Arthur Smith
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 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

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram hands a ball to a fan before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons 1/9/2022

Jan. 09, 2022 04:11 PM EST

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 Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Saints defense hopes for a better rush vs. Falcons QB Ryan

By Les East Jan. 05, 2022 08:33 PM EST

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 Falcons outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji (92) celebrates after the team scored on a safety during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Falcons see promising future as playoff hopes end with loss

By Mark Ludwiczak Jan. 02, 2022 08:01 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji (92) celebrates after the team scored on a safety during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Bills clinch playoff berth, eliminate Falcons with 29-15 win

By John Wawrow Jan. 02, 2022 04:40 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Foye Oluokun (54) celebrates his interception against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 20-16. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Bills have their swagger back in preparing to host Falcons

By John Wawrow Dec. 30, 2021 06:59 PM EST

New England Patriots running back Damien Harris (37) hangs onto the ball as Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer, right, tries for the strip on his touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
In passing league, some teams still find success on ground

By Josh Dubow Dec. 29, 2021 01:58 PM EST

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 Falcons long snapper Josh Harris signs autographs before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons 12/26/2021

Dec. 26, 2021 12:35 PM EST

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 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

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 Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, left, is hit by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arden Key, who was called for a penalty on the play, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Falcons failures near goal line lead to 31-13 loss to 49ers

By Josh Dubow Dec. 19, 2021 09:24 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson, middle right, is tackled at the goal line by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Kevin Givens, middle, and middle linebacker Fred Warner, right, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers 12/19/2021

Dec. 19, 2021 04:23 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers' Deebo Samuel (19) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Versatility of Samuel, Patterson fuel Falcons and 49ers

By Josh Dubow Dec. 16, 2021 12:46 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons safety Erik Harris, left, struggles to stop Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Dan Arnold (85) after a reception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Falcons S Erik Harris done for season with pectoral injury

Dec. 16, 2021 01:08 AM EST

Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson scores against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Falcons finally finding some success with running game

By George Henry Dec. 13, 2021 02:29 PM EST