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Falcons Fascinating Duo: QB Coach Sees Promising Results With Atlanta Rookies

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Falcons Fascinating Duo: QB Coach Sees Promising Results With Atlanta Rookies


Coaches typically can see a connection between gamers earlier than the prospects realize it. Jordan Palmer stated he knew that the additions of Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London and quarterback Desmond Ridder can be a particular bond. 

Desmond Ridder

Desmond Ridder

Desmond Ridder

Desmond Ridder

Desmond Ridder

London, the eighth general choose within the draft, texted Palmer following Ridder’s choice within the third spherical with a easy message. 

“We acquired our man,” stated London. “I used to be enthusiastic about that.”

Palmer agreed with the sentiment nicely earlier than the 2 started to work drills at OTAs in Flowery Department earlier this month. 

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“I like Drake London as an NFL receiver, his catch radius, (his capacity to) go up and get it. You’re creating different locations to throw,” Palmer stated in an interview with The Athletic. “That man may look coated, however he’s not coated if I throw it right here. That matches very well with what Desmond did in school.”

Gamers who be part of rosters that mirror their collegiate manufacturing typically discover the transition to the professionals a way more relaxed journey. At Cincinnati, Ridder relied closely on receiver Alec Pierce, one of many FBS’ high choices by way of contested catches. 

Pierce, a 6-3, 218-pound receiver for the Indianapolis Colts, served because the Bearcats’ No. 1 possibility within the passing assault. Final season, he led all Group of 5 receivers in contested catches with 11. 

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London, a 6-3, 212-pounder from USC, led the nation in contested catches with 18 regardless of being restricted to 9 video games in his closing season with the Trojans. 

“The best way that Drake performs above 7 toes off the bottom, it’s wingspan, it’s additionally leaping capacity, hand-eye coordination and his capacity to regulate, these issues, these are straightforward throws to get good at making for any quarterback,” Palmer stated.

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Palmer, who runs the QB Summit all through the offseason, linked with Ridder after his junior season. One factor that hampered Ridder’s manufacturing to start his Bearcat profession was his accuracy charge and common yard per try. After the 2020 season, his passer effectivity raiting hovered round 152.9 whereas his yards per try have been at 6.7. 

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Drake London

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Drake London

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Drake London

The effectivity charge went up by six %, in accordance with Professional Soccer Reference. The yards per try doubled by almost two yards, now ranging round 8.6 yards. Palmer stated Ridder’s largest power all through the method was his competitiveness and willingness to be taught. 

“He’s a real competitor, not (simply) in soccer however in all the things that he does,” Palmer stated. “Not everyone is that means. Not all these guys are like that. There are quite a lot of quarterbacks who will compete in football-related issues, however they don’t eat that wholesome, they’re not that disciplined with their exercise schedule or their sleep or their restoration or no matter their vices are.” 

The Falcons return to the second section of OTAs on Wednesday, June 1. 



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Atlanta, GA

Falcons Regain NFC South Lead, Control Playoff Destiny as Bucs Lose to Cowboys

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Falcons Regain NFC South Lead, Control Playoff Destiny as Bucs Lose to Cowboys


ATLANTA — As if the Atlanta Falcons’ Sunday couldn’t get any better, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland gave Atlanta an early Christmas present.

But only after stealing one from Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White.

Leading 26-24 inside of two minutes to play, the Cowboys’ defense needed a stand Sunday night — and Bland stripped the ball from White’s grasp, forcing a game-sealing turnover.

Tampa Bay entered Sunday leading the NFC South by one game over Atlanta, but the Falcons (8-7) dominated the Giants (2-13), taking a 34-7 victory Sunday afternoon inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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Coupled with the Buccaneers’ loss, Atlanta and Tampa Bay now share the same 8-7 record — but since the Falcons swept the season series, they own the tiebreaker. Thus, Atlanta leads the NFC South through 16 weeks.

The Falcons controlled the division for much of the early part of the season before losing control in Week 14, when they reached the end of their four-game losing streak while Tampa Bay had won three consecutive games.

Atlanta, which led the NFC South by two games in mid-November and held the division lead entering December, now merely has to win out to secure its first NFC South title since 2016 and its first playoff trip since 2017.

The Falcons close the season with a Sunday Night Football road game against the Washington Commanders (10-5) on Dec. 29 before hosting the Carolina Panthers (4-11) in the finale Jan. 5.

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Tampa Bay, meanwhile, hosts the Panthers and New Orleans Saints (5-9, pending Monday night game) to finish the campaign.

The Buccaneers have a 52% chance to win the NFC South compared to the Falcons’ 48% chance, according to The Athletic‘s playoff projections model.

But ultimately, the only number that matters to Atlanta is two — the Falcons’ magic number, as any combination of their own wins or Buccaneers losses that equates to two sends Atlanta to the postseason.

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Michael Penix Jr. shines in Atlanta Falcons’ debut victory over New York Giants | NFL on FOX Pod

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Michael Penix Jr. shines in Atlanta Falcons’ debut victory over New York Giants | NFL on FOX Pod


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Dave Helman sits down to recap the Atlanta Falcons’ victory over the New York Giants! Within the conversation, Helman reacts to Michael Penix Jr.’s debut and explains why he had an impressive performance for the Falcons!

1 HOUR AGO・the nfl on fox podcast・6:13



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Falcons Risers, Fallers: Buy Stock in Michael Penix Jr. After Win vs. Giants

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Falcons Risers, Fallers: Buy Stock in Michael Penix Jr. After Win vs. Giants


ATLANTA — After falling behind by a touchdown early in the second quarter, the Atlanta Falcons (8-7) scored 34 unanswered points to close out Sunday’s 34-7 victory over the New York Giants (2-13) inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Atlanta has eclipsed seven wins for the first time since 2017, and it now enters the final two games of the regular season with a shot at the postseason — and with a jolt of energy from rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Here’s who’s rising and falling after the Falcons’ victory …

QB Michael Penix Jr.

The consensus from Atlanta’s side postgame on Penix: He played well.

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Rookie quarterbacks can go either way in their debut. Penix was solid, completing 18-of-27 passes for 202 yards, no touchdowns and an interception that bounced out of tight end Kyle Pitts’ hands and into the arms of Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott.

Consider Sunday a success for Penix, who provided no reason to stop dreaming.

OLB Matt Judon

Judon’s season overall hasn’t been what many expected when Atlanta sent a third-round pick to the New England Patriots for his services in August, but he’s turned a corner lately — and played his best game of the season Sunday.

The 32-year-old Judon collected one sack, two quarterback hits, a pass deflection and returned an interception 27 yards to the endzone for his first career touchdown.

Judon wore plenty of blame when he was struggling. He deserves similarly strong credit when he plays at the level he did Sunday.

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ILB Kaden Elliss

Elliss is the only player in the NFL with a sack in each of the last four consecutive weeks, according to the Falcons’ communication staff. He was excellent Sunday, logging a team-high seven tackles and two quarterback hits.

The 6’2″, 238-pound Elliss notched one sack — a forced fumble that was recovered by outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie and gave Atlanta’s offense the ball in plus-territory.

Since inserting Elliss into the pass rushing plan more frequently, the Falcons’ pass rush — and defense as a whole — has made considerable strides.

TE Kyle Pitts

Pitts was targeted only twice — one went for seven yards, and the other led to Penix’s interception on a pass that hit his hands.

After a four-catch game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15, Pitts failed to carry that production back home. He now has one or fewer receptions in four of the Falcons’ last five games and five of their last seven.

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Evidently, Pitts’ minimal production since the calendar flipped to November wasn’t solely due to quarterback Kirk Cousins.

There really isn’t much to complain about regarding Atlanta’s performance. Perhaps a slow start? A missed field goal from kicker Riley Patterson, who responded by making his other two field goals and all four extra points?

For the first time this season, there’s only one faller.

The Falcons return to action at 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, against the Washington Commanders inside Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.



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