Arthur Smith
FILE -Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank walks onto the field before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 he is encouraged by the progress of quarterback Desmond Ridder and the potential of building the team around the rookie.(AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Falcons' Blank excited about building around Ridder at QB

By Charles Odum Feb. 08, 2023 07:34 PM EST

Newly hired Atlanta Falcons Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen speaks during a news conference Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Nielsen lays out goal for Falcons D: Just get stops

By Charles Odum Feb. 06, 2023 04:06 PM EST

Green Bay Packers defensive backs and passing game coordinator Jerry Gray runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Dec. 25, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith continued to reshape his defensive staff by hiring Gray as the assistant head coach for defense on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. Gray, 60, brings 26 years of NFL coaching experience to Atlanta, including eight as a defensive coordinator and 16 as a defensive backs coach. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, file)
Falcons hire Gray from Packers as assistant head coach for D

Jan. 31, 2023 06:16 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons' Smith faces QB decision after another 7-10 finish

By Charles Odum Jan. 09, 2023 02:09 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (17) makes a touchdown catch against Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Ridder throws first 2 TD passes as Falcons top Brady, Bucs

By Charles Odum Jan. 08, 2023 04:04 PM EST

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh greets Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder after an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. The Ravens won 17-9. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cardinals' Blough, Falcons rookie Ridder in QB spotlight

By Charles Odum Dec. 29, 2022 04:00 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith challenges a call during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Falcons' collapse not surprising but still painful for Smith

By George Henry Dec. 26, 2022 05:45 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) reacts to the official after scoring on a touchdown that was called back due to an offensive penalty during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Falcons eliminated from playoff chase in a familiar fashion

By David Ginsburg Dec. 24, 2022 06:14 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs in for a two-point conversion in front of New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Ravens, Falcons may need to run -- even more than usual

By Noah Trister Dec. 22, 2022 09:45 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on reacts to a call in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Falcons' Pees resumes lead role with defense following scare

By Charles Odum Dec. 20, 2022 04:13 PM EST

New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Falcons QB Ridder delivers mixed results in debut as starter

By Charles Odum Dec. 19, 2022 05:22 PM EST

New Orleans Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport (92) hits Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) as he throws in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Falcons QB Ridder gives himself a poor grade on NFL debut

By Guerry Smith Dec. 18, 2022 07:37 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees is carted off the field shortly before Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec.18, 2022. (Brett Duke/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)
Falcons' Pees released from hospital after pre-game injury

Dec. 18, 2022 12:58 PM EST

FILE - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) throws before an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Nov. 27, 2022, in Landover, Md. The Atlanta Falcons will have more on the line than retaining hope in the weak NFC South race as rookie quarterback Ridder makes his debut as the starter on Sunday, Dec. 18, at New Orleans. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr., File)
Falcons-Saints rivalry renewed without season-opening QBs

By Brett Martel Dec. 15, 2022 08:29 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) pauses before answering questions during a news conference at the end of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Landover, Md. Washington won 13-19. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Falcons' Ridder has 4-game audition at QB with Mariota on IR

By Charles Odum Dec. 14, 2022 05:24 PM EST

FILE - Atlanta Falcons running back Damien Williams (6) watches during a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, on Aug. 12, 2022. The Falcons on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 released running back Damien Williams, the veteran who never returned after a rib injury in his first game with the team. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Falcons release RB Williams after injury-shortened season

Dec. 13, 2022 05:16 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Ridder Time: Falcons bench Mariota in favor of rookie QB

By Paul Newberry Dec. 12, 2022 03:10 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin speaks with Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Atlanta. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 19-16. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Mariota or Ridder? Slumping Falcons ponder change at QB

By Paul Newberry Dec. 08, 2022 06:44 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin speaks with Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Atlanta. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 19-16. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Changes could be coming for struggling Falcons after bye

By Paul Newberry Dec. 05, 2022 05:17 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Mariota's future unclear as Falcons drop to 5-8

By George Henry Dec. 04, 2022 06:51 PM EST