2+ mon, 1+ week ago (418+ words) Former Atlanta Falcons fan favorite Mohamed Sanu Sr. has officially announced his retirement from the NFL after a successful 10-year career. The wideout broke the news with a brief message on social media. "After 10+ years in the NFL, my playing chapter is closing," Sanu wrote on X. "Grateful for every coach, teammate & fan." Sanu, 36, was a reliable contributor for former Falcons legend and MVP quarterback Matt Ryan. From 2016 to 2019, he caught 225 passes for 2,507 yards and 14 touchdowns across 53 games with Atlanta. His reliable hands, toughness and polished route-running skills were crucial to their success, especially come playoff time. Falcons fans surely remember when Sanu scored the first touchdown of the team's NFC Championship Game victory over the Green Bay Packers in 2016. It was his second of two end zone trips that postseason; he was vital to them reaching their first Super Bowl…...

11+ mon, 15+ hour ago (241+ words) Loser: Raheem Morris The head coach was given a gift after the Falcons fumbled away a three game division lead. Cooper Rush led the Dallas Cowboys in an upset ... The head coach was given a gift after the Falcons fumbled away a three game division lead. Cooper Rush led the Dallas Cowboys in an upset over Tampa Bay to give the Falcons a chance. All you needed to do to win the division was find a way to beat the Commanders and Panthers. The Commanders aren't an easy out, however, you were given a 17-7 lead and twice had chances to change the game. Morris not using his timeouts at the end of either half is as awful of coaching as you'll see. If Morris had called timeouts at the end of the second half you have a chance to move…...

2+ mon, 2+ week ago (356+ words) The Atlanta Falcons must rebound from a crushing Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and it won't be easy. For the second time in five NFL starts, Michael Penix Jr. will take to the road on Sunday Night Football, this time against the Minnesota Vikings. To leave Minnesota with a win, the Falcons will need some heroic efforts from their superstars. The offense's struggles to get the ball down the field in Week 1 had a lot to do with Darnell Mooney's absence; he is the one who brings speed and quickness next to Drake London. The Vikings are in a tough spot with their secondary, with Harrison Smith dealing with an illness and Jeff Okudah being ruled out. London should see a lot of Byron Murphy, setting Mooney up to feast on second-year UDFA Dwight McGlothern. Expect to see…...

5+ mon, 1+ week ago (293+ words) The Atlanta Falcons may not have won the NFC South crown last year, but they have captured all the attention this offseason because of one player: Kirk Cousins. Cousins' starting career is on hold as his team continues to hold onto him as they wait for the perfect opportunity to unload him. This will continue to be talked about until he is traded, which may not happen for a few months. Bleacher Report released an article pointing out the biggest rumor in each of the NFL's eight divisions. The NFC South's biggest rumor is whether Kirk Cousins is stuck as a backup quarterback. It is a valid question; there aren't any landing spots left after the Steelers signed Aaron Rodgers. Atlanta and their expensive quarterback will likely have to wait for an injury to another team. If the right scenario…...

10+ mon, 3+ week ago (225+ words) Protect Michael Penix Jr. If there is one goal for the Atlanta Falcons now that they are assumably out of the playoffs it is protecting your franchise quart ... If there is one goal for the Atlanta Falcons now that they are assumably out of the playoffs it is protecting your franchise quarterback. There is a reason many playoff teams are sitting their starters in what is a meaningless game in the regular season's final games. Atlanta has a very slim chance of making the playoffs that all hinges on the arm of Spencer Rattler. Those that have watched the Saints since Rattler has taken over understands that the season is over. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs are going to run the Saints off the field and quickly lock away their playoff spot. With this in mind, the Falcons should be…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago (398+ words) Long gone are the days of watching Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks and running backs getting terrorized behind the line every Sunday. The Falcons have managed to build a brick wall for their many quarterbacks over the past few seasons. Home run draft picks like Kaleb McGary, Chris Lindstrom, and Matthew Bergeron, the continued brilliance of Jake Matthews, and the steal that was Ryan Neuzil have helped fortify the team's outstanding unit. The success has transferred into Year 2 under Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson, as they continue to dominate at the line of scrimmage'which has contributed to one of the league's best rushing attacls. While there have been some bumps in the season'specifically in Weeks 1 and 3'on the offensive line, they have been all around great this season. No matter if you are talking about the pass or run game, the big…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago (471+ words) The Atlanta Falcons spent their bye week doing something unfamiliar, breathing easy about the quarterback position. That alone says plenty about how far Michael Penix Jr. has come in just a few short weeks. After a brutal shutout loss to Carolina in Week 3 that left fans openly wondering if Kirk Cousins should take over, Penix responded with the best game of his young career." Against Washington, he threw for a career-high 313 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-27 win. His reward? A small climb in NFL Spin Zone's Sayre Bedinger's Week 6 QB Power Rankings, landing at No. 24 coming out of the bye." Sure it's not amazing, but it reflects steady progress for a rookie who was sitting at number 29 just two weeks ago. But even better is that the young quarterback's bounce back came at just the right time. Heading into…...

2+ week, 3+ hour ago (371+ words) The Atlanta Falcons enjoyed an offensive renaissance in the first half against the Carolina Panthers in Week 11, but that just came with some disappointing injury news. As Atlanta leads 21-10 entering the break, it was reported that WR Darnell Mooney was questionable to return after suffering a rib injury. After Raheem Morris admitted earlier this week that the root of the 28-year-old's struggles was a broken collarbone suffered in training camp, Mooney was enjoying one of his best outings of the season. He caught three of four targets for 34 receiving yards against a weak Panther secondary before exiting the contest. Both Penix and Zac Robinson admitted earlier this week they expected the Tulane product to return to form throughout the final eight games of the season, their note of faith was well-placed. He's finally been hauling in the downfield targets from…...

3+ mon, 3+ week ago (357+ words) Bleacher Report was live from Atlanta Falcons training camp on Tuesday, interviewing and discussing all things related to the team. Among the guests was legendary pass rusher and the franchise's last truly great pass rusher, John Abraham. At the end, Abraham was tasked with going through the Falcons' schedule and predicting which games they would win and lose. And if his predictions turn out to be true, the franchise will be heading to the postseason for the first time since the 2017 season. The Falcons have a finicky schedule that includes a lot of tough games and a condensed road schedule. While this factored into Abraham's thinking, it didn't deter him from predicting double-digit wins from this team. Here is a full look: That is good for a record of 10-6-1 which, considering the division, should be good enough to get you…...

8+ mon, 2+ week ago (201+ words) Grady Jarrett, the heart and soul of the Atlanta Falcons defense for a decade, was released Monday morning and it didn't take long for him to find a new home. Jarrett and the Chicago Bears are in agreement on a big contract. Well, that didn't take long; the Bears continue their spending spree which includes former Falcons center Drew Dalman. The two teammates will reunite on opposite sides of the ball, assuming nothing big happens before they can officially sign. There is a reason the Falcons and Grady couldn't reach a new agreement; they were never going to pay him that much. Nevertheless, it is sad to see him go. Owner Arthur Blank released this statement right before news broke on his new contract: Everything he said in there shows the amount of respect the former fifth-round pick earned. Not…...