Tag: Travis Kelce

Rah Talks Winning on MNF

September 18, 2024

Article and photo by Allison Smith

The weekly presser with Head Coach Raheem Morris started off jovial with Rah and the press in attendance. There were some complaints about the parking and walk, so it was pretty loose to begin, also, everyone is happier after a win.

D. Orlando Ledbetter began with several questions. He questioned injuries, Rah said there are none. Nate Landman was placed on IR before the game, Antonio Hamilton is healthy, just need to check him out at practice today and rest of the week. Everyone else is good, just game day bumps and bruises.

D Led also asked about evaluation of the new Offensive Coordinator, Zac Robinson, after 2 games. Rah commented that the first game wasn’t great, but the 2nd we did enough to win. Good calling, especially later in the game and the last 2 minutes. Overall ran the ball well, splitting with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. Offense is moving in the right direction, but want to continue to improve, in all phases. This Philadelphia game found the offense more in sync and Rah is very happy about how everyone is coming together. The offensive line had better protections, improvement in the run game and good protection of Kirk Cousins, especially in the last drive.

Asked if the team identity/slogan has come along yet (in the summer, Rah said that it would create itself, he isn’t creating a theme or slogan). Coach said again, this would be defined on the field. “That is where you make your identity.” But one thing he saw this week was finish, never give up. Rah was excited about the Monday night game overall, the environment was prime time, very hostile, everyone is against you, but this team continued to go, did not blink and fought til the end. The sideline was electric, didn’t get caught up in emotion, but supported each other. They got a stop on D, moved the ball down the field with little time, then overcame a penalty for the 49-yard extra point. All phases of the game, won this game in the last 2 minutes. 

Asked thoughts on the 2 penalties on Ray Ray McCloud and Drake London. Coach noted that Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is known for taunting, junk talking, but they practiced for that in the week. Micah Abernathy emulated Gardner-Johnson at practice, acting up, egging teammates on, crossing the line early, etc. In the game Gardner-Johnson was talking and grabbed Ray Ray’s mouthpiece and the referees caught Ray Ray reacting.

On Drake’s shooting into the air, which Drake apologized for even before Coach could get to him. Rah acknowledged that is not allowed, but Drake was caught up in the moment, celebrating with the Falcon fans he could see (likely shooting t-shirts into the stands). The entire team is super sensitive to the situation in the country right now and in the Atlanta area with the recent shooting at Apalachee High School. They had the football team from Apalachee at Flowery Branch and wore Apalachee t’s during warm ups before the Pittsburg game. There was no disrespect intended. Luckily neither of these penalties hurt the team, we want “to play fast and free and physical” but in the confines of the rules and obviously care about the sensitivity of the state of the country. 

Some reporters asked about certain players:

Bijan blocks on Monday night, “he is mature and really coming on as a protector.” He opened up the hole for Darnell Mooney’s touchdown. Had that massive chip block everyone is talking about. “That is the ultimate development for a young player, to be so well rounded, such a special runner, can catch and now blocking.” Coaches have worked on that with Bijan, but it is up to him to take it in and put in the work, which he has done.  

Kirko does not need critiquing or challenging, he is his own worst critic, analyzing how he played and noting what needs to be better. The coaches just need to provide feedback the way Cousins can take it in, he is already going to be harder on himself, it is up to the coaches to support him the way he needs it. 

OC Robinson and Kirk are working well together, but it ultimately “starts with me – to tell anyone what needs to improve – be open and honest to the coaches and players will be honest back.”

Kaden Elliss – “I tried to tell everyone before season, he’s a super star, with his physicality to rush the passer, run, play on or off line of scrimmage.”

Overall, per Rah, “it’s been a fun, learning process for us and players – this is how we go about our business.” The young guys, we hold accountable but are finding their own groove. Everyone holds each other accountable and each will get their own rhythm, while coaches set the goals each week.

The questions turned to the upcoming game and Rah’s thoughts on Patrick Mahomes. Coach said “he’s the best, back to back Super Bowl champions.” He is “smart, unique, fast, can buy time, knows your defense” and has been playing at the highest level. When your running back can give you 80 yards and your quarterback can give another 70, that is allot to defend. Then you add tight end, Travis Kelce to the mix, he is very “unique, a freak.” Rah said that no one can draw up his routes, he was not sure if Travis or Patrick even knew them or do they just happen? That makes it hard on defenders to replicate in practice. You have to play a long time to cover Kelce.

In order to defend KC, you have to create bad angles, you have to keep Mahomes in the pocket and from the designed runs. Do not over play the second play. Focus your tackling approach – when he is in the pocket versus when he is a runner and out in the open, but don’t assume he is going to slide. You will need to make Mahomes uncomfortable/frustrated in the pocket. “But in the end, it is about us executing our own business.” May have to accept what Mahomes and Kelce can do, so do make sure no one else gets anything. Rah compared it to playing Michael Jordan, he’s going to get his 30, but stop Scotty Pippen and Ron Harper.

Even being back to back Super Bowl champions, each year you have to hit reset. Kansas City has played allot of football, mastered how much rest and readiness needed. They are really impressive, from Andy Reid down.  

Rah has not heard if Taylor Swift will be attending the game in Atlanta on Sunday night. He joked that he hasn’t heard anything from his daughter, but she may not be a big fan anymore…..then asked, with a light in his eye and laugh, “Now Swifties, don’t come after her, she is only 8.”

As far as the first 5 games or the September stretch that media and fans are well aware of and overanalyzing – Monday night in Philly, Sunday night at home to begin 3 games in 12 days, including two of the NFC South 2-0 teams coming in. Rah simply replied, “I just know KC is up next. I don’t look ahead or at the big picture. Focus on what is in front of you.”

“We can’t read our own articles (Week 1 we were horrible, week 2, we are the greatest). Each week is its own entity, either we get better or we get worse. We focus on better each week. Pivot, persist, deal with it. We are not in pointing finger business in the getting better business.”

Rah Owt

#RiseUp

FalconAlleyOwt

Falcons Take Defending SuperBowl Champions to the End

Atlanta Falcons 14 at Kansas City Chiefs 17

December 27, 2020

Article by Allison Smith

Photos courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Key inactives on offense are Julio Jones and Alex Mack.  Rookie Matt Hennessey will get his first start today.  Darqueze Dennard, Marlon Davidson, and Deadrin Senat are key defenders out.

Starting at the 25, Matt Ryan is under pressure and finally finds Todd Gurley for a 25-yard reception along the sideline.  The second play is a hand off for 2 yards.  Ryan drops back and hits Russell Gage behind the line of scrimmage.  On 3rd and 10, under pressure, Ryan’s throw is tipped and falls incomplete.  Sterling Hofrichter punts to the 13.

From their own 13, Le’Veon Bell goes along the left side for a first down.  Patrick Mahomes pitches up to Tyreek Hill who taken out by Isaiah Oliver who crossed the field to knock him out.  Bell gets the next call, Grady Jarrett makes the stop for a 3-yard loss.  A flag on the next play, Jarrett jumps and pops Mahomes, giving the Chiefs 5 yards.  On 2nd and 8, Hill makes a short reception for a 6-yard gain.  On 3rd down, Travis Kelce makes the reception and behind a Sammy Watkins’ block moves up for the first down, taking Kendall Sheffield and Keanu Neal with them. Mahomes throws incomplete into the end zone, Hill was still at the 10.  Blitz is coming, Mahomes throws incomplete over the hands of his receiver with Foye Oluokun in tight coverage.  Still at midfield, the blitz coming again, Mahomes steps up and is tripped up by Deion Jones while releasing the ball, Sheffield knocks the ball down before it can reach Kelce. 

Ito Smith Finding Holes and Yards Today-Photo Courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons

From the 13, Ito Smith gets the pitch for an 8-yard run.  Smith gets another 13 yards on a run by finding a huge hole created by Luke Stocker and makes a defender miss. Smith goes up the middle for another 4 yards.  Smith comes out and Gurley returns.  Gage in motion and makes the reception at the first down marker.  Ryan finds Hayden Hurst for another first down along the sideline.  There is a flag on Calvin Ridley for an illegal shift.  First and 15 from the 40, Ryan finds Hurst over the middle, taking a big hit, right at the first down marker.  From the Chiefs’ 45, Ryan hands to Smith who pauses a second, then goes for 4 yards.  Ridley gets the ball around the left side and loses yards, now a 3rd and 13.  Then Kaleb McGary has a false start and backs them up even more.  On 3rd and 18, under a 4-man rush, Ryan scrambles, then is sacked.  He lost the ball, but got it back.

After the punt, Tyler Hall immediately hits the punt returner and KC will begin on their own 10.  Hill makes the reception, then goes for 31 yards, causing AJ Terrell and Oluokun to miss, finally stopped at the 41 by Ricardo Allen.  Hill gets the ball again for no gain.  Bell gains 3 yards up the middle.  Mahomes drops back, misses Kelce and Sheffield almost comes up with the interception.  After a punt, the Falcons will begin on their own 4.

With the jumbo formation, Gurley gets the call up the middle for a gain of 6 yards to the 10. 

End of Q1 – No score.

From their own 9, it’s 2nd and 5, Ryan finds Keith Smith for a first down along the sideline.  A fresh set of downs at the 16, Hill in at tailback, get the ball back to the line of scrimmage.  On 2nd down, Ryan throws too long and out of bounds over Ridley.  Hill had a great block to give Ryan the time to get the throw away.  On 3rd and 10, Ryan is sacked by an unblocked defender.  Hofrichter kicks from his end zone.  Hill hits the punt returner immediately and the Chiefs begin at the 45. 

Mahomes fakes then throws to Darryl Williams for a 5-yard gain.  On 2nd down, Mahomes fakes to Williams then throws incomplete to Mecole Hardman, covered by Terrell.  On 3rd and 5 at the 50, Mahomes completes to Harman who is rolled up by Jarrett crossing the field and stops the Chiefs 1 yard short.  Williams gets the call on the 4th and 1 and goes up the middle for 11 yards, dragging Jones part of the way.  Kelce has a false start and is 1st and 15 from the Falcons’ 40, Oluokun chasing Mahomes into an errant throw.  On 2nd down, a short pass to Williams goes for 13 yards, stopped by Jones and Sheffield.  3rd and 2, Williams goes up the middle for a yard, Jarrett on the stop to force the 4th down.  Mahomes passes back to Watkins, Watkins tries to throw to Mahomes and Neal gets the interception.  Neal stayed with Mahomes as soon as he left the line of scrimmage.

From their own 2, Gurley gets the ball and provides some breathing space for the Falcons, out to the 8.  Ryan finds Keith Smith at the first down marker, then Smith goes for several more yards out to the 15.  On first down, Ryan finds Ito Smith for a 5-yard gain.  On 2nd down, Hill gets the call for 3 yards.  on 3rd and 2 at the 23, Ran fakes to Gurley, as he is being tackled, Ryan throws the ball up and Gurley catches it and gets the first down.  At the 31, Hill goes for 4 yards up the middle. 

Calvin Ridley Goes for 54 Yards – Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

In the shotgun, Ryan fakes to Hill, then finds Ridley who goes 54 yards down to the 11.  Ridley was cutting and speeding up trying to get into the end zone.  A first down at the 11, Ryan gives to Hill for a few yards.  Ryan hits Hurst with a shovel pass and he shoves his way through the line for a touchdown. 

With 3:55 to go in the half, the Falcons lead 7/0.

Mahomes begins at the 22 with a pass to Bell who gains 8 yards.  Watkins makes the first down reception.  From the 40, Mahomes finds Watkins who is immediately stopped by Oliver at the 44.  Kelce makes the reception for another first down.  Under a 4-man rush, Mahomes escapes John Cominsky around the sideline and gains 14 yards and a first down.  From the Falcons’ 31, Mahomes throws behind Hardman.  Mahomes has to scramble again, up the middle for a 9-yard gain.  The coverage downfield was tight and a 3-man rush flushed Mahomes out of the pocket for his run.  Jones was able to finally bring him down.  On 3rd and 1, Mahomes finds Kelce right at the first down line and his dropped by Jones and Neal.  Jarrett nearly tipped the pass at the line.  The Chiefs take a time out.  Mahomes under pressure by Jacob Tuioti-Mariner throws the ball away.  Mahomes then finds Williams for a 9-yard gain, shoved out short of the first down by Neal.  Williams easily gets the first down up the middle, but the entire Falcons’ defense converges to stop the touchdown at the 4.  Oluokun was the first man in to slow Williams up.  Mahomes pass to Kelce is just inside the endzone for a touchdown. 

With 30 seconds remaining in the half, the game is tied at 7. 

The Chiefs begin the second half at their own 25.  Bell gains 3 yards up the middle.  A penalty on Oluokun for a neutral zone infraction gives the Chiefs a 2nd and 2.  From the 33, Mahomes hands to Bell again for a first down.  From the 39, Mahomes scrambles, no one open, pressure coming and Mahomes throws out of bounds.  Terrell, Oliver, and Jones had tight coverage on the receivers and tight end.  On 2nd down, Mahomes finds Hardman for a first down, shoved out by Sheffield, a quick timing route with lose coverage.  Deion Yelder makes the reception for another first down.  From the Falcons 38, Mahomes to Hardman on the jet sweep for a 20-yard gain.  Bell takes the offense and defense up the middle for 10 yards.  Bell literally refused to go down, kept his legs moving and spinning with almost 20 people in a moving pile.  Mahomes throws out of bounds over Kelce.  On 2nd down from the 7, Mahomes is pressured back 10 yards, has to throw across the field toward Bell, but the ball falls incomplete.  On 3rd and goal, Mahomes throws directly to Oluokun at the goal line.  Oluokun returns the ball 52 yards, finally having the ball knocked out by Hill, but goes out of bounds. 

Foye Oluokun Returning his Interception – Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons begin on the 45, Ryan is sacked on first down.  On 2nd and 19, under pressure, Ryan is sacked again.  On 3rd and 22, Ryan gets to Hurst for a short gain and punt.

Mahomes finds Hill for a quick first down.  From the 34, 4-man rush, Mahomes out of the pocket and throws an incompletion.  On 2nd down, blitz coming, Mahomes trying to escape Jarrett, throws the ball incomplete.  Downfield coverage is tight again, Mahomes is flushed deep in the pocked with Tuoiti-Mariner and Jarrett coming again, forcing another incompletion and punt.

The Falcons begin on their own 8 with an Ito Smith run of 5 yards.  A 4-yard pass to Smith.  On 3rd and 1, Gurley gets the call and the first down and a couple more, behind the lead block of Keith Smith.  Ito Smith is back in for a short gain.  After a snap infraction by the center, the Falcons have a 2nd and 12 at the 17, Smith gains no yards.  Now, a 3rd and 11, Ryan drops back and throws toward Hurst who is already tackled and on the ground.  A first down fake, then successful pass to Hurst for 3 yards.  Smith up the left side for 3 yards, with another flag on Hennessy for holding.  On 2nd and 17 from the 22, Ryan is pressured and throws the ball into the ground.  Chris Lindstrom gives up the near sack. On 3rd and 17, under pressure, Ryan throws another short errant pass that Gurley hauls in for a loss and another forced punt.

From their own 37, Williams goes for 4 yards.  On 2nd down, Mahomes is under pressure from Cominsky and throws incomplete.  Before the snap of the ball on 3rd down, false start on the offense and it is 3rd and 6.  A 3-man rush, flag on the play, Mahomes cannot find anyone open, goes toward the sideline, then finds Kelce coming back for a big first down to the Falcons’ 38, 25-yard reception.  Williams goes up the middle for 3 yards.

End of Q3, tied at 7.

From the 35, Mahomes drops back and is nearly intercepted by Tuoiti-Mariner in front of Watkins.  On 3rd and 7, Mahomes drops back, up to Williams who is stopped behind the line of scrimmage.  The Chiefs kick a 53-yard field goal and take the lead.

14:08 to go in the game, Chiefs 10/Falcons 7.

From their own 25, the Falcons begin with a pass to Ridley for 15 yards.  Hurst is open in the middle of the field for a 17-yard gain.  Hill goes up the middle for 2 yards.  From the Chiefs’ 41, Ryan throws to Laquon Treadwell for 6 yards.  Gurley is on the field, Ryan rolls out, finds an open Stocker for 9 yards and the first down.  Stocker escaped coverage and came back to Ryan.  Ryan throws to Hill for 6 yards.  Ryan finds Powell near the first down marker, but the ball is knocked out and called a fumble, Kansas City recovered. 

Williams goes 11 yards for a first down.  Oluokun is injured on the play, Mykal Walker comes in to replace him.  Williams with another short run as Kelce limps off the field.  Another quick pass for a 4-yard gain, stopped by Sheffield.  Kelce returns to the field.  On 3rd and 4, Mahomes pitches to Williams and Neal – from the middle of the field, comes to the sideline to ensure Williams does not gain the first down.  A punt to the 25.

Ito Smith reverses course and gains 9 yards, but is negated by the third penalty on Hennessy.  1st and 20, Ryan fakes to Smith and finds a wide-open Ridley for 31 yards.  Hill goes up the right side behind Matt Gono for 17 yards, then 4 yards and 2 yards.  From the Chiefs’ 31 on a 3rd and 4, Ryan finds Gage for another first down.  From the 22, Ryan sees Hill wide open, he gains the first down and is shoved out of bounds at the 5. First and goal, throws out of bounds over Ridley in the end zone.  On 2nd and goal, Ryan changes the play at the line and finds Treadwell in the front of the endzone for a touchdown. 

With 4:33 to go in the game, the Falcons lead 14/10.

Mahomes rolls out and throws the ball out of bounds.  On 2nd down, Mahomes rolls out under pressure again, Hardman cannot hold onto the ball.  On 3rd down, Mahomes finds Kelce wide open in the middle of the field who goes for a 36-yard gain, but is backed up by a Hill block in the back on Oliver.  A 10-yard penalty from the spot of the foul, giving Kelce extra yards.  Steven Means nearly blocked the pass at the line.  From the 45, Williams goes for 3 yards.  On 2nd down, Mahomes finds Kelce again for a 16-yard gain with Sheffield in coverage.  Mahomes quick to Hardman, a yard short of the marker.  On 2nd and 1, Mahomes hands to Williams who easily gets the first down.  With 2:40 to pay, from the Falcons’ 25, Mahomes flings the ball into the end zone….to AJ Terrell, but he loses the ball as he hits the ground.  The Falcons challenge the call that he dropped the ball.  The ruling stands, incomplete pass and Falcons lose a time out.  Mahomes throws a touchdown to Demarcus Robinson over Sheffield. 

2 minute warning.  Chiefs 17/Falcons 14

Ryan rolls away from pressure, finds Hurst, but ruled incomplete and a penalty in the secondary.  Prior to the pass, holding on the defense, 5 yards and a first down. From the 30, 1st and 10 with 1:49 to go in the game, Ryan drops back, finds Gage who literally leaps over a defender to get past the first down marker.  From the 42, Ryan finds Ridley at the 42 along the sideline.  First and 10 from the Chiefs’ 42, Ryan finds Ridley for 9 yards.  On 2nd and 1, Ryan goes to the end zone, Ridley was 5+ yards out.  On 3rd and 1, jumbo formation, Gurley gets 2 yards for the first down.  From the 26, Ryan throws to Ridley, but out of bounds outside the endzone, but there is a penalty on the defense for 12 men on the field and offsides.  First and 5 from the 21 with 27 seconds to go.  Blitz coming, Ryan throws incomplete toward Gage.  With 23 seconds to go, Hurst in motion, Ryan is sacked and ball is fumbled and recovered by Kansas City.  The referees rule it is an incompletion that bounced off a defender and bounced back to look like a fumble.  On 3rd and 5 with 19 seconds, Ryan back peddles and releases an almost interception that Ridley knocks out of the defender’s hands. 

Younghoe Koo comes out to attempt the field goal and misses. 

The game ends Chiefs 17 – Falcons 14