Falcons acquire 4-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon from Patriots
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Falcons acquire 4-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon from Patriots

Associated Press  

The Atlanta Falcons have acquired four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots for a third-round draft pick. Judon had 28 sacks in his first two seasons with the Patriots before finishing with four in four games last year, when he was limited by injuries. I would pay myself a lot of money and be cool with it.” The Falcons needed a pass rusher to bolster a defense that hasn’t had a player with double-digit sacks since Vic Beasley had 15 1/2 in 2016. The Falcons pursued the trade for Judon after losing rookie edge rusher Bralen Trice to a season-ending knee injury in their first preseason game at Miami.

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History of this topic

Falcons continue to seek pass-rush help by signing defensive end Morgan Fox to 2-year contract
1 week, 4 days ago

Falcons continue to seek pass-rush help by signing defensive end Morgan Fox to 2-year contract

Associated Press  

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons bolstered their defensive line depth by signing Morgan Fox to a two-year contract in a move the team announced on Monday. The addition of Fox, who played the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, followed Atlanta’s signing of edge rusher Leonard Floyd to a $10 million, one-year deal last week. The …

Falcons mock draft reaction: Is this the time they pick a pass rusher in the first round?
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Falcons mock draft reaction: Is this the time they pick a pass rusher in the first round?

New York Times  

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — A quick history lesson: Two years ago around this time, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s mock draft 1.0 projected the Atlanta Falcons would take edge rusher Jared Verse with the No. That brings us to Brugler’s first mock draft for 2025, and his projection that Atlanta will take Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the No. …

Falcons and Steelers head into 2024 looking to put QB issues in the rearview mirror
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Falcons and Steelers head into 2024 looking to put QB issues in the rearview mirror

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Two teams that have struggled to fill the most important position on the field are taking another crack at settling their quarterback dilemmas. It’ll start on Sunday.” The Steelers blew up their offense in the offseason, signing Wilson after his two forgettable seasons in Denver and trading for Fields after the Bears decided they were going to take …

Execs unfiltered on NFC’s Draft class: What were the Falcons thinking? Thoughts on all 16 teams
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Execs unfiltered on NFC’s Draft class: What were the Falcons thinking? Thoughts on all 16 teams

New York Times  

With the 2024 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to check in with executives around the league for perspectives on the key developments. “There’s only one thing I could think of that would allow them to do that, and that is something happened in Kirk’s rehab between when he signed and draft day that made them feel like, ‘Oh my …

Falcons lose DT Grady Jarrett for season with torn ACL, acquire DL Kentavius Street from Eagles
1 year, 4 months ago

Falcons lose DT Grady Jarrett for season with torn ACL, acquire DL Kentavius Street from Eagles

New York Times  

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL he suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans, coach Arthur Smith confirmed Monday. Later Monday, the Falcons acquired defensive lineman Kentavius Street and a 2025 seventh-round pick from the Eagles in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round draft pick. When Jarrett’s injury …

Falcons mailbag: Where are the sacks? Is the defense better? Too much Bijan Robinson?
1 year, 5 months ago

Falcons mailbag: Where are the sacks? Is the defense better? Too much Bijan Robinson?

New York Times  

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — With more than a quarter of the season complete, the Atlanta Falcons are a half-game out of the NFC South lead heading into Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders. The biggest subject this season has been quarterback Desmond Ridder, but we’re going to dig deeper today in our Falcons mailbag. I’m a fan of Nielsen, such …

Patriots edge rusher Matt Judon to have surgery on torn biceps, AP source says
1 year, 5 months ago

Patriots edge rusher Matt Judon to have surgery on torn biceps, AP source says

Associated Press  

— Patriots edge rusher Matt Judon has elected to have surgery to repair a torn biceps, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. Judon suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 38-3 loss to Dallas last week. Asked on Tuesday about how the team planned to fill Judon’s spot if he was sidelined for an …

Calais Campbell is on the doorstep of a milestone and plans a fitting Falcons celebration
1 year, 6 months ago

Calais Campbell is on the doorstep of a milestone and plans a fitting Falcons celebration

New York Times  

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Unlike most of his teammates with the Atlanta Falcons, Calais Campbell remembers seeing the team’s “Dirty Bird” celebration live. “It’s a big accomplishment, it really is, particularly how the game has evolved and how fast the ball is coming out,” Nielsen said. “There were certain things that he said during the game that I’ll keep between …

Falcons 53-man roster reaction: 3 QBs, questions in the secondary, no ‘pizza party’
1 year, 7 months ago

Falcons 53-man roster reaction: 3 QBs, questions in the secondary, no ‘pizza party’

New York Times  

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons cut their roster to the NFL-mandated 53 players on Tuesday, but head coach Arthur Smith has stressed for weeks that it does not represent the finish line for his team’s roster construction. Also Tuesday, New Orleans released cornerback Bradley Roby, a former first-round pick who played under new Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen …

Atlanta Falcons turn attention to defense after years of struggles
1 year, 9 months ago

Atlanta Falcons turn attention to defense after years of struggles

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — With sweat pouring off his brow after a 90-minute minicamp practice, Calais Campbell is the face of a new swagger emulating from the Atlanta Falcons’ defense. “I feel like we’re built for dominance,” Campbell said. “But I’m excited for what’s to come.” During a run of five straight losing seasons, it’s not very difficult to pinpoint the biggest …

Falcons post-draft depth chart: Where the draft picks fit in on revamped roster
1 year, 10 months ago

Falcons post-draft depth chart: Where the draft picks fit in on revamped roster

New York Times  

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — After adding six players in the NFL Draft, the Falcons had 83 players on their roster. Ridder started four games last season and finished 26th in passer rating, 34th in EPA per dropback and with the second-worst off-target rate among quarterbacks with more than 100 pass attempts, according to TruMedia. If Graham comes back healthy from …

AP source: Falcons reach 1-year deal with DE Calais Campbell
1 year, 11 months ago

AP source: Falcons reach 1-year deal with DE Calais Campbell

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free agent defensive end Calais Campbell on Wednesday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Atlanta signed former Cincinnati safety Jessie Bates III to a $64 million, four-year contract, linebacker Kaden Elliss to a three-year deal, cornerback Mike Hughe s to a two-year deal …

Falcons thoughts after the first wave of free agency
2 years ago

Falcons thoughts after the first wave of free agency

New York Times  

Free agency is not over yet, but the heavy lifting is done for most teams, including the Falcons. GO DEEPER Get to know the new Falcons: Taylor Heinicke returns home, Jessie Bates sees potential The Texas Tech edge rusher said at the NFL combine that he is serious about football and can play either defensive end with his hand on …

Pats get 9 sacks in dominant 26-3 victory over Colts
2 years, 4 months ago

Pats get 9 sacks in dominant 26-3 victory over Colts

Associated Press  

— When Patriots linebacker Matt Judon is lined up alongside Lawrence Guy, he expects good things to happen. Judon had three of the Patriots’ nine sacks, Mac Jones had a touchdown pass, and Nick Folk added four field goals to help New England beat the Indianapolis Colts 26-3. And anytime you have good coverage, you have good pass rush.” The …

How do Falcons pick up pieces in battered secondary after Joe Burrow’s huge day?
2 years, 5 months ago

How do Falcons pick up pieces in battered secondary after Joe Burrow’s huge day?

New York Times  

CINCINNATI — All the good feelings generated by a plucky Falcons team over the last month went up in flames Sunday, set ablaze by red-hot Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and stoked by a turn in injury luck that had helped Atlanta through the season’s first six weeks. “We didn’t do a good enough job, none of us did, of being …

With QB decision in spotlight, Falcons need WR, edge rusher
2 years, 11 months ago

With QB decision in spotlight, Falcons need WR, edge rusher

Associated Press  

ATLANTA FALCONS LAST SEASON: The Falcons were outscored 459-313, making seven wins something of an accomplishment under first-year coach Arthur Smith. Salary-cap woes contributed to the decision to trade 14-year starting quarterback Matt Ryan to Indianapolis after the season, and the inability to re-sign top wide receiver Russell Gage and leading tackler Foye Oluokun. McCarron, SS Duron Harmon, CB Fabian …

Ridley suspension for ’22 makes WR area of need for Falcons
3 years ago

Ridley suspension for ’22 makes WR area of need for Falcons

Associated Press  

ATLANTA FALCONS UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: RB Cordarrelle Patterson, LB Foyesade Oluokun, TE Lee Smith, TE Hayden Hurst, S Erik Harris, PK Younghoe Koo, WR Russell Gage, QB A.J. McCarron, SS Duron Harmon, CB Isaiah Oliver, OL Josh Andrews, DE Steven Means, CB Fabian Moreau, LS Josh Harris, P Thomas Morstead, OLB Brandon Copeland, DE Jonathan Bullard, WR Tajae Sharpe, OT …

Cam Newton and Matt Judon up, N’Keal Harry among those down: Patriots risers and fallers
3 years, 7 months ago

Cam Newton and Matt Judon up, N’Keal Harry among those down: Patriots risers and fallers

New York Times  

PHILADELPHIA – A look at the Patriots’ risers and fallers after two joint practices and a 35-0 preseason victory against the Eagles. Even though head coach Bill Belichick hasn’t informed the Patriots who will start Week 1 against the Dolphins, the evidence is in plain sight that it’ll be Newton. It’s possible the roller-coaster summer continues into next week when …

Falcons pick Florida TE Kyle Pitts at No. 4 in NFL draft
3 years, 10 months ago

Falcons pick Florida TE Kyle Pitts at No. 4 in NFL draft

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons decided not to pick their quarterback of the future, going for more immediate help by selecting Florida tight end Kyle Pitts at No. “From day one, I’m going to be like a sponge.” Pitts was the first pick for the Falcons’ new leadership duo of general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith. “We’re real …

Bridgewater, Burris lead Panthers; Falcons fire Quinn
4 years, 5 months ago

Bridgewater, Burris lead Panthers; Falcons fire Quinn

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — The Carolina Panthers have managed just fine without Christian McCaffrey. Teddy Bridgewater threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns, Juston Burris made a huge interception in the end zone and Carolina held on Sunday for a 23-16 victory over the winless Falcons — the final blow to Quinn’s coaching tenure. “The first two weeks, we were just trying …

A re-evaluation of the Falcons’ 2016 draft class four years later
5 years, 1 month ago

A re-evaluation of the Falcons’ 2016 draft class four years later

New York Times  

Analysts weren’t too kind to the Falcons once the 2016 NFL Draft concluded. But the best way to figure out whether a draft class is successful is to exercise patience and evaluate it four years later when each player’s rookie contract — outside of the first-rounder if his fifth-year option is picked up — has expired. Round 2, 52nd overall: …

Rams-Cowboys playoff game could come down to something special
6 years, 2 months ago

Rams-Cowboys playoff game could come down to something special

LA Times  

Jared Goff of the Rams will be one half of a dynamic duo of young quarterbacks when Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys visit the Coliseum on Saturday for an NFC playoff game. 3 / 24 Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal and Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Deion Jones celebrate stopping Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley for no …

Falcons QB Matt Ryan wins NFL MVP honors
8 years, 1 month ago

Falcons QB Matt Ryan wins NFL MVP honors

Associated Press  

HOUSTON — The Latest on The Associated Press 2016 NFL awards : 7:50 p.m. Quarterback Matt Ryan is the first Atlanta Falcons player to win The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award. Ryan, also voted to the 2016 All-Pro Team by a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL, earned 25 votes in balloting announced …

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