Ricardo Allen on Desmond Trufant, who had two picks vs. Eagles: “He's a dog. Everyone knows who Tru is. If he always catches the INTs that are thrown to him, because he covers so good, I think he'll be the No. 1 corner in the league.''
Julio Jones is now one of four players with at least 5 consecutive, 100-yard receiving games against a single opponent, according to Elias: Lance Alworth — 6 vs. Jets; Rod Smith — 6 vs. Chiefs; Julio Jones — 5 vs. Eagles; Del Shofner — 5 vs. Redskins.
Jones saved his best play for last -- and became the franchise's all-time leading receiver in the process -- to help the Falcons avoid an 0-2 start.
Dan Quinn on punter Matt Bosher: ``Yeah, so Bosh had strained his groin in pregame, so we didn't know if he was going to be able to punt. He is a really tough competitor. I don't know if you saw Mo [Sanu] kick some in pregame, as well. It wasn't just for the hell of it. He likes doing it. He does it some in practice, but he is our backup punter in that space, so we were ready to go if we had to go in that spot, so that's why Matt [Bryant] kicked off tonight. [Bosher] was able to fight through it and battle forward, but he couldn't kick off. He tried one, and we didn't want to make it worse from where he was at. [Had he] kept up worse, we would have went with Mo.''
Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley combine for 13 catches for 211 yards and three touchdowns in the Falcons' 24-20 win over the Eagles. Jones' 54-yard, catch-and-run TD behind a punishing block by Jake Matthews and another from Mohamed Sanu proved to be the difference as the defense closed out in the end. Said Jones of the screen, which came after a check by Matt Ryan with the 0 coverage/blitz coming. ``Once Sanu kicked the guy out, it was pretty much a footrace,'' Jones said. ``It was wide open. They had been giving us those zero looks throughout the game. We made them pay early on on one in the red, and then to myself.'' Falcons now 1-1 going into next week's road matchup with the Andrew Luck-less Indianapolis Colts (1-1).
Julio Jones hauled in a short pass on fourth down and took it 54 yards to the end zone with 2:10 remaining, giving the Atlanta Falcons a wild 24-20 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.
Falcons receiver Julio Jones surpassed Roddy White as the franchise's all-time leading receiver with a 54-yard touchdown catch against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.
Falcons rookie right tackle Kaleb McGary said initial tests on his injured left knee revealed no major structural damage, but that he would undergo further testing Monday morning.
With Falcons leading the Eagles 10-6 at halftime, turnovers have been a key as Desmond Trufant has two interceptions. It's the first time he's had multiple interceptions in a game in his career. On offense, the Falcons have benefited from the Matt Ryan to Calvin Ridley connection. Ryan, who has not been sacked, has targeted Ridley 8 times. Ridley has 7 catches for 91 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown. He's winning his 1-on-1 battles with Julio Jones drawing double coverage. We'll see if the offensive line can keep Ryan clean with right tackle Kaleb McGary sidelined by a knee injury. The Falcons need to take advantage of the Eagles' offense being without injured star receivers DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffrey, with receiver Nelson Agholor also getting banged up before the half.
Atlanta Falcons first-rounder Kaleb McGary limped off the field with 8 minutes, 10 seconds left in the second quarter Sunday night. McGary couldn't put pressure on his left leg. The Falcons already lost their other first-rounder, right guard Chris Lindstrom, to a broken foot. McGary, the starting right tackle, was replaced by Ty Sambrailo.
Falcons inactives vs. Eagles: OL Matt Gono, RB Brian Hill, CB Jordan Miller, RB Qadree Ollison, DT Deadrin Senat, OL John Wetzel, WR Olamide Zaccheaus.
Falcons FS Ricardo Allen was fined $28K (standard fine is $28,075) after being flagged for lowering the helmet to initiate contact vs. Vikings WR Stefon Diggs in last Sunday's game. Allen told ESPN he plans to appeal the fine.
The Falcons are winless in their past three games against Philly. Breaking through could be as easy as "staying on schedule" when near the goal line.
Julio Jones contact details: $66M guaranteed against injury, of which $64M is guaranteed at signing. Breaks down as follows: Signing bonus: $25M 2019 $1.5M salary, fully guaranteed 2020 $11.2M salary, fully guaranteed $11M option bonus, fully guaranteed (salary goes to $22.2M if option not picked up) 2021 $15.3M salary, fully guaranteed 2022 $11.513M salary, of which $2M is guaranteed against injury 2023 $11.513M salary CAP NUMBERS 2019: $10,366,666 2020: $20,416,668 2021: $23.05M 2022: $19.623M 2023: $19.623M
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(14) | Chris Lindstrom | OG | Boston College |
| 1(31) | Kaleb McGary | OT | Washington |
| 4(9) | Kendall Sheffield | CB | Ohio State |
| 4(33) | John Cominsky | DE | Charleston Univ |
| 5(14) | Qadree Ollison | RB | Pittsburgh |
| 5(34) | Jordan Miller | CB | Washington |
| 6(30) | Marcus Green | WR | Louisiana-Monroe |
| TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | 37 | 45 |
| Atlanta | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | 36 | 48 |
| New Orleans | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | 39 | 55 |
| Carolina | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 41 | 50 |
