Atlanta, GA

Rashaan Evans, Mykal Walker, Troy Andersen: Will Atlanta keep their 2022 ILBs together in 2023? — Falcons breakdown

Published

2 years ago

January 27, 2023

Press Room

Rashaan Evans, Mykal Walker, Troy Andersen: Will Atlanta keep their 2022 ILBs together in 2023? — Falcons breakdown

Who stays: Evans, Walker and Andersen

On the chopping block: Evans and Walker

I do know what you are considering: “Tori, this breakdown would not make any sense.” And also you’re proper. It would not. However hear me out for a second…

The Falcons have but to announce a defensive coordinator rent, and in my thoughts this determination drastically impacts the within linebacker place due to the character of members of this group appearing because the voice of the coordinator on the sector.

There’s a world through which I believe this complete core group of inside linebackers ought to keep collectively in 2023. Evans was an essential piece of consistency for this protection in 2022. Although Walker finally misplaced his beginning spot to Andersen, then-defensive coordinator Dean Pees stated time and time once more that it wasn’t as a result of the Falcons have been displeased with Walker’s efficiency. It was that they wanted to see Andersen within the function, too. In reality, even when that weren’t the case, the competitors between two younger linebackers is wholesome.

Then, there’s Andersen, himself. An intriguing participant with uncooked expertise that the Falcons have begun to mildew into what they need. There’s worth in holding these three collectively once more.

Nonetheless, as there’s a world the place they keep collectively, there’s additionally a realm through which they’re damaged aside.

For example a brand new defensive coordinator needs to come back in and revamp the place. With Andersen nonetheless being so new to the league, he would not be the one on the chopping block, Evans and Walker would.

Evans was solely on a one-year deal in Atlanta. If the Falcons need him again, they’d need to re-sign him. If they do not, he heads to the open market.

Walker will probably be on the ultimate yr of his rookie deal in 2023. The Falcons have already parted with one member of the 2020 draft class earlier than their rookie deal expired (Marlon Davidson), who’s to say they would not try this to Walker in the event that they discovered somebody within the draft or in free company that would play his function?

And that, my buddies, is the place I depart you.

Largest offseason query: Do the Falcons get the 2022 band again collectively in 2023?

If that is me – Tori McElhaney – making the choice I say, “Sure, convey them again.” Why? As a result of in my thoughts they did not do sufficient to warrant not bringing them again, to begin with. And second of all, if you’ll want to put cash and assets again into the protection I can consider three different place teams that want it greater than the within linebackers do. Particularly in the event that they have been to maintain Evans – significantly – round a bit longer.

In my thoughts, the Falcons have extra vital and urgent wants alongside the defensive inside, in move rush as a complete for that matter, and in acquired depth on the cornerback place. Inside linebacker shouldn’t be a high precedence for me at this present juncture.

Nonetheless, I’m not the one making the selections. I’m not the brand new defensive coordinator. And I’m not the one who has a say through which route the place group goes in 2023 and past. Maybe the precise decision-makers really feel in another way. Perhaps they wish to clear home. That is a chance, too.

In the intervening time, although, we do not know which aspect Falcons determination makers are literally leaning in direction of.

And that, my buddies, is the place they depart us.

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Atlanta, GA

Falcons hire former Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator

Published

1 hour ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Falcons hire former Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator

The Atlanta Falcons have decided on their next defensive coordinator after making a change just one year into Raheem Morris’ reign as head coach.

Former New York Jets defensive coordinator and interim coach Jeff Ulbrich was hired by the Falcons for the role, the team announced Saturday.

Ulbrich, 47, took over the Jets’ top job after coach Robert Saleh was fired following a 2-3 start to the season. He compiled a 3-9 mark as the Jets extended their NFL-high postseason drought to 14 seasons.

Prior to stepping in for the Jets, Ulbrich had been a highly regarded defensive coordinator. His units finished in the top four in yards allowed in the last three seasons, though the Jets ranked 20th in scoring in 2024.

Ulbrich returns to Atlanta after serving as an assistant for the organization from 2015-20, including a stint as defensive coordinator when Morris was promoted to interim head coach following Dan Quinn’s firing. With Morris back at the helm after earning the full-time role last offseason, the two coaching figures are teaming back up once again.

The Falcons fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake after an 8-9 season in which the team lost its inside track on the NFC South crown late in the year. The longstanding pass-rush issues again proved to be particularly problematic, with the defense ranking 31st in sacks with 31 on the year.

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Atlanta, GA

Police investigating incident at northeast Atlanta apartment building

Published

9 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Police investigating incident at northeast Atlanta apartment building

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Several police vehicles were seen at a northeast Atlanta apartment building on Saturday morning.

Atlanta police were called to Helios off Cheshire Bridge Road NE at around 8 a.m. Atlanta News First crews saw more than five patrol cars at the scene, alongside a Grady Memorial Hospital vehicle.

The details of the incident and investigation are currently unknown.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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Atlanta, GA

Tatum and the Celtics host conference foe Atlanta

Published

17 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Tatum and the Celtics host conference foe Atlanta

Associated Press

Atlanta Hawks (21-19, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (29-12, second in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -11; over/under is 235

BOTTOM LINE: Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics host Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks in Eastern Conference action.

The Celtics are 23-8 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston ranks eighth in the league with 33.9 defensive rebounds per game led by Tatum averaging 8.6.

The Hawks have gone 14-7 against Eastern Conference opponents. Atlanta has a 10-12 record in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Celtics score 117.6 points per game, 1.5 fewer points than the 119.1 the Hawks allow. The Hawks average 13.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 more makes per game than the Celtics allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Tatum is averaging 27.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Celtics.

Young is averaging 23.1 points and 11.9 assists for the Hawks.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 6-4, averaging 111.1 points, 43.5 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 7.4 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.3 points per game.

Hawks: 6-4, averaging 119.5 points, 43.8 rebounds, 29.9 assists, 10.7 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.4 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: None listed.

Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher: out (thigh), Kobe Bufkin: out for season (shoulder), Trae Young: day to day (rib), Larry Nance Jr.: out (hand), Jalen Johnson: day to day (shoulder), Cody Zeller: out (personal), De’Andre Hunter: day to day (foot).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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