CHARLES ODUM
FILE -Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank walks onto the field before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 he is encouraged by the progress of quarterback Desmond Ridder and the potential of building the team around the rookie.(AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Falcons' Blank excited about building around Ridder at QB

By Charles Odum 5 hrs ago
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Wednesday he is encouraged by the progress of

Newly hired Atlanta Falcons Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen speaks during a news conference Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Nielsen lays out goal for Falcons D: Just get stops

By Charles Odum Feb. 06, 2023 04:06 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — At the start of his first week at the Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons' Smith faces QB decision after another 7-10 finish

By Charles Odum Jan. 09, 2023 02:09 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Arthur Smith saw a glimpse of the Atlanta Falcons' future, with an

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (17) makes a touchdown catch against Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Ridder throws first 2 TD passes as Falcons top Brady, Bucs

By Charles Odum Jan. 08, 2023 04:04 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Desmond Ridder had almost a full season to plan how he would celebrate

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) works against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brady, Bucs hope to gain playoff momentum by beating Falcons

By Charles Odum Jan. 05, 2023 05:19 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — While Atlanta rookie Desmond Ridder is still looking for his first TD

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh greets Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder after an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. The Ravens won 17-9. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cardinals' Blough, Falcons rookie Ridder in QB spotlight

By Charles Odum Dec. 29, 2022 04:00 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — The quarterback carousel continues for the Arizona Cardinals, who now

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on reacts to a call in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Falcons' Pees resumes lead role with defense following scare

By Charles Odum Dec. 20, 2022 04:13 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are planning to have veteran defensive

New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Falcons QB Ridder delivers mixed results in debut as starter

By Charles Odum Dec. 19, 2022 05:22 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — There was more to be learned from rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder’s

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) pauses before answering questions during a news conference at the end of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Landover, Md. Washington won 13-19. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Falcons' Ridder has 4-game audition at QB with Mariota on IR

By Charles Odum Dec. 14, 2022 05:24 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons will have more on the line than

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ta'Quon Graham (95) fumbles the ball ahead of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons cling to hope Pitts, Graham can return this season

By Charles Odum Nov. 23, 2022 02:53 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are not ruling out tight end Kyle

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Bears QB Fields has X-rays on left shoulder following loss

By Charles Odum Nov. 20, 2022 06:14 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Quarterback Justin Fields hurt his left shoulder on the final series

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) runs out of the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Koo's late 53-yard FG lifts Falcons past Fields, Bears 27-24

By Charles Odum Nov. 20, 2022 04:14 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Marcus Mariota and the Atlanta Falcons are still under .500 and still

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith talks with quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Bears' Fields a rising star as he faces his hometown Falcons

By Charles Odum Nov. 17, 2022 05:43 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears are learning how to score in the

FILE - Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) lines up during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Oct. 16, 2022, in Atlanta. Terrell returned to practice on Wednesday, Nov. 16, after missing three games with a hamstring injury. Coach Arthur Smith said he is “hopeful” Terrell, the team's top defensive back, can return for the team's game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Nov. 20. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Falcons CB Terrell back at practice after missing 3 games

By Charles Odum Nov. 16, 2022 02:57 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell returned to

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Atlanta. The Chargers won 20-17. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Mariota's play only 1 of many problems for slumping Falcons

By Charles Odum Nov. 11, 2022 01:14 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Two losses in five days have left Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith

CORRECTS DATE TO SUNDAY, NOV. 6 INSTEAD OF TUESDAY, DEC. 6 - Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) dives for extra yardage as he is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers safety Nasir Adderley (24) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Falcons still tied for NFC South lead even with limitations

By Charles Odum Nov. 07, 2022 05:21 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Nine games have revealed the Atlanta Falcons to be a team with

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler celebrates after catching a 1-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Dicker kicks winner to lift Chargers over Falcons 20-17

By Charles Odum Nov. 06, 2022 04:19 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers keep having to find new placekickers, and

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
First-place Falcons hope to keep running against Chargers

By Charles Odum Nov. 03, 2022 05:12 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have remained consistent in their commitment to

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Mariota, Falcons brace for test against 49ers' stiff defense

By Charles Odum Oct. 13, 2022 04:03 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — There may be no better opportunity for Marcus Mariota to prove he can

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith watches play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Falcons' run-1st offense lacking balance with Mariota at QB

By Charles Odum Oct. 10, 2022 10:44 AM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — In sidestepping a question about the much-debated roughing-the-passer