March 2018 - Atlanta Falcons Wiretap

Falcons Prioritizing Extension For Matt Ryan

Jan 19, 2018 11:22 AM

The Atlanta Falcons have prioritized signing Matt Ryan to an extension this offseason. Ryan is moving into the final season of his current contract.

"No real comment, just the fact that it will be a focus this offseason," Dimitroff said. "That's one that, interestingly enough, will help create flexibility in what we're doing forward with a number of moves we may be making. Yes, Matt's focus will be the No. 1 focus.'"

Arthur Blank said Ryan "needs to be compensated well, and he will be" after Ryan was named the MVP following the 2016 Super Bowl season. 

Ryan signed a five-year, $103.75 million extension in July of 2013 that included $59 million guaranteed.

Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford, a close friend of Ryan's, signed a five-year, $135 million contract back in September that included $92 million guaranteed and a $50 million signing bonus, both NFL highs.

Vaughn McClure/ESPN

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Falcons To Retain Steve Sarkisian As Offensive Coordinator

Jan 18, 2018 1:23 PM

The Atlanta Falcons have confirmed Steve Sarkisian will return as offensive coordinator next season.

Sarkisian replaced Kyle Shanahan as offensive coordinator and the Falcons' offense regressed from 2016.

“Placing blame on one person would be wrong in this instance... if this was about one person, that decision would’ve already been made,” said Dan Quinn.

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Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Misc Rumor

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NFL Divisional Round Ratings Down 16 Percent From 2017

Jan 18, 2018 9:50 AM

The NFL's television ratings for the divisional round playoff games were down 16 percent compared to last season.

The weekend's four games averaged 30.43 million viewers, off from 36.22 million the year before, the Nielsen company said. 

Last year's games featured the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, which reached more than 48 million viewers.

While ratings were down, Saturday's game between the Patriots and Titans was only one million viewers behind the College Football Championship for the most watched program of the week.

David Bauder/Associated Press

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Legal

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After Studying Film, Eagles Want Nick Foles To Be Aggressive

Jan 11, 2018 8:28 AM

After studying film over the past two weeks leading up to their first playoff game, the Philadelphia Eagles have asked Nick Foles to be more aggressive with the football.

Doug Pederson doesn't blame Foles' recent downturn to a confidence issue. But there is a hesitation issue. The quarterback has been deliberate post-snap, like someone who isn't trusting what he sees.

"I think having this time to self-scout ... you realize, 'Hey, just go out there and play.' Maybe I wasn't doing that as much those games. It's just as simple as that," Foles said. "Sometimes the hardest things are just the simple things, like basically get out of your own head and go play the game you know how to play."

Foles hadn't played meaningful snaps in more than a year, when he was called on to replace Wentz in mid-December.

"It takes time for quarterbacks to get into a rhythm," said right tackle Lane Johnson. "Nick, this is, what, his fourth game? So we had a good week of practices last week and this week, too. I'm sure he'll find his rhythm."

Tim McManus/ESPN

Tags: Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Misc Rumor

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NFL Divisional Round Matchups By Key DVOA Categories

Jan 9, 2018 10:17 AM

The following shows the matchups of the NFL Divisional Round based on DVOA by Football Outsiders for the 2017 regular season with the Patriots, Saints, Vikings and Steelers ranking one through four in Weighted DVOA.

Based on the DVOA numbers, the Patriots/Titans game is the most lopsided while the Saints/Vikings matchup features the second and third best teams in the NFL.

(Offensive Rank, Defensive Rank, Weighted DVOA Rank)

NFC
- Falcons (9th, 18th, 12th) at Eagles (11th, 1st, 7th)

- Saints (2nd, 9th, 2nd) at Vikings (5th, 3rd, 3rd)

AFC
- Titans (21st, 17th, 18th) at Patriots (1st, 22nd, 1st)

- Jaguars (19th, 4th, 10th) at Steelers (3rd, 14th, 4th)

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Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, IQ, Stats

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Infographic: Five Teams Rank In Top-10 In Offense, Defense DVOA

Jan 2, 2018 2:53 PM

The NFL has five teams ranking in the top-10 in DVOA on both Offense and Defense at the end of the regular season in the Vikings, Rams, Saints, Steelers and Eagles.

The Chiefs, Cowboys, Chargers, Falcons and Patriots also rank in the top-10 on offense, while the Jaguars, Broncos, Panthers, Ravens and Cardinals rank in the top-10 on defense.


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Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team, Infographic, IQ, Stats

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