As the Falcons finish up minicamp, which players have stood out & where will the position battles be? The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter reports from the Falcons’ facilities.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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Continue reading Video: Julio Jones earns coveted minicamp MVP award »
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and City of Refuge CEO Bruce Deel on Thursday. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/Dledbetter@ajc.com)
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who has been consistently available to local and national media during the process of helping to lead the franchise into the playoffs three times in four seasons, has been selected as the 2012 Jack Horrigan Award winner by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).
“It is a tremendous honor to receive this award,” Dimitroff said. “When I was first hired here in 2008, one of the things that our Owner & Chairman Arthur Blank impressed upon me and Coach Smith was to build an open and mutually respective relationship with the media. I have to thank him for his guidance and direction as I have continued to learn how to manage the media responsibilities that go along with being a general manager. I am humbled by this award, but it is a true testament of Mr. Blank’s vision for our organization …
Continue reading PFWA: Thomas Dimitroff wins 2012 Horrigan award »
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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Continue reading Video: Michael Turner denies rumors that he’s overweight »
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Continue reading Video: Falcons coach Mike Smith wraps up minicamp »
FLOWERY BRANCH – As part of their training camp schedule, the Falcons will scirmmage the Tennessee Titans in Dalton.
Last season, they scrimmaged the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
In 2010, they scrimmaged the Jaguars and the New England Patriots in Flowery Branch.
The training camp will have select practices open to the public from July 26 – August 19.
The Falcons will conduct 33 sessions, including walkthroughs and practices, at their training facility.
Atlanta will practice with the Titans at Coahulla Creek High School on Monday, August 6 in Dalton.
Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29 are designated Falcons Youth Weekend, during which children ages 17 and under will have the opportunity to obtain Atlanta Falcons cheerleader autographs, “look like a pro,” and enter a contest to win prizes. On Friday, August 3, the Falcons are pleased to present Kia Motors “Friday Night Lights”, which will be held at Peachtree Ridge High School.
Below are the details of the 2012 Russell …
Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: Team to scrimmage Titans in training camp »
Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/DLedbetter@ajc.com)
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons are quick to note that they made 17 player moves over the offseason, but landing defensive coordinator Mike Nolan may be the team’s most important offseason pickup.
Former coordinator Brian VanGorder was in his first stint as a defensive coordinator in the NFL. He returned to the college ranks after last season.
No players in the meeting room will be able to question any calls or scheme adjustments by Nolan because of his experience as a head coach and coordinator. He has coached in the NFL since 1987, was the 49ers’ head coach from 2005-08 and has been the defensive coordinator for six other NFL teams.
The defense, which showed signs of marginal improvement under VanGorder, must make a major leap in pass coverage and on third downs under Nolan. Also, the run defense is now suspect since middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, the team’s leading tackler over the …
Continue reading Video: Falcons DC Mike Nolan discusses 4-3, hybrid 3-4 attack »
Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/DLedbetter@ajc.com)
FLOWERY BRANCH — Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who was John Abraham’s first defensive coordinator with the New York Jets in 2000, noticed that the defensive end is a little behind the rest of the linemen who attended the organized training activities.
“I’ve known him a long time,” Nolan said. “He’s missed some of the OTAs, and we are a little bit at an advance state as far as the language. … Right now, John is kind of going a little bit slower. He’s having to ask more questions because he wasn’t here for those classes. But, nonetheless, John is a good player.”
Nolan said he wasn’t worried about Abraham catching up to the group.
“The problem is that if a guy is thinking too much on the field because of terminology, then he’s not playing fast,” Nolan said. “That’s a lot of what the OTAs and minicamp try to get out of the way. When they come back at training camp, a lot of that is behind them …
Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: Abraham a little behind the curve »
Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/DLedbetter@ajc.com)
FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter chatted with the media after the morning practice on Wednesday.
He also sat down with columnist Mark Bradley of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. CLICK HERE for his piece.
He talked about the offense, Tony Gonzalez, Julio Jones, Jacquizz Rogers and how he and Matt Ryan discussed the changes to the attack.
Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Q: How are the guys picking up the offense?
A: The guys are doing great. They study hard. We have an excellent coaching staff that does a great job in the meeting room of teaching these guys. These guys are really able to take it from the class room onto the field. Because coach [Mike] Nolan has been giving us a bunch of tough looks defensively — a lot of the problems that you’re going to face during the season our defense has been showing us those problems. That’s great when …
Continue reading Video: Q&A with offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter »
With the help of a team trainer, Falcons running back Michael Turner stretches his leg muscles at OTAs on June 13. (Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com)
FLOWERY BRANCH — After the morning session on Wednesday, Falcons running back Michael Turner spoke with NFL Network’s Solomon Wilcots for an interview that aired on NFL Total Access on NFL Network.
Here is a video link and transcript of the interview:
On how he has become such a good player over a consistent period of time since joining the Falcons: “That’s the key: being consistent. Doing all of the little things right every week and just being out there for my team. Just go out there and try to prove that I’m one of the best in the league.”
On what to expect from the Falcons’ offense under new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter: “I’m not going to show our hand right now, but Dirk has a lot of toys to play with out there. He’s going to make sure everybody gets their touches. Mike [Mularkey] had the same guys but it’s …
Continue reading NFL Network: Michael Turner was on Total Access »
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