Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has an ample amount of respect for Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman.

“He’s a good corner,” Shanahan said on Thursday. “He competes hard. I respect him just for how much of a competitor he is in the run game and the pass game. He doesn’t turn anything down. He’ll challenge you every play.”

The Falcons are expecting Sherman, a four-time Pro Bowler, to spend some time in man-to-man coverage against Falcons All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones.

“He doesn’t mind,” Shanahan said. “He’ll get up on the line and try to choke you. He’s not scared to get beat deep.”

Shanahan has been working on a plan to free-up his receivers.

“The more you understand the scheme, the more you learn about the players and the better it gives you a chance to help beat him,” Shanahan said. “It’s never an easy task with him. We have to be at the top of our game. We know that he’s going to get some, but we’ve got to get ours too.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris waves to fans as he walks off the field after the Falcons beat the Washington Commanders 34-27 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 28, 2025. 
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

The trio behind the popular "Gold Dome Report," (left to right) George Ray, Helen Sloat and Stan Jones, left Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough this week and opened their own firm, Gold Dome Partners. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com