There's a New Vic in Town: The Official 2015 Atlanta Falcons Season Thread

[Point Blank]

Is it Monday yet?

 

[AVXL]

Ok yall switchin it up now. That is the exact same thing as them tweets we saw from 2 days ago

Yall was just talmbout "I bet quinn just playing nice" "there are 2 different regimes guys"

Nah breh, everything we heard up until those tweets was quinn and dimitroff working hand in hand. I dont even know where YOU came up with quinn reports straight to blank

Dan Quinn has final say on roster
2/3/2015 - NFL ATLANTA FALCONS +1 Dan Quinn is in control -- but he doesn't come across as a control freak as the Falcons aim to build a roster to his specifications, Vaughn McClure writes

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- New head coach Dan Quinn will have the final say over the Atlanta Falcons' 53-man roster, owner Arthur Blank said Tuesday.

Quinn, the former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator, agreed to a five-year deal to coach the Falcons on Monday.

Blank said building the roster will be a collaboration between Quinn, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and assistant general manager Scott Pioli.

The Falcons announced a change in the front-office structure in January that designated that Quinn and Dimitroff would report to Blank separately. Pioli assumed responsibility for free agency and the draft while reporting to Dimitroff in the process.

The restructuring marked a shift of power away from Dimitroff, although the Falcons refuse to refer to it as such. When the organization parted ways with former coach Mike Smith, some wondered whether Dimitroff would be next. But Dimitroff will remain in the fold

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank says new coach Dan Quinn has final say over 53-man roster

 

[AVXL]

Damn yall got me and @Kaedus looking like the biggest TD supporters


I wish TD was already gone so we can all focus on the season instead of it being so doom n gloom in here. Cant we just talk that optimistic shyt to every other fanbase we did all season in the hawks thread?

I don't feel like the mood is doom & gloom. I have us 10-6 and winning the NFC South and hosting a playoff game, but ima keep it real with y'all about this TD situation tho

 

[The ADD]

We always discuss facts in here. Players getting cut, demoted, acquisitions, or even predictions. But this here is straight up gossip. I will let yall to it, but u gone get ya hopes up if nothing happens

I really don't understand your point. Everything being discussed is based off either fact or realistic situations based in the circumstances. The entire situation with the restructuring of the front office lends itself to this discussion. It's not even gloom and doom. I can't understand how you see that considering the situation.

 

[Nostalgic]

 

[Nostalgic]

I cooked these up real quick
they'll be useful during the season.

 

[Prynce]

I need some julio Jones smilies

 

[AVXL]

Devin Hester ruled out of MNF game with turf toe

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons wide receiver/return specialist Devin Hester, who is battling turf toe on his right foot, has already been ruled out for Monday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles and is prepared to sit out until he is fully healed.

Hester did not suit up for practice this week. He first suffered the injury early in training camp, then aggravated it running a route during the third preseason game at Miami.

"It slowly got a little worse," Hester said.

Hester has his right big toe buddy-taped to his second toe. Turf toe typically requires 2 to 4 weeks of recovery, which is a timetable he realizes is a possibility.

New York Jets in the second preseason game.

However, turf toe significantly alters Hester's ability to plant and cut, which is such a big part of his game. It also throws off Hester's balance.

The Falcons obviously prepared for life without Hester by keepingNick Williams on the roster as the seventh receiver. Williams is capable of returns, as is rookie Justin Hardy and veteran Eric Weems.

Weems, rookie Terron Ward, and starting cornerback Robert Alford fielded kickoffs during Friday's practice and Weems and Williams fielded punts. Weems is likely to be in the mix because he has experience as a return man. And Hardy showed his ability during the preseason with a 70-yard punt return against theBaltimore Ravens.

“He's a great catcher," Hester said of Hardy. “He's good at fielding the ball. Back there, it's all about repetition. When he gets a couple more reps up under his belt from the college to the NFL, he should be good."

Falcons coach Dan Quinn officially ruled out Hester following Saturday's practice along with outside linebacker Brooks Reed, who underwent groin surgery. Wide receiver Roddy White, who has arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, was listed as probable along with left tackle Jake Matthews (back), running back Devonta Freeman (hamstring), linebacker Joplo Bartu (quad), and safety Robenson Therezie (groin).

 

[AVXL]

• 
  
  Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer

Don't be surprised if the Atlanta Falcons announce the signing of veteran tackle Jake Long this week.

Yes, Falcons coach Dan Quinn said not to read too much into the team bringing Long in for a second look last week. And yes, Long didn't get signed immediately after last Thursday's workout. But that didn't mean the interest in Long suddenly faded.

I expect the Falcons to sign Long to bring more depth to the offensive line -- as long as no other team outbids them. The move won't have anything to do with the status of left tackle Jake Matthews coming off a strained back. And it won't necessarily be a product of how Ryan Schraeder performs at right tackle Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles, either.

The signing of Long would serve as added insurance at reasonable price, most likely. Had Long been signed last week, the Falcons would have been on the hook for a guaranteed salary, with Long being a vested veteran. (The deadline was 4 p.m. ET Saturday for such contracts). Word was Long was looking for at least $4 million at the start of his free-agent process. My guess is the Falcons can get him for around $2 million while working through the logistics of the contract. The NFL minimum for a player with his experience is $870,000.

Long's agent, Tom Condon, obviously wants to find his client a new home as quickly as possible. News circulated last week of Long being fully cleared medically after tearing the ACL in his right knee a second time last year with the St. Louis Rams.

A NFL personnel man from an opposing team recently offered me his thoughts about Long's comeback:

"Four straight years on IR. But he's tough, has the right offensive line temperament you want, [and] smart. Not the same athlete he once was, obviously. His conditioning and ability to push on people is the issue. How he will hold up."

Long also had season-ending triceps and biceps injuries in the past.

The Falcons don't need Long to be the same guy he was when he entered the league as the first-overall pick of theMiami Dolphins (2008), when he developed into a four-time Pro Bowler. They need him to give a shaky offensive line a little more stability. Right now, the only tackles behind Matthews and Schraeder are Tyler Polumbus and recently claimed Bryce Harris. Lamar Holmes, who suffered a broken foot during minicamp, finally is out of a walking boot but remains on the physically unable to perform list. He's unlikely to provide much help once healthy.

But with Long, at least the Falcons would have a game-tested veteran who brings some savvy to the equation. Long, 30, started all 96 games he's played in during seven seasons with the Dolphins and Rams.

Long also sounds like someone who would be a solid locker room figure.

"He's a hard-working guy and a great player," said Falcons nose tackle Paul Soliai, who was teammates with Long in Miami. "He didn't have to adapt when he came into the league. He came in and he knew how to act like a professional.

"I hate for any NFL player to go through injuries. He was a good teammate in Miami. The time I was there, the only thing I could tell you about J Long is he would try to outwork whoever he plays against. I know he's always ready to come to work."

I expect Long to punch the clock at the Falcons' facility starting this week.

 

[FreshFromATL]

Falcons on Monday Night Football. Oh Lord.

 

[Professor K.]

Falcons on Monday Night Football. Oh Lord.

My Eagles fan girlfriend gonna leave me after we whup they ass though
















Where the hoes at?

 

[AVXL]

Falcons on Monday Night Football. Yes Lawd.

 

[Rebel Soldier]

If the offensive line is competent, we can beat the Eagles. If not, it might get ugly.

I'm not too worried about our defense unless they stay on the field too long. We've gotten better schematically and personnel wise.

 

[JBoy]

we back brehs let's get it

 

[Motife43]

Listen to Bird Brehs (me, @AVXL, @The ADD, & @Kaedus) and hear our predictions! Episode 2 drops on Wednesday