FLOWERY BRANCH — Just four days after the Senior Bowl, the Falcons were made aware of the NFL’s gambling investigation into accusations that Calvin Ridley bet on games.
Before they were aware that he could be lost for at least next season, they were already heavily scouting the wide receiver group in Mobile, Ala.
In addition to not knowing if Ridley could return from the mental-health sabbatical, wide receivers Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus, Tajae Sharpe and Christian Blake were all set to become free agents.
The team had to wait almost a month for the league to announce that Ridley had been suspended indefinitely on Monday. He will be allowed to appeal for reinstatement on Feb. 15, 2023, leaving an already challenged situation in an even more depleted state.
With the suspension of Ridley, the Falcons have only three receivers – Chad Hansen, Frank Darby and Austin Trammell – under contract for the 2022 season.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Hansen, 27, who has been with the Jets and Texans, has the most experience. He’s played in 20 NFL games and has made three starts. He’s caught 26 of 41 targets for 330 yards and a touchdown.
Hansen, who played at California, was a fourth-round pick by the Jets in 2017.
Darby was a sixth-round pick last season from Arizona State. He caught one pass last season and contributed on special teams.
Trammell, who played at Rice, played in two games last season but didn’t have a reception. He played seven snaps on special teams.
The Falcons continued to heavily scout the wide receivers at the recently completed NFL scouting combine.
“We met with a lot of those guys,” Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said last Tuesday, when he was aware of the Ridley situation. “And there’s some real good receivers in the draft. Again, some different flavors depending on what you’re looking for, but there’s value at the top and throughout the draft at receiver.”
Gage came on strong toward the end of last season. But he may receive a lucrative offer on the open market that would be difficult for the Falcons to match.
“Like all of our guys that are up for free agency, Russell did a terrific job,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said. “He got injured (high ankle sprain) early in the season. Came back and I thought was really productive late in the year and helped us.”
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Blake and Zaccheaus were valuable special-teams players who could return under one of the modest-value deals the team has to offer.
Smith said the team has some parameters while looking at the wide receiver positions.
“First and foremost, there is the job description,” Smith said. “Can he get open? Can he catch the ball? If he can do that, it just depends.”
The Falcons hold the eighth overall pick in the draft, which is set for April 28 through 30 in Las Vegas. There doesn’t appear to be a Ja’Marr Chase in the group as the Falcons will likely have a shot at the top receiver in the draft.
But for a team with so many needs, drafting a wide receiver that high may be a luxury. Fontenot has repeatedly stated that the Falcons will draft the best player available.
“There are a lot of guys we’d love to have come to the Falcons and love to coach, but they’re going to be gone in certain spots when we’re drafting,” Smith said. “So, (we’ll) do our due diligence. Obviously, you want guys that can help you certainly make the life of the quarterback easier, yards after catch. Guys who can get in the end zone.”
The wide receiver group stood out at the combine. Several ran sub-4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
“So, you shouldn’t eliminate anybody,” Smith said. “Terry talks about flavors. Say it’s not one size fits all. There (are) guys that can be productive. Maybe they’re 6-4. Maybe they are 5-10. They’re good football players. It’s my charge to find a spot for them on this team.”
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has never had a weak wide receiver crew. The position has been well-stocked with first-rounders for most of his career.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Ryan started out with Michael Jenkins and Roddy White, who were first-rounders. Future Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez was added in his second season. Then later, Julio Jones was added to pair with White.
While other veteran quarterbacks around the league complained about their situations, Ryan has remained quiet. He watched one of his friends, Matthew Stafford, ask for a trade from Detroit last season.
Russell Wilson talked his way out of Seattle and was traded to Denver on Tuesday.
Ryan appears to have dug in for the rigors of the Falcons’ rebuilding efforts.
“Matt, he’s a great professional,” Fontenot said. “He comes in and works every day and does everything he can do to help the team win ... from my vantage point, from my standpoint, I really appreciate Matt and what he’s been in terms of a leader.”
The NFL pointed out that Ridley has three business days to inform the league in writing that he wants to appeal. A hearing would be scheduled before the commissioner or his designee at which he and his counsel would be heard. He would also have NFLPA representation available.
Ridley’s agent did not respond to requests for an interview and has not said if they would appeal the suspension.
Ridley admitted to betting on games in a tweet on social media.
The Falcons have not been questioned on the Ridley matter and would not make a team official available to publicly address the matter.
“We addressed (Monday via a statement) and are moving forward in the 2022 season with the decision that was made,” a team spokesperson said.
