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Practice Squad Announced

Article by Allison Smith

As I suspected……the practice squad roster is full of guys that I had on my 53-man roster. Hopefully they will stick around in Atlanta and make the 53-man during the season. Clearly, I do not want anyone hurt, but many of these guys really made some great plays in limited show time and I suspect they will see some time. I got 6 guys back in the black and red. And again, special teams is a place to make your name!

Another non-surprise was the trading of Taylor Heinicke. At least adding, then trading him got the Falcons something, a 6^th round pick from the Chargers and saving $1.21 million…..with the current cap situation in Atlanta, every little bit helps.

Bolded are the guys that I had on my 53

Wide receiver Chris Blair
- 8 receptions on 12 targets for 154 yards
Cornerback Natrone Brooks
- 15 tackles and a forced fumble
Wide receiver Dylan Drummond
- 6 of 7 receptions for 22 yards, 1 carry
Defensive lineman Demone Harris
- Several years in the league, then out a year, in Falcons’ pre-season 3 tackles and a forced fumble
Defensive tackle Zion Logue
- 2 tackles
Defensive lineman LaCale London
- Played in 7 games in 2023, pre-season had 3 tackles and ½ a stuff
Wide receiver Jesse Matthews
- 7 receptions on 12 targets for 57 yards, 2 carries for 14 yards
Offensive lineman Andrew Stueber
Running back Carlos Washington Jr.
- 29 carries, 71 yards and a touchdown, 2 receptions for 10 yards
Safety Dane Cruikshank
- With TN for 4 years, then Chicago – played Safety and Receiver and Returner sparingly. In pre-season, 3 tackles and a pass defended
Offensive lineman Julién Davenport
Cornerback Kevin King
- Green Bay from 2017 – 2021, out of football, back to the Falcons’ pre-season 6 tackles, 1 forced fumble and an interception, returned for 29 yards. 2 passes defended and a stuff.
Tight end John FitzPatrick, Georgia boy
- 6 of 9 catches for 33 yards and a leap over a defender. Played in 9 games in 2023 with 1 target and reception of 12 yards.

Every step gets us closer to the season. We are less than 2 weeks away now. Kirk Cousins, happy with the in-laws and family all together, gelled with the offense and ready to use these weapons. Bijan Robinson is in his 2^nd year, he can only get better. Drake London and Kyle Pitts have another year under their belts to learn, but now are playing with a real leader.

Grady Jarrett is entering year 10, bigger, badder and healthy and ready to prove he’s back. The defense is on fire and stacked from line to backfield. AJ Terrell is locked in with a new contract. Jessie Bates is still Jessie Bates. With excellent additions through the draft this year and last, as well as the high profile free agents of Justin Simmons and Matthew Judon. Lots of young, hungry guys, ready to make some stops.

And this coaching staff, young coordinators from the Sean McVay coaching tree and Raheem Morris at the helm with so much experience on both sides of the ball, and the heart and mind of a champion. He is a players’ coach, but not making friends over excellent players. Everyone will be held accountable, but more positive reinforcement than negativity and yelling. Lots of collaboration and input from players and all of the coaches, everyone coming up with new and better ideas.

This season is going to be an exciting one, especially starting off hosting Pittsburg OC Arthur Smith who has given the Falcons (or the fans at least) bulletin board material with his “I’m not saying we are going to score 40 in Atlanta, but hope to…..” Good luck with that. Not on this D, not with you as the OC.

I’m not saying that I guarantee a win, but I am saving vacation days to use for a SuperBowl trip in February 2025.

The 53 for the 2024 Atlanta Falcons is Set

Article by Allison Smith

Cover Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

August 27, 2024

For limited game viewing, I did a pretty good job at picking the 53-man roster. Not that many misses and usually trade for trade, short of the offensive line.

Bolded were my picks for the roster that the Falcons agreed. Regular font, I picked and got cut, italicized is on the Falcons’ roster that I missed.

Granted I didn’t have enough on the offensive line, but I don’t study that as much as other positions. The big surprises to me, not just because I was wrong, are Chris Blair, Carlos Washington, Jr, Kevin King, and Natrone Brooks. I think a couple of these guys will be back on the practice squad tomorrow. King played safety and cornerback. Brooks at corner and in the return game. Hopefully some or all of these guys will make it back for special teams and farther onto the roster. And PLEASE no one get hurt, but if someone does…..these are some great “next man up.”

I also think that Taylor Heinicke may get traded for something or released after some other back up quarterbacks are out there for viewing. And I don’t mean Desmond Ridder since Arizona released him earlier today.

QB: Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix, Jr Taylor Heinicke – need a third, don’t think he is currently on the team

O Line: Jake Matthews, Kaleb McGarity, Matthew Bergeron, Storm Norton, Chris Lindstrom, Drew Dalman (need additional here – but not an o line expert or fan) Ryan Neuzil, Kyle Hinton, Jovaughn Gwyn

WR: Drake London, Ray-Ray McCloud, KhaDarel Hodge, Casey Washington, Chris Blair, Darnell Mooney

TE: Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner, Ross Dwelley John Fitzpatrick

RB: Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Jase McClellan, Avery Williams, Carlos Washington, Jr

Dline: Grady Jarrett, Ruke Orhorhoro, Zion Logue, Brandon Dorlus, Kentavius Street, David Onyemata, Zach Harrison, Ta’Quon Graham, Eddie Goldman

CB: AJ Terrell; Natrone Brooks, Kevin King (at CB or S), Dee Alford, Jayden Price Mike Hughes, Clark Phillips III, Antonio Hamilton, Sr

LB: Troy Anderson, JD Bertrand, Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie, Kaden Elliss, Matthew Judon, Nate Landman, DeAngelo Malone James Smith-Williams

S: Jessie Bates, Justin Simmons, Micah Abernathy, Richie Grant (DeMarcco Hellams – when he returns)

And our starting to be questionable ST: Liam McCullough, Younghoe Koo, Bradley Pinion

Now, we wait and see what happens with other teams, who is released, added to team practice squads and what happens to the 53 before the biggest date of the year…..Sunday, September 8 – when the Era of Rah really begins.

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

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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

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TD and DQ to Lead 2020 Atlanta Falcons

Article by Allison Smith

Photo from Atlanta Falcons Press Conference

December 27, 2019

Atlanta Falcons President and CEO Rich McKayand owner Arthur Blank held a press conference Friday, December 27, 2019 to discuss the announcement earlier in the day. The Falcons site and Twitter announced that the team would retainDan Quinn as Head Coach, Thomas Dimitroff as General Manager. Rich McKay will take on an increased role in football operations, where he had been mainly overseeing the new stadium. Raheem Morris will be the Defensive Coordinator for 2020. There was no mention of other coaches, offensively or other defensive/position coaches.

Mr. Blank began the press conference by stating that the last 2 seasons have been a great disappointment and as the steward of the team, he understands everyone’s disappointment. He noted that overall since the drafting of Matt Ryan, the Falcons have been 4^th in the NFC and 7^th in the NFL overall in winning percentage. He noted that consistently is important, with the right things and for the right reasons. Mr. Blank recurring brought up the difference in the first half to the second half of the season. Mr. Blank noted several other leading reasons for the retention of Quinn and Dimitroff.

1- Falcons had two/three-ish new coordinators. Quinn wasn’t fully aware/prepared what all that would take, with defensive coordination and running the team overall and connecting all of the other moving parts. That is when Quinn made the decision that he needed to just be the head coach and gave up the defensive coordination.

2- The change at defensive coordinator also changed the defensive scheme, making the defense simpler, communication was better, moved some players around where they could win more easily. “Round pegs in round holes and square pegs in square holes” as Mr. Blank said. And also saw young talent emerge.

3- The players played hard for the coach and the organization, even when they may not have been in the best position in the first half of the year. With the coaching/position changes, they were able to perform better.

4- Players believe and support the Brotherhood, each other, the coach, and the organization overall.

With the 2017 opening of the stadium, leading the NFL in stadium experience each year, Rich McKay will now be at The Branch at least 4 days a week, working directly with Quinn and Dimitroff, who will now report directly to McKay, instead of Mr. Blank. Mr. Blank will still be in charge and involved, but McKay will be a sounding board and leader with great experience and wisdom with his 25 years of GM and the like experience.

Rich McKay – “We look at this season as one we will not celebrate, but one we can build on.” You can see there was a complete change in the 2^nd half of the season, lots of credit to Dan Quinn, his coaches, and the players. McKay noted this is not a complete turn-around like he has ever seen before. Usually, play will fall off as you are eliminated from the playoffs, but this team has played better and better. “We looked at studies on consistency, what gives us the best chance to win 2020 and beyond.“

Mr. Blank, “We are about winning games and winning championships. It is my belief that this personnel will get us there more quickly than other decisions we could have made.”

Mr. Blank sounded a smidgeon frustrated at the suggestion of constant or quick coaching changes, noting several teams that had down years, stayed the course, and were winning again. He believes that keeping everyone in sync, keeping coaches and management together, not having draft choices from a previous regime. He believes this is the team and the players that can win over time, noting San Francisco, New Orleans, and Carolina tough/competitive wins on the road. The defense moved from 31^st to 6^th in the league. He reviewed Dan Quinn’s self-awareness and willingness to step down from DC and HC to just HC and other changes he was willing to admit and make.

Mr. Blank’s only criticism of Quinn is that he made changes and decisions too late. And “I don’t think he will make those errors again.” McKay will help with that, meeting with Dimitroff and Quinn on these type decisions. “The whole mid-season coaching change has little value.” If you feel like the staff is going to make changes – as you started to see in the 2^nd half of the Seattle game. Mr. Blank stated that you could see that the players were committed. When you see major changes and wins in 7 games, not just part of a game. Mr. Blank believes that Quinn has learned from that and will make adjustments quicker going forward, including mid-game. It is a great credit to these players to make the change, accept the change, and continue to play at 100% throughout the season.

Quinn will continue to have the final decision on the 53 man roster. Quinn, Dimitroff, and McKay will work closely together – discussions and group decisions, no one person will impose their will on the organization.

Asked about the future, Mr. Blank replied that without a crystal ball, “I believe our best opportunity going forward is to keep Quinn and Dimitroff in place.”

With McKay’s experience in football operations, being on the competition committee, his close link to the commissioner, this is not a surprise or big change to move him back to football operations. It is a matter of focus, not change. With the 5 year process of planning and implementing the stadium, 80% of his time was on the stadium, but he was in touch with Quinn and Dimitroff. Now, McKay will be making sure the processes are working and in constant working and talking contact with Quinn and Dimitroff.

McKay believes that the team ended up taking on too much change around all the other coaching, defense and offense leadership.

When asked about deadlines or number of losses to start the next season, Mr. Blank replied that there are no set numbers/parameters set for next season. There is no reason to think that the second half of the season is not sustainable into 2020. With the same coaches, many of the same players, free agency and the draft coming up.

McKay is not concerned about the salary cap, he has lived in that since 1993. He is ready to restructure, resign, evaluate anything and feels confident in the Falcons ability to manage the cap. Mr. Blank called out several players as “guys you would not want to not have signed” Julio Jones, Matt Ryan, Grady Jarrett, Deion Jones, and Devonta Freeman….sounds like he just laid down the Free is a Falcon stamp.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley OWT