PAUL NEWBERRY
FILE - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's practice facility in Indianapolis on March 22, 2022. Matt Ryan has joined CBS as an analyst, though he stressed Monday, May 15, 2023, that he's not giving up on landing with another team as a quarterback. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
QB Matt Ryan joins CBS as analyst, says he's not retiring as player

By Paul Newberry May. 15, 2023 01:19 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Ryan has joined CBS as an analyst, though he's not giving up on

FILE - Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson (29) tries to fend off Buffalo Bills cornerback Mario Clark as each entwine their fingers in the other's facemask during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Anaheim Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 27, 1983, in Anaheim, Calif. No penalty was charged. It was once the glamour position of the NFL, the spot where stars like Sayers and O.J., Sweetness and Sanders, Emmitt and Dickerson, performed some of the game's most memorable feats. Maybe, just maybe, the running back is making a comeback. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac, File)
Column: Running backs make a comeback in the NFL

By Paul Newberry Apr. 28, 2023 06:24 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — It was once the glamour spot of the NFL, a position manned by giants

FILE - These are 2023 photos showing possible picks in the NFL football draft. From top left are: C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Will Anderson, Anthony Richardson, Jalen Carter, Devon Witherspoon, Tyree Wilson, Will Levis, Peter Skoronski, Lukas Van Ness, Myles Murphy and Nolan Smith. (AP Photo/File)
Falcons look to draft to augment big free agency moves

By Paul Newberry Apr. 20, 2023 03:16 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons finally had some money to spend, and they used it

FILE - FedEx Field, home of the Washington Commanders NFL football team, is shown before the start of a football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in Landover, Md. A group led by Josh Harris and Mitchell Rales that includes Magic Johnson has an agreement in principle to buy the NFL's Washington Commanders from longtime owner Dan Snyder for a North American professional sports team record $6 billion, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday, April 13, 2023, because the deal had not been announced. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Column: Make room, Frazee and Sterling, here comes Snyder

By Paul Newberry Apr. 14, 2023 05:06 PM EDT
Welcome, Dan Snyder, to the Owners Hall of Infamy. You'll feel right at

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, follows his shot from the 14th tee during a practice for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Masters '23: Things to watch for as play begins at Augusta

By Paul Newberry Apr. 06, 2023 06:00 AM EDT
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — From the renegade LIV tour to Scottie Scheffler's bid for a

FILE - Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver (26) breaks up a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Scotty Miller (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Jan. 8, 2023, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons added depth at receiver on Thursday, March 30, 2023 by signing free agent Scotty Miller to a one-year contract. Miller spent the last four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Bowling Green. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, file)
Falcons add more WR depth by signing Scotty Miller

By Paul Newberry Mar. 30, 2023 04:46 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons added depth at receiver on Thursday by signing

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