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Which New Falcons Have ‘Impressed’ Coach Arthur Smith?

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Which New Falcons Have ‘Impressed’ Coach Arthur Smith?


Although there hasn’t been a single observe with pads, the roster analysis course of is effectively underway for the Atlanta Falcons. With OTAs now within the rearview mirror, head coach Arthur Smith and basic supervisor Terry Fontenot have been capable of see their new additions at work.

For Smith, a number of of them have made constructive first impressions.

It is a main constructive to see the quarterbacks – Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder – talked about by Smith, as the 2 can be put beneath a larger-than-usual microscope following the offseason commerce of franchise staple Matt Ryan. 

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At this stage of the offseason, it is doubtless Smith is referencing extra of the intangible issues he is seen from the QBs, equivalent to management, work ethic, and their potential to understand the playbook in a well timed method. Nevertheless, there have been sufficient throws all through OTAs for Atlanta’s second-year boss to see what he is working with, and he seems to love the early returns.

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Receivers Damiere Byrd and KhaDarel Hodge impressing Smith early is a improvement to regulate. With the Falcons’ receiver room order being completely open for competitors after rookie Drake London and newly acquired Bryan Edwards, the group wants guys to step up.

Hodge had 13 receptions in 16 video games for the Detroit Lions final season, largely taking part in a particular groups position, which provides him a transparent path to a roster spot. Byrd has 105 receptions for 1,292 yards and three touchdowns over the previous three seasons; he is a longtime middle-of-the-order goal who can present stability for Atlanta.

Germain Ifedi affords maybe probably the most attention-grabbing story of these talked about, because the 2016 first-rounder has began 83 video games throughout six seasons, taking part in each proper deal with and proper guard. Whereas many believed he’d simply function a flexible backup, it is a honest guess the Falcons will enable Ifedi to push Kaleb McGary for the beginning proper deal with place.

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Very like Hodge, security Dean Marlowe comes with intensive particular groups expertise. He posted respectable numbers at security final season with Detroit, beginning 9 video games and recording 67 tackles. Whereas the highest of Atlanta’s security order seems set with Richie Grant, Jaylinn Hawkins, and Erik Harris poised to get nearly all of the snaps, Marlowe’s fourth-down impression will help him make the roster.

Making a superb first impression means various things for every participant – possibly it improves the chances one in all them begins (Ifedi) versus making a roster spot (Hodge/Marlowe). Nevertheless, Smith has been clear that what occurs in pads, particularly in July and August, carries probably the most weight come minimize day, so whereas these new items are off to a quick begin, they will want to hold the momentum with them all through the remainder of the offseason program.



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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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