PAUL NEWBERRY
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws the ball as Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
New era in Philly: Hurts 3 TDs, Eagles rout Falcons 32-6

By Paul Newberry Sep. 12, 2021 04:26 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — The start of a new era couldn't have gone much better for the

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, left, and Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski after the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Rebuilding Bowl: Rookie coaches debut in Falcons vs. Eagles

By Paul Newberry Sep. 09, 2021 02:11 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Call this the Rebuilding Bowl. When the

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) catches a ball during NFL football practice on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
New coach, new GM, no Julio: Falcons begin major overhaul

By Paul Newberry Sep. 01, 2021 02:22 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — New coach. New general manager.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, right, stands on the sidelines during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Mayfield throws touchdown pass, Browns beat Falcons 19-10

By Paul Newberry Aug. 29, 2021 11:11 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Baker Mayfield finally got a chance to play in the preseason.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) makes a catch against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Column: Sports should require fans be vaxxed - or stay home

By Paul Newberry Aug. 20, 2021 07:31 PM EDT
The Raiders have always prided themselves on being a maverick franchise, so

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, file photo, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons began their offseason training program Tuesday, May 25, 2021, without longtime star receiver Julio Jones, who apparently has no intention of returning to a rebuilding team that is still struggling to get under the salary cap. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Falcons coach tight-lipped about Julio Jones' future

By Paul Newberry May. 25, 2021 01:42 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons began their offseason training program

FILE - In this Feb 22, 2020, file photo, New York Mets' Tim Tebow looks back in the dugout during a spring training baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Tebow and coach Urban Meyer are together again, this time in the NFL and with Tebow playing a new position. The former Florida star and 2007 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback signed a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, May 20, 2021, and will attempt to revive his pro career as a tight end. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis, File)
Column: Tim Tebow's reality show heads back to the NFL

By Paul Newberry May. 21, 2021 03:32 PM EDT
Maybe Colin Kaepernick should learn a new position. Tight

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, Clemson's Trevor Lawrence greets fans as he arrives for the team's NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Clemson, S.C. Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are expected to be the top two picks selected in the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 29, 20212, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)
Column: Drafting a franchise QB always a risky endeavor

By Paul Newberry Apr. 30, 2021 03:49 PM EDT
One quarterback. Then another. And yet another. For the

Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, right, holds a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after he was chosen by the Atlanta Falcons with the fourth pick in the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Falcons pick Florida TE Kyle Pitts at No. 4 in NFL draft

By Paul Newberry Apr. 29, 2021 09:08 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons decided not to pick their quarterback of the

FILE - Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws during an NFL Pro Day at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, in this Tuesday, March 30, 2021, file photo. The Division I Council meets Wednesday and Thursday, April 14-15, and at the top of the agenda — at least in terms of importance — is voting on a proposal that would grant all college athletes the right to transfer one time as undergraduates without sitting out season of competition. Some high-profile players such as quarterback Justin Fields, who transferred from Georgia to Ohio State in 2019, were granted waivers by the NCAA and it created an expectation that all players would be cleared to play right away. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
With No. 4 pick, Falcons facing major decision in NFL draft

By Paul Newberry Apr. 23, 2021 04:01 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have their highest pick in the NFL draft

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 file photo, Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack (51) works during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Atlanta. Former Pro Bowl center Alex Mack is reuniting with coach Kyle Shanahan after signing a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers announced the three-year deal with Mack on Thursday, March 18, 2021 one day after agreeing to give left tackle Trent Williams a $138.1 million, six-year deal to remain in San Francisco.(AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Falcons hope low-cost free agent class will make big splash

By Paul Newberry Mar. 25, 2021 01:46 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — With little money to spend in free agency, the Atlanta Falcons

FILE - Aug. 21, 2020, file photo, Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith instructs his players during NFL football training camp in Nashville, Tenn. Smith, the new Atlanta Falcons coach, has started building his staff by hiring offensive coordinator Dave Ragone, defensive coordinator Dean Pees and special teams coach Marquice Williams. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, Pool, File)
Falcons looking to get creative as they face major overhaul

By Paul Newberry Feb. 23, 2021 05:30 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Taking over a team that has endured three straight losing

FILE- In this March 24, 2019, file photo, Memphis Express quarterback Johnny Manziel warms up before an AAF football game against the Birmingham Iron in Memphis, Tenn. After a self-destructing pro career that never close to matching his enormous potential, Manziel says he's done with the game that gave him his catchy moniker (Johnny Football), even as he's dabbling in a fledgling, fan-controlled arena league that was set to begin play Saturday night in suburban Atlanta. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
AP Interview: Manziel says he's done with football -- mostly

By Paul Newberry Feb. 13, 2021 04:23 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — No more football for Johnny Football unless it's just for kicks.

FILE- In this Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, file photo, Pacific Lutheran football players wait for the snap on the line of scrimmage during practice in Tacoma, Wash. Are you ready for some (more) football! No need to take a break from the gridiron just because the NFL season is over. Lower-division college teams are ready to kick off their seasons -- snow-covered fields and all -- after sitting out the fall because of the pandemic. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Column: Are you ready for some (more) football!

By Paul Newberry Feb. 12, 2021 04:53 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Are you ready for some (more) football! You

Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves reacts Saturday, July 21, 1973, in Atlanta after hitting 700th career home run against the Philadelphia Phillies. (AP Photo)
Aaron's death prompts call to change name: Braves to Hammers

By Paul Newberry Jan. 23, 2021 02:29 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — As his adopted hometown mourned Hank Aaron's death, some fans

FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2016, file photo, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer shouts from the sideline in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. A person familiar with the search says Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars are working toward finalizing a deal to make him the team's next head coach. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, because a formal agreement was not yet in place. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Column: Meyer faces tough adjustment heading to NFL Jaguars

By Paul Newberry Jan. 15, 2021 03:43 PM EST
Before the good folks in Jacksonville get too fired up about the arrival of

Vanderbilt place kicker Sarah Fuller (32) kicks an extra point during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee at Vanderbilt Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. After leading Vanderbilt to the Southeastern Conference women's soccer championship, she suited up for the Commodores undermanned football team, becoming the first female to play in a Power Five game and tacking on another historic first when she scored in her next game by kicking a pair of extra points. (George Walker IV/The Tennessean via AP)
Column: 2020 is perfect for socially distanced Newby Awards

By Paul Newberry Dec. 25, 2020 12:18 PM EST
In these scary times, it's hard to pull off an awards show.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) works in the pocket as Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Tyeler Davison (96) gives pressure during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Comeback, Part II: Brady breaks Falcons' hearts again, 31-27

By Paul Newberry Dec. 20, 2020 04:25 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Tom Brady took a knee, then headed toward the Atlanta Falcons

New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams (26) and New Orleans Saints defensive back J.T. Gray (48) defend Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons look for another strong finish to lost season

By Paul Newberry Dec. 09, 2020 05:57 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — The Falcons have plenty of experience at this, far more than

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara dives into the endzone past Atlanta Falcons cornerback Darqueze Dennard for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Hill throws 2 TD passes, Saints hold off Falcons 21-16

By Paul Newberry Dec. 06, 2020 04:43 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Taysom Hill finally threw a touchdown pass.