Atlanta, GA
Former Ohio State 3rd-Round Pick is Candidate for Atlanta Falcons’ Breakout Player
![Former Ohio State 3rd-Round Pick is Candidate for Atlanta Falcons’ Breakout Player Former Ohio State 3rd-Round Pick is Candidate for Atlanta Falcons’ Breakout Player](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6241,h_3510,x_1067,y_125/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/falcon_report/01j6j1t3q3327s3nkm9s.jpg)
With the influx of offseason additions, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Zach Harrison looks poised to enjoy a breakout season in 2024. After serving as an apprentice, the second-year pass rusher will start at defensive end, a spot vacated by the departure of Calais Campbell.
Now, the former Ohio State product will enjoy hundreds of reps and opportunities to make a splash. Hidden among larger names, Harrison can play without the constraints of expectation.
342
The above-mentioned number represents the total number of defensive snaps that Zach Harrison played during the 2023 season. Also, 342 figures out to thirty-two percent of the Atlanta defensive snaps. Basically, as a rookie, he toiled in a rotation that saw more sitting than actual rotation.
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As a result, even though he stood there will a full gas tank due to the rotation, Harrison waited his turn behind veterans and needed to bide his time. Meanwhile, he made the most of the limited carries, tallying three sacks and four tackles for loss – all in his final three games.
Approach
Standing six-foot-five and weighing 275 pounds, Harrison blends length, quickness and power to make plays. For example, with his arm length, he keeps clean, allowing for a quicker disengage. Against the run, this helps with setting the edge to the outside and knifing inside.
At the same time, those arms facilitate rather effective rip and swim moves when trying to get to the quarterback. Most importantly, Harrison’s motor should definitely excite Falcons fans. You will rarely see defensive ends either backside pursue or funnel down the line to make plays in the boundary, like this.
The Combination
Grady Jarrett, a Falcons constant for nine seasons, enters his tenth with an understudy. Now, in all honesty, Harrison’s game greatly differs from the Falcons legend. Jarrett uses leverage due to his lack of height. Furthermore, he uses burst and footwork to separate from the blocker.
Despite physiological differences, the veteran will mentor Harrison. Football contains intangibles that will not show up on the scoresheet. For instance, setting up rush moves that will keep blockers guessing. Unless you possess the spin move of Dwight Freeney or Derrick Thomas’s ability to bend the corner, the need for a wide moveset exists.
If you watch this season, notice the differences in Harrison’s game due to Jarrett’s influence. Now, on the field, the presence of a disruptive defensive tackle makes anyone on the edge immediately better. If Harrison plays the entire season with a healthy Jarrett, look for him to not only double his 2023 sack totals but triple the number of his tackles for loss.
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Atlanta, GA
Kamala Harris campaigning in Georgia beyond Atlanta
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Atlanta, GA
Raheem Morris shares Week 1 plan for Matthew Judon, Justin Simmons
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It’s been a couple weeks since one of the craziest 24 hours of a Falcons preseason unfolded. Within the span of a day, the Falcons traded a third-round draft pick to New England for edge rusher Matthew Judon and signed safety Justin Simmons to the roster.
On their first day of practice in the week leading up to the Falcons’ final preseason game against Jacksonville, head coach Raheem Morris said the Falcons would ease the duo into team activities. He simultaneously assured, though, that both would be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 season.
Asked for a status update on their progress, both physically and mentally with the playbook, Morris said Thursday they were on track, though they are still on different schedules.
Judon is further along, since he was with a team this preseason and was practicing full-time.
“We’re already got him beefed up into his rep counts,” Morris said. “We got him beefed up into full individual (drills).”
Morris continued by calling Judon a “live wire” individual, stating his high IQ and instincts show up time and again in practice. His personality is already helping Judon jive with the defensive unit, as a whole.
“He brings a little bit of an edge,” Morris said, “a little more fun to our practices.”
As for Simmons, the Falcons are taking a bit more time acclimating him to live reps. Simmons has been a free agent this offseason so he hasn’t had access to team facilities or workout plans. Though he’s assured his individual workouts will allow him to not miss a beat, physically, the Falcons don’t want to push him too hard too fast. They have revved up his recent reps this week, though.
“With Justin, we’re letting the rope out slowly with him and now we’re starting to get him in some team play,” Morris said. “You’re starting to see some of the intelligence of Justin and how fast he can pick it up and communicate with Jessie (Bates) or (Richie) Grant, whoever’s out there, or even (Dee) Alford at the nickel spot. (You see) how detailed he is in his work, and just a true, absolute professional.”
Atlanta, GA
Former Saints Linebacker Signed By Division Rival Atlanta
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NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo reports on Thursday morning that former New Orleans Saints linebacker Monty Rice is being signed by the Atlanta Falcons. Rice, 25, was released by the Saints on Tuesday. Garafolo reports that Atlanta will add Rice onto their practice squad initially.
Rice was originally a third-round choice in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans out of Georgia. He played his first three seasons with the Titans. Over that span he accumulated 128 total tackles, including six for loss, in 35 game appearances and 10 starts. He was waived late last season, where he was picked up by the Saints for their practice squad to finish the year.
Rice was part of a close and hotly contested competition at linebacker for New Orleans this summer. In the preseason opener against Arizona, Rice led all defenders with seven tackles, adding three more stops in the finale against Tennessee.
Despite Rice’s play, the Saints elected to keep Demario Davis, Willie Gay Jr., Pete Werner, Anfernee Orji, D’Marco Jackson, and Jaylan Ford at linebacker on their initial 53-man squad. New Orleans then added linebackers Isaiah Stalbird and Khaleke Hudson to their practice squad on Wednesday.
Rice will be joining other former Saints David Onyemata, Kaden Elliss, and Kentavious Street on the Atlanta defense. The Falcons host the Saints in a Week 4 matchup on September 29. They’ll have a rematch against each other in Week 10 on November 10 in New Orleans.
The Saints and Falcons have one of the most bitter rivalries in the NFL. Their all-time series is tied at 55 wins each. New Orleans has won 10 of the last 13 meetings between these teams and is 25-11 against Atlanta since 2006.
With the addition of LB Monty Rice, there will be another face familiar with both sides in this heated rivalry. The two teams split their season series last year. New Orleans finished the season at 9-8 and tied for the NFC South lead. Atlanta finished at 7-10, their sixth consecutive losing season and third straight with double-digit losses.
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