ON THE FALCONS BEAT
ON THE FALCONS BEAT

The Bow Tie Chronicles: The plan to replace Neal’s physical presence

By
Sept 12, 2018

In the 74th episode of The Bow Tie Chronicles podcast, Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant discusses how the team plans to replace Pro Bowl strong safety Keanu Neal, how second-year safety Damontae Kazee will help and the keys to stopping Carolina quarterback Cam Newton for rushing the football. The Falcons are set to play their home opener against the Panthers at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

After the podcast was created, the Falcons put linebacker Deion Jones on injured reserve. He has a broken foot and need surgery. He's expected to return this season.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

An Atlanta Falcons fan wears a paper bag on their head during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Mike Stewart/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons report card: Bad marks for getting blown out

Only a few position groups escaped earning failing grades in the Falcons report card after a 37-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Falcons’ porous kickoff coverage unit flipped the momentum in the game  

The Falcons special teams have struggled all year and allowed a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half in a 37-9 loss to the Seahawks.

4 quick takeaways from Falcons’ loss to Seahawks

The Falcons' offense and special teams struggled yet again in a 37-9 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday, dropping the Falcons to 3-9 and ensuring they finish with a losing record.

The Latest

An Atlanta Falcons fan wears a paper bag on their head during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Mike Stewart/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons report card: Bad marks for getting blown out

Falcons’ porous kickoff coverage unit flipped the momentum in the game  

Falcons’ Arthur Blank has become bad franchise owner

Featured

Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

When ICE takes breadwinners, it takes a toll on families ... and on the economy

For immigrant families, brushes with ICE can result in financial precarity that could have implications for the broader economy.

‘I’m a bad kid,’ he told himself. How Georgia’s special ed program failed one child.

Parents find that it's easy to get into the GNETS program, but in some districts, difficult to leave.

‘A lot of blame, but not enough action’: Atlanta leaders lack path to fix jail

Stakeholders across Atlanta and Fulton County grapple with a complex web of issues that contribute to overcrowding, crumbling structure.