Tag: Bijan Robinson

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 6th 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 2nd 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.

Jobs on the Line as Falcons Host Jaguars

Article by Allison Smith

August 24, 2024

Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons – Jay Bendlin

In the last pre-season game, Atlanta hosted Jacksonville. Many spots are already set, but many more are still on the bubble and making the decisions harder on Head Coach Raheem Morris and others. Many guys have stepped up in practice and in the first 2 pre-season games, making decisions harder. Then, of course, the addition earlier this week of pass rusher Matthew Judon and Safety Justin Simmons moved everyone in those positions down a spot. Both are expected to play in week one, although they just arrived in The ATL.

Per numerous insiders at 92.9 The Game that have been at Flowery Branch and exposed to training camp and the team, “This vibe is different.” Very happy and connected team, everything is feeling different than previous training camps. Coach Rah is constantly challenging players, but in a positive way. Everyone is clear on the standard that has been set.

The entire team came out dressed….complete prep for a regular game, from staying at the hotel, dressing out, warm ups – by team and location on the field, then went in for a “half time” then back out. After that, the guys not playing changed back into their sweats, but trying to get that routine as much ready as possible. In just over 2 weeks, it is real ball.

I don’t know that this third game changed anything for the coaches and their evaluations. There were no additional stand outs or surprises. In my opinion, this game reinforced some of the guys that were not on the bubble going into the game. It seems that many positions are so stacked, it will be interesting to see how the Falcon staff evaluates and decisions some of these positions.

My one sidetrack of the pre-season….while offense finally has a leader, defense is healthy and bolstered…..now, Special Teams is sketchy. Missed field goals and short punts. But we will see what the regular season holds.

Pre game discussions had Dave Archer with 65 on his must keep roster, will see if I can do any better on mine. We know this is going to be hard on the coaches and GM Terry Fontenot. They are headed to meet after the game….then get the roster to 53 by 4pm on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, snatch some guys for the practice squad and hope to “hide” some diamonds in the rough from the rest of the league.

QB: Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix, Jr – 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)

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

TE: Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner, John Fitzpatrick

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

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

CB: AJ Terrell; Natrone Brooks, Kevin King (at CB or S), Dee Alford, Jayden Price

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

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

I have us at 48, clearly need more backups at Offensive and Defensive Line, but at least I got us close to a game day roster. We will see what happens on the way to Tuesday.