FLOWERY BRANCH — Here's everything you need to know Friday about the Falcons (6-2), who play at San Francisco (2-6) at 4 p.m. Sunday at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
- PRACTICE: The Falcons will have their last practice of the week at 11:30 a.m. today. It's usually a brisk one.
- GRADKOWSKI TO START?: The Falcons appear set to make a move at center. Mike Person returned to practice yesterday, but Gino Gradkowski was snapping with the first-team during warm-ups in the open portion of practice. Person and James Stone have had bad snaps in both of the losses. Gradkowski started 16 games with Baltimore in 2013.
- COLEMAN BACKUP KICKOFF RETURNER: With Devin Hester down (IR) and Nick Williams coming back from a hamstring injury, running back Tevin Coleman was tacking kickoffs behind Eric Weems with the special teams units. At Indiana, he returned 30 kickoffs for 690 yards (23 yard average) and one touchdown.
- COACH QUINN NOMINATED FOR MILTARY AWARD: Dan Quinn was announced as the Falcons nominee for the "Salute to Service Award presented by USAA." The award, presented annual by USAA and the NFL, honors a league member who demonstrates an exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community. USAA is the Official Military Appreciation Sponsor of the NFL. Dan was nominated by the Falcons because of his dedication to providing military members and families with experiences they will cherish for a life time. He's hosted a number of events that include a Military Appreciation visit at Fort Gordon and a fishing tournament with Wounded Warriors, coaches and players. On August 9, Dan also hosted the first ever Atlanta Falcons Military Day at Training Camp, awarding the first 1,000 guests through the gates with a Military ID with two complimentary Atlanta Falcons tickets. ( This is separate from the sponsorship program the team has in the controversy of "paid patriotism." The U.S. Senate report called "Tackling Paid Patriotism" says Atlanta is ground zero for military tributes bought and paid for with taxpayer funds: the Falcons ($879,000), Braves ($450,000) and Hawks ($225,000) each led their respective leagues in Defense Department contracts that included military tributes.)
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The AJC’s D. Orlando Ledbetter & CineSport’s Noah Coslov discuss how to approach the 49ers game with Blaine Gabbert starting, the Falcons issues at center & the biggest challenge facing the team.
How did the Falcons get to 6-2?
Here's a look back at the game stories, news and notes from the Falcons' 23-20 overtime loss to Tampa Bay, win over the Titans (10-7), the loss to the Saints (31-21) and their victories over the Redskins (25-19 in OT), Texans (48-21), Cowboys (39-28), Giants (24-20) and Eagles (26-24).
TAMPA BAY GAME COVERAGE -- Bucs 23, Falcons 20 in OT
5 things we learned in the Falcons' 23-20 loss to the Bucs
How the Falcons lost to the Bucs in OT
10 comments from Dan Quinn after the loss to the Bucs
Adams disagreed with overtime pass interference call
Matt Ryan's miscues help to gift the Bucs' 20 points
QUOTEBOARD: What the Falcons were saying after the 23-20 loss to the Bucs
Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston bests his role model: 'Mr. Ryan'
Falcons defense holds up, but forces no turnovers
Falcons rallied behind wide receiver Julio Jones
Bucs rookie linebacker Alexander dedicates win to deceased brother
TENNESSEE GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 10, Titans 7
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 10-7 victory over the Titans
BRADLEY: Falcons do enough to survive
10 comments from Dan Quinn after the Falcons' 10-7 victory over the Titans
NEW ORLEANS GAME COVERAGE -- Saints 31, Falcons 21
5 things we learned in the Falcons' 31-21 loss to the Saints
Saints hand Falcons their first loss -- Quarter by Quarter
Matt Ryan: 'It was a tough night'
What the Falcons had to say after their 31-21 loss to the Saints
Why didn't the Falcons feed Freeman? -- Mike Check
Falcons flash some of their ugly past -- Jeff Schultz column
WASHINGTON GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 25, Redskins 19 in OT
Falcons pull out 25-19 victory over Redskins in OT -- Quarter by Quarter
5 things we learned in the Falcons' 25-19 win over the Redskins
What the Falcons had to say after the 25-19 win
Ryan, offense struggle with turnovers
Mark Bradley column: The Frenetic Falcons: Five-and-oh-my!
Roddy White hears support from the crowd
15 comments from Dan Quinn on the Falcons' victory
Roddy White: 'I'll be a Falcons for life'
Tweetcap: Falcons beat Redskins in OT
TEXANS GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 48, Texans 21
How the Falcons hammered the Texans -- Quarter by Quarter
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 48-21 win over the Texans
Devonta Freeman stars again for the Falcons
What the Falcons had to say after pummeling the Texans
9 comments from Dan Quinn on the Falcons' victory
Jeff Schult'z column: Devonta Freeman, 7 TDs -- who didn't see that coming
Schraeder, Matthews keep Watt in check
Hankerson turns in a 100-yard receiving day (second of his career)
Houston's J.J. Watt tips hat to the Falcons
Former Falcons great Jessie Tuggle honored during Texans game
COWBOYS GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 39, Cowboys 28
Falcons 39, Cowboys 28 -- Quarter by Quarter
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 39-28 win over the Cowboys
Mark Bradley's short takes: Julio, Freeman and the defense
Devonta Freeman is catalyst for Falcons run game
QUOTEBOARD: What the Falcons had to say after beating Dallas
Julio Jones does it again: 12 catches, 164 yards and two touchdowns
Mark Bradley column: A dominant half shows what he Falcons could be
Offensive line cracked the run-game code
Ryan directed second-half fireworks show
Beasley help lead resurgence on defense
Where's Falcons wide receiver Roddy White?
GIANTS GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 24, Giants 20
Falcons 24, Giants 20 -- Quarter by Quarter
5 things we learned from Falcons' 24-20 win over the Giants
Mark Bradley column -- Don't stop believin': Dan Quinn's men are 2-0
A record day for Julio Jones: 13 receptions
Kroy Biermann: 'We're a ball-attacking team'
EAGLES GAME COVERAGE -- FALCONS 26, EAGLES 24
5 things we learned from Falcons' upset win over Eagles
Matt Ryan leads Falcons to 26-24 win over the Eagles
Jeff Schultz column: An impressive debut by Quinn's new Falcons
Mark Bradley column: A new year: The Falcons dig deep and hang on
Julio Jones moves into fifth on Falcons' all-time receiving list
Tevin Coleman powers new rushing attack
Ricardo Allen seals victory in first start at free safety
4 questions with Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones after the game
Falcons' revamped offensive line shows positive signs
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