Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons released wide receiver Laquon Treadwell on Saturday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

This is another setback for Treadwell, whom the Minnesota Vikings selected 23rd in the 2016 draft. He caught 65 passes for 701 yards and two touchdowns in 53 games with the team.

The Falcons signed the 25-year-old in March.

Saturday's move doesn't come as a shock. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter listed Treadwell as a long shot to make the team's final 53-man roster.

Still, Atlanta was seemingly a good fit for Treadwell. The presence of Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley meant he wasn't going to be one of the top options in the passing game, but he could've rebuilt his value in a supporting role before hitting the market again in 2021.

Instead, the former Ole Miss star is a free agent again.

The absence of a traditional preseason likely hurt Treadwell. The COVID-19 pandemic meant he didn't have any games to demonstrate how he might fit with the Falcons beyond his reps on the practice field.

Treadwell's age and first-round status will likely grant him another shot in the league. His brief tenure in Atlanta shows how much he still needs to prove, though, to turn his career around.

Todd Gurley should have a significant role in the Atlanta Falcons offense after signing with the team this offseason.

"I think a minimum of 15 touches and a high of [25]," offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.

Gurley's workload has been a question mark after knee problems led to a sharp decline in production with the Los Angeles Rams. After topping 300 touches in three straight years, the running back was limited to 254 touches in 15 games, averaging 16.9 per appearance.

Gurley is looking at a similar workload in 2020, with a lot more upside, depending on game situation. Of course, there will be others in the mix.

"You've got to realize we've got a lot of guys that need touches," Koetter added. "You're going to have 64 plays in a game on average on offense. Depending on where you're at in the season and wear and tear, I think the low is 15 and maybe the high end 25."

Running backs Brian Hill, Ito Smith and Qadree Ollison should also get playing time.

The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday they will play their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium without fans through at least September.

Our home games at @MBStadium will be played without fans through September.

DETAILS: https://t.co/umUG1awF4M

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 17, 2020

MLS squad Atlanta United will also play without fans for the same time period, continuing its stretch of empty-stadium games that will begin on Aug. 22. 

AMB Sports and Entertainment CEO Steve Cannon provided a statement on the decision:

"The health and safety of our fans is our top priority. As much as we want to bring our Falcons and Atlanta United fans together at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, their safety and wellbeing, and that of our associates, the competitors, officials and game staff, and our community as a whole will always come first. After thoughtful consideration and collaboration, it became clear to us that adhering to the guidance by national and local health officials was the right decision."

The Falcons are set to open their season at home against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 13, while this change will also affect the Week 3 battle against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 27.

While teams in other sports have played games in empty stadiums—including MLB and bubble scenarios for the NBA, WNBA, NWSL and NHL—the NFL has allowed each team to make its own determination.

Some organizations have announced reduced capacity for spectators while others are planning to go forward with full stadiums.

The Falcons had said in July they would permit only 30 percent capacity, allowing between 10,000 and 20,000 fans each game. 

The coronavirus pandemic remains an issue, however, especially in Georgia which has seen its three highest days of newly reported deaths within the past week, per the state's Department of Health. COVID-19 has led to over 160,000 deaths in the United States this year, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium has hosted numerous major events since opening in 2017, including Super Bowl LIII, but it will be extra quiet to begin the 2020 NFL season.

Anyone who has dreamed of buying a house from Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley in a deal that is tangentially related to Snoop Dogg reportedly has their chance.

According to TMZ Sports, Gurley is selling his 5,100-square-foot house in the Los Angeles area for $2.3 million. He lived there for three years but recently purchased a bigger house from actor Taylor Lautner.

The house he is selling was built in 2005 and features a resort-style pool, hot tub and waterfall.

As for the Snoop Dogg connection?

TMZ noted his son, Julian Broadus, is interested in real estate and is working with the listing agents in an "apprentice" role on the sale.

On the field, Gurley spent the first five years of his career on the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams and built a resume that already includes an Offensive Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl appearance, three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro selections.

He will look to replicate that success with the Falcons with a new living situation.

Heading into his third NFL season, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has set lofty goals for himself in 2020. 

Speaking to reporters about his expectations, Ridley said he "should be elite this year" and explained what he wants to do to reach that level. 

"I'm not going to lie, I'm real hungry to show people that I'm easily a 1,000-yard receiver, easily—and even better," he said. "I think that's what it is for me. I'm always confident in myself, and I'm just really hungry and want to help the team win as much as I can."

The Falcons selected Ridley No. 26 overall in the 2018 NFL draft. His arrival was designed to bring the offense back to the days when Roddy White was paired with Julio Jones. 

Ridley has performed well over the past two seasons. The Alabama alum has recorded 1,687 yards and 17 touchdowns on 127 receptions in 29 career games. His 2019 season ended early when he suffered an abdominal injury in Week 14 against the Carolina Panthers.

Atlanta could boast one of the best offenses in 2020, as Ridley, Jones, Hayden Hurst, Todd Gurley and Matt Ryan comprise a potent set of skill-position players.

Ridley has proved himself to be a matchup problem for opposing defenses. If that trend continues, the Falcons will be dangerous competition for the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South.    

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said Friday that he and Tom Brady have never had a discussion about the New England Patriots' come-from-behind win over the Falcons in Super Bowl LI.

Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, Ryan suggested that he still isn't ready to discuss the heartbreaking loss with the quarterback who beat him (beginning at the five-minute mark):

"He sent some text messages after that game," Ryan said. "I'm not sure I'm still in a good enough place to have a reasonable conversation with him about it. I'm not sure I'll ever be there."

The 35-year-old said the following about how it would likely go down if he and Brady ever do have that conversation: "I think you gotta rip the Band-Aid. I'm at a point in my life where I've found in these kind of things, I think you just gotta get it out there and throw it out there. I think if I were having a beer with him or playing golf or something like that I think it'd be like, 'Man, why'd you have to do that? Why'd you have to go there?'"

The Falcons held a 28-3 lead over the Patriots in Super Bowl LIV, but Brady led the Pats to the biggest comeback win in Super Bowl history, as they scored 31 unanswered points in the final two quarters and overtime to win 34-28.

Since that 2017 loss, the Falcons have been the constant subject of "28-3" jokes, and they have never really recovered, as they were eliminated in the divisional round of the playoffs the following year and have gone 7-9 each of the past two years.

Now that Brady has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after spending the first 20 years of his career in New England, Ryan is set to see Brady twice a year as a NFC South opponent for the next two seasons at least.

It is unlikely that anything can ever erase the sting of not winning a Super Bowl after having such a commanding lead, but with Ryan now getting to play Brady twice per season, perhaps he can get some level of satisfaction moving forward.

The Atlanta Falcons have reportedly agreed to a contract with ex-Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Darqueze Dennard, per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.

Dennard, 28, played six seasons with the Bengals after Cincinnati drafted him 24th in 2014.

In Cincinnati, the former Michigan State cornerback played 77 games (24 starts) and had three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), three sacks, 22 passes defended and 274 tackles.

Per Pro Football Reference, Dennard allowed just 17 completions off 35 targets in pass coverage last season. Pro Football Focus ranked Dennard as the 22nd-highest-graded cornerback in the NFL in 2019.

"He was limited to only 290 coverage snaps in 2019 but put up a career-high and 15th-best coverage grade on those snaps," Anthony Treash of PFF wrote in January. "He allowed only four catches of 10-plus yards, as well."

Injuries limited Dennard to nine games last year. He started the season on the Bengals' PUP (physically unable to perform) list because of a knee ailment but was activated Oct. 18.

Dennard became a free agent after the season, and the Jacksonville Jaguars reportedly signed him, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

However, the deal broke down in the final hour, per John Reid of the Florida Times-Union: "Wow category: Jaguars say CB Darqueze Dennard will not be signing with the franchise because the two sides could not come to an agreement on the final contract terms."

Dennard now has a home in Atlanta, however. He joins a secondary that includes ex-Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell, who was the 16th pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

Cornerback Isaiah Oliver, the team's second-round selection in 2018, should be back in a starting role. Safeties Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal round out the secondary's starters.

Adding Dennard, who PFF credited with allowing just 6.7 yards per reception since 2017 (sixth-best in the NFL among cornerbacks) should only behoove the Falcons as they look to improve a defense that finished No. 23 in scoring last season.

Dennard and the Falcons will open their campaign against the visiting Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan jumped on the PFT PM show with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk and discussed a number of subjects ranging from new Falcons running back Todd Gurley, the NFL Top 100 rankings, offseason preparations amid the COVID-19 pandemic and more.

D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution transcribed the Wednesday interview, which came one day after most players around the NFL reported to team headquarters for COVID-19 testing.

The Falcons' most prominent offseason addition is Gurley, the former Los Angeles Rams running back who was named the Associated Press' Offensive Player of the Year in 2017.

Regarding his new teammate, Ryan said:

"He's been one of the most dynamic players when he's on the field in our league. (He's) certainly a game-changer. I had the opportunity to work out with him a little bit and spend just a little bit of time with him. He seems to be in a really good place. He looked great on the field. Has been working extremely hard to get himself in position to be ready to go. I'm excited we have him. I think he adds a lot to what we can do."

The ex-Georgia Bulldog dominated over a two-year stretch from 2017 to 2018, amassing 3,924 scrimmage yards and 40 touchdowns for a dynamic Rams team that made the playoffs twice and Super Bowl once.

Gurley struggled in 2019, rushing for just 3.8 yards per carry, but he still managed to eclipse 1,000 scrimmage yards for the fifth straight season and scored 14 touchdowns.

The Rams released the 25-year-old after the season, but it didn't take long for the running back to find a new home in Atlanta, who also opted for a backfield change and released former starter Devonta Freeman.

Ryan and the Falcons are looking to improve upon a 7-9 season that started poorly with a 1-7 first half. The ex-Boston College star led the league with 408 pass completions and connected on 66.2 percent of his passes for 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, but the 2016 NFL MVP did not find his way onto the recently released NFL Top 100, a player-selected list of the best 100 players in the game today.

"That kind of stuff doesn't change my day," Ryan said when asked about the omission.

"It's never been...bulletin board material (for me) or anything like that. I know what I can do. I know what I'm capable of doing. I feel like every week I gave our team a great chance to win. If we get the ball late in the game, I know I have what it takes to finish it out. I don't worry about that stuff. I just focus on trying to do the job the best I can."

Three Falcons made the list: wide receiver Julio Jones (No. 11), Gurley (No. 51) and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (No. 91).

Like every other team, Atlanta is preparing for this season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has already caused plenty of changes in the football calendar. Of note, training camps across the country are opening with COVID-19 tests as opposed to typical meetings and practices.

The NFL has also eliminated preseason games, and Ryan spoke about that decision:

"It will be different. I kind of like the (exhibition) season games to be able to get out there and knock some of the rust off ... and be able to go through it. Go through your routine. Make sure that you're doing the things you need to do and make sure you have things ironed out. We're not going to have that luxury. But I think (Falcons coach) Dan Quinn is putting together a really good schedule to try and simulate as much as we can on our own what that experience is going to be like.

"For a guy like me, I'm in Year 13. I think it's going to be easier for a guy like myself having been through so many different situations, so many years, so many games played and feeling comfortable in those. But for our rookies and young guys who have not had that experience, I think we've got to have to help them out as much as we can and try and make them feel as comfortable as possible. Because when we kick it off against Seattle Week 1, that game is just as important as Week 17. It means just as much."

When Week 1 starts, Ryan and the Falcons will look to topple a tough division that includes the defending NFC South champion New Orleans Saints, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and a Carolina Panthers team featuring All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey and a new head coach and quarterback in Matt Rhule and Teddy Bridgewater, respectively.

The Saints and Bucs are receiving Super Bowl hype, but Ryan is ignoring the noise as he looks to prep his own team.

"It's one of those things, who cares about anybody else. We have to care of our own business...It doesn't bother me that other people are talked about...I don't worry about it too much. I try and make sure that we are focused on taking care of our own business."

The Falcons' first organized game will now be Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks at home at 1 p.m. ET.

Atlanta Falcons star Todd Gurley said he's prepared for some or all of the 2020 NFL season to be wiped out if the league and NFL Players Association can't set up adequate safeguards amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

During an appearance on CBS Sports Radio's Tiki and Tierney, Gurley said his concern was more about his teammates and the risk the coronavirus poses to their family members.

He also expressed frustration with how little he believes has been done to address the problem:

"It's really not structured right. There's not a proper plan in place that I'm comfortable with. I don't have a wife. I don't have any kids. You have to look at guys on the other side who have [a] pregnant wife, kids and a wife that they go home to every single day. I just feel like we just need to come up with something a lot better than what they're giving us. Everything they gave us is pretty last minute. We should have been able to have answers weeks ago, if not months ago.

"Oh yeah, you have to be prepared to not play or be prepared to have a half a season. If they don't do things right, we won't have a full season. It's just how things have been going so far this year. Hopefully everything goes well, but I don't see [it]. It just doesn't sit well right now."

"Oh yea, you have to be prepared to not play or be prepared to have half a season"@TG3II says he's prepared for there not to be an NFL season at all

GREAT interview with the new @AtlantaFalcons star... check here for the full conversation:https://t.co/fTdnjf1ka6 pic.twitter.com/p1F6wIoLJi

— The Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata Show (@BTandSal) July 23, 2020

The pandemic didn't take hold in the United States until after the 2019 NFL season had concluded. As a result, the league has suffered more limited consequences compared to the likes of the NBA, MLB, WNBA, MLS, NHL and NWSL.

The NFL has staged its offseason business—the draft, free agency, preseason workouts and meetings—remotely or with limited access for team personnel.

Now, the league is having to grapple with more significant ramifications of the pandemic. Having already reduced the preseason by two games, the NFL and NFLPA agreed to cancel the entire preseason slate.

Now, the concern is whether the NFL can kick off the regular season as scheduled on Sept. 10. A number of stars took to social media to echo Gurley's concerns about the lack of necessary health protocols:

I am concerned.
My wife is pregnant.@NFL Training camp is about to start..

And there’s still No Clear Plan on Player Health & Family Safety. 🤷🏾

We want to play football but we also want to protect our loved ones. #WeWantToPlay

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) July 19, 2020

Getting ready to report this week hoping the @NFL will come to agreement with the safe and right protocols so we can feel protected playing the sport we love #WeWantToPlay

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 19, 2020

We need Football! We need sports! We need hope! The NFL’s unwillingness to follow the recommendations of their own medical experts will prevent that. If the NFL doesn’t do their part to keep players healthy there is no football in 2020. It’s that simple. Get it done @NFL

— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) July 19, 2020

The Washington Post's Mark Maske noted the NFL and NFLPA have hammered out certain details but that a number of issues remain unresolved.

Maske wrote that among the topics are "frequency of testing, the length of the preseason, the structure of teams’ training camps, the rules for opting out, the possibility of mandating face shields designed to limit on-field spread of the virus, and the economic considerations from a potential drop in revenue and their impact on the 2021 salary cap."

The absence of a season would hurt a player such as Gurley, who's looking to rebound following a disappointing 2019.

He ran for a career-low 857 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Los Angeles Rams released the two-time All-Pro in March, two years after signing him to a four-year, $60 million extension.

Gurley signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the Falcons to take over as their starting running back for 2020.

Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett spoke Wednesday about social injustice, racial inequality and the role the NFL and its players can play in addressing those issues. 

As part of an Instagram Live session with ESPN's Jalen Rose (h/t ESPN's Vaughn McClure), the Pro Bowlers gave their take on what can be done to aid in the fight for equality.

Gurley expressed his belief that the NFL has to expand its contributions:

"Being in the NFL, seeing everything that we go through in the NFL, a lot still needs to be changed. That's why we're trying to push up on the commissioner—you know, the whole Colin Kaepernick situation with him not being able to be in the league—there's still a lot that needs to be changed.

"I feel like us players, as we've been coming together, dealing with the [coronavirus] pandemic and dealing with the George Floyd situation, there's still a strong move to push. But it's definitely a start. We've just got to keep pushing on, keep hounding the NFL to do better because it's a large organization. We need to be able to push the league to do more for the Black communities."

The NFL has long been criticized for its lack of support for Kaepernick, who began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest against social injustice and police brutality, which remain significant problems in the United States.

Since Kaepernick and the Niners parted ways after the 2016 season, Kaepernick has remained unsigned by NFL teams.

The NFL was initially a staunch opponent of kneeling during the anthem, but it has seemingly reversed its position after recent protests across the United States and the globe against systemic racism.

When asked if he expects more demonstrations during the anthem than usual this season, Jarrett emphasized the need for additional action:

"By the time I took that knee ... I wanted it to be more than just a gesture. I wanted it to be a commitment to myself to do more in the community and get more involved. I would say for anybody that's thinking about [kneeling], don't just do it because it's the cool thing to do or now it's a little more accepted to do, so I can do it just to fit in because this is what the people want me to do. If you do something, find out an organization that exists and go put some money behind it, effort behind it.

"I anticipate a lot more people doing social demonstrations during this year, whether it's taking a knee or locking arms—a lot of different ways guys want to get the message across. I do anticipate seeing a lot across the league and [kneeling being] something that I'm sure our team, we will talk about how we want to go about it. ... I just say put some work behind the actions."

Aside from kneeling, the NFL is reportedly also planning to allow players to wear social justice decals on their helmets, which is similar to the NBA allowing its players to wear pre-approved social justice phrases on their jerseys this season.

The NFL has taken financial steps to help in the fight for social justice in recent years as well, including committing $90 million to a social justice initiative in 2018.

Gurley, Jarrett and other players are hoping for more involvement out of the NFL moving forward.