FLOWERY BRANCH -- After the Falcons’ offense jumped offside in the middle of practice Saturday, coach Arthur Smith sent the entire unit on a lap around the field.

“We screwed up,” quarterback Matt Ryan said. “All 11 of us. Art was not pleased with that, and he sent us on our way. Hopefully, it’s something that we learn from, and it doesn’t happen again.”

Smith had some fun with it, too.

“We were just saying (hello) to fans,” Smith said.

When pressed, Smith explain the reasoning behind the punishment run.

“The point of it is to try to find creative and singular ways to try to be disciplined,” Smith said. “So that you can change things up at the line. There’s a lot to it. People do it in pee-wee football. A lot of the same things still work in the NFL if you’ve got the right guys.”

The Bow Tie Chronicles

For more content about The Atlanta Falcons

Follow me on Twitter @DOrlandoAJC

On Facebook at Atlanta Falcons News Now

Atlanta Falcons coverage on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Falcons’ 2021 schedule features trip to London, January trip to Buffalo

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates his touchdown with guard Ryan Neuzil (64) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Credit: AP

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images