takes the ball up the middle a couple of yards. Second down, Zaccheaus in motion, Ryan throws to Patterson at the 37 where he is stopped hard. First and ten, Patterson in the backfield, takes the ball up the middle for four yards. To Patterson on the left side at the first down marker. Third and 1 at the 41, Ryan opens up and hits Pitts at the 31. Another roughing the passer penalty is called and auto first down. Now the Falcons offense has the ball at the 17. Patterson rushes along he left side for no gain. Ryan running right, get his pass batted down at the line of scrimmage. Ryan finds Hurst at the 5 who zooms on in for the TOUCHDOWN! Davis with a big block to stop a sack coming fast.

Hayden Hurst With The Touchdown Courtesy of Chris Trotman & Atlanta Falcons

11:01 Jets 0/Falcons 17

Coleman in the end zone and allows the kickoff to go into the back of the end zone. From the 25, Wilson rolls back and throws low and bouncing into the turf, as Terell was coming fast to the receiver. Next play, Wilson throws an interception to Jaylinn Hawkins who came back to the ball and steps in front of the receiver. The ball was behind the receiver who was waiting on the ball, Hawkins sniffed it out and made a good decision and catch.

Jaylinn Hawkins with the Interception courtesy of NFL Network

From the 2 TE, 2-receiver set, Davis is the setback, Ryan has a backfoot throw to Smith at the 27 yard line. Hurst makes the next reception at the 11 for a first down, ball pops loose, the Jets recover the fumble.

Jets take over at the 13 and run up the middle for 2 yards, big stop by Steven Means, Dante Fowler shaken up on the play. Wilson looks left and finds the receiver for the first down at the 28. Michael Carter gets 7 yards until Foye Oluokun makes the stop. Duron Harmon gets a PI away from the play and moves the ball to the 45. Coleman runs 3 yards to the right. On 2nd and 7, Wilson hands off to Coleman who goes 4 yards and across midfield, Richie Grant makes the hard and fast stop. From the shotgun, Wilson hands off to Todd Johnson who zooms through the right side for a first down. From the Falcons’ 42, Wilson fakes the handoff and finds the receiver at the line of scrimmage who is immediately met with Adetokunbo Ogundeji for a big open field tackle. Coverage downfield was perfect and Wilson’s only option. On 2nd and 9, Wilson is chased back to the Jets 41 and has to throw out of bounds. Third down, Wilson finds an open receiver at the 30, stopped by Darren Hall – need tighter coverage to stop that quicker. From the 28, Michael Carter gets the ball and nearly a first down, stopped by Fowler slowing him down and Davison wrapping arms around both players and taking them both down. On 2^nd and 1, Coleman goes up the middle for the first down. Wilson underthrows the next pass and it falls incomplete.

Jets take a time out. On 2^nd and 10 from the Falcons’ 16, Wilson drops back, nearly sacked and hits an offensive lineman in the back with the ball. Wilson drops back, crossing pattern to Davis and is stopped by Moreau for a 3-yard gain. Matt Ammendola comes out for the 31-yard field goal.

Q2 2:14 Jets 3/Falcons 17

Ammendola kicks to Patterson, 5 yards deep in the end zone, gets to the 24. First and 10, Ryan hands to Patterson for 8 yards. After the 2-minute warning, Ryan misses Patterson on the backside, grabbed by the defender, no call. Christian Blake is all alone on the sideline for a Ryan pass, falling down with the reception, but gains the first down. Next pass is up the middle to Davis for another first down. Another run up the middle by Davis. Being chased, Ryan throws the ball away, but nearly intercepted along the sideline. On 3^rd and 6, still at midfield with 50 seconds to go in the half, Pitts misses the ball, gets a PI as the defender was holding on his jersey not allowing Pitts to get to the ball. First and 10 from the 40, Ryan has two off the mark passes to Davis and Blake. On 3^rd and 10, Pitts makes the reception at the 25 forcing the 4^th down. With 3 seconds remaining in the half, Coach calls a time out. Koo makes the 52-yard field goal as time expires.

Half Time – Jets 3/Falcons 20

Short kick, Coleman goes to the Falcons’ 29 – touchdown is stopped by Patterson. Carter takes the ball 7 yards on the left side. On 2^nd and 3, Wilson hands to Carter again, stopped after the first down by Terrell. On the first down, Carter meets Jarrett for no gain. Wilson from the 14, jet sweep and Braxton Berrios is taken down by Jarrett – who comes from the middle of the field to the far left side and makes the stop. Johnson gets the first down and more, down to the 2. The defensive line stands up and refuses to let the runner in, led by Jarrett. On 2^nd and goal, Johnson easily walks in to the end zone. Atlanta stunted to their right while Johnson moves into an open hole on the left. Ammandola misses the extra point.

Q3 10:56 Jets 9/Falcons 20

From the 25, Patterson goes up the middle for 3 yards. Zaccheaus in motion, Ryan lets one fly, Patterson caught it at the 38. Zaccheaus in motion again, Hurst has another reception that pops out. The catch was at the line of scrimmage and rolls out of bounds, so no loss this time. Second and 10, Ryan hits Zaccheausbut he drops the ball for an incompletion. Ryan with the backfoot throw, Zaccheaus cannot hang on again, pressure in Ryan’s face, Zaccheaus up for the high reception, but has the ball knocked out by former Falcon Sharrod Neasman. First punt this season by newly acquired Dustin Colquitt and goes to the Jets 35, for 24 yards.

Side arm to Carter, and the Jets are at midfield instantly, stopped by Jones. Carter stopped after a 1 yard gain by Grant. After an incompletion, Wilson has a short pass to the large TE, Ryan Griffin for 4 yards, Terrell forces the fumble, which is recovered by the Jets, but forces a fourth down and punt. .

Punt from the Falcons 45, Zaccheaus fair catch at the 9.

Ryan hands to Davis who zooms up the right side past the 26-yard line. Another 8-man box, and Davis no gain this time. Ryan fakes the handoff, then tries to hit Davis with the pass, pass is batted down. Third and 10, Ryan in the shotgun, scrambles to the right sideline and finds Sharpe along the sideline for the first down. Sharpe came back to the sideline to help Ryan as he saw him scrambling. Davis with the run on the edge, got 5 yards behind a Kaleb McGary block. Ryan finds an open Sharpe across the middle, spinning through for a 17-yard gain. A handoff to Wayne Gallman gains 3 yards, his first snap of the game. On 2^nd and 8, on a RPO, a fake to Gallman and pass to Blake on the sideline near the first down marker. Another pass to Hurst, who holds onto the ball, tiptoes along the sideline for the first down and more. Davis gets the call, goes for several yards before coughing up the ball for the second Falcons’ fumble of the day.

Wilson hands off to Carter, gets 5 yards. Second down, Wilson from the shotgun, throws behind the line and Crowder got blasted by Moreau who makes the stop 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage, but Moreau is down. Offensive penalty with a loss of down, punting to Zaccheauswho returns to the 31.

First down, Patterson runs along the right side for 4 yards as the 3^rd quarter time expires.

On 2^nd and 6, Zaccheaus makes the reception. Ryan’s 5000^th completion. Davis in the backfield, Ryan under center, Zaccheaus in motion, running handoff to Davis for the first down. Another hand off to Patterson for a single yard. Ryan throws over the middle to Pitts, for the first down across midfield. From the Jets 46, Patterson in the backfield, Ryan hands to Patterson who gains a few yards outside. On 2^nd and 7, Ryan fakes to Patterson who slips, Ryan nearly sacked, keeps scrambling and finds Pitts near the end zone, but Matt Hennessy holds and backs the offense up to 2^nd and 17 from the Falcons 47. A quick pass to Sharpe at the 45 leaving a 3^rd and 9. Ryan, from the shotgun, finds Patterson in the crossing pattern 6 yards short of the first down and Colquitt comes back on the field and plants the ball at the 10.

Wilson drops back and hits the receiver over the middle at the 17 stopped by Jones. From the shotgun, Wilson guns it down field for a huge first down at the 40-yard line, missed by Grant, but the receiver falls and is touched down. Wilson hits the tight end at the 45, flag on the field backing up the offense. Running back blocking Grant and the Jets are 1^st and 20 from their own 30. Wilson hits a wide-open receiver at the 50, Hall makes the stop, but defenders were everywhere having to close in for the tackle. Ball at the Atlanta 43, Wilson under pressure and running for his life, flings it down near the goal line, ball is knocked away by Terrell who is called for PI, giving the Jets the ball at the goal line. From the 2, Wilson hands to Carter who walks in an empty hole to the end zone. The Jets convert on the 2-point conversion.

Q4: Jets 17/Falcons 20

Keith Smith fields the up-kick and gets up to the 25. Davis in the backfield, play fake, Ryan hits Pitts at the Jets’ 36 in double coverage. Thirty-nine yards and a first down. Ryan hands to Patterson who is immediately stopped. On 2^nd and 12, a high pass along the sideline to Pitts, who makes the reception, but only for 4 yards. On 3^rd and 8, single receiver to the left, 3 to the right, Jake Matthews with the false start backing the Falcons up to 3^rd and 13. Ryan finds Zaccheaus at the first down marker and he pushes past the line to gain the first down and 15 yards. Smith in the strong side eye, Zaccheaus in motion, handoff to Patterson who is stopped after a 3-yard gain. Two TE right, Sharpe on the left, Ryan shoots it underneath to Patterson who fights for 5 yards. On 3^rd and 2, Ryan empties the backfield, gets the Jalen Mayfield block and screen and Patterson goes along the left side sideline down to the 9. Davis runs up the middle through the line to the 4. With 2:24 to go, Jets call their first time out.

Davis takes the ball, stutter steps, spins, the offensive line keeps shoving the defense and Davis gets in for the touchdown.

With 2:19 to go in the game, Jets 17/Falcons 27.

The Jets start at their own 25. From the shotgun, Wilson hs a short pass to Davis who heads out of bounds after an 8-yard gain. With 5 in the rush, Ogundeji gets the big sack for a 9-yard loss before the 2-minute warning.

Coming out of the 2-minute warning, from their own 33, it’s 3rd and 11, Cole makes the reception near the 40. Ogundeji almost got to Wilson again. Fowler and Jarrett getting into the backfield forcing quick passes. On 2^nd and 10, another play fake, Wilson throws to Mims at the 44 where Terrell stops him. Wilson looks left and throws left, shoved out of points at the Falcons 34. Next pass falls incomplete. With under a minute left, from the 34, Wilson from the shotgun, flushed to his left and throws out of bounds, Harmon and Hawkins in on the chase. Wilson hits Davis at the 14 and stopped by Oluokun, but Hall had bitten up and opened a hole for Davis. Jets take their 2nd time out.

With 33 seconds remaining, Wilson takes the snap from the 14, ball falls incomplete, with Terrell ready to make the immediate stop. Jacob Tuioti-Mariner got Wilson off his mark, as Wilson runs, he is then sacked at the 32 by Tuioti-Mariner. With 22 seconds and a 3^rd and 27, they get the 49-yard field goal.

Defense Doing Work Photo Courtesy of NFL Network

With 17 seconds remaining in the game, Jets 20/Falcons 27 and expecting the onside kick.

Zaccheaus catches the ball at the 49. Ryan comes out and kneels.

Falcons. Win. Game.

#RiseUp

#FalconAlleyOWT

Cover photo courtesy of Chris Trotman/Atlanta Falcons