Category: FalconAlley Squawk

Rico is Ready

September 4, 2019

By: Allison Smith

Just days away from the season opener, Ricardo Allen calls in to Dukes and Bell to share his thoughts on the upcoming season.

Rico was on Injured Reserve most of last season, going out in the third game of the season.  Now, he has healed, rehabbed, and studied to come back even stronger.  His wife, Grace, helps….or ensures he is doing is film study at home as she helps break down film.  With all of his rehab time, he had plenty of time to watch film and prepare.  This training camp and preseason, he has begun sitting in on many of the offensive meetings in order to hear their views and discussions and be even more prepared for other teams.  Rico is the defensive play caller and last line of defense on the field.  Rico always makes sure the defense is lined up correctly, especially when there is any offensive movement before the snap.

Ricardo told Carl Dukes and Mike Bell of 92.9 The Game’s afternoon show that he is glad pre-season is over.  He’s ready to play.  He has been limited in pre-season as a starter and returning from injury.  Rico said that Head Coach Dan Quinn (serving as defensive coordinator) is keeping everyone busy and excited.  DQ really gets into the details.

Ricardo is excited to see Isaiah Oliver at Cornerback this year, he did his learning last year and is ready this year.  “He will give up some plays, but will make more plays; he’s been putting the work and study in.”

Rico noted they are a competitive defense and ready to put some hits on some guys in real games.  If they are throwing the ball up, we are going to try and go get it.  Rico is very confident in this defense and the work they have put in so far and know they are going to do their part to keep the score low and let the offense do their part.

Discussing the grind to get back to playing this season, Rico was trying to enjoy the process and learn from that slow process.  Sometimes you feel like you are going backwards, but you just have to keep working and trying and know you are blessed to be able to heal up and come back.

#RiseUp

 #FalconAlleyOwt

Dukes & Bell Sneak into Mr. Blank’s Office

By:  Allison Smith

August 5, 2019

On Monday, August 5, 2019, Carl Dukes and Mike Bell (from the 92.9 afternoon show “Dukes and Bell”) showed up to Mr. Arthur Blank’s office to talk Atlanta Falcon football.  I can neither confirm nor deny if they were actually invited, but Mr. Blank did speak with them on a variety of topics.

This interview was the day after the Military focused Fan Day in Mercedes Benz Stadium.  Tickets were $5 each and sold out, raising over $200,000 to be donated to Veterans Empowerment Organization.  

Dukes and Bell started with questioning the expectations for this season for the Falcons.  Mr. Blank’s expectations are for the team to be in the discussion every year, to be competitive each year.  He noted the defense is healthy, the team made some good draft choices and FA pick-ups.  Mr. Blank loves where the team is right now, but said, “You have to play the games.”  He quipped that, “Matt Ryanplays better vertically than horizontally.” Matt is in great shape and he needs to be  kept that way.  Mr. Blank commented that the staple is a great O and D line to play successfully, carry you throughout the season, and into the colder climates late in the season.

Head Coach Dan Quinn said “the compass was off last year.”  Mr. Blank “One of the great strengths of Dan is that he is brutally honest with himself and with me.”  Dan looked at his coaching staff and evaluated and made changes.  DQ brought in several guys that are familiar with Matt with great offensive minds.  With Dan now calling the plays on defense – he will be able to really focus on the defensive plays and players and help with all the current and new guys.  Mr. Blank doesn’t think they necessarily lost the compass, but DQ looked without filters and made necessary changes.  He and General Manager Thomas Dimitroff agreed on what changes needed to take place.

Julio Jones will be a Falcon for life, and we all know his accomplishments and he will be the highest paid receiver in the NFL….and Ju will be kept healthy and ready for game 1.  He is physically and mentally in great shape.  There is great trust on both sides, just waiting on his agent to finish talks.

Mr. Blank thinks we have moved from protest to progress.  He serves on several NFL committees to help and lead progress and believes players should use their platform to affect change.  The league is definitely paying attention to the need for change and the climate of change.

Thanks to Dukes and Bell for bringing us the top interviews.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley OWT

Allison on Ollison

Article and Photo by Allison Smith

July 30, 2019

 

The article title was too good to pass up, every time I hear someone call Qadree Ollison by his last name, I think they are saying mine, so had to do the pun here.

 Carl Dukes and Mike Bell of the 92.9 The Game afternoon show “Dukes and Bell” spoke to Qadree Ollison; their interview aired on Tuesday afternoon.

Qadree was a 5th round draft pick from the University of Pittsburg, and is taking on a big number to fill, as he will be wearing the Falcons #32.  Qadree is notably bigger than your average running back, coming in at 6’2” and 225 pounds.  I met Qadree at training camp on Thursday, July 25th.  I was able to chat briefly and he could not have been nicer.  Having heard many great things about his playing ability, I was excited to see his practice and meet him personally.  He did not disappoint, making some good moves and runs at practice.  As a note, if you want to make FalconAlley a fan, do 1 of 2 things, play really well and/or meet her at training camp!

 At the combine, Qadree was not the fasted RB out there, but he noted that, “Allot of people don’t run fast 40’s but don’t get caught in the game.  I think I am fast enough to run fast and make good plays.”  And as big as he is, he can run over people or stiff arm them out of the way.  He is aware he may be blocking or performing fullback duties at times for Devonta Freeman and is ready for that responsibility.  Playing at Pittsburg, he is well versed in pass protection and has a very good understanding of what it entails.

 Obviously there are differences from college to the NFL game.  Qadree stated that in college you have the playbook and practice, but also study hall and classes and such.  Now, in the NFL you have practice, working out, and studying of the playbook time.  So he plans to spend class and study hall time, studying the playbook and learning from the veterans, it is just a different routine.

Qadree has an excellent mentor as well.  Ollison is learning from Freeman, “He is amazing, he teaches me so much, not just about football.  He teaches you about life and being a professional on and off the field.”  Qadree just watches the way Freeman works and prepares and he feels he has been put in a great situation here in Atlanta. 

He said that he loves Atlanta, the city, and the people.  Having grown up in Niagara Falls, Qadree is happy to play indoors or mostly good weather, but is good with any of the elements.  Noting that he played college is Pittsburg……

 When asked about how the death of his older brother affected him, Ollison said that it motivates him every day.  He plays with a different sort of chip on his shoulder.  He lives with a “Go get it attitude.”  And he provided a quote that I love, “Be where your feet are.”  Meaning, be present in the moment, not dwelling on past or looking very far into the future, just live in and appreciate today.

 Lerowne Harris, Qadree’s older brother, was shot and killed early on a Saturday before Ollison played for Pittsburg against NC State later that day.  He was not made aware that a former elementary school friend had shot his brother until after the game.  Ollison has only ever offered forgiveness and hope and prayers for his childhood friend.  

Ollison said that he had to provide forgiveness, so that he could move on from it.  “You can’t hold a grudge and move on, so I had to forgive.”  Qadree hopes that he inspires others to forgive and be able to move on from whatever life throws at them.  Because of this, he really doesn’t allow football to stress him out.  He is honored and blessed with his opportunities to play in the NFL, but is just going to do his work and not stress about football.  

 Thanks to Dukes and Bell for this interview….and making me cry as I listened and researched the story of Qadree’s brother Rome.

 

#RiseUp

 

FalconAlley Owt

 

Atlanta Falcons Qadree Ollison Dukes and Bell 2019 Draft RiseUp InBrotherhood

First Round Draft Pick Calvin Ridley on Dukes and Bell

July 30, 2018

Calvin Ridley spoke to Dukes and Bell of 92.9 The Game on Monday afternoon (Carl Dukes and Mike Bell).  First round draft pick from Alabama, Ridley said that he was feeling real good so far, having a great time, and loves this team.  He confirmed that he was NOT on Saturday, as others went to sign for fans, he just went directly in to get some fluids.  Ridley is excited to be battling against Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, and Brian Poole, he realizes that going against them will really prepare him for games, as they are some of the best corners in the league.

Ridley comment on Mohamed Sanu and Julio Jones saying that Sanu has been a great big brother, either correcting him or praising him, but always giving feedback.  While Julio is like a coach on the field, he teaches everything.  Ridley said that he is in a great situation with the greatest football players and the greatest coaching staff.  Sounds like he has fully bought in to the Brotherhood and is very happy in Atlanta. He noted that Matt Ryan is a big coach as well, providing good and constructive feedback.  Ryan wants Ridley out there on the field and is ensuring that he does everything right, he obviously cares.

Ridley told Dukes and Bell that the learning curve was not overly difficult.  Falcons OC, Steve Sarkisian was in Alabama for a short time, and clearly they are running a near pro offense already.  Ridley said that the Falcons game plan is harder, but if you pay attention and study and you will get it.  He feels better than when he first hit Atlanta for mini-camp and is in a good place. 

Asked about the Together We Rise Fan Day, Ridley commented that it was “so good, so many people in there on Sunday.”  It felt almost like a game, realizing, of course, that Ridley was on the National Championship team that played in The Benz Nest in January.  The good news is, Ridley is confident without being cocky, feels he has something to prove, and is willing to listen and learn from the veterans.  Also, he’s played semi-pro ball at Alabama, in 3 years having 2 National Championships. 

Ryan thinks that Ridley is fitting right in to this system and obviously DQ is quite impressed as well.

#RiseUp

 FalconAlley Owt

 

Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

 

 

Dukes and Bell Catch up with Ricardo Allen after Day 2 of Mini Camp

Recap of Interview by Carl Dukes and Mike Bell, written by Allison Smith

June 13, 2018

Ricardo Allen enters his 5th year as an Atlanta Falcon.  From a late cut his rookie year, to the practice squad, to a leader on defense, Rico has had quite a ride in the NFL so far.  In the 2017 off season, Rico and wife Grace welcomed their second baby, he graduated from Purdue, and most recently signed his 2nd round tender to stay a Falcon for another season. It was very important to Rico to earn his degree as an example to his children, “Anything you start, you need to finish.”  While he hopes to be in Atlanta playing the rest of his career and not need his degree, he is proud of the work he put in to receive it and actually walk at graduation.

Rico Grad

After Day 2 of Falcons Mini Camp, Rico spoke to Dukes and Bell (Carl Dukes and Mike Bell of 92.9 The Game’s afternoon show).  If you know about Rico, you know he is one of the hardest working guys on the team and is a film nut.  As I have reported numerous times, just days after the playoff loss in Philadelphia, Rico was at the Branch watching film and working out.  He said that he watched the game over and over on the flight home, already taking notes on things to improve.  He noted that the team was a tackle or turnover or an inch away from the SuperBowl last season. He knows this team is not that far off.

When asked about vacation time between Mini Camp and Training Camp, Rico replied, “We had vacation and time off after the season ended. There is no vacation time now, I am ready to go.”  Anytime there are not official team activities at The Branch, Rico is working out 2-3 times a day, either at home or at The Branch.

Dukes and Bell asked about the current team and the work outs, Rico said that they are competing and taking care of each other.  “Can’t win games right now, but can put in the work.”  Rico is the mentee assigned to Isaiah Oliver and said that Oliver is long and can run with any receiver on the Falcons roster, he has great ball skills and comes in very mature.

Asked about some of the new offensive weapons, Rico commented that Ito Smith is fast out of the backfield and finishes every rep like he is going to score a touchdown.  He said that Calvin Ridley is a “Good dude.  He did not come in like a first round pick, but instead like a rookie willing to work.  He is definitely going to make something happen.”  He noted that all of the rookies came in knowing the team was already a good team, but there were some roles to fill.

Defensively, Allen commented that “We have allot of speed on defense, and when one of us is coming, know the other 10 are coming too.”  As the deepest defender in the secondary, Rico has the best view and depended on for lots of communication to the rest of the defense.  He said that he will watch 2 to 3 years of film on an offense to learn all of their tendencies (did I mention film nut?).  He also plays allot of Madden.  Madden shows their best plays and when a team is in a crunch, that is what they pull out of the bag, so you know Rico is already ready.

Dukes and Bell asked about the best offense they face in the NFC South.  Rico said they go against the best of the best each week in practice.

On the Cornerback front, Rico commented that Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford (Tru and Rocky) are good.  “They have been grinding, already getting balls popping up in the air” even though there is no tackling happening yet.

Plans for 2018 as a defense…..”Want to get more turnovers.”  He noted that they had at least 5 turnovers overturned by penalties last season, clearly they plan to clean that up.  After going from a 30something ranking up to the 8th ranked defense last season, Rico wants “Our Defense to be the #1 defense” this season.  On the rookies and young defenders, “We got some dawgs out there – pull the leash off of them and let them go.” And commented that we have the fastest linebackers around.

Sounds like the defense is ready to go.  We know many of the guys came in bigger and stronger and faster, so the 2018 defense is definitely going to be something to look forward to.

#RiseUp @FalconAlley Owt

 

**Graduation photo courtesy of Ricardo Allen, Interview photo is courtesy of 92.9 The Game