atlanta falcons

Schaub shines in return as Falcons top Redskins 23-17

ATLANTA (AP) – Making a successful return to his first NFL home, Matt Schaub passed for 179 yards, leading three scoring drives, and the Atlanta Falcons beat the Washington Redskins 23-17 on Thursday night. Schaub began his career with the Falcons as Michael Vick’s backup from 2004-06. He played seven seasons as Houston’s starter and the past two years with…

QB Schaub gives Falcons ‘cool’ backup to starter Ryan

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – Matt Schaub’s cool presence in the huddle has the Falcons believing the offense can keep moving should starting quarterback Matt Ryan’s long string of consecutive starts end this season. Schaub, 35, is entering his 13th season with a return to Atlanta, his first NFL home, and the confidence earned from starting 92 of 141 career…

Ex-Atlanta Falcon claims innocence in sex-assault cases

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – A football player who was dropped by the Atlanta Falcons this week over multiple sexual assault allegations says he believes he will be found innocent. Torrey Green released a statement Friday through a spokesman from a Los Angeles-based public relations company. Zack Teperman says Green “has complete faith that any further investigation will prove his…

Falcons cut rookie free agent amid assault investigation

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – The Atlanta Falcons have cut rookie free agent linebacker Torrey Green as Utah law enforcement authorities investigate allegations of sexual assault made against him while he was a student at Utah State last year. Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Green was cut Thursday morning after the team learned of the allegations the night before. No…

Falcons looking forward to pass-rush boost from Freeney

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – Pass-rush help for the Atlanta Falcons is on the way. Veteran linebacker Dwight Freeney was the talk of the Falcons’ training camp on Wednesday, a day after agreeing to a one-year deal with the team. Freeney, who is expected to arrive Thursday, is an important addition to a defense that ranked last in the league…

Falcons agree to deal with pass-rush specialist Freeney

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – The Atlanta Falcons have attempted to address their persistent pass-rush problem by agreeing to terms on a deal with free-agent linebacker Dwight Freeney. The 36-year-old Freeney hasn’t had a double-digit sack total since 2010. Even so, his eight sacks in 11 games with Arizona in 2015 would have easily led Atlanta. The Falcons were last…

Jones pulled from Falcons’ 1st practice with minor injury

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – The Atlanta Falcons were concerned on the opening day of training camp when star wide receiver Julio Jones was pulled out with what coach Dan Quinn described as a “little tweak.” Quinn wouldn’t say what Jones hurt in Thursday’s practice. Jones showed no apparent sign of an injury as he walked off the field at…

Falcons expecting camp battles at right guard, linebacker

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – There could be some last-minute additions to the Atlanta Falcons’ roster, possibly before Thursday’s opening of training camp. General manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Dan Quinn already believe they are opening camp with a stronger roster after an 8-8 finish in Quinn’s 2015 debut. Quinn expects stiff competitions at several positions, including right guard, linebacker…

Falcons release return specialist Devin Hester before camp

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – The Atlanta Falcons have released star return specialist Devin Hester before the opening of training camp. Hester is a three-time All-Pro who set an NFL record with 20 career returns for touchdowns. A turf toe injury knocked out most of his season in 2015. He had 269 total return yards during the last five games…

Blank says work on Falcons’ new stadium is on schedule

ATLANTA (AP) – As he awaits word on Atlanta’s bid for to host a Super Bowl, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank says construction of the team’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium is on schedule to open in June, 2017. NFL owners will choose next week between Atlanta and other cities competing to host Super Bowls in 2019, 2020 and 2021. No city…