Ricardo Allen
FILE - Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) scrambles out of the pocket before throwing a pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Arlington, Texas, in this Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, file photo. It's too early to know where the NFL salary cap will end up in the range of $180 million to $198 million coming off a pandemic-dominated season that was completed on time but still cost the league billions of dollars in revenue. It's a potential problem for the Cowboys if they can't get a long-term deal with quarterback Dak Prescott, which would cause his cap charge to hit $37 million with another franchise tag after being around $31 million last year. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
NFL teams brace for tight budgets with likely salary cap cut

By Schuyler Dixon Feb. 19, 2021 03:28 PM EST

This photo provided by the New Orleans Saints shows Terry Fontenot during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston in 2016. The Atlanta Falcons have named Terry Fontenot the team's general manager. The 40-year-old Fontenot becomes Atlanta's first Black general manager after spending 18 seasons with division rival New Orleans. (Michael C. Hebert/New Orleans Saints via AP)
Falcons clear cap space by releasing veterans Allen, Bailey

Feb. 18, 2021 03:33 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1/3/2021

Jan. 03, 2021 12:52 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons Julio Jones, right, speaks with Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Jones, Mack declared out for Falcons vs. Kansas City

By The Associated Press Dec. 25, 2020 04:12 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) gives his cletes to a fan following an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. The Cowboys defeated the Bengals 30-7. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Eagles missing 3 starters in secondary against Cardinals

By The Associated Press Dec. 20, 2020 12:10 PM EST

Trainers check New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) after an injury during the second half of NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Colts have left tackle Castonzo, LB Okereke vs. Raiders

By The Associated Press Dec. 13, 2020 12:23 PM EST

New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams (26) and New Orleans Saints defensive back J.T. Gray (48) defend Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons look for another strong finish to lost season

By Paul Newberry Dec. 09, 2020 05:57 PM EST

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tommylee Lewis (14) runs against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons 12/6/2020

Dec. 06, 2020 01:10 PM EST

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7), starting in place of an injured Drew Brees, hugs team owner Gayle Benson before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints 11/22/2020

Nov. 22, 2020 12:26 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris works during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Big plays on defense helping Falcons learn how to win games

By Charles Odum Nov. 12, 2020 04:34 PM EST

Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) slides after a run against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Lock, Broncos run out of time for another comeback bid

By George Henry Nov. 08, 2020 05:46 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage (83) misses the catch against Denver Broncos defensive back Essang Bassey (34) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Ryan throws 3 TDs as Falcons stop comeback, beat Broncos

By Charles Odum Nov. 08, 2020 04:35 PM EST

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, left and Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris speaks before the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons 11/8/2020

Nov. 08, 2020 12:14 PM EST

A Atlanta Falcons fan watches during warm ups before an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers 10/29/2020

Oct. 29, 2020 06:48 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, left, laughs on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Falcons won 40-23. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Morris uses communication skills to spark Falcons to victory

By George Henry Oct. 19, 2020 02:08 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings 10/18/2020

Oct. 18, 2020 12:58 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 22, 2018, file photo, the Atlanta Falcons defensive unit runs an agility drill at the NFL football teams practice facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. The Atlanta Falcons shut their facility Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, following one new positive test for COVID-19. The team remains scheduled to play at Minnesota on Sunday. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)
Falcons shut facility after 2nd positive; Vikings game on

By George Henry Oct. 15, 2020 12:57 PM EDT

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule shakes hands with Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
End of the line: Coach Quinn, GM Dimitroff fired by Falcons

By Paul Newberry Oct. 12, 2020 02:27 AM EDT

Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff walks across the field during an NFL training camp football practice Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, Pool)
Falcons fire coach Quinn, GM Dimitroff after 0-5 start

By Charles Odum And Paul Newberry Oct. 11, 2020 10:33 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons' Julio Jones (11) is hit by Green Bay Packers' Darnell Savage (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)
Falcons WR Julio Jones out again with hamstring injury

By The Associated Press Oct. 11, 2020 12:29 PM EDT