2019 ScheduleAll times ET

2019 Schedule
7-9, 2nd in NFC South

Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer 

Julio Jones shared his thoughts about his mentor, former NFL wide receiver Roy Green, recovering from a stroke. Green, 61, suffered the stroke back in October and is starting to feel a lot better. ``I was hurt when it happened,'' Jones told ESPN. ``His memory was kind of off. But I called and talked with him, and then he started to remember everything, so I was like, `Oh, he's good.' It just took a little time, but Roy is back.'' Green, called ``Jet Stream'' during his playing days, gave the nickname ``Jet Jones'' to the Falcons star. ``That's my guy,'' Jones said of Green. ``He taught me the way coming out of college. He's somebody who is important in my life. I'm going to always recognize him. And I appreciate what he's done for me. What he really emphasized to me is being a 'dog' and the speed of the game, taking the top off each and every play, and scaring the defense and defensive coordinators.''

Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer 

Former NFL star receiver Calvin Johnson, shown here with Falcons rookie RB Qadree Ollison, shared some knowledge with Calvin Ridley while making a stop at Falcons' minicamp. ``It was pretty cool,'' Ridley said. ``Obviously he's a Hall of Fame and great player. It was cool to have him in here and hear what he thought about his years playing. ... He was showing me you have to extend your arms way out so you can have almost like a backboard in case the DBs on you to give you the advantage of catching the ball.'' Dan Quinn said the team also has had Ed Reed and Takeo Spikes out visiting this offseason.

7d

Carolina On Our Mind

Mina and SB Nation's Charles McDonald discuss whether the Falcons (6:35), Saints (19:55), Bucs (38:57), and Panthers (48:09) will be better or worse next year. Plus, who from The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz could Mina beat in a race (34:47)?

Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer 

Some notes from Thursday's open Falcons' OTA: First-round pick Chris Lindstrom continued to get extensive work with the starters at right guard with Ty Sambrailo working next to him at right tackle. The Falcons rotated Jamon Brown at left guard behind James Carpenter, at least for one segment. First-rounder Kaleb McGary worked behind Sambrailo. ... Second-year wide receiver Russell Gage made a nice juggling catch in the back of the end zone from Matt Schaub in the red zone. Gage has been the primary beneficiary of Julio Jones' absence from OTAs. With Calvin Ridley (foot) sidelined Thursday, Gage appeared to get even more looks. ... Rookie John Cominsky and Ra'Shede Hageman worked together on the defensive interior. Coach Dan Quinn said Hageman's reps will increase as Hageman continues to get his conditioning back ... Rookie corner Jordan Miller showed his length and skill in picking off a pass during one drill.

Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer 

Falcons linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich loves the elite level which Deion Jones has played at since entering the league. Ulbrich sees another level Jones can take it to. ``Keep building upon his strength and size,'' Ulbrich said. ``He's speed, quickness, and explosiveness is so exceptional that sometimes, even in hard-ball situations where they're going to come at him, he's a good player. But I think he can be a great player if he was bigger and stronger in those situations. He knows that.'' Jones, listed at 6-1, 227 but probably a bit lighter, has been away from voluntary OTAs and is one of three players awaiting a new contract along with Julio Jones and Grady Jarrett. Foye Oluokun has gotten work at middle linebacker with Jones gone. Bruce Carter and Jermaine Grace also playing in that role.

Adam Schefter ESPN Senior Writer 

UFA defensive lineman Allen Bailey is visiting the Falcons today, per source. He has previously visited the Patriots, Panthers and Seahawks.

Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer 

Falcons DE Vic Beasley Jr. told ESPN, "Yeah, I'll definitely be there," when asked Friday if he plans to attend mandatory minicamp in a couple weeks. Beasley politely declined to discuss his reason for skipping out on voluntary OTAs. "I'm just working as hard as I can," Beasley said. "I'm training hard. I'm excited about this season." Falcons coach Dan Quinn was a bit disappointed about Beasley not attending OTAs because "there's nothing like on-the-field stuff." Beasley has been training in his hometown of Adairsville, Georgia, where he's hosting a basketball tournament this weekend to benefit Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He's also been working out in Buford, Ga. with Bud Dupree of the Steelers. Beasley's entering the final year of his deal and is due to make $12.81 million after team picked up his fifth-year option. Quinn, now the defensive coordinator, told ESPN in February he was eager to take a hands-on approach with Beasley to get him back playing at a high level. Beasley led the league with 15.5 sacks in 2016 but registered just 10 sacks the last two seasons.

Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer 

Falcons WR Calvin Ridley trying to pace himself in Year 2 so he's not exhausted late in the season: ``Sometimes, I overdo stuff. I work so hard by the time the game comes, I'm tired already from the week. Just slowing it down, getting mental reps, more mental reps, and just getting my body more prepared for the games and the long season. ... Less [practice] reps and watching more and getting it, because I pretty much got it.''

Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer 

Some notes from Falcons' open OTA Thursday: First-rounders Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary worked primarily with the second-team offense at right guard and right tackle as Ty Sambrailo and Jamon Brown got the first-team reps. But Lindstrom saw extensive time with the first group near the end of practice and held his own. ... Pro Bowl center Alex Mack appeared to put linebacker Foye Oluokun to the ground blocking at the second level. It wasn't a vicious block but it showed why Mack is so vital to the line. ... DT Ra'Shede Hageman showed his physicality pushing back OG Adam Gettis while pressuring QB Matt Schaub, Hageman has to take advantage of the few opportunities he's getting right now. ... With Keanu Neal (ACL) and Ricardo Allen (Achilles) still rehabbing, J.J. Wilcox and Chris Cooper got extensive work at safety, with Wilcox down in the box at strong and Cooper at free. ... Rookie CB Kendall Sheffield lined up at left cornerback during one 11-on-11 drill and looked smooth with his backpedal and technique as tight end Alex Gray lined up against him. The Falcons have eased Sheffield into action after a pre-draft pectoral injury ...Yurik Bethune from Alabama A&M has been by far the most impressive of the undrafted guys with his speed at linebacker and ability to rush off the edge. ... Rookie RB Qadree Ollison was spotted doing push-ups after a fumble.

Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer 

Falcons coach Dan Quinn didn't express too much concern about the players missing from Thursday's open session of OTAs: Julio Jones, Deion Jones, Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett, and Adrian Clayborn. Both Julio Jones and Grady Jarrett have unresolved contract issues, while Quinn also noted that both Julio Jones and Deion Jones are rehabbing. Beasley's absence seemed to catch everyone off guard, but Quinn indicated Beasley would be back for mandatory minicamp (June 11-13). “Of course, there's nothing like on-the-field stuff,'' Quinn said when asked if he was disappointed about Beasley not being at the voluntary OTAs. Beasley's status worth watching since Quinn seems determine to get the best out of the slumping pass-rusher while taking over a defensive coordinator. Falcons already thin at defensive end with backup Steven Means lost for the season with an Achilles injury on Monday. Jack Crawford played some on the edge Thursday opposite Takk McKinley.

Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer 

Former Falcons defensive tackle Terrell McClain is signing a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, source tells me. McClain played in 13 games for the Falcons last season and started five. His best years came with the Dallas Cowboys between 2014-2016. The 30-year-old McClain, a former third-round draft pick, started his career with Panthers and also played for the Patriots, Texans, and Redskins. He has history with new Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer 

Julio Jones told ESPN in April, ``Mandatory stuff, I'll be there,'' so Jones not expected at voluntary OTAs this week and beyond. Next ``mandatory'' event is minicamp June 11-13. I asked GM Thomas Dimitroff if there's a sense of urgency to get Jones' contract issue resolved by mandatory minicamp. ``I would like to get him done, of course, as soon as possible,'' Dimitroff said. ``I'm not stressing about it because I'm very confident that we are having really good conversations. And so again, as I say, there's no time frame on it. But, the sooner the better.'' When pressed on if it's important to get a deal done by mandatory minicamp, Dimitroff responded, ``Not necessarily.'' Jones skipped mandatory minicamp last season but came to training camp after the team adjusted his contract, netting him an additional $2.9 million for 2018. Now he's due for a lucrative extension that should make him the league's highest-paid receiver.

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Team Stats

Passing Yards290.84th
Rushing Yards98.327th
Points For25.910th
Points Against26.425th