PAUL NEWBERRY
FILE - Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Marcus Mariota (1) and Desmond Ridder (4) prepare before a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Marcus Mariota on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in a move that was expected after the veteran was benched late in the 2022 season.The Falcons were 5-8 with Mariota as the starter before rookie Desmond Ridder started the final four games, winning two. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, FILE)
AP source: QB Heinicke returning home to sign with Falcons

By Paul Newberry Mar. 14, 2023 12:20 PM EDT
Setting up a competition at quarterback, the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates with the trophy after the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Column: Take that, all you imaginary haters!

By Paul Newberry Feb. 17, 2023 02:37 PM EST
Forget the U.S. hockey team knocking off the mighty Soviets at the 1980 Winter

FILE - Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon watches during NFL rookie football minicamp on May 6, 2022, in Philadelphia. The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to hire Gannon to be their next head coach, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday, Feb. 14. 20243, because the deal hasn’t been completed (AP Photo/Christopher Szagola, File)
Same ol' same ol': No progress for Black head coaches in NFL

By Paul Newberry Feb. 16, 2023 05:00 PM EST
After completing the latest round of coaching hires this week, the NFL won't look

People have their photo taken with signage for the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football team while visiting a display Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs are scheduled to play the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Column: No Super Bowl? No problem for millions of Americans

By Paul Newberry Feb. 10, 2023 03:23 PM EST
For years, Sue Ferrara has followed the same routine on Super Bowl Sunday.

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski, left, and quarterback Tom Brady celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl winner with New England and Tampa Bay, announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 exactly one year after first saying his playing days were over. He leaves the NFL with more wins, yards passing and touchdowns than any other quarterback. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
Column: Brady's finale didn't go as planned, but not too bad

By Paul Newberry Feb. 01, 2023 05:54 PM EST
In a perfect world — and so much of Tom Brady's career was as close to perfection as

Carolina Panthers head coach Steve Wilks watches during the first half an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Column: Six Degrees of Wilks connects dots of NFL racism

By Paul Newberry Jan. 27, 2023 03:10 PM EST
Let's play Six Degrees of Steve Wilks, a quick and easy way to connect the dots of

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) walks off the field after an NFL wild-card football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville Jaguars won 31-30. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Column: Lawrence and the Jags finally have things covered

By Paul Newberry Jan. 20, 2023 05:57 PM EST
We can’t give credit to the scattered and covered hash browns, because Trevor

The Mercedes-Benz stadium is seen after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game between Georgia and Ohio State, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Atlanta. Georgia won 42-41. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Column: Super Bowls before the Super Bowl? Don't rule it out

By Paul Newberry Jan. 13, 2023 04:20 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — If Buffalo and Kansas City both reach the AFC championship game, they

Arizona Cardinals quarterback David Blough (17) works from the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Cardinals come up short again going with 4th QB in 4 weeks

By Paul Newberry Jan. 01, 2023 05:57 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — For the first time in three years, David Blough trotted on the field

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Ridder Time: Falcons bench Mariota in favor of rookie QB

By Paul Newberry Dec. 12, 2022 03:10 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are turning to rookie Desmond Ridder

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin speaks with Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Atlanta. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 19-16. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Mariota or Ridder? Slumping Falcons ponder change at QB

By Paul Newberry Dec. 08, 2022 06:44 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Mired in a monthlong slump but somehow still in playoff contention,

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin speaks with Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Atlanta. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 19-16. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Changes could be coming for struggling Falcons after bye

By Paul Newberry Dec. 05, 2022 05:17 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — No one's job is safe for the struggling Atlanta Falcons.

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and linebacker T.J. Watt (90) celebrate the sacking of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Heyward brothers lead Steelers to 19-16 win over Falcons

By Paul Newberry Dec. 04, 2022 04:15 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Ironhead would've been proud of his boys. After a

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) and Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat (90) reacting to an interception thrown by Mariota during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Landover, Md. Washington won the 13-19. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Steelers go for first winning streak of season vs Falcons

By Paul Newberry Dec. 01, 2022 03:50 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are playing out the season with some very un

Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore removes his helmet after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Atlanta. Moore was charged with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty for removing his helmet on the play. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Koo's OT FG gives Falcons improbable 37-34 win over Panthers

By Paul Newberry Oct. 30, 2022 05:05 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — D.J. Moore hauled in a last-minute touchdown pass but ripped off his

FILE - Washington Wizards' Michael Jordan waves as he walks off the court at the end of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 16, 2003, in Philadelphia. It was Jordan's last NBA game. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy, File)
Column: Brady may join top 10 who should've stayed retired

By Paul Newberry Oct. 28, 2022 04:29 PM EDT
An athlete's decision to retire has long been a perplexing one, especially for those

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai (58) in the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Falcons, Panthers are somehow contending in weak NFC South

By Paul Newberry Oct. 27, 2022 05:02 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are rebuilding. The Carolina

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Marcus Mariota making the most of his 2nd chance in Atlanta

By Paul Newberry Oct. 20, 2022 04:03 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — For Marcus Mariota, the loss of confidence was the biggest blow.

FILE - Pro Football Hall of Fame member Charley Trippi poses with memorabilia at his home in Athens, Ga., on Jan, 27, 2009. Trippi, a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy at Georgia who went on to lead the Cardinals to their most recent NFL championship in 1947, died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022. He was 100. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Pro Football Hall of Famer Charley Trippi dies at 100

By Paul Newberry Oct. 19, 2022 05:35 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Charley Trippi, a runner-up for

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) speaks to San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (29) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 28-14. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Falcons' confidence grows, tied with Bucs atop NFC South

By Paul Newberry Oct. 17, 2022 03:57 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Who's that team at the top of the NFC South? Yep, it's