PAUL NEWBERRY
File-This Nov. 16, 2019, file photo shows free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick participating in a workout for NFL football scouts and media, in Riverdale, Ga. Kaepernick’s tryout: scouts dispatched, A busted play, with strings attached. (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland, File)
Column: NFL shamelessly commandeers Kaepernick's cause

By Paul Newberry Jan. 24, 2020 07:08 PM EST
The images are haunting. Dramatic music, punctuated by the

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick participates in a workout for NFL football scouts and media, in Riverdale, Ga. (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland, File)
Column: It's the Newby Awards, honoring best, worst of 2019

By Paul Newberry Dec. 30, 2019 03:16 PM EST
And the winner is ... Miss Philippines?

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn, center, celebrates with quarterbacks Matt Ryan, left, and Matt Schaub (8) during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Falcons choose stability: Quinn, Dimitroff to remain in 2020

By Paul Newberry Dec. 27, 2019 09:10 AM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Wrapping up another disappointing season but buoyed by a strong

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn speaks to players during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons score 2 early touchdowns, beat woeful Jaguars 24-12

By Paul Newberry Dec. 22, 2019 04:38 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — If this was Dan Quinn's final game in Atlanta as the Falcons

FIEL - In this Oct. 13, 2019, file photo, Japan's Kenki Fukuoka crosses the goal line for his team's third try against Scotland during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
Some of 2019's most memorable games decided by blown calls

By Paul Newberry Dec. 22, 2019 09:52 AM EST
The New Orleans Saints looked around in disbelief, searching for a yellow flag

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson scrambles against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in Baltimore. On the run, Jackson broke the single season record for most rush yards by a quarterback in NFL history. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Column: Lamar Jackson finishes off an ugly stereotype

By Paul Newberry Dec. 13, 2019 03:59 PM EST
Surely Lamar Jackson has put that ugly stereotype to rest, once and for all.

San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey (69) tends to fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) after being hit in the second half an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. The 49ers won 48-46. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Cousin showdown: Ryan, McGlinchey meet for 1st time in NFL

By Paul Newberry Dec. 12, 2019 03:30 AM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — To Matt Ryan, that's still his little cousin.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady lands on the turf after being sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Column: Patriots bring us a new scandal: Spygate 2.0

By Paul Newberry Dec. 10, 2019 05:56 PM EST
Anyone who's watched the New England Patriots stumble around for the past month

Former Atlanta Falcons player Roddy White speaks during a Falcons Ring of Honor ceremony during half time of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Ryan to OZ leads Falcons to another rout of Panthers, 40-20

By Paul Newberry Dec. 08, 2019 05:13 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons honored one of their greatest receivers at

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) works in the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Big guy, big catch: Vea TD leads Bucs past Falcons 35-22

By Paul Newberry Nov. 24, 2019 04:33 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Vita Vea worked on the play during the final day of practice.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) reacts after throwing an interception to New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Falcons vs Bucs: 2 teams with an eye on 2020

By Paul Newberry Nov. 21, 2019 07:38 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — In a way, the 2020 season has already begun for the Atlanta

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Tale of Two Seasons: Falcons turn it around after 1-7 start

By Paul Newberry Nov. 20, 2019 06:10 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Falcons can’t explain it.

Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick participates in a workout for NFL football scouts and media, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Riverdale, Ga. (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)
Last-minute audible: Kaepernick back to school for workout

By Paul Newberry Nov. 16, 2019 03:28 PM EST
RIVERDALE, Ga. (AP) — Colin Kaepernick’s saga took another surreal turn

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, left, is grabbed by Pittsburgh Steelers offensive guard David DeCastro (66) after Garrett pulled the helmet off Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 21-7. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Column: A suspension is the least of Garrett’s concerns

By Paul Newberry Nov. 15, 2019 02:22 PM EST
Myles Garrett will surely spend the rest of his career — maybe even the rest of

FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2018, file photo, former NFL football quarterback Colin Kaepernick smiles on stage during W.E.B. Du Bois Medal ceremonies at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Mass. Kaepernick plans to audition for NFL teams on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in a private workout arranged by the league to be held in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Column: Kaepernick’s tryout sounds more like a setup

By Paul Newberry Nov. 13, 2019 07:50 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Colin Kaepernick’s NFL tryout sounds more like a

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is hit by outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) anduring the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
High hopes for Falcons defense have been thoroughly dashed

By Paul Newberry Oct. 17, 2019 05:40 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons had high hopes for their defense, with

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman sits in the dugout during the ninth inning of the team's 13-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals during Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Another excruciating sports setback for the A-T-L

By Paul Newberry Oct. 10, 2019 03:07 AM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — At this point, Atlanta sports fans should be numb to the

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, file photo, penalty flags lie on the field after a play during the first half of an NFL football preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The guys in stripes are getting plenty of NFL face time, and there's plenty of blame to go around as the league deals with a troubling barrage of penalties. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Column: Guys in stripes getting plenty of NFL face time

By Paul Newberry Sep. 27, 2019 06:31 PM EDT
In the early weeks of the NFL season, the biggest stars are the guys in the stripes.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) celebrates with wide receiver Julio Jones (11) who ran down the tunnel after his go-ahead and eventual game-winning touchdown reception against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 24-20. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Jones scores late TD, leads Falcons past Eagles 24-20

By Paul Newberry Sep. 15, 2019 11:53 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Julio Jones hauled in a short pass behind the line of scrimmage, got

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones catches a 2-yard touchdown pass ahead of Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mark Fields, right, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
After dismal opener, is Falcons coach feeling some heat?

By Paul Newberry Sep. 12, 2019 08:43 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Dan Quinn brushes off any suggestion that he's starting to feel some