PAUL NEWBERRY
FILE - In this Dec. 11, 2010, file photo, Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan is shown during an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas. The Utah Jazz have announced that Jerry Sloan, the coach who took them to the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998 on his way to a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame, has died. Sloan died Friday morning, May 22, 2020, the Jazz said, from complications related to Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. He was 78. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
Column: Sloan, other coaching greats who were denied a title

By Paul Newberry May. 22, 2020 05:04 PM EDT
Jerry Sloan was undoubtedly one of the greatest coaches in NBA history.

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots' Tom Brady raises the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in overtime at the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game in Houston. Brady’s journey to each of his nine Super Bowls with the New England Patriots will be the subject of an ESPN series released in 2021. Entitled “The Man in the Arena: Tom Brady,” the nine-episode series will include a look from Brady’s perspective at the six NFL titles and three Super Bowl defeats he was a part of. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Falcons CB Oliver ready for leadership role in secondary

By Paul Newberry May. 21, 2020 04:07 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Whenever some sense of normalcy returns to the NFL, Isaiah

In this May 2020 photo provided by Riddell, a Riddell SpeedFlex helmet sits next to a computer screen displaying information from the InSite tool. Teaming with Catapult, an Australia-based technology company, Riddell is providing coaches, players and medical staff detailed information regarding anything from practice regimens to helmet contacts to overall preparation for athletes. (Riddell via AP)
NFL studying helmet face guard that works like surgical mask

By Paul Newberry May. 20, 2020 12:47 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — With an eye toward getting back on the field during a pandemic,

FILE - In this July 27, 2017, file photo, Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn works with his defensive linemen during the first day of an NFL training camp football practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. Quinn knows this is an offseason unlike any other. Hes not shying away from that reality. But this is also a time that craves a bit of normality, so Quinn is dealing with plenty of familiar issues, including rookie camp, roster moves, position changes, and focusing on areas that need the most improvement. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
In strange offseason, Falcons' Quinn embraces the challenge

By Paul Newberry May. 12, 2020 03:27 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — In an offseason that's anything but normal, Atlanta Falcons

FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2016, file photo, Dominick Cruz throws a right against TJ Dillashaw in their mixed martial arts title bout at UFC Fight Night 81 n Boston. Cruz is scheduled to fight against Henry Cejudo at UFC249 in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday, May 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File)
Column: Glimmer of hope for sports, but don't pop champagne

By Paul Newberry May. 08, 2020 05:48 PM EDT
Finally, some signs of hope. It’s only a glimmer. Let’s not

In this still image from video provided by the NFL, AJ Terrell, seated wearing headphones, listens while others celebrate during the NFL football draft Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Atlanta. Terrell was selected by the Atlanta Falcons during the first round. (NFL via AP)
Falcons bolster secondary with Clemson CB Terrell at No. 16

By Paul Newberry Apr. 23, 2020 10:32 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons moved to bolster their secondary by taking

FILE - In this April 26, 2008, file photo, Matt Ryan, a quarterback from Boston College, speaks at a news conference after being selected third overall by the Atlanta Falcons during fthe irst round of the NFL football draft in New York. Ryan has started all but three games over his 12-year career, earning four Pro Bowl appearances and the NFL’s MVP award in 2016, when he led the Falcons to only the second Super Bowl appearance in team history. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
Matty Ice gets nod as Falcons' greatest success on draft day

By Paul Newberry Apr. 21, 2020 05:56 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — BEST FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK: QB Matt Ryan. Hard to go with

ARCHIVO - En esta foto de archivo del 21 de enero de 2018, el quarterback de los Patriots de Nueva Inglaterra, Tom Brady, abraza al entrenador Bill Belichick, después de vencer a los Jaguars de Jacksonville (AP Foto/David J. Phillip, archivo)
Column: Playoffs-or-bust should be Brady's new mantra

By Paul Newberry Mar. 20, 2020 04:29 PM EDT
Well, it's official now. Tom Brady

File-This Nov. 16, 2019, file photo shows free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick participating in a workout for NFL football scouts and media, in Riverdale, Ga. Kaepernick’s tryout: scouts dispatched, A busted play, with strings attached. (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland, File)
Column: NFL shamelessly commandeers Kaepernick's cause

By Paul Newberry Jan. 24, 2020 07:08 PM EST
The images are haunting. Dramatic music, punctuated by the

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick participates in a workout for NFL football scouts and media, in Riverdale, Ga. (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland, File)
Column: It's the Newby Awards, honoring best, worst of 2019

By Paul Newberry Dec. 30, 2019 03:16 PM EST
And the winner is ... Miss Philippines?

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn, center, celebrates with quarterbacks Matt Ryan, left, and Matt Schaub (8) during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Falcons choose stability: Quinn, Dimitroff to remain in 2020

By Paul Newberry Dec. 27, 2019 09:10 AM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Wrapping up another disappointing season but buoyed by a strong

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn speaks to players during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons score 2 early touchdowns, beat woeful Jaguars 24-12

By Paul Newberry Dec. 22, 2019 04:38 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — If this was Dan Quinn's final game in Atlanta as the Falcons

FIEL - In this Oct. 13, 2019, file photo, Japan's Kenki Fukuoka crosses the goal line for his team's third try against Scotland during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
Some of 2019's most memorable games decided by blown calls

By Paul Newberry Dec. 22, 2019 09:52 AM EST
The New Orleans Saints looked around in disbelief, searching for a yellow flag

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson scrambles against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in Baltimore. On the run, Jackson broke the single season record for most rush yards by a quarterback in NFL history. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Column: Lamar Jackson finishes off an ugly stereotype

By Paul Newberry Dec. 13, 2019 03:59 PM EST
Surely Lamar Jackson has put that ugly stereotype to rest, once and for all.

San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey (69) tends to fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) after being hit in the second half an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. The 49ers won 48-46. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Cousin showdown: Ryan, McGlinchey meet for 1st time in NFL

By Paul Newberry Dec. 12, 2019 03:30 AM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — To Matt Ryan, that's still his little cousin.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady lands on the turf after being sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Column: Patriots bring us a new scandal: Spygate 2.0

By Paul Newberry Dec. 10, 2019 05:56 PM EST
Anyone who's watched the New England Patriots stumble around for the past month

Former Atlanta Falcons player Roddy White speaks during a Falcons Ring of Honor ceremony during half time of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Ryan to OZ leads Falcons to another rout of Panthers, 40-20

By Paul Newberry Dec. 08, 2019 05:13 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons honored one of their greatest receivers at

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) works in the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Big guy, big catch: Vea TD leads Bucs past Falcons 35-22

By Paul Newberry Nov. 24, 2019 04:33 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Vita Vea worked on the play during the final day of practice.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) reacts after throwing an interception to New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Falcons vs Bucs: 2 teams with an eye on 2020

By Paul Newberry Nov. 21, 2019 07:38 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — In a way, the 2020 season has already begun for the Atlanta

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Tale of Two Seasons: Falcons turn it around after 1-7 start

By Paul Newberry Nov. 20, 2019 06:10 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Falcons can’t explain it.