CHARLES ODUM
FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley practices before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. Once taboo topics such a battles with anxiety, depression or addictive behaviors are no longer suppressed and athletes around the world are speaking up: Calvin Ridley of the Falcons and Lance Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles both took leaves of absences from their teams (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Falcons GM Fontenot not ready to give up on Ridley for 2022

By Charles Odum Jan. 11, 2022 07:47 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said Tuesday he's not

Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Smith predicts 'better days' for Falcons after 7-10 finish

By Charles Odum Jan. 10, 2022 03:17 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have made dramatic progress in close games.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Trevor Siemian (15) works against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Saints miss wild-card spot despite 30-20 win over Falcons

By Charles Odum Jan. 09, 2022 07:44 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Trevor Siemian and his New Orleans teammates saw their playoff hopes

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) and running back Alvin Kamara (41) celebrate their touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Saints expect to be 'peeking' at scoreboard against Falcons

By Charles Odum Jan. 06, 2022 12:26 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Taysom Hill and the New Orleans Saints will be watching the scoreboard

Atlanta Falcons' Kyle Pitts (8) runs away from Buffalo Bills' Dane Jackson (30) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
With another losing record, Falcons can start looking ahead

By Charles Odum Jan. 03, 2022 02:29 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Even with one game remaining in the regular season, the Atlanta

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, left, speaks with Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 20-16. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Falcons show progress by remaining relevant through December

By Charles Odum Dec. 27, 2021 03:43 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons remain a long shot for the playoffs. They also

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) scores a touchdown against Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Foye Oluokun (54) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Oluokun's last-minute pick saves Falcons' win over Lions

By Charles Odum Dec. 26, 2021 04:03 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — A last-minute interception by Foye Oluokun showed again the Atlanta

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell looks over his play sheet during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)
Falcons want first true home win as Lions eye first road W

By Charles Odum Dec. 23, 2021 02:21 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Arthur Smith is running out of time to collect his first true home win

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback C.J. Henderson during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Falcons' Gage emerging as Ryan's latest go-to wide receiver

By Charles Odum Dec. 22, 2021 04:42 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Russell Gage's late-season emergence is especially

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) jogs off the field after the Falcons were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Red-zone woes move Falcons closer to another losing season

By Charles Odum Dec. 20, 2021 03:02 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are leaning on the “crazier things have happened”

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, right, watches play against the New England Patriots during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Latest demoralizing loss exposes Falcons' depth issues

By Charles Odum Nov. 19, 2021 04:49 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Talk about a painful reality check. After

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by New England Patriots nose tackle Davon Godchaux (92) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons' slumping offense handed first shutout in 6 years

By Charles Odum Nov. 19, 2021 01:09 AM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — The first shutout loss in six years for the Atlanta Falcons was

FILE - Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jacob Tuioti-Mariner (91) works a play during an NFL football game against the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on Oct. 10, 2021. The Falcons released outside linebacker Jacob Tuioti-Mariner and punter Cam Nizialek on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)
Falcons' Fowler practices, status for game at Dallas unclear

By Charles Odum Nov. 10, 2021 03:26 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works in ther pocket against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Smith's Falcons winning close games, reach .500 at midpoint

By Charles Odum Nov. 08, 2021 12:43 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Cordarrelle Patterson says the Atlanta Falcons must

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) speaks with Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Ryan looking for committee approach to fill in for WR Ridley

By Charles Odum Nov. 03, 2021 04:07 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Fantasy football fans trying to figure out which

Former President Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrive for Game 4 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Trump chops with Braves fans before Game 4 of World Series

By Charles Odum Oct. 30, 2021 08:28 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Only months after calling for a boycott of Major League Baseball

FILE - In this July 11, 2021, file photo, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred kicks off the first round of the 2021 MLB baseball draft in Denver. As the World Series shifts to Atlanta, some TV viewers may be offended to see Braves fans still chopping and chanting. After teams in the NFL and Major League Baseball have dropped names viewed as offensive to Native Americans the last two years, the Braves chop on. The tomahawk chop has the support of baseball commissioner Rob Manfred. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
With Manfred's support, Braves bring chop to World Series

By Charles Odum Oct. 28, 2021 01:56 AM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — As the World Series shifts to Atlanta, some TV viewers may be

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a diving touchdown reception in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ross Cockrell (43) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., in this Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, file photo. Matt Ryan is looking to see the Atlanta Falcons' offense continue its improvement when the team returns from its bye week for Sunday's game in Miami. Having top target Calvin Ridley back in the lineup should help the offense. Ryan said Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, Ridley “was flying around” in his return to practice after missing the Falcons' last game for personal reasons. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
Falcons' Ridley 'flying around' in return after missing week

By Charles Odum Oct. 20, 2021 03:03 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Matt Ryan is looking to see more growth from the

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8), left, is greeted by Atlanta Falcons tight end Lee Smith (85) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Atlanta Falcons at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, England, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Falcons on upswing under Smith, have cause for encouragement

By Charles Odum Oct. 14, 2021 01:53 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Five weeks into Arthur Smith's regime, the Atlanta Falcons are

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) misses the catch against Washington Football Team cornerback William Jackson (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Falcons top WR Ridley to miss Jets game for personal reasons

By Charles Odum Oct. 07, 2021 02:20 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Falcons leading receiver Calvin Ridley will not play in