Falcons add new DBs coach Jon Hoke, OLBs coach Ted Monachino
3 HRS AGO - Photo by Al Pereira/ Getty Images
Jon Hoke and Ted Monachino, come on down. We’re edging Expand
3 HRS AGO - Photo by Al Pereira/ Getty Images
Jon Hoke and Ted Monachino, come on down. We’re edging ever closer to Atlanta having a fully baked coaching staff, with two more moves on the defensive side apparently imminent.
Per NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Maryland defensive coordinator Jon Hoke and Bears outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino will be joining up in a defensive backs coach role and outside linebackers coach role, respectively. This represents a pair of experienced hires for Dean Pees, who has been prioritizing that in assembling his staff.
The #Falcons are expected to hire Maryland DC Jon Hoke as defensive backs coach and former #Bears assistant Ted Monachino as outside linebackers coach, per sources. A veteran staff coming together under DC Dean Pees.— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 26, 2021
The Falcons made it official this evening:
We have hired two more defensive assistant coaches.https://t.co/msqkJLrzqI— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 26, Collapse
How to watch the 2021 Senior Bowl: Time, TV, live stream
7 HRS AGO - The Senior Bowl gives fans a chance to watch some of the draft's top entrants compete against one Expand
7 HRS AGO - The Senior Bowl gives fans a chance to watch some of the draft's top entrants compete against one another Collapse
The NFL’s shaky quarterback landscape offers opportunity and warning for Falcons
12 HRS AGO - Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Atlanta’s big offseason decision concerns securing the Expand
12 HRS AGO - Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Atlanta’s big offseason decision concerns securing the future at quarterback or reloading with a treasure chest of picks. Depending on whether you count the Atlanta Falcons or not when you put together your list, you can tick down an alarming number of teams that do not have a settled quarterback situation heading into 2021. That list includes the Saints (Taysom Hill is their only option under contract) and Panthers (not sold on Teddy Bridgewater long-term), and the Buccaneers and Falcons do not have in-house options today for life after their respective starters. By my count, more than half the league cannot say with 100% certainty who will be starting for them at the position next year, and even teams that should bet set like the Texans and Dolphins are considering shakeups.
There is a widespread perception in the league that next year’s quarterback class will be much weaker than this one, which has Trevor Lawrence at the top and Justin Collapse
What to know about the 2021 Senior Bowl
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images
What it is, when it is, and who you need to follow. Expand
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images
What it is, when it is, and who you need to follow. The NFL Scouting Combine will be functionally unrecognizable, a series of pro days and remote interviews without the massive in-person gatherings. That will present a logistical headache for teams and will keep us from casually watching and learning about impressive workouts in real time, but that’s life in the age of COVID-19.
The Senior Bowl, however, is going on as planned. There will be smaller crowds in the seats and things like meeting the players will go out the window for the public, but the up-close look at these players will likely mean the seniors here will be well-represented on NFL rosters next year.
Here’s what you need to know about the Senior Bowl.
2021 Senior Bowl info
What: A showcase for invited college seniors hoping to be drafted by NFL teams.
When: Practices throughout the week; game Saturday, January 30, 2:30 pm. EST
Where: Hancock Whitney Stadium, University of Collapse
Falcons trying to pry Saints cap guru Khai Harley away from Saints
1 DAY AGO - Photo by David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Terry Fontenot clearly wants Expand
1 DAY AGO - Photo by David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Terry Fontenot clearly wants to run his cap creatively in Atlanta. Atlanta has been busily filling out its coaching staff for Arthur Smith in recent days, but changes in the front office tend to come more slowly, and we’ve heard nothing about how Terry Fontenot plans to change things up there to this point. Until right about now, that is.
We had heard a rumor that the Falcons were after a key member of the Saints front office to join Terry Fontenot in Atlanta, and now a plugged-in New Orleans reporters is confirming that interest. It appears the Falcons are after Saints Vice President of Football Administration Khai Harley, who reportedly helps manage the cap and negotiate contracts.
I've heard new Falcons GM Terry Fontenot would like to bring Saints VP of Football Administration Khai Harley w/him to Atlanta in some capacity, but the Saints are working to keep him. Harley has played a key role in helping to Collapse
Watch the NFL Conference Championships and see who advances to the Super Bowl
2 DAYS AGO - Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Two games on the docket today. We Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Two games on the docket today. We are one step away from the Super Bowl. When the Buccaneers face the Packers in Lambeau and the Bills travel to face the Chiefs, we’ll get to see who goes in and who ends up back on the couch with the rest of us.
The first game, kicking off soon, will pit the Bucs against the Packers. I’m rooting against Tom Brady and a divisional rival—I can’t stand the thought of Tampa Bay going from basement dwellers who haven’t been able to credibly talk trash in a decade to the only team in the NFC South with two Super Bowl wins—and fortunately they have an uphill battle against a lights-out Green Bay team.
The second game this evening is Bills-Chiefs. That pits the defending Super Bowl champions against a Bills team with the most unfortunate Super Bowl history in the league—they made and lost four straight!—and I’d love to see Buffalo move on.
We could get a Chiefs-Packers game, which would be a Collapse
NFL bans in-person prospect workouts and interviews ahead of 2021 NFL Draft
3 DAYS AGO - Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
This is going to be an odd, difficult draft season for Expand
3 DAYS AGO - Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
This is going to be an odd, difficult draft season for teams. Draft season was always going to be weird in the age of COVID-19. Last year, the NFL got the annual Scouting Combine in before they had to kick a series of protocols into place. The league managed to power through the season with only a couple of majorly absurd situations, but with vaccine rollouts going on across the country and the prospect of a season ahead that could be a lot closer to normal, the NFL is not in a risk-taking mood with draft season.
Per NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, the league is taking away one of the staples of draft season, the in-person interviews and workouts, as well as medical exams. Teams can have three staffers at pro days or all-star games and conduct virtual interviews—and presumably request medical records—but they’ll be pretty limited this year.
The NFL informed clubs tonight they are prohibited from timing, testing, interviewing in-person or Collapse
The complete list of 2021 Atlanta Falcons free agents
3 DAYS AGO - Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Atlanta has limited cap space and some tough decisions Expand
3 DAYS AGO - Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Atlanta has limited cap space and some tough decisions ahead. Every year, we take a closer look at every free agent who could be headed out the door for the Atlanta Falcons. With a new general manager and head coach in Flowery Branch, cap troubles to navigate through, and a long list of free agents, this year could represent a particularly large exodus.
Below, you’ll find the full list of free agents and rough expectations for them. We’ll dive in to the players Atlanta should prioritize a little further down the line.
Unrestricted free agents
TE Luke Stocker
WR Laquon Treadwell
OT John Wetzel
OG Justin McCray
OC Alex Mack
QB Matt Schaub (retiring)
RB Brian Hill
RB Todd Gurley
DE Steven Means
DE Charles Harris
LB Edmond Robinson
LB LaRoy Reynolds
CB Darqueze Dennard
CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson
S Keanu Neal
S Damontae Kazee
S Sharrod Neasman
This is a long, long list.
The biggest name here is Keanu Neal. The veteran safety essentially lost two Collapse
Falcons retire Atlanta legend Hank Aaron’s No. 44 for 2021 season
3 DAYS AGO - The Atlanta community lost a one of the greatest icon in sports history on Friday. With the Expand
3 DAYS AGO - The Atlanta community lost a one of the greatest icon in sports history on Friday. With the inevitable passage of time, mankind loses heroes, icons and legends. On Friday morning, it was announced that former Atlanta Braves star Henry “Hank” Aaron passed away at the age of 86.
Despite playing for the small-market Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves throughout his major league career that spanned from 1954 to 1976, Aaron will be remembered as one of the true greats of the sport. To this day, Aaron still holds major league records for RBIs (2,297), total bases (6,856) and extra-base hits (1,477), and overtook Babe Ruth’s MLB home run record in one of the greatest momentsi n the history of the league. While he was alive he was frequently lauded as one of the sport’s greatest players and greatest men, and an outpouring of grief and memories followed his death.
Atlanta Falcons team owner Arthur Blank released a statement Friday afternoon:
“We are heartbroken and saddened by this morning’s Collapse
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Falcons expected to hire two more defensive assistants, per report
6 HRS AGO - Atlanta is connected to two more veteran defensive coaches
ESPN’s Mel Kiper sends BYU QB to Falcons with his first 2021 mock draft
8 HRS AGO - Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a controversial pick for Atlanta’s fourth selection. Expand
8 HRS AGO - Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a controversial pick for Atlanta’s fourth selection. As January 2021 reaches its close, more and more mock drafts are about to spring up from the earth, awakened from their slumber and ready to attack at will.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has long been the premiere mock draft maker (if such a thing exists), as his prognostications come with great haste every NFL Draft go-around.
With the Atlanta Falcons picking fourth in this year’s draft, mock drafts around these parts might be even more urgent than if they were picking in the 20s, particularly those of reputable qualification.
In his first edition for 2021, Kiper has the Falcons staying put at four and picking what would be his second quarterback taken in this simulation: BYU’s Zach Wilson. Let’s see why.
It’s time for the Falcons to think long term on offense under new general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith. Quarterback Matt Ryan turns 36 this summer. Wide receiver Julio Jones Collapse
2021 Senior Bowl Preview: Players to watch for the Falcons
14 HRS AGO - Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Here are some prospects that may Expand
14 HRS AGO - Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Here are some prospects that may be on Atlanta’s radar. Since 1950, the Senior Bowl has been a constant hub of talent for collegiate seniors looking to take that next step and ascend into the professional levels. For many teams across the NFL, the Senior Bowl has the perception of being a reliable platform for distinctive talent hoping to make their way in the NFL,
This year will be no different, delivering prospects worth evaluating even for an Atlanta Falcons team that is introducing a new regime at head coach and general manager. This upcoming Saturday, January 30th, the Senior Bowl game will take place in Mobile, Alabama on the University of South Alabama campus. But before then, three days worth of practices will occur, which I will get to directly observe. Here are a few prospects for you to be on the lookout for that could be on the Falcons draft radar.
Offense
Alabama RB Najee Harris - If you haven’t heard by Collapse
Falcoholic Podcast: Analysis of the new coaching staff
1 DAY AGO - Photo by NFL via Getty Images
Arthur Smith is assembling a highly experienced staff for Expand
1 DAY AGO - Photo by NFL via Getty Images
Arthur Smith is assembling a highly experienced staff for his first year. With the recent hiring of head coach Arthur Smith and new general manager Terry Fontenot, Falcons fans have been curious to see what kind of staff the new coach and GM would assemble in Atlanta. Given Smith’s lack of experience as a head coach, the assistants and coordinators could make a big difference in the success of the team going forward.
Well, so far things appear to be going well. You can keep track of all the new hires here, but we wanted to go through many of these names on our podcast to give some quick thoughts and to talk about the experience many of these men bring to the table. Adnan Ikic joined me to talk about this new coaching staff and what they bring to the table.
Topics discussed:
New offensive coordinator Dave Ragone and why his time in Chicago shouldn’t be held against him due to coaching with Mitch Trubisky as his QB
QB Coach Charles London and the Collapse
Priority re-signings for the Falcons in 2021 free agency
1 DAY AGO - Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons are about to face a difficult offseason with very Expand
1 DAY AGO - Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons are about to face a difficult offseason with very limited cap flexibility, but they still need to make moves in free agency. In Part 2 of our free agency series, we take a look at some important players for Atlanta to re-sign heading into 2021. The Falcons are entering a new era in 2021. With a new head coach in former Titans OC Arthur Smith and new GM in former Saints executive Terry Fontenot, change is on the horizon for a team that has remained largely steady for most of the prior decade. We now know Atlanta’s defense will be helmed by renowned DC Dean Pees, which could complicate things even further as his scheme differs—in terms of the defensive line and secondary—from what the team ran under Dan Quinn and Raheem Morris.
That new era will have a difficult start, as Atlanta is in a very tough spot with the salary cap. Recent reports say that many owners are pushing for a cap number all the way down at $180M, which would be a nearly Collapse
The Falcoholic Live: Bucs vs Packers Playoff Watch Party
2 DAYS AGO - Join the crew of The Falcoholic Live for a playoff watch party at 3:00 PM ET as the rival Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Join the crew of The Falcoholic Live for a playoff watch party at 3:00 PM ET as the rival Buccaneers take on the Packers in the 2020 NFC Championship. Watch the stream below or on YouTube beginning at 3:00 PM ET
Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to The Falcoholic Live’s NFC Championship Playoff Watch Party! The NFC South rival Bucs will be challenging the #1 seed Packers for the NFC title. The crew will be hanging out, analyzing the game, and taking your questions about the Falcons new hires, coaching staff, free agency, and the 2021 NFL Draft!
Be sure to check out the new community Discord server here! Come chat with your fellow Falcons fans about the show, the team, the NFL draft, and more.
You can watch the show here on The Falcoholic, but we recommend watching on YouTube for the best experience—including full 1080p HD video and access to the live Q&A in the chat. You can also access the show using your smart TV or device using the YouTube app for the real big-screen experience!
We Collapse
Falcons hire former player Justin Peele as TEs coach, add three defensive coaches
3 DAYS AGO - Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images
Arthur Smith’s coaching staff is getting closer to Expand
3 DAYS AGO - Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images
Arthur Smith’s coaching staff is getting closer to completion. The Falcons have announced another round of coaching hires, one featuring a new defensive line coach, Dean Pees’ son as a defensive assistant, and...former Falcons tight end Justin Peelle as the tight ends coach. That’s a fun one.
Atlanta announced Saturday that they were bringing aboard veteran defensive line coach Gary Emanuel, senior assistant Steve Hoffman, defensive assistant Matt Pees, and Peelle. They’re edging closer to filling out Arthur Smith’s full staff, with vacancies at running backs coach and in the secondary now being most prominent.
Peelle had a 10 year career in the NFL as a reserve tight end, including a three year stint in Atlanta from 2008-2010. He did quite a lot of blocking and reeled in 37 catches for 370 yards and 5 touchdowns over that span, and after retiring he moved on to Philadelphia as an assistant tight ends coach from 2013-2014 and their Collapse
Falcons 2021 coaching staff tracker
3 DAYS AGO - Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Here are all the coaches who Expand
3 DAYS AGO - Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Here are all the coaches who have been added to the Falcons staff thus far. As the Falcons continue to build out a new coaching staff, I thought it might be helpful to see who Atlanta has hired to join new head coach Arthur Smith. This article will hopefully provide a quick and easy way to keep track of everyone.
Below, you’ll find every coach the Falcons have announced to this point with their last three stops added. We’ll update this as new coaches join the Falcons, so you may want to bookmark it.
Head coach Arthur Smith
2019-2020: Titans offensive coordinator
2015-2018: Titans tight ends coach
2014-2015: Titans assistant tight ends coach
Offense
Offensive coordinator Dave Ragone
2020: Bears passing game coordinator
2016-2019: Bears quarterbacks coach
2015: Washington offensive quality control coach
Quarterbacks coach Charles London
2018-2020: Bears running backs coach
2014-2017: Texans running backs Collapse
Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United to retire No. 44 for 2021 seasons in honor of Hank Aaron
4 DAYS AGO - Both franchises will retire the Hall of Famer's jersey number for the 2021 season in honor of his Expand
4 DAYS AGO - Both franchises will retire the Hall of Famer's jersey number for the 2021 season in honor of his memory Collapse
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Falcons fans are excited about the new regime, but can they tolerate some growing pains?
7 HRS AGO - Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Fact: Arthur Smith can touch his head, shoulders, Expand
7 HRS AGO - Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Fact: Arthur Smith can touch his head, shoulders, knees, and toes Arthur Smith deserves to be the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Smith earned that title, having transformed the Titans offense into a Ryan Tannehill-led juggernaut.
After a 3-year playoff drought, Falcons fans are excited about the future. Smith, in tandem with newly installed general manager Terry Fontenot, represents a wholesale changing of the guard. And he and Fontenot are a welcome reprieve from the feeling that we were all just banging our heads against a concrete wall since 2016.
But there are things Smith has never done. He’s never been the head coach of an NFL team. In fact, truth be told, he’s never been the head coach of any football team. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t the right man for the job—it just means there could be growing pains. In other words, unless everything goes right for Smith in his first year as head coach of the Falcons, he’s not going to Collapse
Falcoholic Podcast: What is Julio Jones future with the Falcons?
10 HRS AGO - Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Will an all-time great finish his career in Atlanta? Expand
10 HRS AGO - Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Will an all-time great finish his career in Atlanta? We recently asked you what you think will happen with Julio Jones as he winds down his hall of fame career. While most of you want the star receiver to retire a Falcons, there’s some acknowledgement that he may not get to finish his time in Atlanta on his terms.
In our latest podcast, I take a look at all of the factors that could determine whether or not the greatest receiver in Falcons history will actually retire as an Atlanta Falcon.
Topics discussed:
Comparing Julio to other all-time greats like Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, Andre Johnson and Jerry Rice
The myths and realities about Julio’s supposed “injury issues” in the NFL
His most recent contract and why it’s a virtual lock that he’ll play in Atlanta in 2021
The emergence of Calvin Ridley and how his future contract could influence what happens with Jones
So much more
As always, you can find the podcast wherever fine podcasts Collapse
Falcons post-2020 roster review: Defensive tackle edition
1 DAY AGO - Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
A young and promising group for the Falcons The Falcons made a Expand
1 DAY AGO - Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
A young and promising group for the Falcons The Falcons made a concerted effort to build on the defensive line in 2020, especially in the pass rush department. Grady Jarrett being their only true 3 down DT, there was a need to add a pass rushing specialist to help him, as the other defensive tackles on the roster were either one dimensional or still in the developmental stages of their careers. There were some flashes of improvement within the group, and the good news is that this is a young group with quite a bit of potential to be solid.
Here’s a review of each player in the position group and their contribution in 2020.
DT Grady Jarrett
2020 Stats: 27 tackles, 4 sacks
Jarrett is easily the Falcons’ best player on the defensive side of the ball. He’s a true difference maker and wrecks plays consistently up front. A great leverage player that’s quick off the snap, Jarrett has improved every year and is worth every penny of the extension he signed. Collapse
Falcoholinks: All the Falcons news you need for Monday, Jan. 25
1 DAY AGO - Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
LIIIINKS More coaching hires, some free agency talk and more Expand
1 DAY AGO - Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
LIIIINKS More coaching hires, some free agency talk and more in today’s edition of Falcoholinks. Read on for the latest news, notes, and narratives about the Atlanta Falcons.
Hellos
Last week the Falcons welcomed a few more new coaches into the fold, bringing in former Louisville offensive coordinator Dwayne Ledford as the new O-line coach, and signing former Jets interim DC Frank Bush to lead the linebackers.
They also brought in former player Justin Peelle as the new tight ends coach, as well as a trio of new defensive coaches.
The group joins new coordinators Frank Ragone, Marquice Williams, and Dean Pees on Atlanta’s revamped staff.
Pees was an especially good get, as the Titans reportedly wanted him back before he decided to rescind his retirement to helm the Falcons’ defense.
Goodbyes
The Falcons have shed much of their high profile coaching staff, as Raheem Morris will be joining the Los Angeles Rams as its new defensive Collapse
Daniel Jeremiah has Falcons taking QB Trey Lance at #4 in his first mock draft
2 DAYS AGO - Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images
The Falcons pass on Justin Fields in favor of Trey Lance. Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images
The Falcons pass on Justin Fields in favor of Trey Lance. Mock draft season is upon us, and while these selections will change a number of times between now and April, it’s always fun to go through the hypotheticals of what teams may possibly do if the NFL Draft happened today.
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah cooked up his first mock draft for 2021 and in it the Atlanta Falcons go with their quarterback of the future. While there’s much debate about who that QB will be, Jeremiah is currently of the mindset the Birds will go with Trey Lance of North Dakota State. Lance is the third QB taken within the first four picks, right after Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and BYU’s Zach Wilson.
Below is the snippet written out to justify the selection:
This decision will likely come down to Lance versus Ohio State’s Justin Fields. I can make a strong argument for both players, but I’ll stick with Lance because of his advantage as a decision-maker on the field.
As Collapse
Arthur Smith adds four more coaches to Falcons staff
3 DAYS AGO - As Smith goes about building out his staff in Atlanta, he's added four more assistants to the group
The Falcoholic staff picks: Conference Championships
3 DAYS AGO - The Falcoholic staff makes their game predictions for the NFC and AFC Championship’s The season is Expand
3 DAYS AGO - The Falcoholic staff makes their game predictions for the NFC and AFC Championship’s The season is over for the Atlanta Falcons but that’s okay, maybe they’ll do better next year. We’ve picked NFL games, including the Falcons, throughout the year and now we turn our sights to the AFC and NFC Championship’s.
The Falcoholic staff have made their picks via Tallysight, where all of our picks and predictions will be shared throughout the season. It’s a great platform for not only making predictions, but also seeing how you stack up against professional sports writers and analysts.
Here’s our Conference Championship’s staff picks:
The two winners of this weekend’s games will face each other in Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m. The Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face on Sunday, Jan. 24 at 3:05 p.m. and The Falcoholic Live hosted by our very own Kevin Knight will be live streaming the watch party.
Do you agree with our picks? Collapse
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