Geneaut

https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2019/2/12/18218303/atlanta-falcons-career-window-how-much-longer-will-devonta-freeman-be-in-atlanta We may not have as long as you’d think. By David J Walker@FalcoholicDW Feb 12, 2019, 3:00pm EST The Falcons offense has been passing focused for several years now. Long gone are the days of Michael Turner and controlling the clock. With Matt Ryan under center, this team looks to score in bunches and the nature of the running backs we’ve deployed reflects that. Devonta Freeman isn’t a 30 carry per game back. However, he’s a highly effective runner and pass catcher, which makes him a perfect fit for this offense. Since he began getting the majority of snaps in 2015, he’s been a highly productive runner and receiver. In 2016, he pulled in 1,079 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns and 462 receiving yards with 2 touchdowns. That great season led to his new contract in 2017. His big contract In August of 2017, the Falcons recognized Devonta’s contributions by giving him a 5 year extension worth over $41 million with 22 of that guaranteed. At the time, it was one of the biggest contracts for a running back in NFL history. Given that Devonta is not a bellcow back, many people were surprised at the size of the deal, especially with Tevin Coleman serving as a capable backup behind him. His age and productivity Devonta has had over 1000 yards from scrimmage in the 2015 - 2017 seasons. He’s had double digit rushing touchdowns twice (11 in both 2015 and 2016) and has had 300 or more receiving yards 3 times (2015 thru 2017). Impressively, he’s averaged at least 4 yards per carry since 2015, and has a career mark of 4.3 ypc in his five years in Atlanta. Unfortunately, his 2018 season was cut short after just 2 games. He landed on IR before he was able to contribute anything meaningful for the season. He also finished 2017 on somewhat of a down note as injuries and concussions dampened his productivity that year. When healthy, Freeman is definitely a highly capable back with phenomenal vision and a disgusting ability to embarrass defenders with his twitchy athleticism. The only question recently has been how healthy he can be going forward. Looking ahead Freeman will turn 27 in 2019. If you’re a believer in the 30-wall for running backs, that means he has 3 more years before his productivity should begin to see a decline. With Tevin Coleman a near certainty to leave in free agency, the Falcons will look towards Devonta to be their main guy again in 2019. However, promising rookie Ito Smith and second year back Brian Hill both showed impressive ability in 2018. Both guys should get meaningful snaps in 2019 to help keep Freeman fresh all year. While Freeman’s contract makes it difficult to cut him in 2019, in 2020 the picture is different. The team can cut him in 2020 and save roughly 3.5 million in cap space (against 6M in dead money). In 2021, they’ll be able to save nearly 6.3 million against the cap (with 3M in dead money). Given his age and the great luck the Falcons have had in finding good running backs later in the draft, it seems highly unlikely that Freeman will get another contract with Atlanta. The last year of his deal is the 2022 season, though it would be somewhat surprising if he plays through the full length of this deal. Given his recent health concerns and his age, it seems likely the Falcons will look to move on from Devonta either in 2020 or 2021. I just don’t see them keeping him around in 2022. If he has a strong 2019 season, that likely makes it easier for them to keep him around in 2020 as well. How he performs this year will likely dictate what happens with him in 2020 and beyond. At best, I think he has three years left with the Falcons, though a shorter stint is certainly possible.

Vinny Curry, DE, Buccaneers Curry was released on Feb. 12 after underwhelming in his first season with the defense-less Bucs. Cutting him saves Tampa $8 million.

We live in a Salary Cap world. We can't be 3 starters deep at every position. Draft a FS backup or roll with Neasman.

He may be, but he isn't under contract either.

Poole was a great bargain as an UDFA, and played far beyond his measurables. However, as you pointed out, he wasn't All World and with Kazee probably taking his place we can look later in the draft or in the UDFA pool to replace him as the #4 CB. I'm curious what we will do with Wreh-Wilson now.

https://247sports.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/Article/Panthers-official-Twitter-rejects-Atlanta-Falcons-Valentine-129099364/ On a day great for gathering courage and taking chances, the Atlanta Falcons conjured up all their honest feelings and told the Carolina Panthers how they felt. They proceeded to get shot down in flames. With social media managers across the NFL busily posting Valentine's Day graphics and engagements, the Panthers were hard at work posting cute messages such as "I'm running to your love" and "You're a catch". In the midst of that, their NFC South rivals in the Falcons decided to jump in by sending a Valentine the Panthers' way - A Valentine that appreciated the fact that the Panthers at least aren't the New Orleans Saints. 314 people are talking about this But the Falcons would soon find that the Panthers do not feel the same way about them. Not in the slightest. 141 people are talking about this The Panthers, of course, have good reason to reject the Falcons: A short distance from each other up and down Interstate 85, the Panthers and Falcons are natural geographical rivals. And from the time the Panthers entered the NFL in 1995, the Falcons have always seemed to find a way to get their goat. Their rivalry began in the first game in the history of the Panthers, when the team traveled to the Georgia Dome to begin a long history of being snakebit in Atlanta. Ask anyone superstitious, and it all began with fullback Bob Christian. With the Panthers scoring a 44-yard touchdown late in the game, head coach Dom Capers opted to go for a two-point conversion to put the Panthers ahead rather than simply tying the game with an extra point. But on the attempt, Christian was flagged for a false start. The Panthers aborted the two-point try, took the extra point, and proceeded to lose in overtime. So began the Panthers' Atlanta Curse. Through the years, the Panthers have seemingly always found new and excruciating ways to lose in Atlanta. And the ghosts that haunted the Panthers in the Georgia Dome have traveled to the Falcons' new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the Panthers are 0-2. A Week 17 loss to the Falcons in 2017 cost the Panthers the NFC South title, and arguably cost them a deeper playoff run by forcing them to travel to face the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs rather than host them. In Week Two of 2018, the Panthers' defense would show their first signs that all was not well when they were overpowered by the Falcons and allowed a 100+ yard rushing performance for the first time since 2016. In 2019, the Panthers are looking to buck the trend that has seen them lose six of their last seven games to the Falcons, including season sweeps in both the 2016 and 2018 seasons.

I tech support a call center and you'd be surprised how those systems work. It is quite common for agents not to have the easy ability to make calls.

Harry Douglas

I'm not going to cry if we do draft him, that is for sure.

Matt Ryan: Hall of Famer

I liked what Means showed when he got a chance. Depending on what the deal is I approve.

When Mack lifts the SB trophy.

https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/five-things-know-about-dan-quinn-new-coaching-staff/T6J7sr88Tk7Uevsnvw94OL/ Here are five things to know about the re-configured coaching staff, which saw Quinn, who’s set to move into his fifth season, replace all three coordinators: 1. Head coaches. There are three former NFL and three former college head coaches on the staff. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, tight ends coach Mike Mularkey and assistant head coach/wide receiver Raheem Morris have all been head coaches in the NFL. Sutton was a head coach at Army. Koetter was also a head coach at Boise State and Arizona State. Running backs coach David Brock was a head coach at Delaware. 2. Offensive coordinators. Three members on the staff have been offensive coordinators in the NFL in Koetter, Mularkey and quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp. 3. Defensive coordinators. Quinn is set to call his own plays, but could bounce his game plans off former defensive signal-callers Sutton and Morris, who called the defense when he was the head coach at Tampa Bay. 4. Kronenberg back in coaching. Bob Kronenberg, who’d been working with the Falcons as a pro scout, was moved to the assistant offensive line position.Kronenberg, 47, will be charged with helping offensive line coach Chris Morgan as they try to re-shaped the unit, which gave up 42 sacks last season. Kronenberg, who played offensive line in the Canadian Football League, NFL Europe and the Arena Football League, has been with the Falcons for the past eight years after spending the previous seven with the AFL’s Georgia Force as assistant coach and defensive coordinator (2003-08). Kronenberg, who played at St. Cloud State in Minnesota, went to NFL training camp with the Buccaneers in 1993 and Redskins in 1998. 5. Special Teams coach an upgrade? Ben Kotwica was with the Jets from 2007-13, as the coordinator only in 2013.Kotwica has a decent track record in the annual special-teams rankings compiled by former Dallas Morning News columnist Rick Gosselin. In the rankings, the NFL’s 32 teams are ranked in the 22 categories and assigned points according to their standing for 1 (best) to 32 (worst). In six seasons as a coordinator, Kotwica’s units have finished in the top half of the league two of six years. His Washington units finished 17th last season. In 2013, his Jets’ units were ranked ninth. In Washington, Kotwica’s units were ranked 30th in 2014, 13th in 2015, 17th in 2016 , 19th in 2017 and 17th in 2018.The Falcons were ranked 19th last season.

I'd like to see that actually.

https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2019/2/11/18221167/falcons-sign-lb-bruce-carter-to-extension The Atlanta Falcons have officially signed linebacker Bruce Carter to a one-year extension, the team announced Monday. The 8-year veteran linebacker joined the Falcons during the 2018 season, when free safety Ricardo Allen was placed on injured reserve and linebacker Richard Jarvis was waived. Prior to joining the Falcons, Carter spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New York Jets. He was originally a second round selection by the Cowboys in the 2011 NFL Draft. Carter finished 2018 with 21 combined tackles, and 5 assisted tackles for the Falcons. The extension is only for a year, and should likely to viewed as a quality depth move. Bruce Carter’s best game as a Falcon was against the Washington Redskins, where he had 7 total tackles. He’ll be counted upon to provide depth at linebacker and some special teams value, and we’ll now have to see if the Falcons add Kemal Ishmael back or if they draft a new linebacker to round out the corps.

My bad. I thought I scanned through the page but maybe I'm getting old.

Plus I think he'll be available a little later in the draft.

Qadree Ollison Big: Check Acceleration to top speed in a short amount of time : Check Stiff arm : Check Protects ball : Check Passionate : Check Deals out punishment to defenders: Check BTW : the guy that plays FB for them is a beast as well. Watch #35 drop guys on a lot of Qadree's runs.

http://www.espn.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/73771/matt-ryan-winning-a-super-bowl-motivates-me-to-get-out-of-bed ATLANTA -- Every NFL player's dream is to win a Super Bowl, but Matt Ryan admitted achieving such a goal wasn't at the forefront of his thoughts when he first entered the league. Ryan, the No. 3 overall pick of the Atlanta Falcons in the 2008 draft, was "a little naive" back then regarding the chances of winning a title. His mindset quickly changed. "I think after my rookie year was the first time I thought about it," Ryan said. "We got to the playoffs, and we lost to the Cardinals. Then the Cardinals went on to play the Steelers in the Super Bowl. That was the first time I was like, 'Man, we played them tough. I can do this. We can do this.' "You have the belief from that point. Prior to that, you're not even thinking that way. Then after that playoff game, I really felt like, 'All right, we're right in the mix. We can do this.'" Eleven years later, Ryan has yet to hoist the Lombardi trophy. That elusive title fuels him daily. He was named the league MVP in 2016. He has won an NFC Championship. He signed a deal worth $30 million per year and $100 million guaranteed in 2018. In the grand scheme, none of those accomplishments compare to owning a Super Bowl title. Ryan's feelings haven't changed since his rookie season: He firmly believes he can do this. "It's the No. 1 goal for me," Ryan said of winning a Super Bowl. "It's the ultimate and what motivates me to get out of bed every morning and to try and put in the work as hard as I can, to bring a championship to this city and to our organization. That's what it's all about." Coming close is never good enough Ryan doesn't spend too much time dwelling on what happened in 2016 when the Falcons made a run to Super Bowl LI only to blow a 28-3 third-quarter lead in a 34-28 overtime loss to the New England Patriots. That same year, following a 44-21 triumph over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game, Ryan got a call from a two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback. "The first guy was Peyton [Manning]," Ryan said. "He called me that night and said, 'Hey, man, any help you need, if you need anything, here's how to schedule your week.' He's been great to me." Ryan also has communicated with Tom Brady, now a six-time Super Bowl champ, over the years. "I spoke with Tom and texted with Tom, regularly," Ryan said. "He didn't give much of a formula -- just supportive." Ryan would love to be the one offering advice to others on what it takes to win a Super Bowl. Most believed the Falcons were legit Super Bowl contenders leading into the 2018 season. However, the team placed six starters on injured reserve, losing five of them for the season. The Falcons couldn't fully recover from a 1-4 start, a five-game losing streak in November and December, or the slew of injuries, leading to a 7-9 finish. "It was really disappointing," Ryan said. "The No. 1 thing was we had opportunities to finish games multiple times throughout the year, and we just fell short with too many opportunities. So that's got to be the No. 1 point of emphasis, in my mind, moving forward, is finding ways to finish teams out. It could be at different times throughout the games, but we've got to find ways to finish." Looking ahead to 2019 The process of rebuilding for next season already is in full swing. Coach Dan Quinn made drastic changes with the staff, firing offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel and special-teams coordinator Keith Armstrong. While Quinn will take over the defensive playcalling, he hired Dirk Koetter, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach and one-time Falcons coordinator, to run the offense once again. "Dirk, he's an excellent playcaller," Ryan said. "He connects with the guys really well. I think he kind of adjusts to where he's at. What they did in Tampa was different from what he did in Atlanta [the first time], which is different from how they played in Jacksonville. He looks at what you have, and he tries to take what you have and make what you have the best it can be." Quinn also has begun to reshape the roster, cutting ties with veteran kicker and fan favorite Matt Bryant, starting cornerback Robert Alford and defensive end Brooks Reed. Those moves will clear almost $15.5 million in salary-cap space for 2019, and the Falcons have prioritized signing nose tackle Grady Jarrett to a lucrative contract and reworking wide receiver Julio Jones' deal. The most significant personnel change, however, could be the return of two-time Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman from a season-ending groin surgery. "It's huge," Ryan said of getting Freeman back. "He's a great player. Anytime you add a great player back into the mix with a bunch of other guys that are great players, it's a good thing. And he's a dynamic player. He can make things happen in the passing game and in the running game. His ability to cut back, his ability to make people miss, his ability to run with power, all that stuff is good." Ryan wants to do his part in, perhaps, leading the Falcons back to Super Bowl contention. He posted MVP-like numbers this past season with 4,924 passing yards -- the second-highest total of his career behind the 4,944 during the Super Bowl season -- a 69.4 percent completion percentage, and 35 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. Despite those gaudy numbers, Ryan believed he fell short in at least one area, an area he plans to address this offseason. "I think it's probably trying to find ways to utilize all of our guys the best way we can," Ryan said. "Like I think Hoop [tight end Austin Hooper] did a great job [last] offseason of coming to work, having a clear plan of what he wanted to improve on and how we're going to use him. And I think we can expand his role. But it's doing that same thing with Calvin [Ridley], doing that with Mohamed [Sanu]. Spending individual time with those guys, one-on-one, in that way, I think, is beneficial. "To me, it makes me a better player when I understand how those guys operate, what they're hearing when I'm talking to them, and what they're saying back to me. I think improving those relationships is, to me, the most important thing." Ryan plans to spend more time in California with Hooper individually and hopes to do the same with the others mentioned. He already has a good feel for working with his top receiver, Jones, Ryan's teammate since 2011. While Ryan does his part, the front office has to do its job in securing more talent on the offensive line to protect Ryan and open holes in the running game. The line also has to be addressed on defense to be stouter against the run and better at rushing the passer. Matt has 'it in his future' Team owner Arthur Blank told ESPN he believes the Falcons are in "good, competitive shape" to return to the Super Bowl. And at least two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks think Ryan has what it takes to finally win it all. "I think, certainly, Matt has it," said Joe Theismann, who won Super Bowl XVII with the Washington Redskins. "He's been there, and he's been close. The one that got away, you never know if you're going to get another chance. It's a little bit like Dan Marino. "But Matt, with the people around him, I think their football team offensively is as good as there is in football. The question is, how well are they going to play defensively? They're in a tough division. But I think Matt certainly has it in his future." Kurt Warner, who won Super Bowl XXXIV with the Rams, pointed to one quality Ryan possesses that could help put the Falcons over the top. "I think the things I love about Matt is, I believe to be a great quarterback in this league you have to have the ability to make those second-level throws -- what I call 'chunk throws' -- and to be able to make those consistently, and I think Matt does it as well as anyone in the NFL," Warner said. "We've seen Matt play at an MVP level. We've seen him play in the Super Bowl. But that, to me, is what helps separate him. Not everybody has that ability. Most guys can make the 5-to-10-yard throws. Most guys can make the deep throws. Can you make those medium-range, chunk throws on a consistent basis, and Matt does it as well as anybody."

https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2019/02/05/matt-ryan-nfl-highest-yards-per-attempt-average-last-five-seasons/?utm_source=falconswire&utm_medium=recirc&utm_campaign=rail-most-popular By: Matt Urben | February 5, 2019 5:21 pm Overlooked due to Atlanta’s disappointing 7-9 season was another great statistical year from quarterback Matt Ryan. Totaling nearly 5,000 passing yards, 35 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, Ryan had arguably his second-best season — the best being his 2016 MVP campaign — during his 10th year as the Falcons’ starting quarterback. An interesting stat tweeted out by Ryan Michael of Quarterback Score offers more evidence of Ryan’s dominance going back five seasons. Ryan has led the NFL since 2014 with a remarkable 7.98 yards gained per pass attempt, one spot ahead of division rival Drew Brees (7.83 YPA). Some of the other notable names in the top ten include Ben Roesthlisberger (7.83), Russell Wilson (7.78), Tom Brady (7.66) and Aaron Rodgers (7.39). Embedded video Ryan Michael @theryanmichael #NFL YPA Leaders (2014-2018) *Min. 25 starts 1. Ryan = 7.98 2. Brees = 7.83 2. Ben = 7.83 4. Wilson = 7.78 5. Goff = 7.71 5. Rivers = 7.71 9. Brady = 7.66 11. Peyton = 7.52 14. Rodgers = 7.39 14. Luck = 7.39 22. Newton = 7.11 26. Wentz = 7.01 34. Carr = 6.69 36. Flacco = 6.51 315 7:57 PM - Feb 4, 2019 144 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy If you’re not familiar, YPA means yards per attempt and takes all passes, including incompletions into account as a way of measuring a quarterback’s efficiency while throwing the ball.

Still not in comparision to trades in baseball and basketball.

The main reason is that trades are very rare in the NFL though they are becoming slightly more popular. This isn't MLB where you can trade a player for a 'player to be named later' or a bag of balls, or even simply for cash considerations. Where TD has done a good job is trading draft picks for veteran players. Gonzo, Samuel, Levitre, Ty, for example, were all brought in for draft picks.

I know but it has to chap his @ss Matty's rolling in dough cause he's legit, while this guy is trolling on the internet for kicks. I know who I'd rather be.

Negative ghostrider. PFF: Matt Ryan leads NFL in passing yards under pressure since 2006 https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2018/07/03/pff-matt-ryan-leads-nfl-in-passing-yards-under-pressure-since-2006/ Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown for more yards under pressure than any other QB in the NFL over the last 12 seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. Ryan’s 9,930 total yards in those situations rank ahead of Jay Cutler, Matthew Stafford, Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson. View image on Twitter View image on Twitter Pro Football Focus ✔ @PFF Matt Ryan is just 70 yards shy of 10,000 passing yards under pressure. 215 1:16 PM - Jul 2, 2018 97 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy A lot goes into those numbers but the best QBs in the NFL like Ryan and Wilson all share the ability to anticipate the rush and make a throw before the pressure arrives. This is an area Ryan has always excelled at, and one of the reasons he’s been so successful for the past decade.