Latest news with #JeffUlbrich
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons training camp: Previewing each defensive position group
The Atlanta Falcons defense lost its way late in the season as the team squandered a chance for a playoff berth in the NFC. General manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris were determined to get this unit back on track, and the team's offseason moves reflected that. The Falcons brought in Jeff Ulbrich to replace Jimmy Lake as the defensive coordinator, and selected two edge rushers in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. With training camp approaching, many will be watching the team's new-look defense, especially rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Advertisement Atlanta also upgraded in the secondary and said goodbye to franchise legend Grady Jarrett. Check out our pre-training camp preview of each position group on the Falcons defense below. And don't forget to read our offensive preview. Falcons Defensive Line Breakdown LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 16: Ruke Orhorhoro #98 and Kentavius Street #93 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate a tackle against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter in the game at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by) The Falcons have said they want to play their young players more in 2025, which leads me to think they will start Ruke Orhorhoro and Zach Harrison next to defensive tackle David Onyemata. Orhorhoro played sparingly as a rookie but the team traded up to the 35th overall pick to draft him in 2024. Morgan Fox has a chance to play a key role as well, but I expect the team to use a heavy rotation at all three spots. Advertisement NT depth chart: David Onyemata Kentavius Street LaCale London LDE depth chart: Ruke Orhorhoro Morgan Fox Simeon Barrow Jr. RDE depth chart: Zach Harrison Ta'Quon Graham Brandon Dorlus 2025 salary cap hits for Falcons DL: Onyemata: $16,925,000 Fox: $2,500,000 Orhorhoro: $2,253,665 Harrison: $1,518,667 Graham: $1,337,500 Street: $1,197,500 Dorlus: $1,165,599 London: $960,000 Barrow Jr.: $850,000 As you can see above, Onyemata's 2025 salary cap hit is over six times higher than the next defensive lineman on the team. The Falcons don't have much money committed to the position outside of Onyemata. Fox, who signed with the team as a free agent, has the second-highest cap hit at just $2.5 million this season. Only one other defensive lineman, Ruke Orhorhoro, will top the $2 million mark this season. Overall, this group is set to earn around $29 million in 2025. Top free agent DL available: Jadeveon Clowney Raekwon Davis DeMarcus Walker Austin Johnson The Falcons have a few decent options to choose from if they want more help up front. Jadeveon Clowney is by far the best free agent available at the position, and he would make some sense if the Falcons aren't confident in their current group. Raekwon Davis and DeMarcus Walker are other options, while Austin Johnson could be a name to watch at the defensive tackle spot. Advertisement Predictions/expectations for DL in 2025: With Jarrett in Chicago, the Falcons will look to a few different players to replace him in 2025. Morgan Fox and Ruke Orhorhoro are both in the mix to start up front. It will likely come down to who performs best in training camp, which begins on July 24. Zach Harrison is in line for an expanded role, and second-year defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro could also start for Atlanta. While this group has some promising talent, it's arguably the team's weakest position overall. Onyemata is a proven veteran but the rest of the group is relatively untested. Falcons Outside Linebacker Breakdown Jun 11, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker (11) shown during Minicamp at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images This is where the team's depth chart starts to get tricky. While I think both rookies will be starting by the end of the season, Leonard Floyd and Arnold Ebiketie have the experience advantage. The team could initially use Walker in a hybrid role, alternating him between edge rusher and off-ball linebacker. Expect this group to rotate quite a bit while defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich finds a lineup that works best. Advertisement ROLB depth chart: Jalon Walker Arnold Ebiketie Bralen Trice Khalid Kareem LOLB depth chart: James Pearce Jr. Leonard Floyd DeAngelo Malone 2025 salary cap hits for Falcons OLBs: Leonard Floyd: $10,000,000 Jalon Walker: $3,738,612 James Pearce Jr.: $3,050,688 Arnold Ebiketie: $2,805,948 DeAngelo Malone: $1,663,957 Bralen Trice: $1,347,667 Khalid Kareem: $1,030,000 At $10 million, Floyd is by far the highest paid of Atlanta's edge rushers in terms of his 2025 salary cap number. The Falcons have roughly $24 million in total cap space committed to the position this season. Rookies Walker and Pearce hold the second- and third-highest cap numbers at $3,738,612 and $3,050,688, respectively. Ebiketie isn't far behind with cap hit of $2.8 million. Top free agent OLBs available: Za'Darius Smith Matthew Judon Von Miller Jalen Reeves-Maybin As we just examined, the Falcons actually have a pretty deep group of outside linebackers. However, NFL teams always have to be aware of who's available, and there are a few notable names. Smith is the top name on the list, but he'll likely be signed before the season begins,. After that, it's a mixture of veterans, including Matthew Judon and Von Miller. Advertisement Predictions/expectations for OLBs in 2025: While there's a lot to be excited about with this edge group, history suggests that fans should temper their expectations. Both Walker and Pearce have immense upside, but it may take some time before they hit their stride. Floyd is a solid veteran who I expect to play a big role, along with Ebiketie. Also, don't sleep on Bralen Trice. The former third-round pick looked good before suffering a season-ending injury during the 2024 preseason. Falcons Inside Linebacker Breakdown ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 26: Kaden Elliss #55 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after making a tackle in the second quarter of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Elliss is the heartbeat of this group. The veteran linebacker had a career year in 2024, and will look to lead the unit as the team transitions to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich in 2025. The Falcons signed free agent Divine Deablo, who should battle Troy Andersen for the other starting gig. Andersen, a former second-round pick, has been solid when healthy, but he's had trouble staying on the field. Deablo is another experienced veteran who's impressed the coaching staff thus far at OTAs. Advertisement Right ILB depth chart: Kaden Elliss JD Bertrand Caleb Johnson Malik Verdon Elliss is the heartbeat of this group. The veteran linebacker had a career year in 2024, and will look to lead the unit as the team transitions to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich in 2025. Bertrand was a fifth-round pick last year and saw the field more than much of the team's 2024 draft class. Johnson is an experienced veteran who can add depth. Verdon is a former safety who projects as an inside linebacker. Left ILB depth chart: Divine Deablo Troy Andersen Josh Woods Nick Kubitz The other inside linebacker job is up for grabs. The team signed free agent Divine Deablo, who should battle Troy Andersen for the starting gig. Andersen, a former second-round pick, has been solid when healthy, but he's had trouble staying on the field. Deablo is another experienced veteran who's impressed the coaching staff thus far at OTAs. Advertisement 2025 salary cap hits for Falcons ILBs: Kaden Elliss: $8,500,000 Divine Deablo: $4,940,000 Troy Andersen: $1,942,046 JD Bertrand: $1,047,506 Caleb Johnson: $1,030,000 Josh Woods: $1,030,000 Nick Kubitz: $845,000 Malik Verdon: $843,333 As you can see, the team has around $20 million in cap space going to the inside linebacker position this season. Elliss has the highest cap hit ($8.5 million), while Deablo's cap hit is second on the team at just under $5 million. Former second-round pick Troy Andersen is due $1.94 million. Second-year linebacker JD Bertrand is fourth on the team with a cap hit of $1,047,506 this season. Top free agent ILBs available: CJ Mosley (retired) De'Vondre Campbell Eric Kendricks Kwon Alexander The Falcons won't have many options if they're forced to look to free agency. The top two options -- CJ Mosley and De'Vondre Campbell -- may be done with football. Campbell's 2024 season with the 49ers ended in controversy while Mosley just announced his retirement from the NFL. Eric Kendricks and Kwon Alexander are decent options if the team is looking to add more depth. Advertisement Predictions/expectations for Falcons ILBs in 2025: This group will be interesting to watch in 2025, mainly due to Ulbrich taking over as defensive coordinator. We expect Elliss to have another big year starting in the middle. As for Deablo and Andersen, their roles will depend on the scheme Ulbrich runs. Overall, this is a talented group with good depth. The Falcons did not re-sign Nate Landman, who split time as a starter and backup over the last few seasons. Falcons Cornerback Breakdown Jun 11, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) catches the ball during Minicamp at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images RCB depth chart: A.J. Terrell Clark Phillips III Keith Taylor Dontae Manning (UDFA) LCB depth chart: Mike Hughes Mike Ford Jr. Natrone Brooks Lamar Jackson NCB depth chart: Dee Alford Billy Bowman (Rookie) Cobee Bryant (UDFA) There are no major surprises here. While Mike Hughes and Dee Alford may not be among the top players at their respective positions, both have starting experience and offer stability. Hughes in particular is coming off arguably the best season of his career. Atlanta could have traded for Jalen Ramsey or signed Jaire Alexander, but the team had limited cap space. We listed Bowman as the backup nickel to Alford, but don't be surprised if the rookie sees the field in 2025. Advertisement 2025 salary cap hits for Falcons CBs: Terrell: $9,000,000 Hughes: $3,586,666 Ford: $1,845,000 Alford: $1,490,000 Phillips: $1,223,383 Taylor: $1,100,000 Bowman: $1,086,538 Jackson: $1,030,000 Brooks: $960,000 Bryant: $853,333 Manning: $843,333 The Falcons gave Terrell a mega-extension last year, but he will only count for $9 million against the salary cap in 2025. That's not bad for a No. 1 cornerback. Hughes is second on the team with a cap hit of $3.5 million. Alford will earn $1.5 million and Phillips isn't far behind at $1.2 million. Overall, and the team will pay roughly $24 million to cornerbacks this season. Top free agent CBs available: James Bradberry Kendall Fuller Stephon Gilmore Rasul Douglas The Falcons are unlikely to make any major secondary additions now that the top names are off the market. If the team wants to add someone with starting experience, there are some decent options available. Bradberry is probably the top corner on the market, while Fuller and Gilmore have plenty of experience. There are plenty of solid depth players on the market as well. Advertisement Predictions/expectations for Falcons CBs in 2025: The Falcons didn't make any major improvements at cornerback, but they also didn't lose any notable players. Hughes and Alford are back, and you could argue the team has better depth behind those two than it had in 2024. I expect Clark Phillips III to serve as a versatile backup playing both inside and outside. As mentioned earlier, I also believe Bowman will find his way onto the field this season. Terrell sets the tone for this group as a whole. If the team's pass rush makes progress, it will only help the Falcons secondary in 2025. Falcons Safety Breakdown ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 22: Jessie Bates III #3 of the Atlanta Falcons returns an interception for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) While Jessie Bates returns for his third season leading Atlanta's secondary, there's been some debate among fans as to who will start at the other safety spot. The team did not re-sign Justin Simmons in free agency. Since Fuller has starting experience and is familiar with head coach Raheem Morris from their time in Los Angeles, we have the veteran penciled in as the starter for Week 1. However, Watts is also firmly in the mix. If the rookie shines during training camp, there's a chance he could leapfrog Fuller on the depth chart. Advertisement FS depth chart: Jessie Bates III Xavier Watts Kevin King SS depth chart: Jordan Fuller DeMarcco Hellams Josh Thompson While Jessie Bates returns for his third season leading Atlanta's secondary, there's been some debate among fans as to who will start at the other safety spot. The team did not re-sign Justin Simmons in free agency. Since Fuller has starting experience and is familiar with head coach Raheem Morris from their time in Los Angeles, we have the veteran penciled in as the starter for Week 1. However, Watts is also firmly in the mix. If the rookie shines during training camp, there's a chance he could leapfrog Fuller on the depth chart. 2025 salary cap hits for Falcons safeties: Bates: $22,250,000 King: $1,197,500 Fuller: $1,155,000 Watts: $1,125,192 Hellams: $1,056,575 Thompson: $960,000 Advertisement Overall, the Falcons are spending roughly $28 million at the safety position, with $22.2 million of that going to Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III. Atlanta gave Bates a four-year, $64 million contract during the 2023 offseason. Thus far, he's been worth every penny. Every other safety on the roster has a salary cap hit of less than $1.2 million this season. Top free agent safeties available: Justin Simmons Marcus Williams Quandre Diggs Julian Blackmon As you can see above, there are some still capable safeties available in free agency. Simmons is probably the top name on the market, and would be an interesting option if the Falcons are looking for an injury replacement. However, we still expect the veteran to land somewhere before the season begins. Marcus Williams and former Pro Bowl safety Quandre Diggs are other potential options for Atlanta in free agency. Predictions/expectations for 2025: Despite letting Simmons walk in free agency, the Falcons arguably got better at the safety position over the offseason. Watts has long-term starter potential and won't be forced into the lineup until he's ready. DeMarcco Hellams, who missed all of the 2024 season, is a good depth piece who still has plenty of upside. Bates is one of the truly elite safeties in the NFL. If cornerback-turned-safety Kevin King makes the roster, he can provide depth at both spots. Overall, the entire back end of Atlanta's defense should benefit from an improved pass rush this season. Advertisement This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons 2025 roster breakdown: Defensive position groups
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
‘The biggest reasons' why Jeff Ulbrich didn't quit after Shedeur Sanders prank fiasco
Jeff Ulbrich's son, Jax, may have marred Shedeur Sanders' draft weekend, but the ex-Jets interim head coach never worried he wouldn't make it to Week 1 with the Falcons because of those actions. 'In all honesty, I never went there, but I felt nothing but support from the organization in every single way — from the people that worked the line in the cafeteria to (owner Arthur Blank) himself, all of them,' Ulbrich said Wednesday, per ESPN. 'I felt great support from him. It was one of the biggest reasons, in all honesty, that I came back here, because of the organization and what I think of this building.' 5 Jeff Ulbrich speaking with reporters Wednesday. @AtlantaFalcons/YouTube Ulbrich, the new Falcons defensive coordinator, became embroiled in a national controversy after Jax participated in a prank call to Sanders during last month's NFL draft. Jax secretly snatched Sanders' number from an open iPad at his parents' home and sat alongside a friend who called him, tricking Sanders into believing he had received the call he had been waiting his whole life for before the friend informed Sanders he would 'have to wait a little longer.' 5 Jax Ulbrich (l) during the prank call. @DingusMcDinkle_/X Jeff received a $100,000 fine for his son's actions, while the Falcons were handed a $250,000 fine. He called both his and his son's action 'inexcusable.' 5 Shedeur Sanders being pranked. @jayden77x/X 'First of all, I would like to publicly apologize to Shedeur and the Sanders family for what occurred,' Jeff said in April. 'Second of all, I want to publicly apologize to Mr. Blank, Terry Fontenot, Raheem Morris and the entire Falcons organization. My actions — my actions — of not protecting confidential data were inexcusable. My son's actions were absolutely inexcusable, and for that, we are both deeply sorry. 'The NFL has taken action and I fully respect the punishment. We take full responsibility, both my son and myself, and we will not be appealing the fine in any way. Going forward, I promise my son and I will work hard to demonstrate that we are better than this. Again, I am deeply sorry for our actions.' 5 Jeff Ulbrich during his time leading the Jets. Bill Kostroun/New York Post Jax also apologized on Instagram. 'On Friday night I made a tremendous mistake,' the college student wrote. 'Shedeur, what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful. I'm so sorry I took away from your moment, it was selfish and childish. I could never imagine getting ready to celebrate one of the greatest moments of your life and I made a terrible mistake and messed with that moment. Thank you for accepting my call earlier today, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.' 5 Jeff Ulbrich during January 2025. AP Jeff joined the Falcons after an underwhelming run as the Jets' interim head coach in the wake of Robert Saleh's firing, going 3-9. He previously served as Atlanta's defensive coordinator in 2020 before joining Saleh with the Jets to serve in the same capacity.
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Falcons mailbag: Can they stop the run? Why so many prime-time games?
It's time for a mailbag, and for once, we're not starting with questions about the quarterback. Don't worry, we'll get there, but we're going to start with run defense and how new Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has changed his approach dramatically in the last decade. Have you been able to extrapolate anything from Ulbrich's history and the personnel acquisitions to get any idea of what the Falcons' defense will look like? Will it all be built on speed and quickness? It looks like Kentavius Street and David Onyemata are the only 300-plus-pound players on defense. Who's providing the push and clogging up the running lanes? — Jess H. Most offensive plays are three-receiver sets, which means the defense will have five defensive backs (two safeties and three cornerbacks). If we are playing Jalon Walker and James Pearce as edge rushers, that leaves four players remaining. My question is in regard to the remaining four starters. Are we playing with a middle linebacker and three down linemen (which means we are predominantly blitzing with three down linemen and two edges rushing the passer)? Or against three-receiver sets, are we going to line up with two off-ball linebackers and only two down linemen? If that is the case, won't we be light against defending the run as both Walker and Pearce are in the 240-pound range? — Kir71 I'm starting here because the run defense is one of my top concerns, too, and because it allows us to get into something very interesting about how NFL football is played now. The Falcons were 15th in the NFL in run defense last year, allowing 120.6 yards per game, and a deeper look is more troubling. They were in the bottom half of the league in almost every advanced rush defense statistic, including 26th in rush defense success rate (57.7 percent), 23rd in yards allowed before contact per rush (1.59), 20th in rush defense EPA per 100 snaps (1.7), 18th in yards allowed per carry (4.5). Advertisement Here's the interesting part: Those numbers don't bother the Falcons as much as you think they would. Bears coach Ben Johnson made offseason headlines this year when he said passing game EPA (expected points added) is now the most significant statistical determinant in wins and losses. He's not alone in that thought. In fact, Ulbrich sees things the same way, and it has changed the way he does his job. 'It's such a huge shift in how football has ever been approached,' Ulbrich said. 'It forced me to reassess how I approach defense because I was classically taught in this game, 'You better stop the run first.' It's been an evolution for me in the last 10 years. Do I want to stop the run? Of course I do. But I would say my focus is primarily to stop the pass.' Ulbrich said he now spends at least 60 percent of his preparation time on the passing game. 'That's the game we play nowadays,' he said. It also affects how defenses are built, which brings us to Kir's question about formations and player sizes. There's no question Atlanta's defense got more athletic — and potentially explosive — with the additions of Walker and Pearce in the draft as well as edge rusher Leonard Floyd and linebacker Divine Deablo through free agency. But it also got smaller. All three edge rushers are 245 pounds or below, and Deablo is a 223-pound inside linebacker who's going to be taking a lot of the snaps played last season by 238-pound inside linebacker Nate Landman, who moved to the Rams in free agency. Grady Jarrett (288 pounds) and Eddie Goldman (325 pounds) are gone from the interior of the defensive line, which does leave Street (315 pounds) and Onyemata (310 pounds) as the big boys for the middle of the defensive line. (The 300-pound Ta'Quon Graham just barely missed the 'plus 300-pound club.') Advertisement When Ulbrich was the Jets' defensive coordinator over the last three seasons, New York was running almost exclusively a 4-3 front because that was the background of coach Robert Saleh. Ulbrich's Falcons will be a 3-4 base defense, which Ulbrich said will give him more flexibility to scheme around being lighter at some positions, and it sounds like he doesn't want to be predictable in any way, so I would imagine that he won't match any particular offensive look the same way every time. I'll end with this: After years of fussing at the Falcons to beef up their pass rush (I'm not pointing fingers because I've been part of that push, too.), it's unfair to now say: 'Great job, now you're just going to get run on all day.' It is a challenge, though, and how they address it will be interesting. I feel as though we have been searching for this 'star' edge rusher to alleviate all of our pass-rush problems, but my question is how important is depth (which we have also been sorely lacking) at that position? If none of our guys turn into premier rushers, do you think we can still have a competent and productive pass rush? — Matthew L. This question gives me a chance to use this quote from new defensive line coach Nate Ollie: 'You can never have enough rushers. I stand on that.' This Falcons' front seven will emphasize all-out effort with lots of rotation, Ollie said. 'No jabs. It's all haymakers that we're trying to throw,' he said. 'It's hard to do that for 60 plays in a game, so we need waves of rushers. You need rushers, man. I'm really excited. Just waves of pass rush.' So, yes, depth is a significant factor. Last year, the Falcons kept nine defensive linemen and four outside linebackers/edge rushers on the initial 53-man roster. That ratio probably will change this year, considering Floyd, Walker, Pearce Jr. and fellow edge rushers Arnold Ebiketie and Bralen Trice seem like locks to make the roster. Special teams ace/edge rusher DeAngelo Malone also would be a difficult cut. No matter how many pass rushers make the team, they all can expect to play plenty. Kyle Pitts and Troy Andersen, alleged unicorns athletically, is this their year, or what? — MJ I'm not going to bet on it. Pitts' ups and downs are well-chronicled. For Andersen, the issue has been availability. Since being drafted in the second round in 2022, he has played in only 26 games because of injury. He has played in only nine the last two seasons. It's not fair to call Andersen injury-prone, but players with his hyper athleticism are prone to being undone by injury simply because it can take away their superpower. If Andersen returns to the field the same type of athlete he was as a rookie and can stay healthy, I still believe he can be a very valuable part of the rotation, if not a starter. We just don't have an answer to those two 'if' questions. Advertisement There was a lot of talk about the underdrafted free agents being Round 8 of the draft, and finding players like cornerback Cobee Bryant and wide receiver Nick Nash, who were mocked to be drafted a lot earlier, highlights that. If those two are to make the roster, which wide receivers and cornerbacks are most at risk of losing their spots? — Edward Corrigan The Falcons have 13 wide receivers on their 90-man roster, but only Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud and KhaDarel Hodge are locks to make the team. Casey Washington probably will as well, which would leave one open position if the Falcons carry six wide receivers. They carried only five to open last season, but if there is a sixth spot to be had, Nash has just as good a chance of earning it as any of the other contenders on the team. The numbers look similar at cornerback. Atlanta has 11 with only A.J. Terrell, Mike Hughes, Clark Phillips III and Mike Ford Jr. (primarily in a special teams role) secure in their spots. The Falcons kept five cornerbacks to start last the season, and Bryant's top contenders for that spot are Kevin King, Dee Alford and Keith Taylor. I was surprised by the lack of moves to surround Michael Penix Jr. with more weapons. There were some notable wide receivers (George Pickens, Stefon Diggs, Cooper Kupp, etc.) available for the taking, but it looks like we are rolling with what we've got there. And we could have found another helpful tight end somewhere in case Pitts doesn't come back from the dead. Usually, teams give their young quarterbacks protection and weapons, and I am not sure the Falcons did that. — Eric W. Atlanta already had a good offensive infrastructure in place for Penix and needed so much help on defense that I'm not surprised by its offseason acquisitions. The Falcons have three first-round picks (Jake Matthews, Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary) and one second-round pick (Matthew Bergeron) on the offensive line, two receivers with 1,000-yard season capability (Drake London and Darnell Mooney) and one of the best one-two running back punches in the league (Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier). If Penix can't succeed with this offensive personnel, he probably can't succeed in this league. I will say I'm surprised they haven't added a tight end. Is there a scenario this year where Kirk Cousins gets the starting job back if Michael Penix Jr. is struggling and Cousins is healthy? Before you automatically say 'No,' remember that Penix is far from established and Cousins was a two-time NFC Player of the Week before he hurt his shoulder. Plus, this front office and coaching staff are on the hot seat and can't afford to be in 'QB Development' mode. — Jason M. There should be that chance. Coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot have been adamant that they make all decisions based on what is best for the team, and if Penix does struggle, then going back to a quarterback with Cousins' history definitely should be considered. However, because it's the quarterback position and Penix still is developing his game and his confidence, going back to Cousins might have long-term implications for his future. This is the No. 1 reason I have been a proponent of the Falcons getting Cousins out of the building one way or another. Penix and Cousins are both pros and are friends, and I wouldn't expect any significant issues if they are both on the team next year, but if they are and if Penix struggles, it becomes a question. And that question is not good for Penix, whom Morris and Fontenot have said is the future for the team. Has Kirk Cousins been around the team much? Do we actually anticipate him being the best backup QB in the league? Or are the Falcons going to have limited depth at the position if he decides to hold out or gets traded? — Griffin B. We don't really know how much Cousins has been around, except that he was in the building on the first day of the offseason program. Questions about whether he intended to take part in all or most of the voluntary workouts have been deflected and those workouts and meetings are closed to the media. The first mandatory practice that will be open to the media is a minicamp practice on June 10, so I wouldn't expect much new information until then, unless the Falcons find a trade partner. Random one. You can choose three players from all of Falcons history (offense, defense, special teams) to join the current roster and get the franchise to the promised land. Who are you taking? — Philippe C. Julio Jones, Deion Sanders and Devin Hester. Sanders is a no-brainer and Jones is, too, unless you want to make the argument that Matt Ryan should be the choice despite the confidence in Penix. Sanders could handle the return duties, too, and allow me to pick someone other than Hester, but I don't want the injury risk that comes with that. JULIO JONES. 54 YARDS. Falcons take the lead! — NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) September 16, 2019 The last seven years have been miserable, and I'm becoming jaded to expecting anything from this team. Can you provide some reason for excitement and optimism for the year ahead? — Joshua B. Absolutely. Obviously, a team that has missed the playoffs and had a losing record the last seven seasons naturally leads to more skeptical storylines, but I am always a proponent of offseason optimism. This offense is going to be fun to watch (more on that in the next answer). Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson had a good debut season, and there's reason to believe this year could be more fun because he'll have a full offseason to fit his offensive system (essentially the Sean McVay offensive system) with Atlanta's personnel, specifically a quarterback whose arm strength means the passing game can access every area of the field. Advertisement 'Obviously, you are watching yourselves, 'How can we get better? What's the way we can evolve?'' Robinson said. 'If you're not evolving in the NFL, you're going to get stuck behind.' How did this Falcons team, without making the playoffs in God knows how many years, get as many stand-alone TV windows as they did? Is there actually a national demand to see this team? — Matt L. You're not the first person to wonder this, and I think the answer is points. There's an expectation that Atlanta is going to score a lot of points in Penix's first full season as the starter. The Falcons were sixth in scoring (32 ppg) and fifth in points per drive (2.93) after Penix took over the starting job in Week 16 last season. There's also an expectation they are going to give up a lot of points. They finished the season 23rd in points allowed (24.9). The only thing TV likes more than 34-30 games is Aaron Rodgers speculation, and there could be lots of 34-30 games in the Falcons' future this season. (Photo of Kentavius Street, left, and Ruke Orhorhoro: Ian Maule / Getty Images)
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jeff Ulbrich received 'great support' from Falcons after son's Shedeur Sanders prank call
Jeff Ulbrich received 'great support' from Falcons after son's Shedeur Sanders prank call Show Caption Hide Caption NFL keeps 'Tush Push' in play The NFL won't ban the 'Tush Push', keeping the Eagles' high-success play in the game—for now. Jeff Ulbrich found himself in hot water after the 2025 NFL Draft, when it was revealed his son had prank called Shedeur Sanders after obtaining the Colorado quarterback's phone number from his father's open iPad. Despite this, Ulbrich revealed Wednesday he never felt like he was in danger of losing his job as the Atlanta Falcons' defensive coordinator. "In all honesty, I never went there, but I felt nothing but support from the organization in every single way – from the people that worked the line in the cafeteria to (owner) Mr. (Arthur) Blank himself, all of them," Ulbrich said Wednesday, per ESPN's Marc Raimondi. "I felt great support from him. It was one of the biggest reasons, in all honesty, that I came back here because of the organization and what I think of this building." Ulbrich previously coached with the Falcons from 2015 to 2020. He initially served as the team's linebackers coach before receiving a promotion to assistant head coach for the 2020 campaign. Eventually, he served as the team's interim defensive coordinator after Raheem Morris was elevated to replace Dan Quinn. Morris and Ulbrich decided to team up again after the Falcons fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake following the 2024 season. Ulbrich spent the previous four seasons with the New York Jets. He spent most of the 2024 campaign serving as the team's interim coach, leading the squad to a 3-9 record following the Week 5 dismissal of Robert Saleh. Ulbrich was excited to return to Atlanta, and was thrilled when the Falcons landed two first-round pass rushers – Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. – to supplement their defense. However, things quickly became complicated after Jax Ulbrich's prank call became the center of attention for the elder Ulbrich. "I mean, it was a roller coaster of emotions," Jeff Ulbrich said of draft weekend. "It was great joy and elation, and so rare in the draft that things fall to you in that way. … And then obviously we had some challenges from a football perspective and from a building perspective and, for me, from a personal perspective and for my family. But it's all the things that I'm convinced that make you stronger. I do. And I live by that and my family lives by that. And because of that, we'll be better off because of all this." OPINION: Jeff Ulbrich was punished for son's Shedeur Sanders prank. Now, let's root for Falcons DC. Ulbrich is also lighter in the wallet because of the incident. He was fined $100,000 for the prank call incident while the Falcons organization was slapped with a $250,000 penalty. Neither party appealed the fine, nor did Atlanta add any excess punishment for Ulbrich. Both of the Ulbrichs apologized for the incident, with Jeff giving a statement in a late-April news conference and Jax calling Sanders to apologize before posting a written statement to social media. The younger Ulbrich may not be out of the woods yet, as his father and family weigh whether to levy additional discipline against the Ole Miss student. "We're still working through that, but it was a challenge for our family," Ulbrich said. "But it's a challenge that everyone in our family's up for. And like I said, it's going to make my son better because of it. He will."
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shedeur Sanders Pranked on Draft Day
Hear the prank call Shedeur Sanders received during the NFL draft During the NFL draft, Shedeur Sanders, one of football's biggest draft prospects, received a call saying he was picked up by the New Orleans Saints, but the call turned out to be a prank. Sanders was later selected by the Cleveland Browns as the 144th overall pick in the fifth round. The son of Atlanta Falcons' defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has apologized for making the prank call. 1:33 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
