Your Falcons rebounded from a tough loss in Los Angeles by grabbing a very important divisional win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road. Quarterback Barry Logan silenced the haters with a strong 3 touchdown performance, 2 to rookie Colby Parkinson and 1 to Isiah Hodgins, but the real standout was the defense. We all know Keanu Neal is an X Factor, but he really proved it with his 2 forced fumble game, with both coming at crucial times, setting the offense up to go ahead with an impressive run by rookie Zack Moss, as well as another to stop a potential game-tying drive. The Falcons will return next week from their 3 game road streek to face off against the Seahawks at home.
The Falcons dropped a brutal and depressing loss on the road to the Los Angeles Rams, losing by a score of 21-31. Quarterback Logan could not find a rhythm, throwing 5 interceptions to 2 touchdowns, as Atlanta’s favorite team dropped a critical conference game. Breakout young running back Moss was only able to rack up 49 yards on 11 carries, largely due to the game flow dictating a more passing style attack. Rookie Tylan Wallace continued his strong campaign with 60 yards and a touchdown, while fellow rookie Colby Parkinson also recorded a touchdown through the air. The team looks to rebound next week in a crucial division game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Falcons continue their hot streak in a win on the road in the notoriously tough-to-play-at New Orleans Superdome. Quarterback Barry Logan was his usual impressive self, but rookie Zack Moss really carried the load with 100 yards on the ground in a standout performance against a tough New Orleans run defense, bolstered by perennial all-pro defensive end Cameron Jordan. Other shining moments in the game included rookie TE Colby Parkinson’s insanely hot streak of touchdown receptions continuing, alongside a quiet day for fellow rookie Tylan Wallace, a rarity nowadays. The team looks to continue this hot streak against the Rams next week on the road in an always tough west coast trip.
Your Atlanta Falcons resurged in a major way in Week 3, putting up an offensive performance for the ages. QB Logan bounced back huge, putting up close to 400 yards and 5 touchdowns, while rookie TE Colby Parkinson remained hot, hauling in 3 touchdowns alongside receiver Wallace. Zack Moss performed on the ground, rushing for close to 100 yards and catching a few passes for approximately 50 yards as well. The defense, however, shined, notching up 4 INTs and a bunch of sacks. The Falcons look to continue this hot performance next week, and keep up the momentum into what hopefully becomes a winning season.
The Falcons have dropped a heartbreaker to the Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback Barry Logan could not find his rhythm, and despite the defense holding the Ravens to 27 rushing yards, important misses by the kicker would come into play. The team had plenty of chances, including an interception that set up a chance to tie it, but ultimately the Falcons would drop the game despite a strong running performance by rookie Zack Moss, averaging 7.8 yards a carry on his way to 93 yards and a touchdown. The team will look to rebound next week against the Bengals who are off to a 2-0 start. “This is on me” said the quarterback, Logan. “I know I have to do better, and I won’t let my guys down again, I promise”
Your Atlanta Falcons have begun the season strong, with a dramatic victory over the Minnesota Vikings! The Falcons were able to emerge victorious, 39-34, with some late-game heroics. Quarterback Barry Logan started the season hot as expected, racking up close to 400 yards and 5 touchdowns through the air, including a clutch late drive to score the go-ahead touchdown. Julio Jones looked like his old self, reeling in an acrobatic touchdown, but the stars were newcomers Tylan Wallace and Colby Parkinson. Tylan could not be stopped, reeling in 6 catches for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Parkinson filled the big shoes of OJ Howard well, with 6 receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown. New starting HB Zack Moss had a solid, if not spectacular debut, averaging 4.8 yards on 14 carries for 67 total rushing yards on the night. Veteran Devonta Freeman spelled him well, with 3 for 16 on the ground and a touchdown catch through the air as well. Defensively, the line was able to pressure well, with veterans Dee Ford and Grady Jarret getting 2 sacks apiece, and rookie Khalid Kareem notching his first sack. The team looks to bring the momentum into week 2 with a tough matchup agains the Baltimore Ravens.
One of the best ways to build is through the draft, as we have seen over the years with various teams, including our own Atlanta Falcons. Homegrown superstars abound, ranging from stars like Julio Jones, Desmond Trufant, Keanu Neal, and Devonta Freeman, to all-timers like Michael Vick and Roddy White. This draft class looks promising, and rumors abound that the team will look to fill the roster with defensive and offensive linemen. “The battle is won in the trenches, and a dominant pass rush will only help everyone moving forward, including our dominant linebackers and secondary” said team owner DBD. With the draft only days away, we will soon see who the newest Atlanta Falcons will be.
While the team is in a good position on the field, financially the team needs a lot of work. Previous ownership left the team in a dire financial situation, and serious consideration must be given to which players will be signed. Rumors from the front office suggest the team will look to address holes in the offensive line, as well as the cornerback group. This should allow the team flexibility moving forward at the other positions to retain or move players depending on needs and financial ability. “We like where we are and the guys we have. We want to bring in guys who not only fill our needs, but add to the locker room chemistry.”
The key to any defense is the back end. It can cover deficiencies up front, and vice versa, but without good defensive backs, it’s impossible to win games. Following a breakout season by young x factor safety Tremaine Shirley, it’s safe to say the Falcons are in good hands here. The dynamic duo of Shirley and Keanu Neal will be giving the explosive offenses in the NFC South problems for years to come. Cornerback is an aging group for the team, but the front office has repeatedly stressed their plans to address this group, through both free agency and the draft. We shall see what the future holds, but needless to say, it’s going to be extremely tough for teams to go over the top on this defense.
The name Deion is legendary in Falcons history. Deion Jones, one of the best inside linebackers in the league, is looking to take on the mantle for his own, however. While he isn’t playing multiple sports in one day, he could practically play multiple positions on the field with his EXTRAORDINARY coverage skills. He is a rangy linebacker, better than most safeties, and hits like a mac truck. You could say he is an x factor, a real zone hawk. He leads a strong linebacker corps, bolstered by coverage LBs Ross and vet Foyesade Olokun. This position group is undoubtedly the heart of the defense, and while the team may pick up a young player to learn the position and grow, the group is set for the upcoming season and looking to lead a super bowl winning defense
The Falcons are known for having a devastating pass rush, from Vic Beasley Jr dating all the way back to John Abraham, one of the game’s best rushers ever. This year was disappointing in this regard, as the team did not have anybody who could consistently get pressure on the quarterback. Thankfully, this deficiency was covered by other positions to a large extent, but in the NFL, you need to sack the quarterback to win games. This will be addressed in the offseason one way or another, sources say, and in the upcoming season, the Falcons DL will be one to be feared. One bright spot, Grady Jarret, maintained his stellar form clogging up the interior, but he certainly can’t do it on his own, and perhaps might not have to any longer.
Keeping the captain upright is an often thankless and underrecognized job, but the big guys were successful at it this year. Blocking in the NFC South is a challenging task, as the division is fraught with dangerous pass rushers both inside and out. The fact that quarterback Barry Logan was able to achieve as much as he was is due to the relentless job the protectors on the offensive line did. While none made the pro bowl, the argument can be made that keeping the quarterback healthy in this division is enough to warrant a nod. While the group performed admirably, they are aging and the team will need to consider this in future moves, including free agency and the draft.
Does the quarterback make the receiver, or do the receivers make the quarterback? The question is as old as the chicken or egg scenario, and may never be answered. What we do know is that the Falcons receivers benefitted mightily from quarterback Barry Logan’s breakout year, as perennial all pro Julio Jones returned to form and once again made the pro bowl, alongside his protégé Calvin Ridley and new acquisition OJ Howard. Howard proved a pivotal piece, leading all TEs in touchdowns and among the top in yardage as well. While no one knows what the future holds and if this dangerous squad will be able to stay together in the future, this receiving corps should enhance Logan’s MVP candidacy and allow the team to make noise in the postseason.
Devonta Freeman, the workhorse veteran, continued his reliable and consistent form this year, shifting into a slightly different role than he might have been previously used to. Taking pressure off of young QB Barry Logan was the goal, and he accomplished that. While not putting up a pro bowl season like in years past, he had a solid campaign on the ground, was a reliable option out of the backfield, and overall forced defenses to respect the ground game and not sit back on the quarterback. He accepted his role as a good teammate and veteran presence, and looks to continue it in the upcoming season. Per ownership, he will maintain the lead-back role next season, pending unexpected draft moves.
Not much can be said about the Falcons young QB, Barry Logan, that hasn’t already been said. He is one of the most promising and productive quarterbacks in the league, at arguably the most important position in football, and is certainly an x factor in every game he plays. His accuracy is off the charts, and this was demonstrated by his MVP candidacy, despite only being under the control of new owner DBD for part of the season. He should certainly contend for the award in this upcoming season, with most of his weapons returning, and potentially more arriving via a strong offensive draft class, as scouts report.