Dukes and Bell – FalconAlley Football

Hooping it up with Dukes and Bell.

Interview Recap and Photo by Allison Smith

Austin Hooper joined 92.9’ The Game‘s afternoon show Dukes and Bell on Wednesday, September 18, 2019.

Asked about the dancing in the locker room after the game, Hooper said that, “It always feels good to win, have to take the good with the bad, but have to enjoy when the wins come.” And said that his favorite time is the 20 minutes in the locker room, all together, “Jumping around really feeling the “Brotherhood” together.”

In his fourth game in his fourth year against the Philadelphia Eagles, Hooper feels more comfortable going against their defense. He knows that Malcolm Jenkins is ‘the tell’ for their defense, so just watch where he is on the field and you will know what they are planning to do.

Asked if he can hear the fans yelling “Hooooop” from the stands, Hooper replied, “It’s pretty cool to hear it out there. First year, I thought they were booing me, thought **** I just got a first down, then realized they were saying “Hoop.”

I’ve always thought it was funny, how many teams have a player with a nickname that sounds like a boo. The Carolina Panthers had Brad Hoover, now Luke Kuechly, and of course, our own Truuuuuu.

In the off season and around team practices, Hooper does allot of work with Matt Ryan, but also lots of different drills/reps with the other receivers and Devonta Freeman, so they are all in sync. In the end, Hooper knows as a Tight End, that he is a blocker first. That being said, he commented on the play of the offensive line, saying that lots of times they are all good in their blocking, but then everyone is taking turns messing up, not all at once, but is costly. “We all, including me, have to be better.” But the O line is becoming a more cohesive unit. Hooper has full confidence in the offensive line and team.

Austin Hooper is becoming a very depended upon target and has 13 catches on 15 targets so far this season, for 111 yards.

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

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.

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