March 2011 - Atlanta Falcons Wiretap

Falcons Claim Lions Taunted Injured Ryan

Nov 6, 2014 5:13 PM

Two members of the Falcons accused Lions defensive linemen Ndamukong Suh and Cliff Avril of taunting quarterback Matt Ryan after what initially appeared to be a serious leg injury in Sunday afternoon's game. Atlanta center Todd McClure and receiver Roddy White claim that Suh and Avril prodded and mocked Ryan after Falcons offensive lineman Will Svitek stepped on Ryan's ankle. Ryan went down and immediately grabbed his leg, and according to the Falcons players, Avril kicked the feet of the Atlanta quarterback and mockingly called for trainers to cart Ryan off the field. "I lost a whole lot of respect for 90 [Suh] today, and also 92 [Cliff Avril], the [expletive] they were doing when Matt got hurt," White said. "That was unacceptable. ... Like 92 was kicking [Ryan's] feet, saying, 'Get him off the field.' We don't do stuff like that. ... When you compete, you never want to see a guy get hurt." Ryan eventually walked off under his own power and headed down the tunnel, but returned during the team's next offensive possession. "I had respect for Suh before the game," McClure added. "But when Matt was on the ground, the things [Suh] was saying and the trash he was talking was definitely uncalled for. There are certain things you don't do. [He said], 'Get the cart' and several other things that I can't repeat."

ESPN.com

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Misc Rumor

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Gonzalez Now Second All-Time On Reception List

Jun 14, 2014 2:52 PM

Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez caught four passes in the first half of Sunday's game against the Lions, passing both Cris Carter and Marvin Harrison to take sole possession of second place on the NFL's career receptions list. Gonzalez's 2-yard catch late in the first half gave him 1,103 -- one more than Harrison and two more than Carter had in their careers. Jerry Rice is No. 1 with 1,549 career receptions.

NFL.com

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Misc Rumor

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Charles Johnson Creates Stir With Falcons Hat

Jul 14, 2014 9:59 AM

Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson has raised eyebrows after he was photographed wearing a hat bearing the logo of the Falcons. Carolina and Atlanta are in the same division, meaning they play twice a year and the Falcons defeated the Panthers by 14 points last week. Johnson is from Georgia. Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith surprisingly defended Johnson. Smith explained that hats are accessories, and that they often are selected based on where a player grew up. He also said that players are simply employees of the teams for which they play, and that the players have the right on their own time to display whatever colors and logos they want.

Pro Football Talk

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Misc Rumor

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Gonzalez Closing In On No. 2 Spot On All-Time Receptions List

Dec 8, 2014 11:23 AM

Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez has already surpassed most records for players at his position, but he is also closing in on some wide receivers. If he catches four passes for the Falcons against the Lions on Sunday, Gonzalez will move into second place on the NFL's all-time receiving list, behind only Jerry Rice. Gonzalez currently has 1,099 catches in his career, just behind Cris Carter (1,101) and Marvin Harrison (1,102). His 12,781 receiving yards and 92 touchdowns are both the best for any tight end in NFL history.

Pro Football Talk

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, Misc Rumor, Personal Award

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Deion Sanders Accepts Hall Of Fame Ring

Jul 14, 2014 10:46 AM

Deion Sanders returned to Atlanta to accept his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring on Sunday. Sanders, who placed his ubiquitous do-rag on his hall bust at his ceremony in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 6, still had the red cloth on the bust at halftime of the Falcons' game against Carolina. After playing his first five seasons with the Falcons, Sanders also played for San Francisco, Dallas, Washington and Baltimore.

Associated Press

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Misc Rumor

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Falcons Won't Have Julio Jones Against Panthers

Sep 6, 2014 1:28 PM

Falcons rookie receiver Julio Jones will miss Sunday's game against Carolina because of a hamstring injury. Jones pulled up in the fourth quarter of a 25-14 loss to Green Bay on a deep route down the sideline. He is already doing some light running, but Atlanta coach Mike Smith is ruling him out for the Week 6 game.

Associated Press

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Injury

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Packers Accuse Falcons Of Late Hits

Oct 15, 2014 11:48 PM

The Packers complained following Sunday night's victory about the Falcons hitting after the whistle. "Great teams don't indulge in the kind of cheap stuff the Falcons do," Green Bay nose tackle B.J. Raji said. "We're the champions and we play that way. We walk away from the stuff they pull. These guys are coached to play after the whistle. "I don't know what the deal is. I think it's a lack of talent on their part. We didn't worry about any of that. We came out and played our game." "It's unnecessary," defensive end Ryan Pickett added. "They call it playing physical. But it's after the whistle. It's not physical. We know it watching tape that they like to hit after the whistle. You have to watch yourself around the piles. They point at you if you react. We just felt like if we just punch them up front at the start it would end that."

NFL.com

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Misc Rumor

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Matt Ryan: Season Is A 'Marathon' Not A Sprint

Dec 10, 2014 7:56 AM

The Falcons are 2-3 and have as many losses as they had all last season after Sunday night's disappointing loss to the Packers. Atlanta jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but Green Bay scored 25 straight points to claim the win. "It's early," quarterback Matt Ryan said. "The season is a marathon. We need to bounce back. The message in our locker room and amongst our guys was that we need to put this behind us."

ESPN.com

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Misc Rumor

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John Abraham Inactive Against Packers

Aug 9, 2014 12:21 AM

The Falcons were without John Abraham in Sunday night's game against the Packers in Atlanta. Abraham, the team's top pass rusher, was inactive because of a hip injury. Kroy Biermann, who started 14 games last season, is filling in for Abraham.

Associated Press

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Injury

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