Campbell’s move to the team comes as no surprise given that Falcons coach Arthur Smith stated at the end of the last season that the team needed to make additions to its defensive lineup. The changes began with the appointment of new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who replaced the retired Dean Pees, and was followed by the addition of safety Jessie Bates III, defensive tackle David Onyemata and linebacker Kaden Elliss on free agency.

With 5.5 sacks last season, Campbell would have ranked second on the Falcons team in 2022 as well as led the team in 2021 had he signed sooner. He is expected to provide a valuable wealth of experience to Atlanta’s defensive front. At 36 years old, Campbell is currently the oldest active defensive lineman in the NFL.

The post Falcons to Sign Calais Campbell on One-Year Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The decision to bench Mariota comes as a result of the Falcons’ poor recent form, having lost four of their last five games and scoring more than 20 points on just one occasion.

Following the 19-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday, Falcons coach Arthur Smith revealed that he is considering using rookie Desmond Ridder in Mariota’s place during the Saints game.

Selected by the Falcons in the third round of this year’s draft, Ridder was a starter for Cincinnati for four years. According to Smith, it had been the plan all season to develop Ridder as a backup to Mariota.

Being benched is not a new phenomenon for Mariota. The quarterback also fell out of favor with the Tennessee Titans during the 2019 season, before regaining his position and eventually trading to the Falcons in March. The current season has not been all bad for Mariota, as he was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week during Week 6 after completing 92.9% of his passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

The post Marcus Mariota Benched By Falcons appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Pitts suffered a knee injury in the third quarter of the Falcons’ 24-27 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. At the end of a catch and run, Pitts found himself on the receiving end of an Eddie Jackson tackle that landed right above his knee. The tight end subsequently jogged off the field and towards the blue medical tent before making his way toward the Falcons’ locker room.

Falcons coach Arthur Smith has stated that Pitts is still awaiting further evaluations before a rehabilitation approach is selected, sources have revealed that the player may require surgery. “I’m not a doctor, but an MCL sprain, that’s usually what happens — there are varying degrees and where they are in the knee,” Smith admitted, adding that he will await the answer of the medical experts before taking further action.

The number four overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, Pitts has proven to be an impactful player for the Falcons, achieving a 1,000-yard rookie season; the second rookie in NFL history to do so.

The post Falcons Tight End Kyle Pitts Likely to Require Surgery appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

By parting ways with Allen and Bailey, the Falcons managed to clear $10.75 million in the salary cap. They were previously more than $30 million over the projected cap for the new NFL season.

Since each team has to be cap-compliant on the first day of the league year (March 17), it is safe to say that Atlanta isn’t done with making moves. More cuts will probably follow in the next few weeks, while contract restructures with players are also an option.

Ricardo Allen started 76 games for the Falcons since being selected in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. During his time with the franchise, he totaled 340 tackles, 26 passes defended, 11 interceptions, and one sack.

Allen Bailey, on the other hand, joined the Falcons in 2019 after previously playing eight years with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played 31 games (nine starts) while in Atlanta, contributing with 41 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

The post CB Ricardo Allen and DE Allen Bailey Released by the Falcons appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Both Quinn and Dimitroff were previously on the hot seat, since the Falcons underperformed last season as well, finishing 2018 with a losing record.

Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank confirmed the duo will stay in a conversation with the team’s official site on Friday. 

“I have long believed that continuity in leadership is very important across all our businesses and the football team is no different in that regard,” said Blank in a statement. “After weighing several factors, including our team’s statistical turnaround and our players’ focus and effort the second half of the season, I feel the decision to retain Thomas and Dan, with Rich providing close day-to-day oversight of the football operation, will provide the timeliest route for the Atlanta Falcons to return to contention in 2020 and beyond.”

Dan Quinn was hired as Atlanta Falcons’ head coach in 2015. Since then, he posted a 42-37 record, while leading the team to playoffs twice. Under Quinn, the Falcons also made a trip to Super Bowl, where they lost despite having a 25-points lead.

The post Falcons Will Bring Back HC Dan Quinn and GM Thomas Dimitroff in 2020 appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Neal collapsed to the ground near the end of the second half of Sunday’s game in Indianapolis after the Colts ran a play that ended in an incomplete pass in the red zone. While sprinting towards the ball, the fourth-year pro felt pain in his ankle and fell to the ground in immediate pain.

The Florida alum slammed his helmet to the ground in pain, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct foul and drawing the ire of many fans.

The Falcons later announced that Neal had torn his left Achilles tendon, an injury that will take up to 9 months to completely heal and rehab. This will cause him to miss the remainder of the 2019 season.

It’s a cruel twist of fate for the 2017 Pro Bowler, who also missed nearly all of last season after tearing his ACL in Week 1 of the docket.

Neal is expected to be cleared to return to action for the beginning of next season.

The post Falcons Safety Keanu Neal Tears Achilles, to Miss Rest of 2019 Season appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Campbell’s move to the team comes as no surprise given that Falcons coach Arthur Smith stated at the end of the last season that the team needed to make additions to its defensive lineup. The changes began with the appointment of new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who replaced the retired Dean Pees, and was followed by the addition of safety Jessie Bates III, defensive tackle David Onyemata and linebacker Kaden Elliss on free agency.

With 5.5 sacks last season, Campbell would have ranked second on the Falcons team in 2022 as well as led the team in 2021 had he signed sooner. He is expected to provide a valuable wealth of experience to Atlanta’s defensive front. At 36 years old, Campbell is currently the oldest active defensive lineman in the NFL.

The post Falcons to Sign Calais Campbell on One-Year Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The decision to bench Mariota comes as a result of the Falcons’ poor recent form, having lost four of their last five games and scoring more than 20 points on just one occasion.

Following the 19-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday, Falcons coach Arthur Smith revealed that he is considering using rookie Desmond Ridder in Mariota’s place during the Saints game.

Selected by the Falcons in the third round of this year’s draft, Ridder was a starter for Cincinnati for four years. According to Smith, it had been the plan all season to develop Ridder as a backup to Mariota.

Being benched is not a new phenomenon for Mariota. The quarterback also fell out of favor with the Tennessee Titans during the 2019 season, before regaining his position and eventually trading to the Falcons in March. The current season has not been all bad for Mariota, as he was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week during Week 6 after completing 92.9% of his passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

The post Marcus Mariota Benched By Falcons appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Pitts suffered a knee injury in the third quarter of the Falcons’ 24-27 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. At the end of a catch and run, Pitts found himself on the receiving end of an Eddie Jackson tackle that landed right above his knee. The tight end subsequently jogged off the field and towards the blue medical tent before making his way toward the Falcons’ locker room.

Falcons coach Arthur Smith has stated that Pitts is still awaiting further evaluations before a rehabilitation approach is selected, sources have revealed that the player may require surgery. “I’m not a doctor, but an MCL sprain, that’s usually what happens — there are varying degrees and where they are in the knee,” Smith admitted, adding that he will await the answer of the medical experts before taking further action.

The number four overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, Pitts has proven to be an impactful player for the Falcons, achieving a 1,000-yard rookie season; the second rookie in NFL history to do so.

The post Falcons Tight End Kyle Pitts Likely to Require Surgery appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

By parting ways with Allen and Bailey, the Falcons managed to clear $10.75 million in the salary cap. They were previously more than $30 million over the projected cap for the new NFL season.

Since each team has to be cap-compliant on the first day of the league year (March 17), it is safe to say that Atlanta isn’t done with making moves. More cuts will probably follow in the next few weeks, while contract restructures with players are also an option.

Ricardo Allen started 76 games for the Falcons since being selected in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. During his time with the franchise, he totaled 340 tackles, 26 passes defended, 11 interceptions, and one sack.

Allen Bailey, on the other hand, joined the Falcons in 2019 after previously playing eight years with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played 31 games (nine starts) while in Atlanta, contributing with 41 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

The post CB Ricardo Allen and DE Allen Bailey Released by the Falcons appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Both Quinn and Dimitroff were previously on the hot seat, since the Falcons underperformed last season as well, finishing 2018 with a losing record.

Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank confirmed the duo will stay in a conversation with the team’s official site on Friday. 

“I have long believed that continuity in leadership is very important across all our businesses and the football team is no different in that regard,” said Blank in a statement. “After weighing several factors, including our team’s statistical turnaround and our players’ focus and effort the second half of the season, I feel the decision to retain Thomas and Dan, with Rich providing close day-to-day oversight of the football operation, will provide the timeliest route for the Atlanta Falcons to return to contention in 2020 and beyond.”

Dan Quinn was hired as Atlanta Falcons’ head coach in 2015. Since then, he posted a 42-37 record, while leading the team to playoffs twice. Under Quinn, the Falcons also made a trip to Super Bowl, where they lost despite having a 25-points lead.

The post Falcons Will Bring Back HC Dan Quinn and GM Thomas Dimitroff in 2020 appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Neal collapsed to the ground near the end of the second half of Sunday’s game in Indianapolis after the Colts ran a play that ended in an incomplete pass in the red zone. While sprinting towards the ball, the fourth-year pro felt pain in his ankle and fell to the ground in immediate pain.

The Florida alum slammed his helmet to the ground in pain, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct foul and drawing the ire of many fans.

The Falcons later announced that Neal had torn his left Achilles tendon, an injury that will take up to 9 months to completely heal and rehab. This will cause him to miss the remainder of the 2019 season.

It’s a cruel twist of fate for the 2017 Pro Bowler, who also missed nearly all of last season after tearing his ACL in Week 1 of the docket.

Neal is expected to be cleared to return to action for the beginning of next season.

The post Falcons Safety Keanu Neal Tears Achilles, to Miss Rest of 2019 Season appeared first on yoursportspot.com.