News Falcons Team Notes

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons worked out former 2020 1st round pick CB C.J. Henderson

Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Atlanta’s definitely looking at adding depth to their secondary, so we’ll see if Henderson ends up being a fit.

A.J. Terrell draft night takes have aged like Mickey Rourke.

The #Falcons worked out CB C.J. Henderson today, source says. TBD whether Atlanta will sign the former first-round pick of the #Jaguars, who spent last season with the #Steelers after three years with the #Panthers. pic.twitter.com/0KCzwMQXvf

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 31, 2025​

Once upon a time, your beloved Atlanta Falcons were considering trading up for C.J. Henderson, but those trade plans fell through, and the team is lucky they did. Henderson was a top 10 pick in the 2020 draft, but he was traded to the Panthers in just his second season in the league, and last season, he was with the Steelers but didn’t log a single snap.

The former University of Florida product is now looking for any opportunity to keep his career alive, and Atlanta has the ability to throw him a lifeline. This wouldn’t be the first time the Falcons take a risk on a corner drafted ahead of Terrell in 2020.

In 2023, Terry Fontenot traded a 5th-round pick only a few weeks before the draft for Jeff Okudah. We will always have that glorious five-game stretch where Okudah looked like a legit answer opposite of Terrell before falling off a cliff.

Now, only a few years later, the team is kicking the tires on another first-round bust. However, just because a player has not or will not live up to their original draft pick doesn’t mean they can’t provide value. Take Mike Hughes, for example. Hughes wasn’t able to live up to his first-round pick status, but he has found a home in Atlanta and proven that he is good enough for the CB2 role.

The lack of depth at outside corner was discussed thoroughly all offseason, and after getting through the first week of camp, it makes sense that the team would want to continue churning the roster.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...20-1st-round-pick-cb-c-j-henderson-aj-terrell

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Ticking clock: Can Terry Fontenot build the Falcons into a contender before the salary cap crunch?

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The arrow is pointing up for the Falcons thanks to Michael Penix, but hitting on the QB doesn’t solve all their problems.

The Atlanta Falcons hope they’re on a promising path to long-term success, which they aim to realize by the end of the 2025 season.

Over the weekend, both Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and owner Arthur Blank expressed their optimism about the current state of the Falcons. Yet despite that rosy outlook about the team’s present, their future is in flux. So much rests on the team’s ability to realize Fontenot’s long-term vision and plan, which has been five years in the making, with their first playoff berth since 2017.

The foundation of the team’s long-term success rests on the successful development of quarterback Michael Penix. If the Falcons have their next franchise quarterback, it will do wonders to stabilize their future, mirroring their past success with Matt Ryan under center.

However, hitting on the quarterback doesn’t erase or mitigate the many challenges facing Fontenot and the Falcons in the future. Much like Ryan did when he played under defensive-minded head coaches for all but one of his 14 seasons in Atlanta, Penix faces similar circumstances with head coach Raheem Morris currently at the helm.

Coordinator turnover could lead to an unstable offense​

Ryan saw each of his first three offensive coordinators hired away to become head coaches elsewhere, introducing instability into the offense due to the vacillating quality of play-calling. Penix’s immediate success increases the potential that current play-caller Zac Robinson departs Atlanta soon, especially given the voracious appetite for offensive-minded head coaches in today’s NFL.

One strategy the Falcons could employ to increase the odds of retaining future successors to Robinson would be to target retread head coaches to call plays. Given the league’s craving for young, up-and-coming offensive minds, targeting older play-callers who have failed in previous head coaching stints could prove advantageous.

These candidates currently include Mike McCarthy, Frank Reich, Pat Shurmur, and Jay Gruden. They’d be less likely to get poached down the road if they succeed in Atlanta. However, the potential trade-off for prolonged stability at offensive coordinator may come from having offenses that are far from the cutting edge.

For example, Gruden worked with Morris during their shared days with Washington in 2014 when the former was the head coach. Yet, Gruden’s most recent experience as a play-caller came with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, resulting in a 1-15 record thanks in part to a 27th-ranked offense according to DVOA. Given how much team success is driven by offensive output in the modern NFL, a resume like Gruden’s at first glance doesn’t offer the firepower that will keep the Falcons in annual playoff contention.

Falcons’ future could be fueled by a defense-driven identity​

Instead, the Falcons’ best chance at perennial contention may be mirroring the success of the Pittsburgh Steelers under defensive-minded head coach Mike Tomlin, especially during his 15 seasons coaching quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. That blueprint rested on a Steelers defense that consistently ranked among the elite in the NFL.

Even with the optimism surrounding the current upward direction of the Falcons’ defense under new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, they appear years away from producing a unit that can consistently rank in the top 10. Such a defense-forward foundation will develop if the recent 2024 and 2025 defensive draft investments made by Fontenot pay off. Such a realization would be a historic achievement for Fontenot, given that steadfast defense has rarely been the Falcons’ identity throughout their history. Yet, in the meantime, the team’s offense will be at the vanguard of any impending success.

Upcoming extensions on offense could crush the team’s salary cap​

The Falcons expect a potent, high-powered offense for several years to come, thanks to Penix being flanked by wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson, who are all on the verge of entering their primes. Both London and Robinson are due for long-term extensions over the next few offseasons if they can maintain their current rate of production.

Yet, top-of-market extensions for London and Robinson will also have their drawbacks, thanks to an impending salary cap crunch, which will only intensify when it comes time to pay Penix down the road. With current trends, Penix could be due for a massive extension before the 2028 season. While a few years away, it’ll be here sooner than you realize, giving Fontenot only a few offseasons to ready the roster.

Between now and then, the market for quarterbacks is only likely to balloon past Dak Prescott’s $60 million-per-year deal, which currently makes him the NFL’s highest-paid player. Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and C.J. Stroud may each have opportunities to reset the quarterback market between now and 2028. Not to mention, Jordan Love and Kyler Murray could sign new deals that also raise prices, even if they don’t reset the top of the market. Combined with the competition between Penix and the other passers drafted atop the 2024 NFL Draft in a bid to outdo one another on their second contracts, there are several factors potentially increasing the cost of any future Penix extension.

Fontenot will have to transform his approach to the draft​

With so much future cap space potentially locked into a handful of players, the Falcons’ long-term salvation will rest on Fontenot’s ability to continuously offset their cost by adding good, cheap players via the draft. However, his aggressive strategy of trading up in almost every draft is undoubtedly counterproductive. With the team only slated with five selections in the upcoming 2026 draft, Fontenot is going to have to reconsider his current approach. Accumulating more picks by trading back is the best way to maximize the team’s chances of finding more young, inexpensive talent to rebuild the defense, reload along the offensive line, and support Penix with more firepower at the skill positions.

That novel strategy may be set in motion soon with the Falcons’ potential need to replace multiple starters and contributors set to hit free agency in 2026. Tyler Allgeier, Arnold Ebiketie, Kaden Elliss, Leonard Floyd, Ray-Ray McCloud, Kaleb McGary, David Onyemata, and Kyle Pitts are among those set to become free agents after this season. A successful 2025 campaign will incentivize the Falcons to re-sign many of their impending free agents, thereby maintaining continuity and preventing immediate regression following a potential return to the playoffs this year. However, with the Falcons currently projected by OvertheCap.com to have less than $1 million in cap space entering next offseason, the team will be forced to be economical with its spending for another offseason.

An unsuccessful 2025 season could lead to the dismissal of Fontenot, tasking a new general manager with fulfilling these same challenges of building around Penix.

As Blank noted on Saturday, every NFL owner feels great about their respective team at this point in the calendar:

“I like where we are. But you’re probably going to get 31 other owners who will probably say that. But I feel strongly that we’re in a different place than we’ve been in the last few years.”

But the pivotal question will be how ownership feels about the team several months from now, which will reflect Fontenot and others’ job security. Eventually, we’ll have our answer. But in the meantime, winning is the Falcons’ only panacea for all their future ailments. Simply put, if the Falcons can’t find a way to field a winner in Fontenot’s fifth year, then these will be somebody else’s problems.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...er-before-the-salary-cap-crunch-michael-penix

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

The Falcons should call about Micah Parsons, but it certainly won’t be cheap

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Parsons is probably going nowhere, but every team has to at least pick up the phone.

Leave it to the Dallas Cowboys to hijack an otherwise normal day of training camp news.

According to Micah Parsons himself, the two-time All-Pro edge rusher has requested a trade amid growing frustration over his contract situation.

Thank you Dallas ! I pic.twitter.com/EUnEj9uRUt

— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) August 1, 2025​

Parsons ranks sixth all-time in sacks through his first four seasons with 52.5, joining an exclusive club that includes Reggie White, Al “Bubba” Baker, Derrick Thomas, J.J. Watt, DeMarcus Ware, and Dwight Freeney.

A pass rusher in that kind of rarified air fits any team, especially a team like the Atlanta Falcons, who rank 31st in sacks (245) since 2017.

But here’s the problem: acquiring Parsons would come at a staggering price.

If you’re the Cowboys, the conversation starts with three first-round picks. That’s a tough ask for an Atlanta front office that already shipped its 2026 first-rounder to the Rams to land James Pearce Jr., a pass rusher who may very well develop into a star in his own right.

Maybe Terry Fontenot could negotiate that down, say, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 third-rounder, a 2026 2nd-rounder, and a key player to make up for the 2026 pick. But then comes the even bigger hurdle: paying Parsons. His next contract likely resets the market.

Would the Cowboys want a player like Tyler Allgeier to bolster Brian Schottenheimer’s between-the-tackles run game? Maybe. Allgeier’s a bruiser who’d complement Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, who’s currently rehabbing a knee injury.

Could Kyle Pitts be part of the pitch? Possibly. A healthy Pitts could stretch the field alongside CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens and unlock even more for Dak Prescott.

Even then, it’s hard to imagine Dallas biting. Defensive standouts like Pearce Jr., Jalon Walker, Bralen Trice, Troy Andersen, A.J. Terrell, and Jessie Bates would all likely be requested, and none of them would be easy to part with.

And that’s all before we ask the most important question:

Is Micah Parsons actually going anywhere?

Probably not.

We’ve seen this movie last offseason with Myles Garrett and the Browns, even with Prescott himself. Public contract frustration doesn’t always mean a trade is coming. And if it is coming, teams like the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, or Green Bay Packers have more immediate assets and cap flexibility than Atlanta can realistically offer.

The Falcons should make the call. You don’t ignore elite talent like this.

But expecting anything more than a quick check-in?

Don’t count on it.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...-micah-parsons-but-it-certainly-wont-be-cheap

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

EA Sports reveals player ratings for Madden 26

Photo illustration by Cheng Xin/Getty Images

The Falcons have a few highly-rated players this year...and a few shockingly low-rated ones.

The countdown to NFL preseason is nearly over, and that means one thing for football gamers — the latest edition of EA Sports’ Madden franchise is right around the corner. Madden 26 is set to bring updated rosters, fresh features, and plenty of debate over player ratings.

For Atlanta Falcons fans, this year’s game brings some exciting numbers. A few key players have earned standout ratings heading into the season, reflecting their impact on the field. Among the top-rated Falcons are ballhawk Jessie Bates III, All-Pro guard Chris Lindstrom, lockdown corner A.J. Terrell, and dynamic rookie running back Bijan Robinson, all of whom cracked the upper echelon of their respective position groups.

Let’s take a look at some notable player ratings on the Falcons.

A few names way down in the list, unfortunately, include quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who received a 74 overall rating. Additionally, Madden doesn’t seem to think too highly of the Falcons starting center Ryan Neuzil who received an overall rating of 65. You can view the rest of the Falcons players’ ratings in Madden 26 by clicking here.

Madden 26 officially launches on August 14th.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...ings-for-madden-26-michael-penix-jalon-walker

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Projecting the Falcons roster after the first week of training camp

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Falcons completed the first week of training camp, and we’ve learned a lot about the current state of the roster. Here’s our latest roster projection based on our observations from Flowery Branch.

The Atlanta Falcons completed the first week of training camp, and we’ve learned a lot about the current state of the roster. Some battles have delivered expected results, while others have been surprising to downright shocking. Atlanta’s defense has punched back against the offense despite the supposed talent disparity, giving fans a lot of hope that this team could be better than expected in 2025.

Of course, hope always springs eternal at this stage of the season. I’m here to bring you my observations from the first five practices and how I expect Atlanta’s roster to look based on what we’ve seen so far. Most position groups are panning or more-or-less as expected, with a few notable changes that could have wide-ranging (positive!) consequences for the team’s depth. Let’s take a closer look at how the 53-man roster is shaking out heading into preparation for the first preseason game.

The roster projection is also available in both video and audio format, which you can find embedded below. If you enjoyed the written version, consider giving us a click on these platforms as well.

Listen to the audio version of this article using the player below, or find it on your favorite podcast platforms.

Italics denote a change from the previous roster projection.

OFFENSE - 24​

Quarterback - 3​

Michael Penix Jr.
Kirk Cousins
Easton Stick

Michael Penix Jr. has quieted all doubters through the first week of training camp, littering the internet with highlight reel throws to a multitude of receivers. His short passing still needs work, especially in the red zone, but the arm talent and explosive plays give Penix an incredible NFL ceiling. Kirk Cousins looks fully healthy and has had an efficient training camp thus far. He’s clearly the best backup QB in the NFL, and I still think he’ll be starting for another team before Week 1. Easton Stick has been a solid QB3, but we likely won’t see much of note from him until the preseason.

Running Back - 3​

Bijan Robinson
Tyler Allgeier
Carlos Washington Jr.

Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier are as expected: awesome and dominant. There will be 2RB packages, and Bijan will be used as a receiver more in 2025. With Jase McClellan waived before camp, the RB3 spot is currently held by former UDFA Carlos Washington Jr. He’s got the clear advantage thanks to his tenure with the team, but UDFA Nate Carter is one to watch.

Tight End - 3​

Kyle Pitts
Charlie Woerner
Teagan Quitoriano

Kyle Pitts has been on a snap limit, but is showing a clear connection with Penix, who has targeted him early and often throughout training camp. Charlie Woerner retains his 2024 role as the primary blocking tight end. TE3 appears to be held pretty securely by Teagan Quitoriano, a former fifth-round pick of the Houston Texans. He’s been an efficient receiver and solid blocker, and has played quite a bit with the starters when Pitts has been sidelined.

Wide Receiver - 6​

Drake London
Darnell Mooney
Ray-Ray McCloud
KhaDarel Hodge
Jamal Agnew
Chris Blair

The good news is that Drake London and Ray-Ray McCloud have been awesome thus far, with London clearly in line to be Penix’s favorite target. Darnell Mooney was injured on the first day of camp going up for a deep catch in the endzone, and it’s anyone’s guess when he’ll return. Week 1 seems likely, but the team has been vague about the nature of the injury and Mooney’s timeline.

In Mooney’s absence, the Falcons have rotated a number of receivers with the first team. KhaDarel Hodge, Jamal Agnew, Chris Blair, and David Sills Jr. have been the biggest beneficiaries thus far. Hodge and Agnew are safe, as both are key special teams players—although Agnew does seem to have something to offer as a receiver as well. Chris Blair has a good connection with Penix and Cousins and should be the favorite for WR6 at the moment. David Sills Jr. has been the biggest surprise of this group so far, as he’s been Cousins’ favorite target and has quickly worked his way into the starting rotation. UDFA Nick Nash has been climbing the ranks of the UDFA receivers and is frequently working with the 2nd-team, but looks like a long shot for the 53-man roster at this junction.

Offensive Line - 9​

LT Jake Matthews
LG Matthew Bergeron
C Ryan Neuzil
RG Chris Lindstrom
RT Kaleb McGary

T Storm Norton
G/T Elijah Wilkinson
G Kyle Hinton
C Jovaughn Gwyn

Not much of note with the starters, although the starting offensive line has performed quite well overall. Ryan Neuzil has looked stout as a blocker, although there have been a few errant snaps through the first week. Most of the intrigue is with the depth unit, which has struggled against Atlanta’s starters—particularly on the interior. Storm Norton is clearly the top tackle, but it’s actual been Brandon Parker primarily working with the 2s.

In terms of the roster, I think I value Elijah Wilkinson and Kyle Hinton over Parker at this stage. I don’t think Jovaughn Gwyn has played particularly well, but there’s literally no other compelling options. A veteran backup at center seems likely before Week 1. Rookie Jack Nelson has gotten a little run with the 2s, but seems firmly behind Norton and Parker at this stage. He’ll need to show out in the preseason to claim a spot on the 53, which is still very possible.

---

DEFENSE - 26​

Edge Defender - 6​

Arnold Ebiketie
Leonard Floyd
Jalon Walker
James Pearce Jr.
Khalid Kareem
Bralen Trice

This group has been a very pleasant surprise thus far, even with rookie Jalon Walker missing half the practices. That’s thanks to fellow rookie James Pearce Jr. arguably being the star of training camp, with consistent disruption (both in terms of production and attitude) against the starting offensive line. He looks better than advertised and could claim a significant role early on.

The other nice surprise has been Khalid Kareem, who joined the practice squad last season. He’s been a consistently good player on the edge and has even rotated in with the starters at times. Kareem has been playing ahead of Bralen Trice and absolutely looks deserving of a spot on the 53. Speaking of Trice, he looks healthy and has been steadily climbing the depth chart. He appears of the verge of cracking the 2nd team rotation, which he’ll need to do to secure a roster spot. I still feel confident he’ll make the team.

Interior Defensive Line - 6​

David Onyemata
Ruke Orhorhoro
Morgan Fox
Zach Harrison
Brandon Dorlus
Kentavius Street

I’ve reshuffled the position labels of some of these players with the Falcons sticking to roughly 75% 3-4 fronts through the first week of training camp. David Onyemata is the starting 1T nose tackle and has played the majority of snaps there. Given the absence of any compelling competition, it seems clear he’ll be on the roster Week 1. Ruke Orhorhoro has been the most impressive player on the interior thus far, making plays from a variety of alignments. He’s been everything we could hope for and would be my pick to be the best player on the interior.

Zach Harrison and Brandon Dorlus have also made their fair share of plays, and both are firmly in the 1st/2nd team rotation. Veteran Morgan Fox has played a lot with the starters but has had the quietest camp of the bunch, he may be usurped by Dorlus sooner than later. We may see Atlanta cut this group down to five if needed, but right now the sixth spot appears to be a battle between Ta’Quon Graham and Kentavius Street. Street’s advantage is that he seems to have bulked up to 315 to play nose tackle, and he’s the only other player capable of that role. Graham is more versatile and has made more plays thus far, so we’ll see how that plays out. This is also a spot where we could see the team look to add a more traditional NT after final cuts.

Linebacker - 4​

Kaden Elliss
Divine Deablo
Troy Andersen
JD Bertrand

No changes so far to this group, although we haven’t had a chance to see Troy Andersen yet. Andersen spent the first week of camp on PUP but appears close to returning, which he’ll need to do at some point to secure his roster spot. Kaden Elliss and Divine Deablo are playing almost all the snaps at linebacker with the starters, with JD Bertrand and veteran Caleb Johnson playing with the second-team. As long as Andersen comes back soon, I don’t expect many changes here. If Andersen isn’t back or may not be able to start the season, this is definitely a spot for a veteran addition after final cuts.

Cornerback - 6​

A.J. Terrell
Mike Hughes
Dee Alford
Natrone Brooks
Billy Bowman Jr.
Cobee Bryant

Perhaps the most interesting battle on the entire roster is taking place at cornerback, but it’s not the battle you might have expected. For starters, Dee Alford appears to be the favorite for the slot starting role after the first week. Billy Bowman is right behind him, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see Bowman eventually overtake Alford—either during the preseason, or regular season. Instead, the biggest battle has been for the depth outside corner jobs, with a couple of surprising names making a big push.

Natrone Brooks, a college safety who converted to slot corner with the Falcons, is now playing almost exclusively on the outside. And he’s been good, as Brooks has frequently been matched up with Drake London. London’s gotten the better of him, but Brooks also had the first Penix interception of camp on Thursday and broke up a pass to London in the endzone on Tuesday. He looks to have a secure hold on a 53-man spot, and his flexibility to play in the slot only helps his case. Opposite Brooks, former UDFA Lamar Jackson has impressed with a flashy opening performance and consistent play. He’s got the size that Ulbrich is looking for on the outside, which might be why Clark Phillips III has largely been relegated to the depth unit.

Speaking of Phillips, I no longer think his roster spot is safe. He’s pretty clearly on the outside looking in at this point, and I’d argue that both Brooks and Jackson are ahead of him. I’m leaving Cobee Bryant on my roster over Phillips despite him only practicing for the first time on Tuesday, as I think Bryant will get every opportunity to make his case over the remainder of camp and preseason.

Safety - 4​

Jessie Bates III
Xavier Watts
Jordan Fuller
DeMarcco Hellams

This room is absolutely rock-solid, and the battle between rookie Xavier Watts and veteran Jordan Fuller could come down to the wire. Watts and Fuller have rotated between the 1st and 2nd team throughout camp, and I’d expect that to continue for the time being. Both have looked solid, but haven’t had many opportunities to make an impact thanks to the strong play of both Penix and Cousins. DeMarcco Hellams has been very active with the 2nd team as well. I think all four of these players are roster locks. The only question is whether the Falcons want to roster a fifth safety, but none of the guys on the roster seem worth the spot at this stage.

---

SPECIAL TEAMS - 3​

K Younghoe Koo

P Bradley Pinion

LS Liam McCullough

RETURNERS

KR Jamal Agnew/Ray-Ray McCloud

PR Jamal Agnew

The Falcons began the Great Kicking Competition during Sunday’s practice, with newcomer Lenny Krieg winning the first battle with aplomb. Tuesday’s practice was a dead heat, with both Krieg and Younghoe Koo going 4/5 and missing from beyond 50. If Krieg can keep this up, Koo’s roster spot is likely in danger thanks to his sky-high cap hit. Koo needs to win handily, but his history with the team and status as a fan favorite still give him the slight edge. This battle will likely be decided in the preseason.

---

PRACTICE SQUAD - 16​

QB Emory Jones
RB Nate Carter
WR David Sills Jr.
WR Casey Washington
WR Nick Nash
TE Joshua Simon
T Brandon Parker
T Jack Nelson
C/G Joshua Gray
EDGE/LB DeAngelo Malone
DT Ta’Quon Graham
LB Caleb Johnson
CB Clark Phillips III
CB Lamar Jackson
DB Josh Thompson
K Lenny Krieg

What are your thoughts on this potential roster for the Falcons?

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...el-penix-kyle-pitts-drake-london-jessie-bates

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcoholinks, Aug. 1, 2025: Michael Penix has confidence; Kaden Elliss is the league’s most efficient pass rusher

Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Welcome to the (almost) weekend, Falcoholics.

Good morning Falcoholics, and welcome to Friday, Aug. 1. We got to watch some semblance of professional football last night, we’re just a few days away from the Falcons’ first preseason game, and the weekend is almost here. Can’t complain.

The Falcons were back on the practice field yesterday, which was unfortunately Adnan Ikic’s last day of coverage. Kevin Knight’s done for this year, too — he flew home a couple of days ago. Kevin came all the way down from New York, and Adnan took time off from his day job to brave 85 North up to Flowery Branch for every practice, and they delivered detailed, thoughtful analysis and fantastic insight as always. We’re lucky to have them and grateful for their excellent coverage.

Speaking of training camp, I’m still in Ohio. My mom is nine days post-knee replacement, and this recovery is brutal. She’s a tough old broad (her words, not mine, though I don’t disagree), and she is definitely getting a little better every day, so I’m hopeful I’ll be back in Flowery Branch to get back to Falcons coverage soon.

As always, scroll down to the comment section and use it as today’s open thread. Here’s a conversation starter that surely won’t cause a ruckus: Does Matt Ryan have a legitimate case to be inducted into the Hall of Fame?

Now that I’ve opened that can of worms, on to the links!

Falcons news​

• Shoutout to FalconFaninMaine, who mentioned this Michael Penix story in the comments on Adnan’s most recent training camp report. In Maine’s words, “[Penix] doesn’t lack confidence and has the exact amount of competitiveness needed to lead an NFL team.” - Will McFadden, AtlantaFalcons.com
• ‘The NFL’s most efficient pass rusher is a player you’ve probably never heard of.’ It’s The Athletic, so there’s a paywall, but it’s a great read on Kaden Elliss. - Josh Kendall, The Athletic ($)
• Falcons owner Arthur Blank’s foundation has issued $2.7 million in grants to five food banks in Georgia and Montana. Food banks are experiencing unprecedented demand, and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation also “invite(s) our fellow philanthropic and civic leaders to join us in rising to this challenge with urgency and generosity.” - BlankFoundation.org

NFL news​

• Good news! The Falcons aren’t on The Ringer’s NFL Training Camp Panic Meter. It’s an interesting read regardless. - Diante Lee, The Ringer
• I love the Why Your Team Sucks NFL preview from Defector, and if you do too, you’ve got to read all of the reasons the Carolina Panthers suck in 2025. - Tom Ley, Defector
• Not really NFL news, but ... ESPN8: The Ocho is back this weekend! James Dator, SB Nation

ICYMI​

• Today’s recap and practice notes is jam-packed with details. Adnan delivered even though the view was obstructed for both the media and fans on the hill during 11-on-11s. - Adnan Ikic, The Falcoholic
• The Falcons worked out former first-round pick CJ Henderson. The Falcons do need depth at outside corner, so we’ll see what happens. - Tre’Shon Diaz, The Falcoholic
• Jalon Walker dealing with ‘minor’ hamstring injury, per Raheem Morris. Well, now we know for sure why he hasn’t been practicing. It makes sense for the team to be cautious, and here’s hoping for a quick recovery. - Dave Choate, The Falcoholic

From the comments:​

On Jalon Walker’s hamstring injury:

Chazington2
Indeed. Hamstring pulls can linger all season if not properly treated. I know Falcons fans are hungry for Walker, but I'd advise all our fans to slow their roll in wanting him back out there quickly.​

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...ichael-penix-kaden-elliss-jalon-walker-injury

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons training camp 2025: Day 5 recap and practice notes

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

James Pearce’s name continued popping up, the short passing game was efficient, and the defense got the better of the offense in the red zone portion on Day 5 of camp.

I’m going to give an immediate disclaimer from the top that my view for a good portion of 11-on-11s today was obstructed. When the scrimmage portion kicked off, they were on the far field, with the players on the sideline lined up between the media/fans and where the practice was taking place. We were shown the latter portion of practice clearly, at least.

As a result, I will not share any exact completion numbers from the quarterbacks, as has become customary. I do have the tally tracked as best as I could today, but I’m just not confident enough that it’s fully accurate to be able to publish it.

Trying my best to get you guys accurate info. The team is scrimmaging on the far field with the players lined up to obstruct the media’s view so it’s not going to be as good as the past few days.

— Adnan Ikic (@SayWhichWay) July 31, 2025​

This was nonetheless another strong day in pads, with weather that was fully cooperative and some real cloud cover for the first time since camp began.

Let’s get right into it with my observations from Day 5 of Falcons Training Camp!

Michael Penix demonstrates short game accuracy but struggles in the red zone​

Penix hit on the majority of his completions today, and a lot of them were of the short variety. For any other quarterback having so many short completions wouldn’t be the most inspiring phenomena, but when it comes to Penix (whom we know is going to hit on those deep shots) it’s just what you wanted to see.

That’s not to say that he didn’t connect on a couple of deep shots, particular to WR Drake London, who had a one on one snag deep down the sideline on a wheel route, then beat CB A.J. Terrell on an underthrown shot that he adjusted perfectly to get.

It wasn’t all great for Penix, however, as he had a poor performance when the team entered the red zone. First, toward the end of the 2-minute drill portion, Penix (from inside the 20) threw the first interception of camp on an underthrown end zone pass intended for London which CB Natrone Brooks got into position for and came down with. Later on, inside the 10-yard-line, Penix overthrew both WR Ray Ray McCloud (who was open) and London to wind up going 0-3 in the red zone as far as I could see.

Penix hasn’t been good in the red zone. He’s 0-3 inside the 20 with an interception and a couple of misses over his WRs heads

— Adnan Ikic (@SayWhichWay) July 31, 2025​

This continues shedding light on Penix’s main issue, which are those shorter to intermediate touch passes that scouts had concerns with coming out of the draft. We are still early in camp, and I will note that he did have a touchdown pass to WR KhaDarel Hodge from a bit further out on a laser beam throw, earlier in practice.

James Pearce and the defensive line get pressure on Kirk Cousins​

Standout rookie OLB James Pearce Jr. continued his strong work at camp. He also got a lot of rotation in with the first team, after running almost exclusively with the second team the past three practices.

During Cousins’ own red zone portion of drills, he was under pressure seemingly every snap. It started with Pearce penetrating through the line and sacking Cousins on one play, before DT Ruke Orhorhoro did the same thing for a sack on the very next play.

James Pearce just sacked Kirk Cousins on one play. Looks like Ruke would’ve gotten him in the very next play.

— Adnan Ikic (@SayWhichWay) July 31, 2025​

Pearce a couple of plays later got a tackle for a loss on a run play before he and DT Ta’Quon Graham combined to pressure Cousins into a 0-yard run.

Pearce just got into the backfield and stopped a run for a loss in the red zone

— Adnan Ikic (@SayWhichWay) July 31, 2025​

Overall, Pearce has wreaked havoc the past few days against mostly the starting offensive line. His strong performance seems destined to continue against the backups.

Natrone Brooks has strong day despite getting beat for a long touchdown​

CB Natrone Brooks is now in his third training camp with the Falcons since signing on as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Southern Mississippi, in 2023. In each of the past two years, he was waived in late August and became a mainstay on the practice squad, with a couple of promotions onto the active roster in his career.

This year, it feels like his chances of making the 53-man roster going into Week 1 are higher than they’ve ever been. He’s currently playing opposite CB Lamar Jackson as the primary outside corner with the second team, and he’s been going one on one against Drake London a lot.

While London has gotten the better of that matchup, Brooks hasn’t been without his wins. Today, the big one was his interception in the end zone, out-positioning London one on one. Brooks was also the primary man in coverage for what looked to be over half of Penix’s incompletions on the day.

Despite really solid coverage, WR Casey Washington did get the better of Brooks on a beautiful 50-yard home run shot from Cousins in the back of the end zone, which was just the perfect throw and catch.

Casey Washington just got the biggest play of the day. A deep 50 yard bomb he catches in the back of the end zone (from Cousins) against Natrone Brooks

— Adnan Ikic (@SayWhichWay) July 31, 2025​

Other Notes:​

• Kirk Cousins also completed the majority of his pass attempts, with the vast majority being a combination of slants, screens and short flat routes. His home run throw to Washington was one of the best throws of camp.
• S Jordan Fuller got the starter reps today, with S Xavier Watts playing with the second team. They continue to alternate full days next to S Jessie Bates and the starters.
• CB Dee Alford is looking more and more entrenched in that starting nickel CB role. He continues getting the starter reps ahead of CB Billy Bowman. Alford committed a defensive pass interference penalty on WR Nick Nash at around the 1-yard-line on a Cousins red zone play today.

Cousins’ end zone pass to Nick Nash draws a defensive pass interference penalty on Dee Alford

— Adnan Ikic (@SayWhichWay) July 31, 2025​

• Both OLB Khalid Kareem and DT Brandon Dorlus got a lot of run and rotation with both the first team and second team defense today. As did OLB Deangelo Malone.

Deangelo Malone just got a nice run stop up the gap in the red zone

— Adnan Ikic (@SayWhichWay) July 31, 2025​

• RB Bijan Robinson continued wowing everyone on his touches. His cuts are incredibly hard for any individual defender to keep up with without support from a teammate to contain.
• ILB Caleb Johnson has been getting a lot of second team run. He’s a name to watch to make this roster if that continues.
• We received word before practice began that OLB Jalon Walker is dealing with a minor hamstring issue. He was out there for walkthroughs today but did not participate in scrimmage.
• TE Teagan Quitoriano got some starter reps with TE Kyle Pitts Sr. once again being very limited in the scrimmage portion. Quitoriano is the runaway leader for that TE3 spot.

---

That’s all from me for this year’s training camp coverage, as this was my last day covering practice.

I will look to be out there for the joint practices against the Tennessee Titans, but in the meantime I appreciate all of you for reading what I had to write and for your interactions and comments!

Signing out from Flowery Branch for the final time, but I will look to be out there for both joint practice days against the Titans. Thanks for following along to my #Falcons camp coverage for this year. pic.twitter.com/drezuuwk8H

— Adnan Ikic (@SayWhichWay) July 31, 2025​

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...notes-michael-penix-drake-london-james-pearce

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons sign offensive tackle Kaleb McGary to a two-year extension

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

After some speculation about his future in Atlanta, the Falcons came to terms with offensive tackle Kaleb McGary on a two-year extension.

The Atlanta Falcons took a break from training camp to take care of a little unfinished business. On Tuesday afternoon, the team announced a two-year, $30M extension for offensive tackle Kaleb McGary. McGary, 30, has started for the Falcons ever since he was drafted 31st overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. This marks his second extension with Atlanta and keeps him under contract through the 2027 season.

.@KalebMcgary is staying in The

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 4, 2025​

After an up-and-down start to his NFL career, McGary settled in at right tackle and became an absolute force as a run blocker. His pass protection, while inconsistent at times, has largely improved as well. McGary is a reliable presence on the offensive line who now takes on added importance as the blindside protector for the left-handed Michael Penix Jr.

There was a bit of intrigue around McGary’s future status with the team, given his previous struggles in pass protection and the likely move to a more pass-focused offense with Penix Jr. at the helm. After an extension wasn’t reached earlier in the offseason, it initially seemed like the team might allow McGary to play out his contract and potentially walk in 2026 free agency.

Personally, I always thought that was unlikely. McGary is a good offensive tackle, and those are hard enough to find when you’ve got a full complement of resources. The Falcons traded away their 2026 first-round pick to move up for edge rusher James Pearce Jr., which would’ve made that task significantly harder. Instead, Atlanta reached what appears to be a good value extension with McGary, who is averaging approximately $15M APY in new money.

We’re not yet privy to the exact contract details, but it’s entirely possible that the Falcons will create 2025 cap space with this extension—especially given the relative value of that $15M/yr number. The team could create up to $10.6M in cap space with this extension if they so desired, although I imagine they wouldn’t push it that far. Either way, the team has a valuable starter in McGary locked up through his early 30s at what looks like a very reasonable price.

What do you think about the Falcons decision to extend Kaleb McGary? How do you feel about the $15M/yr, is it good value or an overpay?

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...tension-offensive-tackle-nfl-free-agency-2025

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons extend Kaleb McGary, Micah Parsons trade rumors: Tuesday Takes

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The Falcons extended Kaleb McGary, Micah Parsons trade rumors swirl, and James Pearce Jr. emerges as the villain the Falcons need. Kevin Knight and Tre’Shon Diaz address the latest news coming out of Atlanta, including some updates from training camp.

The Atlanta Falcons extended Kaleb McGary, Micah Parsons trade rumors swirl, and James Pearce Jr. emerges as the villain the Falcons need. Kevin Knight and Tre’Shon Diaz address the latest news coming out of Atlanta, including some updates from training camp. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of the Dirty Birds and Brews podcast!

You can also listen to all of our video shows in an audio-only podcast format, available on all your favorite podcast platforms or by using the player below.

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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 hope you enjoy the show! If you have comments, we’d love to hear them. Send them to us on Twitter (@FalcoholicLive), leave them below, or e-mail the show at [email protected].

Thanks for watching!

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...de-rumors-james-pearce-tuesday-takes-nfl-2025

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

What do the Falcons need to accomplish in preseason Week 1?

Preseason has always been ugly, but it’s gotten uglier over the past decade as teams stop viewing it as an essential part of the league calendar and start treating it as a way to get reserves and roster hopefuls a lot of run. Teams really don’t care about winning, many don’t play their starters at all, and secrecy-obsessed squads rarely use it to try out any wrinkles in their playbooks. It’s generally a slog aside from a handful of heroic efforts from players getting extended run and doing something with it.

So the Atlanta Falcons, viewed through that prism, have a limited number of tasks to accomplish in their preseason opener against the Detroit Lions. With Michael Penix and Kirk Cousins sitting and many others likely set to join them, the Falcons want to emerge from this week healthy, with a better idea of how position battles are proceeding, and knowing what roster tweaks they want to make, if any. Let’s talk a little more about those three items.

Stay healthy​

We can debate the merits of preseason reps all we want—I’m much more open to the idea that playing half or full games means something than “the starters get one drive”—but good health is still priority number one. Last year, the major injuries to DeMarcco Hellams and Bralen Trice impacted the trajectory of the Falcons season, with the team choosing to use significant draft capital and dollars to get Matthew Judon and sign Justin Simmons, both of whom had disappointing seasons by their standards. Particularly for players you intend to rely on, a preseason injury can derail things for a team.

Of course, health is out of the team’s control to some extent, but they’re going to elect to park most of their starters and cross their fingers with key reserves, and I hope that works.

Determine how to churn the bottom of the roster​

It sounds a bit cruel, but there are probably anywhere from five-to-fifteen players on this roster today who are going to struggle meaningfully in the first preseason game. If those players were already tabbed to be at the bottom of the 90 man roster, the Falcons will likely cut ties with a small number of those players

For a team with depth questions, it’s very well worth it to churn the bottom of the roster and bring in any players who might interest you, giving them a preseason game or two of runway to prove they belong on your practice squad. Demone Harris in 2023, Abdullah Anderson and MyCole Pruitt in 2022, and Luke Stocker in 2020 are all examples of players who signed after the first wave of training camp practices and/or the first preseason game and went on to have real roles for Atlanta, something that’s only possible when the team decides it’s had a long enough look at a player or two currently on the roster.

The Falcons won’t make sweeping changes to players 70-to-90 based on a single preseason game, but you shouldn’t be surprised if a young player who struggles exits the picture in favor of another rookie hanging out in free agency or a veteran known to the staff. It’s an unfortunate part of the business, but it’s in service of the Falcons building something a little stronger.

Start settling position battles​

It’s not often that one preseason game decides a battle, but separation can begin or accelerate based on a single effort. The Falcons will hope to get some limited clarity on key battles against the Lions.

Take kicker, for example. The Falcons will likely give Younghoe Koo and Lenny Krieg both run after Krieg has shown a strong leg but some inconsistency. If he fares better in game action, perhaps he can keep this battle burning. If not, a healthy Koo begins to sew this one up.

Or take wide receiver, where Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud, and KhaDarel Hodge are locks and Jamal Agnew and DJ Chark are likely strong bets. There may be one more spot on the roster with Mooney’s injury and two or three practice squad spots, but there are many players vying for that honor. David Sills, Chris Blair, and Nick Nash have been early camp standouts, so they have a real opportunity to shine catching lobs from Easton Stick and Emory Jones and start pushing others further down the depth chart.

And then there’s Stick and Jones, who are both hoping to make the case to be the team’s third quarterback if Kirk Cousins stays in Atlanta and backup to Penix if he’s eventually moved. Neither is guaranteed that spot with a flood of quarterbacks likely to be released at the end of the month, so they need strong performances not only to get a leg up on one another, but to stave off the axe when final cuts roll around.

Those battles will provide the closest thing to intrigue we’re likely to get from preseason, so buckle up to enjoy them, no matter how aimless the actual football is.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/atlan...alcons-need-to-accomplish-in-preseason-week-1

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Welcome to the new The Falcoholic: A fresh look, fewer ads and a new feature

Things will look a little different around here today.

A few weeks ago we told you something new was coming to The Falcoholic and today it’s here. Things are cleaner, faster and easier to use. There are the same writers, coverage, comments, and community you’ve come to rely on, now with less clutter and clunkiness.

Let’s dive in. If you scroll down the page on your phone or computer, it’s smoother. You’ll notice that the most talked-about stories have a bigger font displaying the number of comments. You’ll also see a section called Active Conversations to point you to the busiest conversations right now.

But there’s two changes we’re most excited to tell you about:

Fewer ads for logged-in users​

Our loyal readers and commenters are the heartbeat of our communities, and with this new design we’re excited to offer them fewer ads when they’re logged in. Specifically:

• Video players will no longer chase you down the page. Just scroll past one and it will be gone.
• Full page pop-ups that would sometimes interrupt your commenting experience have been disabled.

You can log in or sign up here and check it out.

A new feature by the community, for the community: The Feed​

Today we’re launching a brand new space for you to come together. The Feed is a running stream of posts and updates from you, the community, mixed in with links and updates from the team and our staff. Think of it as our community’s group text where you can easily grab your phone and share a link to a story, post a question or write your own post on the day’s news.

You can find it in two places:

• On the homepage, adjacent to the top stories. Community participation is core to who we are, so we want it right on the front page to share your stuff.
• A devoted homepage for The Feed where you can see the full stream of posts coming in from the community. You might want to bookmark that.

Log in or sign up here and you can start posting on The Feed and seeing fewer ads immediately.



Today’s launch is a big deal for our community, and it’s also a kickoff of broader efforts to build around the community we have here. Soon you’ll get alerts when someone replies to your comment or your post on The Feed, with more to come thereafter. We want to put the community in the driver’s seat, so let us know what you want in the comments below or in The Feed.

If you want to dig into more of this updated experience, head over to this post on sbnation.com from SB Nation’s Head of Product Ed Clinton, where he expands on the changes in our ads and design. Ed will be responding to questions in the comments. If you have any questions about how to log in to our new system, check out this article from last week.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/atlan...olic-a-fresh-look-fewer-ads-and-a-new-feature

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Jalon Walker, James Pearce, and Xavier Watts set to play Friday vs. Lions

The Atlanta Falcons will gear up to play the Detroit Lions Friday night without several players, as the team figures to park a significant number of starters and has a handful of injuries that will keep others out. We’ll still get to see three of the Falcons’ prized rookies, however.

After announcing earlier this week that James Pearce will make his fightin’, quarterbackin’ flusterin’ debut on Friday night, Raheem Morris told us Wednesday that Jalon Walker and Xavier Watts will also be out there. For what could be just a series but might be a half, then, we’ll get to see three significant building blocks of the Falcons defense in action against another NFL team. If nothing else, that should be fun.

Morris says LB JD Bertrand will be out today and for the game. #Falcons

— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 6, 2025

For Walker, it’ll be a chance to see what kind of role the Falcons are envisioning for him, with some clues coming from where he lines up in the limited look we’re likely to get. For Watts, it’ll be an opportunity to separate himself from Jordan Fuller and DeMarcco Hellams in what seems to be a genuine battle for starting duties. And for Pearce, it’ll be an opportunity to hit a quarterback in a “real” game, something I have no doubt he’s been itching to do.

The team likely won’t expose the prized rookies to anything approaching a full game or maybe even a full half, but it will be good to have them out there. That’s particularly true because we know we won’t be seeing a handful of others, including Troy Andersen (who is on the PUP list with no return timeline) and fellow inside linebacker JD Bertrand. Storm Norton is also working through a mild injury, meaning rookie Jack Nelson might be getting an extended look.

Morris says LB JD Bertrand will be out today and for the game. #Falcons

— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 6, 2025

We won’t have to wait that long to see the rookies in action, as Falcons-Lions kicks off at 7 p.m. EST on Friday night.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/atlan...-and-xavier-watts-set-to-play-friday-vs-lions

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons release their first preseason depth chart, so it’s time to overanalyze

Training camp is in full swing, and with each passing practice, we get more tangible information to sink our teeth into. Nothing is more delicious than the first depth chart of the preseason.

The Falcons just released their first depth chart of the 2025 preseason. It comes before the Falcons' preseason opener against the Lions on Friday (7 p.m. ET).

MORE: https://t.co/Pn2WSXaqzz

— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) August 6, 2025

Let’s start with the area that matters the most (to me), special teams!​

As expected, Jamal Agnew is currently holding down the return position, as he leads both the kick return and punt return sections of the depth chart. Behind him is Ray-Ray McCloud. McCloud has taken on these duties in the past, but after a 2024 season that saw his offensive role increase, the team seemed to want to lessen his load over the course of the season. McCloud is valuable, but was stretched thin, and that can lead to mistakes like his fumble against the Minnesota Vikings. Seeing how the team manages him in 2025 will be interesting.

It may have started as a competition, but by all accounts, Younghoe Koo is firmly in the driver’s seat to maintain his starting gig, and that is unlikely to change. This was one of the three storylines I highlighted last month, and I noted that Koo winning (based on merit) was the best outcome for the team. Lenny Krieg can work on his craft while not counting against the official practice squad, and the team has a succession plan for the future.

There’s a youth movement on defense​

The Falcons have made a lot of investments on the defensive side of the ball, and it appears that momentum is building for these players. 7/11 listed backups are either in the first or second year of their rookie deals. Ruke Orhorhoro is listed as a starter with Brandon Dorlus right behind him; both are above veterans Morgan Fox and Kentavius Street. Jordan Fuller and Dee Alford are holding off the Day 2 tandem of Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr., but for how long?

Admittedly, it is frustrating to see Zach Harrison listed as a backup, but this is only the preseason depth chart, and the staff has preached that rotations will be happening often. Let’s just hope they keep their word this year.

Lamar Jackson, listed as the immediate backup to A.J. Terrell, is the biggest surprise. Before camp started, few realized that the corner was even on the team, but he quickly made his presence known and has won favor with the staff early. Mike Ford at nickel corner back was also a bit of a surprise, as was Natrone Brooks listed on the outside. However, this goes back to a comment I made about not buying into Clark Phillips’ nickel hype, the nickels on this team are going to have to play the run, and Phillips and Brooks are two of the smaller DBs on the team.

No surprises on offense​

Things seem to be shaking out as expected. The bottom of the WR room is going to be a tight race, with David Sills, Casey Washington, D.J. Chark, and Chris Blair rounding out the room (Agnew will likely be safe due to his special teams contributions). This is the position group that will have my attention in the first preseason game.

Teagan Quitoriano appears to be the lead for TE3. He is currently listed behind Charlie Woerner while Feleipe Franks is behind Kyle Pitts. The Falcons need a legitimate blocking TE behind Woerner. The team had no answer for when he went down last year, and I am not convinced of Franks’ ability to fill that void. Quitoriano could be a nice offseason gem of an addition if he’s able to stay healthy.

Jovaughn Gwyn and Joshua Gray are battling it out for the reserve center role. Gwyn hasn’t shown much in his Falcons tenure, but winning this role would be big for his future job prospects in this league. The team could still add a veteran center after final cuts, but they would much rather find the answer internally.

Things are starting to come into form, but there’s still a way to go before an official depth chart is dropped. What stood out to you when looking over the first depth chart of the preseason?

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/atlan...season-depth-chart-so-its-time-to-overanalyze

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

How to watch Falcons – Lions preseason Week 1 tonight

Tonight marks the return of Atlanta Falcons football. Yes, the stakes are far lower than with a regular season game, many starters won’t play, and the quality of football is likely to be grim. It still counts!

If you’re tuning in tonight, here’s what you’ll want to know about when and how you can catch the game, whether you’re local or tuning in from a long way away. Let’s hope the Falcons leave the evening healthy and feeling good about their team!

Schedule & TV information​

Date: Friday, August 8

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Channel: FOX/FOX5

Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Announcers: TBA

Radio: 92.9 The Game & affiliates locally with Dave Archer and Wes Durham on the call; Sirius XM nationally

Online streaming​

The game will be available on FOX5’s website and app locally, as well as NFL+ nationally if you have a subscription.

Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook (preseason? really?)​

Social media links​

Falcoholic Facebook: Click here for our page

Twitter: Follow @TheFalcoholic

Live Show: The Falcoholic on YouTube

Podcast: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

2025 Atlanta Falcons schedule ​

PRESEASON WEEK 2: vs. Tennessee Titans, Friday, August 15, 7 p.m. EST

PRESEASON WEEK 3: at Dallas Cowboys, Friday, August 22, 8 p.m. EST

WEEK 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, September 7, 1 p.m. EST

WEEK 2: at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday Night Football, September 14, 8:20 p.m. EST

WEEK 3: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, September 21, 1 p.m. EST

WEEK 4: vs. Washington Commanders, Sunday, September 28, 1 p.m. EST

WEEK 5: BYE WEEK

WEEK 6: vs. Buffalo Bills, Monday Night Football, October 13, 7:15 p.m. EST

WEEK 7: at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday Night Football, October 19, 8:20 p.m. EST

WEEK 8: vs. Miami Dolphins, Sunday, October 26, 1 p.m. EST

WEEK 9: at New England Patriots, Sunday, November 2, 1 p.m. EST

WEEK 10: at Indianapolis Colts (Berlin), Sunday, November 9, 9:30 a.m. EST

WEEK 11: vs. Carolina Panthers, Sunday, November 16, 1 p.m. EST

WEEK 12: vs New Orleans Saints, Sunday, November 23, 4:25 p.m. EST

WEEK 13: at New York Jets, Sunday, November 30, 1 p.m. EST

WEEK 14: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, December 7, 1 p.m. EST

WEEK 15: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thursday Night Football, December 11, 8:15 p.m. EST

WEEK 16: at Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, December 21, 4:05 p.m. EST

WEEK 17: vs Los Angeles Rams, Monday Night Football, December 29, 8:15 p.m. EST

WEEK 18: at New Orleans Saints, Time and Date TBD

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/atlan...-watch-falcons-lions-preseason-week-1-tonight

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Bigger than Football: Falcons and Lions end game early after devastating injury

The game of football is beautiful. When played at its highest level, it’s a work of art. The crisp route running, the creative play designs, the split-second decisions. Every season, after months of anticipation, we get to watch that artistry unfold. It’s a time when people from all walks of life come together to celebrate the game they love.

But every so often, the sport reminds us of its other side. Beneath the beauty lies a violent reality, and moments arise that snap us back to it. Friday’s Atlanta Falcons–Detroit Lions game was one of those moments.

In the beginning stages of the fourth quarter, Lions safety Morice Norris went down after a routine tackle attempt, his head colliding with the upper leg of running back Nate Carter. He remained motionless on the turf as medical personnel rushed in. Minutes later, an ambulance carried Norris away. Undoubtedly, a frightening, sobering scene for everyone inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

If it was unsettling for fans, it was even more so for the players and coaches on the field. Yet from that fear came a different kind of beauty: The unity and camaraderie that define this sport at its best.

Once Norris was taken from the stadium, both teams agreed there would be no more football played that day. Falcons and Lions stood together in solidarity at midfield, honoring a fallen brother.

Powerful moment during the Falcons vs Lions game. Both teams come together in prayer after Lions CB Morice Norris left the field in an ambulance. The players are continuing to let the clock run out. pic.twitter.com/BXeFncdq31

— Carrie (@carrielynnxox) August 9, 2025

It was a moment born of despair, transformed into one of brotherhood. A reminder that while football can be unforgiving, its greatest strength is still the way it brings people together.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/atlan...lions-end-game-early-after-devastating-injury

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons – Lions preseason Week 1 instant recap: A scary injury and a somber ending

It was exactly what we thought it would be until it wasn’t. Mostly ugly, occasionally brilliant, and full of ups and downs, this was preseason football.

But preseason football is not hugely important, in the end, something the Falcons and the larger NFL have been driving home for years now by sitting starters and using it primarily to evaluate backups and decide roster battles. That all matters, but a scary injury late in this game underscored how heavy this game can be and how little a preseason game matters when a man’s health and future are in question.

When Lions cornerback Morice Norris was injured, potentially seriously, late in this one, the ambulance came out for him and the game stopped. Players were shaken up, coaches were shaken up, and media and fans were justifiably upset. When it came time to start things back up with most of the fourth quarter remaining, the Falcons and Lions decided not to play. They hiked the ball, huddled up, hugged and prayed, and let the clock run out until the NFL officially suspended the game. With Norris’s health unclear, emotions running high, and the fact that this is in the end just an exhibition game, the teams decided they didn’t want to continue. It’s hard to blame them.

I hope it doesn’t come across as callous for me to still publish the recap of the game we did watch, because it’s something I know we may want to revisit later. And for the game we did see? The Atlanta Falcons did some things that pained me—penalties and poor blocking, primarily—but they also had some huge plays on defense, nice stretches from the passing game, and intrigue from the kicker spot, even if it was short-lived. That will matter when the Falcons go to evaluate this roster heading into the second week of preseason, but that will all take a justified backseat to two anxious teams waiting for updates about Norris.

Here’s a looser-than-the-regular-season drive-by-drive recap of the game you either just watched or skipped because you had plans. Above everything else, we hope to get positive news about Norris soon.

1st Quarter​

The Falcons first drive was plagued by errors, and my computer was plagued by drops (I literally dropped it). We did see a risky Easton Stick ball go for 15 to David Sills, but Elijah Dotson couldn’t get much on the ground, Stick couldn’t escape pressure, and a fourth down hero ball went a little too far for Sills. Turnover on downs.

The Falcons defense made is interesting immediately. A tackle for a loss, pressure from Arnold Ebiketie on Hendon Hooker, and a Josh Woods forced fumble turned Dee Alford fumble recovery made the first defensive drive a massive success.

A three yard Elijah Dotson carry was called back and then some because of a Jack Nelson hold, as the rookie struggled early on. Four yards followed, and then Stick hit Dylan Drummond over the middle to make it fourth down and within Lenny Krieg field goal range. He boomed one home from 57 yards that might have been good from 62. 3-0 Falcons.

The Lions went nowhere on the first two plays, with Josh Woods flying to the ball on second down to stop things cold. On third down, the Falcons couldn’t keep Hooker in the pocket and he flew down the sideline for a big gain. Natrone Brooks then had tight coverage to prevent the completion on first down. On second down, the ball came in for Craig Reynolds and DeMarcco Hellams delivered a bone-jarring hit that helped knock the ball loose. Hellams was called for unnecessary roughness on the clean hit, but an offensive pass interference canceled it out. A six yard run made it third and manageable. A lapse in concentration by a Detroit receiver on a nice Hooker ball over the middle led to Hellams flying in for the hit and ensuring there was no completion.

Nate Carter took the first carry and picked up a yard. A Stick sideline ball to Carter just wasn’t caught despite being a quality throw. Stick then hit Drummond for seven yards, but the Falcons were deep in their own territory and Bradley Pinion came out to punt.

A first down carry to Craig Reynolds went for a loss thanks to Ta’Quon Graham, and then the next two plays picked up a combined five yards. Punt, but a Lamar Jackson penalty pinned Atlanta very deep after a nice 19 yard return from Dee Alford.

Another quick Dylan Drummond catch, a quick four yard pickup from Carter, and an incompletion from Stick to Blair over the middle led to a punt. Billy Bowman Jr. dropped the returner after just a three yard gain.

A seven yard gain was stopped by Jordan Fuller, and that brought us to the end of the quarter.

2nd Quarter​

The Lions kept moving, with a two yard Reynolds carry followed by a 9 yard pass to Jackson Meeks from Hooker. A 15 yard pass kept the Lions moving and knocking on the door of the red zone, but a pair of quick, unproductive plays was followed by Hooker escaping pressure and taking off, only to be stopped after three yards by Woods. A fourth down pass for a first seemed to lock the Lions in to a scoring drive, but Arnold Ebiketie changed things with a nice strip sack of Hooker, which Ta’Quon Graham scooped up to end things. Turnover!

A nowhere run by Dotson gave way to a missed deep strike erased by a roughing the passer call. Stick then found Drummond for 25 yards, before a Dotson loss and Josh Simon penalty put the Falcons in a rough spot. The Falcons escaped that trouble with another nice Stick to Drummond pass, but things stalled out from there and Pinion came on to punt. It rolled into the end zone for a touchback.

After an early penalty, the Falcons got absolutely destroyed by Jackson Meeks, who flew by defenders and picked up 68 yards on a pass from Kyle Allen. Allen then scrambled for eight yards before the Detroit back was stopped for no gain. Then Allen hit rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa for 11 yards and a touchdown working against Alford, giving the Lions their first lead in dispiriting fashion. Lions 7, Falcons 3.

Stick hit Falcoholic (okay, maybe just me) favorite Josh Simon for five yards to take us to the two minute warning. He followed it up with a great deep throw to Chris Blair for a first down and then some. Another swing pass to Drummond followed and got close to a first, and then Stick hit Blair again for an easy first down. He then got Simon again for four yards, and followed that up with a nice back of the end zone pass to Chris Blair for a touchdown. Beautiful, quick drive that gave the Falcons the lead back. Atlanta 10, Lions 7.

Kyle Allen tried to scramble a bit, but Brandon Dorlus helped knock the ball out of his hands, though Allen recovered. End of half.

3rd Quarter​

The Falcons quickly surrendered a field goal drive, with a Khalid Kareem sack and run stop and Natrone Brooks pressure keeping the damage relatively low despite a DeAngelo Malone roughing the passer penalty. 10-10 tie.

A solid Jesse Matthews return gave way to a one yard run from Jashaun Corbin. Then Emory Jones found Nick Nash for 14 yards, following that up with a scramble for nine yards. A fumble from Jones that Corbin recovered followed by a first down pass to Nash gave the team a chance to do something, but an incompletion to Jesse Matthews, 11 yard loss on a sack, and eight yard pass to Nash meant the Falcons had to settle for a field goal. This one Lenny Krieg missed wide left, unfortunately.

With Atlanta’s deep reserves in the game, the defensive effort continued to slide downhill. Allen had little trouble finding receivers until Detroit was very deep in Falcons territory, with the Falcons getting the Lions to fourth down before they bullied their way for a first down. Allen then hit Meeks for another touchdown, making it 17-10 Lions.

Emory Jones hit Quincy Skinner for 14 yards to end the quarter.

4th Quarter​

Nate Carter showed off a nice burst of speed to pick up eight yards on first down, but unfortunately, Lions cornerback Morice Norris was hurt on the tackle attempt. With Norris down and the ambulance coming out, players and coaches clearly made the very understandable decision to call the game, with the ball hiked and the clock running while the two teams came together to hug, talk, and pray. Ultimately, the NFL suspended the game with the clock running down on the fourth quarter, and the first preseason game for the Falcons came to a very somber end.

We’re thinking of Norris this evening, and while we’ll have plenty to talk about concerning the game in the days ahead, his health is everyone’s chief concern tonight.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/atlan...tant-recap-a-scary-injury-and-a-somber-ending

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Winners and losers from the Falcons preseason opener against the Lions

NFL Football is finally back and being played in Atlanta. Well, sort of. After the hype of training camp, we finally got to see the Falcons face off against another team when the Detroit Lions came to town for an exhibition.

We did not see the majority of starters suit up, and while preseason takes need to always be taken with a bit of a grain of salt, there were a number of players who took the field for the Falcons who are expected to be real contributors this season (at least on the defensive side of the ball).

This time of year may represent the final appetizers provided for NFL fans as we patiently wait for the main course to hit the table in September, but it is the main event for some on the roster bubble who are jousting for their spot on the 53 man, or who are trying to showcase themselves for a chance elsewhere.

Let’s take a look at some winners and losers from Atlanta’s first preseason game against the Lions.

---

Winners​

The defensive line​

While presumed veteran starters David Onyemata and Leonard Floyd did not suit up, it felt like the majority of players expected to be real rotational players along this unit were sent out for live game reps, including first round picks James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker, as well as former second rounders Ruke Orhorhoro and Arnold Ebikete.

Facing the Lions’ backups, the hope was to see dominance from the line and that was delivered. Ebikete, Brandon Dorlus and Khalid Kareem (all of whom have gotten some rotation in with the first team defense during training camp just about every day) secured sacks, while inside linebacker Josh Woods and defense tackle Ta’Quon Graham had additional tackles for loss.

Dorlus, Ebikete and Woods each forced a fumble while Dorlus was right in the middle of a separate play which resulted in an early takeaway as well. James Pearce faced double teams and extra chips all game, resulting in a quieter night but a lack of attention for his teammates while Ruke got real push up the middle plenty of times.

Top-5 #Falcons PFF Defensive Grades vs. Lions (Preseason)

1. LB Arnold Ebiketie – 94.6
2. EDGE Brandon Dorlus – 92.2
3. LB Josh Woods – 91.2
4. LB Khalid Kareem – 76.1
5. EDGE James Pearce Jr. – 75.1

— Evan Birchfield (@EvanBirchfield) August 9, 2025

Easton Stick and his top targets​

With Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins on ice, former Los Angeles Chargers backup Easton Stick saw the majority of action and he looked surgical at times.

Stick went an overall 15/18 for 149 passing yards, one touchdown, no interceptions and a 119.7 passer rating as he made the most of an opportunity surrounded by others on the offense who are looking to showcase themselves for a possible roster spot.

One such player was his favorite target, Dylan Drummond, who had not made much noise in camp up to this point, but was loud as hell on this night. Drummond caught eight of Stick’s 15 completions for a team-high 53 yards and was targeted relentlessly, hauling in a catch every time Stick looked his way.

Chris Blair, meanwhile, made a heck of an impression on Atlanta’s only touchdown drive of the game, right before the half. Blair secured all three of his receptions on that possession alone, accounting for 54 out of Atlanta’s 70 yards. This included a one-on-one catch over Lions CB Dicaprio Bootle down the sideline for 29 yards, and the team’s lone touchdown while being interfered with by safety Erick Hallert.

Top-5 #Falcons PFF Offensive Grades vs. Lions (Preseason)

1. WR Chris Blair – 91.3
2. WR Quincy Skinner Jr. – 87.9
3. WR Nick Nash – 82.1
4. RG Kyle Hinton – 80.5
5. QB Easton Stick – 75.4

— Evan Birchfield (@EvanBirchfield) August 9, 2025

Both Blair and Drummond are major players for that final wide receiver roster spot, and both have now made their mark. Stick, meanwhile, is the leader for the third QB spot behind Penix and Cousins. Last year, the Falcons went into the season with just two QBs, if they make that same decision again Stick feels destined for a Practice Squad invite.

Mercedes Benz Stadium Emergency Medical Services​

The main headlines from this game have nothing to do with the football that was played on the field, but rather the incredibly scary situation which resulted in a premature stoppage of play.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Lions safety Morice Norris’ head collided with running back Nathan Carter’s knee on a tackle attempt which resulted in a very severe looking injury. Norris was stretchered into a deployed ambulance and taken to Grady Hospital, while players on both sides of the field came together and decided to run the clock out.

Lions cornerback Morice Norris had to be put on a stretcher in an ambulance after a head injury he suffered during their preseason game

The Lions and Falcons decided to stop playing and let the clock run out and gathered together to pray at midfield pic.twitter.com/PctfXJ6mhw

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 9, 2025

We received a relieving update later into the night that Morris was in stable condition with movement present in all of his extremities as the EMS team and doctors at Grady did their jobs in helping overcome what could have been a true catastrophe.

At the end of the day, this is a sobering reminder that these players really do risk everything every time they take the field, and thankfully Norris came out of this “all good” according to his Instagram update the next morning.

An update on IG from Lions DB Morice Norris: pic.twitter.com/hudxKYnzXC

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 9, 2025

Losers​

The secondary against Kyle Allen​

Lions backup quarterback Hendon Hooker was under constant duress and couldn’t get much going outside of his final drive, which still resulted in a fumble after getting into the red zone. While the secondary allowed a 70% completion rate, the passes didn’t go too far downfield with a meager 3.8 yards per attempt mark.

When Kyle Allen came into the game in relief, the secondary started getting toasted. Allen’s first official pass (not counting the one that was wiped out for holding) was a 68-yard bomb to rookie Jackson Meeks, who absolutely torched cornerback Lamar Jackson down the middle of the field.

Three plays later, Allen found rookie Isaac TeSlaa in the end zone for a touchdown over the one-on-one coverage of Dee Alford. Jackson is a presumed favorite to make the roster as the primary backup at outside corner behind starters AJ Terrell and Mike Hughes, while Alford is currently in line to be the team’s Day 1 starter at nickel corner. Seeing them get beaten back by a combination of a QB3 and rookies on this drive was rather discouraging.

Overall, Allen went 7/8 for 120 passing yards, two touchdowns and a perfect passer rating of 158.3. Given that everyone from the Falcons secondary was out there for it except for Terrell, Hughes, Jessie Bates and DeMarcco Hellams (whom I think was pulled after a stellar showing early in the game), this is a reminder that the secondary depth is a point of real concern.

The backup offensive line​

None of Atlanta’s starters along the offensive line were were in uniform and neither was primary swing tackle Storm Norton, allowing the coaching staff to get a real look at the unit’s depth.

The majority of them did not give a good impression. While the pass blocking was fine and the quarterbacks were able to get loose a little bit (two sacks and two QB hits were what was allowed) the run blocking was catastrophic. Jashaun Corbin and especially Nathan Carter found no room to work with, as the Falcons had 11 carries for just 22 rushing yards as a team. Most of this was not the fault of any of the running backs.

Guard Kyle Hinton had a good game according to PFF with a grade over 80, but that’s about where the bright spots end. Rookie Jack Nelson especially had a very tough time of it in his first professional game, giving up one of those sacks and getting pushed back multiple times in the run game.

This may not matter too much as long as Hinton can be serviceable as a swing guard, with Norton a proven commodity at swing tackle, but backup center could be a huge concern if Ryan Neuzil were to miss time, and things could get bad if multiple starters along the unit were to go down at the same time (which is what we saw last year when Drew Dalman and Kaleb McGary went on IR during a similar point early in the season).

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/atlan...he-falcons-preseason-opener-against-the-lions

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons – Lions preseason recap: A promising beginning but a tough ending

The Atlanta Falcons have one preseason game in the books, and as always with preseason, the result doesn’t matter at all.

What typically matters are the individual performances and the moments from key reserves and would-be starters, and we got some interesting ones Friday night that we’ll discuss below. But what ended up really mattering Friday night was the health of cornerback Morice Norris, who was injured and taken to a hospital by ambulance. The injury was scary enough for those of us at home and in the stands, but for Falcons and Lions players and coaches, it was far more sober and difficult to watch a teammate and friend suffer and possibly have his life changed forever, which is why Dan Campbell and Raheem Morris ultimately agreed to run out the clock on the game without playing further.

That obviously is the headline of this game for good reason, especially until we know what’s going on with Norris more fully. Down below that are the performances themselves, which featured a strong defensive beginning, standouts stretches for the offense, and plenty of players trying to generate a little momentum as they battle for jobs. This week’s joint practices and scrimmages with the Titans and the subsequent preseason game will help reinforce or unfortunately undercut those performances, but they are a real start as this team takes on the daunting task of evaluating its roster and cutting it down at the end of the month.

On to the full recap, and we continue to hope Norris is okay.

The Good​

• There’s nothing good about an injury like Norris’, but the way both teams supported eachother warrants a mention here. I know we don’t know how this season will turn out, and we don’t know how Raheem Morris will fare in critical late situations requiring thoughtful time management after last year. What we do know is that Morris, like Lions head coach Dan Campbell, are always talked about as quality people for good reasons, something Friday night underscored. Campbell praised Morris as a class act for agreeing to stop playing after Morice Norris was injured, but there was never really any question of Morris and these Falcons choosing otherwise. That led to a rare, moving stretch where the clock ran down and the two teams simply comforted one another in a moment where it was sorely needed, when they weren’t certain Norris was going to be okay and weren’t sure taking the field again to play was the right thing to do.
  
  In those tough moments, people show you who they are, and Morris and Campbell made it obvious why so many around the NFL regard them so highly, whether the records are great or not. Like us, I’m sure they’re anxious to get good news about Norris this morning, and I hope we all do. Last night’s positive update from Dan Campbell was, at least, a small relief.
• Lenny Krieg may not get a real chance to unseat Younghoe Koo before the season; the fact that Krieg didn’t kick during Wednesday’s scrimmage and Koo wasn’t in this game suggests the competition is all but over. That doesn’t mean Krieg is just going to go away, however, as he absolutely boomed a 57 yarder in the first quarter that was good right down the middle with yards to spare. He missed one wide left from 53 yards in the third quarter, and those miscues show why he won’t knock Koo off now. The leg talent is clearly there, though, and it’s why the Falcons will stash him on the practice squad this year and hope more time and more refinement can have him really pushing Koo in 2026.
• The defense looked incredibly aggressive and physical early on, with Josh Woods delivering multiple quality tackles and forcing a fumble while DeMarcco Hellams went out there to end plays decisively and did so. Even on a long, frustrating second quarter drive, the Falcons capped things off in the right fashion with Arnold Ebiketie’s strip sack and Ta’Quon Graham’s recovery. There will be a lot of uneven play from this defense this year, given their youth and mixed talent level, but the kind of aggression we saw Friday night bodes extremely well for their chances of erasing mistakes with big plays, especially because it wasn’t all true backups out there.
• The defensive front had some great moments, in general. Ebiketie bullied Lions backups as you’d expect, but so did Khalid Kareem, who continues to shine whenever he’s given opportunities for Atlanta. Ditto Brandon Dorlus, who delivered a sack and forced a fumble of his own by being a relentless pain, with Ruke Orhorhoro’s own pursuit helping to enable that last play. There’ll be a heavy rotation up front, as we know, so seeing several young players set to have major roles faring well is good sign.
• It was an inconsistent but positive day for James Pearce, who the Lions made a point of stonewalling with multiple blockers. It’s only preseason, but if Pearce warrants that kind of treatment, it bodes well for others on the defense when he gets it and bodes well for Pearce’s havoc-wreaking ability if he does not.
• I thought Natrone Brooks had a quality night, a must for a player fighting to make the roster outright instead of being relegated to the practice squad again. He has shown a knack for generating pressure and delivering timely tackles that this team could use from its corners, especially on a night where others struggled.
• Josh Woods is exactly the kind of player who needed a good night, as he’s competing for a possible single spot on the roster at inside linebacker and needs to stand out. Forcing a fumble and delivering a couple of key tackles on defense with a reputation as a quality special teamer can only help his cause.
• Dylan Drummond is in the same boat. A bit of an afterthought in a tight WR6 battle heading into the day, Drummond showed a good rapport with Easton Stick and good hands, leading all receivers on Friday night and consistently showing up over the middle of the field. If he can build on that, he’ll at least have a very strong case for a practice squad spot when the dust settles on this roster.
• Chris Blair was probably ahead of Drummond and Nick Nash, who also had a productive day even if it came later in the evening, and who is one of the handful of guys truly competing for a last roster spot at receiver. But Blair has been a preseason head-turner in the past and did it again Friday night, reeling in the game’s lone Atlanta touchdown from Stick and finished as the team’s second-leading receiver. Given that he’s played a role on special teams in the past and keeps showing he can be a productive pass catcher in the summertime, he’s virtually guaranteed a practice squad spot and should keep pushing for WR6.
• I liked what I saw from Atlanta’s returner options. Dee Alford had a nice punt return called back owing to a penalty, and both Natrone Brooks and Jesse Matthews showed good instincts. Alford and Brooks, in particular, can only increase their chances of sticking with special teams value.
• We’ll finish things off with Easton Stick, who came into this game as the favorite for third quarterback duties and did everything he could to cement it. After a very risky throw early on and a little shakiness in the pocket, he overcame a couple of drops to catch fire the rest of the first half, connecting over and over again with Dylan Drummond (eight receptions) and later Chris Blair (a touchdown) to set up two scoring drives and lob a touchdown pass. Stick showed with the Chargers that he’s more than the sum of his parts, and against a talented group of Detroit backups, did plenty to suggest he’s a capable third quarterback in this league.
  
  And the crazy part is that despite how well Stick played, Emory Jones is still in this competition and playing pretty well, as minus a bad sack he showed a nice rapport with Nick Nash and showed off his wheels on a productive scramble. I think Stick wins this battle, but Jones can build off this to land on the practice squad here or elsewhere.

The Ugly​

• The offensive line was heavily reserves, and that went about as you’d expect. The pass protection got a little better for Stick in particular, but Jack Nelson had real struggles early on and the ground game simply couldn’t get going outside of a couple solid Nate Carter runs primarily because the run blocking was so poor. The Falcons have one of the best run blocking lines in the NFL, but their depth outside of Storm Norton and maybe Kyle Hinton suggests they’d better stay healthy.
• The cracks started to show in the defense fairly early, with some loss of containment and coverage shakiness, but it really showed up late in the second quarter against the secondary in particular. Jackson Meeks simply smoked Falcons defenders en route to a 68 yard gain, and then Kyle Allen found Isaac TeSlaa in the end zone and got him up and over Dee Alford for a touchdown after Alford was a tick late arriving. After the early aggression and two turnovers, the result was discouraging, but a reminder that we’ll see some ups and downs and that the cornerback group is really not settled just yet. It’ll be worth keeping a close eye on Alford and Billy Bowman next week.
• It’s tough to watch critical mistakes for players who have a real shot of sticking or starting, so I did not enjoy Jack Nelson’s penalty and early pressure, Alford and Lamar Jackson having their scuffles in coverage, or Nate Carter simply failing to reel in a catchable ball from Stick. None of those mistakes are likely to be fatal on their own, but in a very competitive environment, they don’t help.
• Injuries really suck, man. I was hoping to leave the evening grateful to have the Falcons avoiding any significant injuries, and blessedly they did, but Norris’s injury was scary enough to cast a pall over the entire evening. As unrealistic as it may be, I hope we can make it through the rest of preseason without anyone suffering a significant injury. It can’t hurt to hope.

The Wrapup​

Game MVP​

I wouldn’t say anyone gets MVP honors for a preseason game, but Easton Stick, Dylan Drummond, Chris Blair, DeMarcco Hellams, Josh Woods, and Brandon Dorlus are among those deserving a nod and thumbs up. Also once again, kudos to both teams for their end of game decision, which could not have been easy.

One Takeaway​

While Stick and Hellams were among those who made a big push to sew up roster spots, I doubt this evening was particularly decisive for the coaching staff in terms of who is winning starting jobs and who is actually making the team. The importance of momentum for the likes of Drummond, Blair, Hellams, Woods, and Brooks is obvious, because two impressive preseason games in a row starts to tell a compelling story.

Next Week​

The Titans come to town for joint practices and the second preseason game. You can check out Music City Miracles for more about Tennessee ahead of the matchup!

Final Word​

Oneweekdownandtheseasonisclose.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/atlan...ng-dylan-drummond-easton-stick-brandon-dorlus

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Blair the Horns! Chris Blair scores first TD for Falcons in 2025

The Atlanta Falcons offense was obviously feeling left out, so they brought out their special weapon: Chris Blair. Easton Stick and the Falcons offense went 70 yards in six plays, including three targets to Blair, to perfectly execute their two-minute drill. Blair reeled in all three targets for 55 yards, ending with a beautiful over-the-shoulder grab despite defensive pass interference from safety Erick Hallett.

Corner ball to Chris Blair!@_got11reasons FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/MS27xeaWaW

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 9, 2025

Stick’s performance in the first half put up some impressive numbers, bolstered mostly from the final drive, where he went 6-for-6 for 70 yards, including the Blair touchdown. Stick found Dylan Drummond a team-high eight times on eight targets for 62 yards, including a 25-yard catch-and-run to get the Falcons into Detroit territory in the middle of the 2nd quarter.

With the run game not giving much help, seven carries for four yards, Stick had to carry much of the brunt of moving the offense down the field. With the touchdown drive, he put a nice exclamation point on a good first-half performance before his competition, Emory Jones, takes the field.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/atlan...ris-blair-scores-first-td-for-falcons-in-2025

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons – Lions preseason Week 1 snap counts

The Atlanta Falcons only played three quarters Friday night, but there were plenty of snaps to go around. Apologies for how late these are coming in this week, but join me for a snap counts journey regardless.

Offense​

Jovaughn Gwyn: 38

Jack Nelson: 38

Elijah Wilkinson: 36

Kyle Hinton: 36

Brandon Parker: 36

Easton Stick: 28

Dylan Drummond: 25

Jesse Matthews: 23

Josh Simon: 18

Elijah Dotson: 16

Nikola Kalinic: 15

Chris Blair: 15

Jashaun Corbin: 14

David Sills: 13

Casey Washington: 13

Emory Jones: 10

DJ Chark: 10

Nick Nash: 10

Feleipe Franks: 8

Nate Carter: 8

Quincy Skinner: 2

Tyrone Wheatley: 2

Matthew Cindric: 2

Josh Gray: 2

---

The Falcons reserve offensive line was a mix of shaky-ish run blocking (Jovaughn Gwyn, Elijah Wilkinson), poor pass blocking (Jack Nelson, Kyle Hinton), and just poor play (Brandon Parker). That’s not an inspiring mix, especially because Nelson is the only new face here, but this group will have two more games to tune up. Wilkinson and Hinton in particular have a track record of solid play, at least, and Nelson did settle in a bit as the game wore on.

We didn’t get a great look at any of the backs vying for a role, but in limited action Carter looked fast and Dotson had some game carries. The fact that Carlos Washington is A) listed as RB3 and B) did not play suggests the three backs behind him on the roster are battling for a practice squad spot, but we’ll see if that assumption is borne out by playing time against the Titans.

Stick had a good game, obviously, but Drummond and Blair’s play was well worth highlighting. Both players are no strangers to the Falcons practice squad, which already gives them a little boost in their battle to cling to the roster or PS once again, but the fact that both looked really good out there had to help their cases considerably. Drummond catching everything in sight

I’ll be quite interested to see how the Falcons elect to divvy up their snaps in the second preseason game after getting little more than a passing look at their third-string offensive linemen and interesting young players like Skinner, Jones, and Nash; whether they roll out earlier against the Titans will likely tell us a lot about whether they have a realistic shot to push their way past the likes of Stick, Drummond, and Blair.

Defense​

Lamar Jackson: 42

DeAngelo Malone: 41

Natrone Brooks: 31

Josh Woods: 31

Ruke Orhorhoro: 24

Jordan Fuller: 23

Cobee Bryant: 23

Billy Bowman: 21

Xavier Watts: 21

Kentavius Street: 20

Khalid Kareem: 19

Jalon Walker: 19

Ta’Quon Graham: 19

DeMarcco Hellams: 18

James Pearce: 18

Arnold Ebiketie: 17

Nick Kubitz: 17

Josh Thompson: 17

Henry Black: 17

Zach Harrison: 17

Caleb Johnson: 14

Brandon Dorlus: 13

LaCale London: 13

Mike Ford: 10

Dee Alford: 9

Morgan Fox: 8

Simeon Barrow: 6

---

Your standouts were readily apparent on Friday night. Josh Woods was a run-stopping machine, Brandon Dorlus was a terror, Ruke Orhorhoro continues to look like a pressure-generating machine after a strong camp, and DeMarcco Hellams delivered hits so potent that my TV rattled. Overall, it was a strong start for Atlanta’s defense, with multiple turnovers and big plays.

The secondary had some issues, however. Cobee Bryant, Dee Alford, Xavier Watts, and Lamar Jackson all had their adventures in coverage, and given that Billy Bowman, Natrone Brooks, and Hellams all had strong days, that could be meaningful very soon. Expectations should be relatively modest for Bryant and Watts in their debuts, but Alford in particular and Jackson to a lesser extent have been around, so it’s not ideal that they had some glaring miscues. Alford did recover a fumble and Jackson looked really solid as a run defender, so it wasn’t a total lost cause.

DeAngelo Malone did not have a terrible overall and got an extended look in what’s likely to be his last chance with the Falcons, but missed tackles continue to be a major problem for him, as he missed two attempts on Friday. If a final spot on this roster comes down to him and Khalid Kareem—which is not a given—Kareem’s continued strong preseason performances ought to push him over the top.

Special teams​

Caleb Johnson: 14

Natrone Brooks: 10

Khalid Kareem: 9

Nick Kubitz: 8

DeMarcco Hellams: 8

Arnold Ebiketie: 8

Lamar Jackson: 8

Billy Bowman: 7

Jashaun Corbin: 7

David Sills: 7

Lenny Krieg: 6

Nikola Kalinic: 6

Jordan Fuller: 6

Liam McCullough: 6

Dee Alford: 6

Josh Simon: 5

Chris Blair: 5

Elijah Dotson: 5

Josh Thompson: 5

Dylan Drummond: 4

Nate Carter: 3

Quincy Skinner: 3

Jack Nelson: 3

Brandon Dorlus: 3

Kyle Hinton: 3

Jovaughn Gwyn: 3

DeAngelo Malone: 3

Josh Woods: 3

Elijah Wilkinson: 3

Brandon Parker: 3

Tyrone Wheatley: 3

Jalon Walker: 2

Cobee Bryant: 2

Casey Washington: 2

LaCale London: 2

Ta’Quon Graham: 2

Feleipe Franks: 2

Henry Black: 2

Xavier Watts: 1

Ruke Orhorhoro: 1

Zach Harrison: 1

Jesse Matthews: 1

Morgan Fox: 1

Kentavius Street: 1

---

If you’re a borderline guy, it’s a good sign that you’re playing a lot on special teams. Caleb Johnson is one such player, given that Atlanta’s final inside linebacker/safety tend to stick around solely based on special teams value and he logged a team-high number of snaps in the third phase. He’s a good, proven special teamer, too, and is likely vying for a spot against Josh Woods (who had an excellent day on defense) and Nick Kubitz. Corbin, Sills, Kalinic, and Jackson also will get a boost to their chances of hanging around if they continue to log real special teams snaps in preseason and fare well.

Bowman had a terrific day with a pair of special teams tackles, and even if Alford beats him out for the nickel role, the rookie should be active and very useful because of his value there.

Krieg showed off his potent leg on one attempt and then missed a much easier one, but will likely kick all preseason long as the Falcons look to get him reps. At the end of the day, the Falcons will likely look to put him on the practice squad as their International Pathways Program player, but whether they can get him through waivers at cutdown is still a bit of an open question.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/atlan...10/falcons-lions-preseason-week-1-snap-counts