1 00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: What's up, everybody, and welcome to another edition of the 2 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:16,160 Speaker 1: Falcons Final Whistle Podcast. I'm Scott Barrett alongside me, Tory mclaney, 3 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:19,599 Speaker 1: and Chris rim as we break down a thirty to 4 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:22,840 Speaker 1: twenty loss. The Atlanta Falcons lost thirty to twenty two 5 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:26,400 Speaker 1: the rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday in Week eighteen 6 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 1: at Mercedes Benz Stadium. Not a desired outcome, not a 7 00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 1: way that the Falcons wanted to wrap their twenty twenty 8 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 1: one campaign. And guys, let's be honest, we're not going 9 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:39,080 Speaker 1: to talk a whole lot about the details of this game. 10 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:42,360 Speaker 1: I think this fan base has kind of really moved 11 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:44,199 Speaker 1: on and they want to talk about the offseason, and 12 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 1: they want to talk about what comes next, and there 13 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:48,919 Speaker 1: are a lot of interesting things to discuss. So we're 14 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 1: going to jump into all of those things over the 15 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:54,120 Speaker 1: course of four quarters. You guys know the format by now. 16 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,960 Speaker 1: It's five minutes on each topic. We're going to debate 17 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:02,680 Speaker 1: vigorously four different things, starting with Matt Ryan and all 18 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:05,840 Speaker 1: the chatter around him and his future into twenty twenty two. 19 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 1: Also some other key Falcons free agents who are going 20 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:11,840 Speaker 1: to hit the open market this spring, we are going 21 00:01:11,880 --> 00:01:16,120 Speaker 1: to talk about what needs have emerged by all three 22 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 1: of us watching this twenty one campaign, and of course 23 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 1: we're going to take a look at now that we 24 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:24,759 Speaker 1: know where the Falcons draft at number eight overall, we're 25 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:27,200 Speaker 1: going to look at what they should do with that 26 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:29,960 Speaker 1: pick a topic that we'll probably discuss a couple of 27 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:33,959 Speaker 1: thousand times before they actually make it. So before we 28 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:37,360 Speaker 1: jump into all that forward thinking talk, Tory and Chris 29 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:40,240 Speaker 1: the story, let's start with you first. What is your 30 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:44,679 Speaker 1: big takeaway from the regular season finale as a four 31 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:50,200 Speaker 1: quarter game. Well, I think, honestly, to me, it was 32 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:53,720 Speaker 1: kind I was already looking ahead even as this game 33 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:55,680 Speaker 1: was going on. I think once we saw how this 34 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 1: game was going in that first half and it wasn't 35 00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 1: looking good, I immediately kind of put on blinders to 36 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:04,920 Speaker 1: looking straight to the twenty twenty two offseason. And what 37 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:07,840 Speaker 1: I spent a lot of time thinking about postgame was 38 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 1: the needs that I think we saw very evidently be 39 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:16,960 Speaker 1: needs in this game. And I'm talking a lack of 40 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:20,080 Speaker 1: pass thrush, I'm talking about some issues on the offensive line. 41 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:24,119 Speaker 1: I'm talking about maybe running backs and receivers. I mean, 42 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 1: these are all things that I think the Saints really 43 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:30,400 Speaker 1: took advantage of that. The Falcons really don't have full 44 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:33,760 Speaker 1: strength in those areas, and so to me, it kind 45 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,560 Speaker 1: of correlated my takeaway from this game kind of correlated 46 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 1: to what I think going what I'm thinking kind of 47 00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 1: going into the twenty twenty two off season. Well, then, Chris, 48 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:46,760 Speaker 1: maybe I won't I won't try to pigeonhole you as much. 49 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 1: What was going through your mind over the course of 50 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 1: this game and in its aftermath. Yeah, I think it 51 00:02:51,639 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 1: was a lot of what Tories said, but I guess 52 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 1: not to reiterate the entire same thing she said. I 53 00:02:56,639 --> 00:02:58,679 Speaker 1: would say it was stood out to me from the 54 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 1: game self was the turnovers they Tory talked about it. 55 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:05,360 Speaker 1: They had three, two in a row, and then they 56 00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:08,960 Speaker 1: had three turnovers on the first play of a drive, 57 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 1: an interception and then um fumbles, and then the time 58 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 1: of possession was so things a twenty minute gap, but 59 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 1: things thirty five minutes, almost thirty five minutes of the 60 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:21,000 Speaker 1: Saints and a little or fifteen for the for the Falcons. 61 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 1: So when you have that kind of gap is tough 62 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:28,080 Speaker 1: for your any defense, the best defense is to play well, 63 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:31,560 Speaker 1: and the defense did better in the second half of 64 00:03:31,639 --> 00:03:33,799 Speaker 1: the first half. It was it was a challenge, But 65 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 1: that's what stood out to me from the game. Yeah, 66 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 1: I think that both of you guys are dead on 67 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 1: in the fact that this game showed the reasons why 68 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:46,440 Speaker 1: the Falcons weren't competitive enough, especially against top teams, That 69 00:03:46,480 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 1: they fell into trouble, when they lost the turnover battle, 70 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:52,320 Speaker 1: when they weren't good on run defense, and when they 71 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:55,280 Speaker 1: fell behind early. And I think that all those things 72 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 1: are key. Now we've talked about this Saints game. Right 73 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:00,880 Speaker 1: now it's going to be about what happens next and 74 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 1: what's moving forward. But before we get to all that, 75 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 1: we have to give another big thank you to our sponsor, Microsoft. 76 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 1: Windows eleven, the official operating system of the NFL and 77 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:12,720 Speaker 1: the Atlanta Falcons. The All Know, the all New Windows 78 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:15,120 Speaker 1: eleven is here to bring you closer to what you love, 79 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 1: Like the Falcons Final Whistle podcast learn all about the 80 00:04:18,839 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 1: awesome new features of Windows eleven at Windows dot com. 81 00:04:24,760 --> 00:04:28,720 Speaker 1: We are starting quarter number one talking about QB Number one. 82 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:33,000 Speaker 1: That's Matt Ryan, who, shortly after wrapping his fourteenth season 83 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:38,120 Speaker 1: as Falcons starting quarterback, he was asked about his fifteenth 84 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:41,520 Speaker 1: season or the prospects of his fifteenth season, whether he's 85 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:44,159 Speaker 1: going to be back next year, despite the fact that 86 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 1: he obviously has a huge salary cap number a lot 87 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:51,240 Speaker 1: of dead money associated with it. And Arthur Smith was 88 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:54,479 Speaker 1: asked about it, Matt Ryan was asked about it tour. 89 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:57,080 Speaker 1: You were in that press conference, kind of give us 90 00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 1: the tone and the vibe and what was said during 91 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:05,240 Speaker 1: those exchanges. Yeah, so I will say this, Arthur Smith 92 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 1: was a lot more heated than Matt Ryan was about 93 00:05:10,279 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: the future of Matt Ryan, which I thought is funny 94 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:15,240 Speaker 1: when you're talking about the future of one guy, you 95 00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:17,560 Speaker 1: think the guy in question would probably be a little 96 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:20,040 Speaker 1: bit more heated about his own future. But it was 97 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:24,279 Speaker 1: Arthur Smith, and he very much was adamant that rumors 98 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:29,000 Speaker 1: or rumors, and he basically said that he wasn't going 99 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:33,160 Speaker 1: to get into Matt Ryan's future, that Matt knew what 100 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:35,880 Speaker 1: the Falcons thought of him, and they know what like 101 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:38,279 Speaker 1: the like Matt thinks of the Falcons, and he was 102 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:40,800 Speaker 1: very very adamant that he was not going to get 103 00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 1: into it. And then about fifteen twenty minutes later, when 104 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:46,479 Speaker 1: Matt was asked about him, I was just like kind 105 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:48,720 Speaker 1: of like yeah, you know, I'd love to be back. 106 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 1: I love it here. I've always want to be here, 107 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 1: and I essentially think that we're laying a good foundation 108 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:58,800 Speaker 1: here and I like what we're building. And so I 109 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: think it's really funny if we're talking about the atmosphere 110 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:05,800 Speaker 1: of these press conferences. Arthur Smiths and Matt Ryan's were 111 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 1: very different in how kind of they handled the question 112 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:12,200 Speaker 1: of Matt Ryan's future with the Falcons, And I think 113 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 1: how the Atlanta Falcons handle Matt Ryan's future, what a segue. 114 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 1: How the Falcons handle Matt Ryan's future, whether he's going 115 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 1: to be around next year, I think is going to 116 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:26,920 Speaker 1: be a fascinating portion of this offseason. I just spent 117 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:29,919 Speaker 1: nine hundred words explaining why he's the right guy for 118 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 1: the Falcons in twenty twenty two. That includes the benefit 119 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 1: of the twenty twenty two products. Using all of your 120 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:40,080 Speaker 1: available assets to build up the team around Matt Ryan 121 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:46,120 Speaker 1: and the team around his inevitable successor. Right. It frees 122 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 1: up some options. You don't have to take a quarterback. 123 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 1: You can if you want to, but you don't have to. 124 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:53,600 Speaker 1: And I think that there are a bunch of benefits 125 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:57,320 Speaker 1: going into it. So I do think that he should 126 00:06:57,360 --> 00:07:00,280 Speaker 1: come back next year. Matt Ryan, as you said, Worry 127 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 1: was very clear that he wanted to come back here. 128 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,760 Speaker 1: We're not talking a lot about the finances here, right 129 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 1: You've been asked about this on every radio show and 130 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:14,400 Speaker 1: podcast known to mankind. Finances play a role here, too, 131 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 1: don't they. No, you're absolutely right, And that is a 132 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 1: question that I get asked all the time, and I 133 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:23,680 Speaker 1: basically say every single time, I don't see how you 134 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:27,160 Speaker 1: get rid of Matt Ryan because of his cap hit 135 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty two and twenty twenty three. His contract 136 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:35,560 Speaker 1: has been restructured so many times, and essentially it's just 137 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 1: kicking money down the road. At some point, you're gonna 138 00:07:39,440 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 1: have to pay Matt Ryan the money he's owed, and 139 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 1: we have reached that point because there's only two years 140 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 1: left on this contract. There is no more time to 141 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 1: kick the can down the road anymore. So when people 142 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 1: ask me about Matt Ryan coming back, I'm just like, 143 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:55,120 Speaker 1: we'll find me a way that it makes sense to 144 00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:57,480 Speaker 1: get rid of him, because as of right now, I 145 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: don't see how it makes sense, and I don't know 146 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:03,480 Speaker 1: how to crunch the numbers in that way to to 147 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 1: where are you part ways with Matt Ryan and you're 148 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:10,000 Speaker 1: not in one of the biggest holes you'll I've ever 149 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 1: seen an organization being I just don't know how that correlates. Now, Chris, 150 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 1: Let's so we we just talked about money. Now let's 151 00:08:17,720 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 1: take it all away. You saw every single snap that 152 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 1: Matt Ryan took for the Atlanta Falcons this season. You 153 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:26,640 Speaker 1: know what he was working with. What were your impressions 154 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:31,480 Speaker 1: of this season? And hum, I hate to even ask 155 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:33,840 Speaker 1: it this way, but I will it anyway. Uh. You know, 156 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 1: do you think that he's still got it at this 157 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:39,840 Speaker 1: point in his career? Yeah? Yeah, I think he I 158 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:42,360 Speaker 1: think he still has it. I think you know, this 159 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:46,559 Speaker 1: season was a lot in terms of losing losing We're 160 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 1: losing Julio and then losing Calvin and then I'm trying 161 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:52,040 Speaker 1: to build a relationship with Kyle and him kind of 162 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:55,920 Speaker 1: becoming that number one option, and then Russ being out, 163 00:08:56,800 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 1: Hayden being out. You know, I think Lee Smith called 164 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:04,079 Speaker 1: and passes this year. So you know, there was a 165 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:06,080 Speaker 1: lot It's hard for I think it would be hard 166 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 1: for a lot of quarterbacks. And not to mention that 167 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:12,360 Speaker 1: there were some struggles with with the offensive line um 168 00:09:12,360 --> 00:09:15,160 Speaker 1: throughout the year. UM. So I think Yeah, I think 169 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:18,280 Speaker 1: for Matt, I think Matt um Hiss, Like like my 170 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 1: whole process, thought process with Matt has been in order 171 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:23,640 Speaker 1: for him to be successful with the style of play. Um. 172 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:26,199 Speaker 1: I just think the pieces also need to be around 173 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:27,760 Speaker 1: him in order for him to be successful as a 174 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 1: mean that he needs a you know, I think leemancush Lamborghini. 175 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:34,440 Speaker 1: He doesn't need a bunch Lamborghini's at wider. I think 176 00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:37,199 Speaker 1: he needs some. I think he needs some Lamborghini's up front. 177 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:39,160 Speaker 1: And that's not saying he doesn't have, you know, a 178 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:42,920 Speaker 1: couple in Lyndstrom and Jake Matthews, but that's just saying that, 179 00:09:43,520 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 1: you know, some some support would be helpful. UM. And 180 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 1: I think if they continue to build that line, I 181 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:52,199 Speaker 1: think you'll continue to see um increased performers from him 182 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:56,559 Speaker 1: in the offense. Yeah. I think anytimes, Wait, do we 183 00:09:56,720 --> 00:10:04,439 Speaker 1: consider offensive lineman Lamborghinis because I A, yeah, yeah, they're yeah, yeah, 184 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:08,080 Speaker 1: for sure, they're more like sure, yeah, there we go. Yeah, 185 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 1: but I would definitely say that like that, like Chris Lindstrom, 186 00:10:11,520 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 1: is that like raised f one fifty with like all 187 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:18,520 Speaker 1: the chrome grill and everything like completely tricked out. That's 188 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 1: Chris Lindstrom. I think what Chris was saying is we 189 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:26,480 Speaker 1: need more tricked out trucks. Yeah, he's on the outside, 190 00:10:26,480 --> 00:10:30,640 Speaker 1: tricked up trucks up front. And I think we're gonna 191 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:32,199 Speaker 1: this won't be the last time that we're going to 192 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:35,120 Speaker 1: talk about this. When you deal with a quarterback with 193 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 1: as much success as Matt Ryan, who's mentum as much 194 00:10:37,720 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 1: to this franchise, who is, let's be honest, closer to 195 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 1: the end of his tenure here um than than at 196 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 1: any other point, and there is some uncertainty. It's going 197 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:51,559 Speaker 1: to fuel speculation that the fan base is divided, and 198 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:55,240 Speaker 1: we will continue to bring rationality to this topic. I 199 00:10:55,320 --> 00:11:00,560 Speaker 1: promise you that we are kicking off quarter number two 200 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 1: talking about some guys who are heading towards the open 201 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:08,480 Speaker 1: market this spring, guys who are heading who are headed 202 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:11,760 Speaker 1: towards unrestricted free agency, and the Falcons have quite a 203 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:15,240 Speaker 1: few in the twenties actually, and of that group, there 204 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:17,360 Speaker 1: are some guys that you can see them just kind 205 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 1: of automatically, you know, parting ways with them. There are 206 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 1: some key guys that that Chris rom you talked to 207 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:27,400 Speaker 1: after Sunday's game guys like Russell Gage, guys like Hayden Hurst, 208 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 1: guys like Foyer, Aluiken, guys who could have something of 209 00:11:32,559 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker 1: a market or whether they're coming back or not. Chris, 210 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 1: What did those guys have to say what stood out 211 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 1: to you from their postgame press conferences regarding their futures. Yeah, 212 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:46,360 Speaker 1: I think it was kind of all. It was kind 213 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:49,559 Speaker 1: of all pretty uniform in terms of what I think 214 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 1: with Foyer and Russ, they were definitely of the of 215 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 1: the mindset of you know, well, I think Russ was 216 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:58,040 Speaker 1: the most out of the three who said, you know, 217 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:00,800 Speaker 1: I want to be here. Russ said explicitly, you know, 218 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:04,320 Speaker 1: Atlanta has first priority. But Russ also said he doesn't 219 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 1: really know anything about free agency. Like growing up when 220 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 1: he played Madden, he always seemed that part of the 221 00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:13,320 Speaker 1: season because he hated again he lost all the players 222 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:15,880 Speaker 1: and stuff. So he doesn't know, he doesn't know anything 223 00:12:16,440 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 1: about free agency, at least that's what he's telling us. 224 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:22,480 Speaker 1: And then Foyer, as he says, he's had, you know, 225 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 1: he's been maybe outside of agens Row, maybe the best 226 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 1: player on the defense. So he I think he understands 227 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:32,960 Speaker 1: that he might have a lot of teams a lot 228 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:35,760 Speaker 1: of suitors who are interested in him. And what he 229 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:38,079 Speaker 1: said though, was that he's not really looking for the 230 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:41,360 Speaker 1: highest paying team or the whoever's going to offer him 231 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:43,840 Speaker 1: the most money. It's more about where he can have 232 00:12:43,960 --> 00:12:47,040 Speaker 1: continued success and continued growth. And he's also said before 233 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:49,640 Speaker 1: he doesn't, you know, changing might not always help that 234 00:12:49,720 --> 00:12:52,559 Speaker 1: being in the same system and learning. He wonders how 235 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:54,800 Speaker 1: how much better he can grow in a system like this. 236 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:59,080 Speaker 1: And for Hayden, it was just about opportunity. And I 237 00:12:59,120 --> 00:13:02,280 Speaker 1: think this season for him has been ups and downs 238 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:05,760 Speaker 1: because you know, his option wasn't picked up in the 239 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 1: preseason and then as as um as he mentioned post 240 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 1: game today when he when he realized that he knew 241 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:14,520 Speaker 1: he would need to have a good year um and 242 00:13:14,559 --> 00:13:16,480 Speaker 1: he admitted post game that it hasn't been the year 243 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:19,120 Speaker 1: that he had hoped and some of that has has 244 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: been because of injury, and then he was put on 245 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:23,840 Speaker 1: the you know, reserve COVID list for a couple of games, 246 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 1: so he's missed four games because of that. There's just 247 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:28,120 Speaker 1: been a lot of changes. So for him, it's all 248 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:31,120 Speaker 1: about opportunity and chances to play, whether that's in Atlanta 249 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 1: or not. Yeah. I mean, there's gonna be a lot 250 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:38,000 Speaker 1: of roster turnover with with a lot of these different 251 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:40,719 Speaker 1: free agents. It's it's interesting to hear guys who have 252 00:13:40,800 --> 00:13:43,440 Speaker 1: been around here for a while that you think about, 253 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 1: like Russell Gage coming up from the bottom and Foye 254 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:48,240 Speaker 1: coming up from the bottom, and whether they're going to 255 00:13:48,320 --> 00:13:50,959 Speaker 1: have a market to go out there and cash in 256 00:13:51,240 --> 00:13:54,320 Speaker 1: on all the hard work that they've done. Um Tory, 257 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:57,079 Speaker 1: I don't know if you if we're just talking about 258 00:13:57,120 --> 00:14:00,600 Speaker 1: these three, and I know that doesn't include Patterson and 259 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:03,120 Speaker 1: a lot of other guys that are that are going 260 00:14:03,160 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 1: to hit the market. If you're gonna if you're coming 261 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:08,320 Speaker 1: up with one of these three and you got limited 262 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 1: funds and you're playing GM for the moments, who do 263 00:14:10,960 --> 00:14:17,200 Speaker 1: you jump after? And why, oh gosh, put me on 264 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:19,960 Speaker 1: the spot? I mean, I think if I'm just talking 265 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:22,880 Speaker 1: about I know, I think if I'm just talking about 266 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 1: these three, I mean, I've written so many stories about Foyer. 267 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 1: I feel like people are tired of me talking about him. 268 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:34,720 Speaker 1: But I probably would say Foyer because I don't know, 269 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 1: and I think about this way. He's the number one 270 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:39,440 Speaker 1: tackler in the league right now, and a lot of 271 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 1: people are very skeptical about that number because they're like, well, 272 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:47,440 Speaker 1: that means that he's like the balls getting to him, 273 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:49,040 Speaker 1: the guy is getting to him. He has to make 274 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:52,160 Speaker 1: that tackle because the defensive line is so bad. And 275 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:55,200 Speaker 1: I'm like, yeah, that that's probably all well and true, like, 276 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:57,600 Speaker 1: but think about it if he wasn't there. Think about 277 00:14:57,600 --> 00:14:59,320 Speaker 1: it if he didn't have those one hundred and ninety 278 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:01,760 Speaker 1: two tackles. Where the Falcons defense would be if he 279 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:05,320 Speaker 1: wasn't out there. And I think another thing, another part 280 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 1: of his game is that like he's this mic linebacker 281 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 1: that is very very important to Deanp's scheme and just 282 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:13,720 Speaker 1: being the guy to make the call across the defense 283 00:15:13,760 --> 00:15:15,880 Speaker 1: and the fact that you have somebody that Dean very 284 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:19,320 Speaker 1: much trust and Foyer able to do that and take 285 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:21,440 Speaker 1: on that role and to do it well and be 286 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:24,360 Speaker 1: productive in that role. To not have to have someone 287 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:29,240 Speaker 1: else come in and relearn the scheme and how Dean 288 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 1: wants it and how he wants the calls coming in 289 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:33,800 Speaker 1: and everything like that. I mean, I think that goes 290 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 1: a long way too. So for me, I'm saying, like, 291 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 1: pull what money you need to to resign Foye and 292 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:41,960 Speaker 1: keep him here. I really think it's going to be 293 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:45,560 Speaker 1: fascinating because everybody who's listening to this podcast knows that 294 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:50,320 Speaker 1: the Falcons don't have mountains of salary cap space available. 295 00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:53,760 Speaker 1: They can't just like toss hundreds at people everywhere that 296 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 1: they go. He's not just slapping it around necessarily. He 297 00:15:57,600 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 1: just doesn't have that yet. So I think it'll be 298 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:03,280 Speaker 1: interesting to see how they do with the funds that 299 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,680 Speaker 1: they have and how they prioritize. Guys, I if we're 300 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:09,960 Speaker 1: just talking, do you want foy a back, Yeah you do. 301 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 1: Do you want one of the best third down targets 302 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,240 Speaker 1: in the NFL back? Of course you do. Do you 303 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:19,840 Speaker 1: want a complimentary tight end? Of course you do. But 304 00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:21,880 Speaker 1: it's just a matter of what you can afford, what 305 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:24,720 Speaker 1: the market is. There are so many factors here that 306 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 1: I think it's going to be fascinating, especially for like 307 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:32,400 Speaker 1: football nerds like us, right, because if you look at 308 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:34,280 Speaker 1: teams with tons of cap space and they go sign 309 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 1: a list free agents, okay, and that's exciting on the 310 00:16:37,200 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: first day of free agency, but how can the Falcons 311 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 1: maximize the funds that they do have to get the 312 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:46,200 Speaker 1: upgrades that are required. I think all those things are 313 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:48,640 Speaker 1: going to be interesting as they move forward, and we 314 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:51,520 Speaker 1: eventually see if this was the last game in a 315 00:16:51,560 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 1: Falcon's uniform, for Russ, for Foyer, for Hayden, for a 316 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 1: number of popular guys who have been representing Atlanta well 317 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:04,560 Speaker 1: in recent seasons. Going down to quarter number three, talking 318 00:17:04,560 --> 00:17:08,640 Speaker 1: about what the Falcons need, where they need to upgrade 319 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:11,000 Speaker 1: the most. Now, there's a lot of holes, probably more 320 00:17:11,119 --> 00:17:13,560 Speaker 1: than they can address over the course of one off season, 321 00:17:13,640 --> 00:17:17,679 Speaker 1: considering their salary cap constraints that we have been talking 322 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:21,959 Speaker 1: about tour. You wrote a priority list, a checklist as 323 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 1: it stands right now as we enter the off season. 324 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:27,200 Speaker 1: What was your number one? What kind of went into 325 00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 1: your thinking when it came to making that list. Two 326 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:37,639 Speaker 1: words pass rush. I cannot stress this enough that the 327 00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 1: Falcons have to develop a pass rush, and they have 328 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:42,879 Speaker 1: to do it in multiple ways. I believe they have 329 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:45,120 Speaker 1: to do it through the draft and through free agency. 330 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:47,640 Speaker 1: I think this is going to be a complete overhaul. 331 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:50,360 Speaker 1: I think it needs to be a complete overhaul because, 332 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:53,160 Speaker 1: and you know, we can look at numbers all day long, 333 00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:57,359 Speaker 1: but the fact of the matter is, the reality is 334 00:17:57,400 --> 00:17:59,560 Speaker 1: the Falcons had the worst pass rush in the NFL 335 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:04,520 Speaker 1: in twin twenty one period, there were individuals with more 336 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:10,159 Speaker 1: sacks than the entire Falcons defense had. That it is unacceptable. 337 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:13,040 Speaker 1: Even Dean Peace was talking about it this week when 338 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:14,960 Speaker 1: he was like, we have to develop a pass rush. 339 00:18:15,040 --> 00:18:18,200 Speaker 1: We just straight up need more. And he was asked 340 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:20,080 Speaker 1: how do you do that? And he was like, well, 341 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:22,480 Speaker 1: it can be through experience, but it can also be 342 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:26,000 Speaker 1: through getting guys who have this god given talent to 343 00:18:26,119 --> 00:18:28,480 Speaker 1: go out there and rush the pass or without you know, 344 00:18:28,520 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 1: a blitz being called or anything or applying a certain pressure. 345 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:34,760 Speaker 1: I mean, they just can go out and beat their guy. 346 00:18:34,840 --> 00:18:38,199 Speaker 1: That's what the Falcons needs. So in terms of priorities, 347 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:41,679 Speaker 1: there will be nothing, and I'm very passionate about this, 348 00:18:41,840 --> 00:18:45,439 Speaker 1: there will be enohing that I will put ahead of 349 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:49,280 Speaker 1: path rush this offseason. They have got to get a 350 00:18:49,359 --> 00:18:52,360 Speaker 1: pass rush, and I will die on this hill. All right, 351 00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:56,359 Speaker 1: I'm done. The Falcons played. I know sacks aren't a 352 00:18:56,400 --> 00:18:59,560 Speaker 1: be all end, all right, but but but but dot 353 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:03,080 Speaker 1: dot dot. The Falcons play seventeen games this year, they 354 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:09,720 Speaker 1: had seventeen sacks. That that does not compute to me. So, 355 00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:15,359 Speaker 1: Chris rim if if pass rush was number one on 356 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:18,239 Speaker 1: your priority list. If you were making one. If it is, 357 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:22,639 Speaker 1: what's your number two? If it wasn't, what's your number one? No, 358 00:19:22,640 --> 00:19:24,600 Speaker 1: I would say pass rush would be a number. Why 359 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:27,840 Speaker 1: did I think also, like Tory said, Dean said that 360 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:29,840 Speaker 1: this week, that they need that. I also think if 361 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:34,800 Speaker 1: there's a pass rush or or even another guy next 362 00:19:34,800 --> 00:19:38,399 Speaker 1: to Grady, I think Grady looks a lot different. And 363 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:42,080 Speaker 1: Grady looks and Grady's numbers look a lot different. Um 364 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 1: you know, this year's numbers didn't look as good as 365 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:48,040 Speaker 1: they have because because of that, um so, because they 366 00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:49,480 Speaker 1: could just focus on him. But I would say, on 367 00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:52,440 Speaker 1: the other side, just those those trucks, those four D 368 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:56,439 Speaker 1: F one fifties, those those trucks, man, you know, um, 369 00:19:56,640 --> 00:20:00,440 Speaker 1: when you look, I thought, I think the game when 370 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:02,879 Speaker 1: the game against the Tampa Bay earlier this year, the 371 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:05,760 Speaker 1: first time the fuckers played Tampa Bay. I was just 372 00:20:06,280 --> 00:20:09,800 Speaker 1: shocked to see how Brady could just stand back there 373 00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:13,040 Speaker 1: and you know, kind of not Dutch against the Falcons, 374 00:20:13,040 --> 00:20:14,439 Speaker 1: but against any team if you if you watch, he 375 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:16,800 Speaker 1: can kind of stand back there and you know, do 376 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:18,600 Speaker 1: what he wants to do for a couple of seconds 377 00:20:18,680 --> 00:20:21,560 Speaker 1: and uh not not a shot to the offensive line, 378 00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:24,000 Speaker 1: but Matt Ryan can't always do that, and I think 379 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 1: his game is suited to where obviously it doesn't need 380 00:20:26,119 --> 00:20:28,200 Speaker 1: all day, but he needs a second to go through 381 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:33,359 Speaker 1: a couple of progressions, and oftentimes Ryan Matt is running frantically. 382 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:35,560 Speaker 1: Seeing Matt run, I don't know. I don't know what 383 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:37,679 Speaker 1: his rushing yards are this season, but I don't They 384 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:39,680 Speaker 1: might be a little high, but I don't know. Seeing 385 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:41,480 Speaker 1: him run, We've seen him tamt people in the end zone, 386 00:20:41,600 --> 00:20:45,280 Speaker 1: him diving in the end. Matt's been running more than 387 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:48,359 Speaker 1: than I guess. I remember we're watching the Falcons, But 388 00:20:49,080 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 1: I really think that this team would benefit on both 389 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:56,400 Speaker 1: sides and the trenches from just improving their offensive line 390 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:58,760 Speaker 1: and defensive line. So I think those are the two 391 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:01,040 Speaker 1: things that they need to upgrade down there. Some more 392 00:21:01,080 --> 00:21:05,960 Speaker 1: F one fifties. Yeah, it's it's it's just crazy. You 393 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:08,000 Speaker 1: talk about all that, and they're probably gonna meet some 394 00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:12,760 Speaker 1: Lamborghini's too, right, because there's we don't know. One thing 395 00:21:12,760 --> 00:21:15,200 Speaker 1: that we know is that we don't know what's what 396 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:18,040 Speaker 1: Calvin Ridley's future holds. Right, could be here, could not 397 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:20,879 Speaker 1: be here. We don't know. Russ Gage could find a 398 00:21:20,880 --> 00:21:23,480 Speaker 1: great market for himself. He could be gone, and they 399 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:26,800 Speaker 1: and cut Cordio Patterson could be gone, and they and 400 00:21:26,840 --> 00:21:30,240 Speaker 1: they could have to re fit their their skill positions 401 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:34,639 Speaker 1: as well. So I think there's but nobody can dispute. 402 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:39,760 Speaker 1: Nobody can dispute the Tories, right right. I will add 403 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:43,040 Speaker 1: this about the wide receivers. If they went all out 404 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:46,240 Speaker 1: today and allowed everybody who's a free agent in twenty 405 00:21:46,280 --> 00:21:48,560 Speaker 1: twenty two to walk, the only people who would be 406 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:51,040 Speaker 1: in the wide receiver room would be Calvin Ridley and 407 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:55,920 Speaker 1: Frank Darby. Wow. Yeah, Yeah. Everybody else is a free 408 00:21:55,920 --> 00:21:58,239 Speaker 1: agent in twenty twenty two, and we don't even know 409 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:01,440 Speaker 1: kind of what the deal is going to be Calvin either, Right, 410 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:05,440 Speaker 1: So there's there's a lot to work on. There are 411 00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:08,760 Speaker 1: a lot of needs, and I think that Terry Fontneau 412 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:11,960 Speaker 1: and Kyle Smith in the entire front office um that 413 00:22:11,960 --> 00:22:13,919 Speaker 1: that there's a lot of different ways that they can 414 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:16,400 Speaker 1: upgrade this roster. They got to hit right in free 415 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:18,840 Speaker 1: agency and of course the NFL Draft, which we're getting 416 00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:24,320 Speaker 1: to coming up next in the fourth quarter. We are 417 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:28,880 Speaker 1: looking all the way towards beyond free agency, towards late 418 00:22:28,920 --> 00:22:31,959 Speaker 1: April and early May, when the Falcons go on the 419 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:36,480 Speaker 1: clock at we know the number now number eight. Overall, 420 00:22:36,680 --> 00:22:39,800 Speaker 1: the loss to the Saints push them well into the 421 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:44,440 Speaker 1: top ten. Their strength of schedule gave them a higher 422 00:22:44,440 --> 00:22:47,320 Speaker 1: pick than others that finished at seven and ten, So 423 00:22:47,359 --> 00:22:50,200 Speaker 1: they are at number eight. That gives them a lot 424 00:22:50,240 --> 00:22:52,840 Speaker 1: of options with what to do with number eight. You 425 00:22:52,880 --> 00:22:55,880 Speaker 1: all are going to talk about this at bars around 426 00:22:56,040 --> 00:23:00,960 Speaker 1: your basement pub table for the course of the next 427 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:03,480 Speaker 1: four months. It's going to be fascinating to see where 428 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:07,400 Speaker 1: they go with this. It's pretty clear that there are 429 00:23:07,480 --> 00:23:11,280 Speaker 1: some needs right pass rush, Tori, You're you're You're right. 430 00:23:11,320 --> 00:23:14,679 Speaker 1: I think even with everything else, that is an issue 431 00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:16,960 Speaker 1: that that has holes that that need to be filled. 432 00:23:16,960 --> 00:23:21,439 Speaker 1: Pass rush is right there. I during the college football season, 433 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:24,199 Speaker 1: I watched Georgia because I'm on the bandwagon, and I 434 00:23:24,200 --> 00:23:26,760 Speaker 1: watched UKLA because that's where I went to school. So 435 00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:29,800 Speaker 1: don't ask me about the draft until the Senior Bowl. Okay, 436 00:23:29,840 --> 00:23:33,000 Speaker 1: I need some time to do some research. But nonetheless, 437 00:23:33,280 --> 00:23:36,119 Speaker 1: number eight, they're going to have an opportunity to nail 438 00:23:36,240 --> 00:23:40,000 Speaker 1: a big time player at wide receiver, edge rusher, tackle. 439 00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:43,280 Speaker 1: Those are all premium positions. Those are all positions worthy 440 00:23:43,720 --> 00:23:47,160 Speaker 1: of really you know, getting after it. Having that number 441 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:49,440 Speaker 1: eight picked, Tori, do you think that there's a golden 442 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:54,240 Speaker 1: opportunity there to a nail a big time player? And 443 00:23:54,320 --> 00:23:57,840 Speaker 1: I think they have to um, especially if they go 444 00:23:58,040 --> 00:24:01,960 Speaker 1: edge rusher early. I think back and I, you know, 445 00:24:02,200 --> 00:24:05,080 Speaker 1: covering this this team, I don't know if there's been 446 00:24:05,119 --> 00:24:09,440 Speaker 1: a really solid edge rush or that they've drafted in 447 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:12,920 Speaker 1: those early rounds in a long long time. I may 448 00:24:12,960 --> 00:24:15,120 Speaker 1: be wrong, but just off the top of my head. 449 00:24:15,480 --> 00:24:18,159 Speaker 1: So if they go I mean, and then also I 450 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:21,000 Speaker 1: think about it too, if they go offensive line and 451 00:24:21,040 --> 00:24:25,440 Speaker 1: they go grab a tackle or a guard, they gotta 452 00:24:25,480 --> 00:24:29,840 Speaker 1: hit on that too. You have three first rounders on 453 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:34,439 Speaker 1: the offensive line right now in Jake Matthews, Chris Lyndstrum 454 00:24:34,520 --> 00:24:37,000 Speaker 1: and Caleb McGarry, and I would say two of the 455 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:40,439 Speaker 1: three have panned out for you, and I think you 456 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:43,600 Speaker 1: have whatever direction you go, you just have to hit 457 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:46,119 Speaker 1: on this first round pick. It can't be a pick 458 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:49,840 Speaker 1: that doesn't pan out. I know that's putting a lot 459 00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:54,439 Speaker 1: of pressure on this organization and the people making the decisions, 460 00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:56,840 Speaker 1: but I think they're putting just as much pressure on themselves. 461 00:24:56,920 --> 00:25:00,520 Speaker 1: I just think back to some decisions and some first 462 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:02,880 Speaker 1: round picks that in maybe the past ten years didn't 463 00:25:02,920 --> 00:25:05,159 Speaker 1: work out for the Falcons, and how I feel like 464 00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:08,800 Speaker 1: we're still feeling the ramifications of those picks not working 465 00:25:08,840 --> 00:25:14,400 Speaker 1: out even today. So that pick is so, so very important, 466 00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:16,520 Speaker 1: And I think you've got to get someone who can 467 00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:19,880 Speaker 1: come in and be a difference maker immediately. Like that's 468 00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:23,080 Speaker 1: what we saw Kyle pittsby in twenty twenty one. We 469 00:25:23,119 --> 00:25:25,520 Speaker 1: saw him come in and be a difference maker immediately, 470 00:25:25,560 --> 00:25:29,280 Speaker 1: a record breaker immediately. That's what the Falcons have to 471 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:33,119 Speaker 1: strive to find again in twenty twenty two. Yeah, And 472 00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:37,760 Speaker 1: you brought up a great point there when it it 473 00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:42,320 Speaker 1: must be it's difficult when when you invest a first 474 00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:44,679 Speaker 1: round pick in somebody that that doesn't pan out. We 475 00:25:44,760 --> 00:25:47,960 Speaker 1: know that panning out is fifty percent or something like that. 476 00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:50,399 Speaker 1: But but but you look at it had to have 477 00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:53,640 Speaker 1: to reinvest in offensive tackle after you did that two 478 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:57,920 Speaker 1: years ago, it's difficult. You talk about that. They invested 479 00:25:58,080 --> 00:26:02,000 Speaker 1: in edge rushers in twenty fifteen with Vic Beasy Vic Beasley, 480 00:26:02,640 --> 00:26:06,400 Speaker 1: twenty seventeen with Tach McKinley. Those did not work out 481 00:26:06,440 --> 00:26:09,720 Speaker 1: as they would have liked. Um twenty seventeen for tack. 482 00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:12,560 Speaker 1: That's right, he'd still be in his prime. Obviously, edge 483 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:15,720 Speaker 1: rusher is still a major need. They have hit on 484 00:26:16,160 --> 00:26:20,399 Speaker 1: wide receivers with Julio and Calvin obviously, uh and Kyle Pitts, 485 00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:24,080 Speaker 1: who's an incredible skill player. They hit on aj last 486 00:26:24,119 --> 00:26:26,680 Speaker 1: year as well. So you know, so you've got to 487 00:26:26,760 --> 00:26:30,359 Speaker 1: hit Chris. You followed college football maybe a little better 488 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:33,840 Speaker 1: than I do. Most everyone probably does during the course 489 00:26:33,880 --> 00:26:36,080 Speaker 1: of the season. When you look at mock drafts and 490 00:26:36,119 --> 00:26:37,960 Speaker 1: stuff like that, and you see some of these top 491 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:41,359 Speaker 1: ten talents, uh that you know, like, there are some 492 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:44,879 Speaker 1: guys that can really play, whether it's edge rusher, offensive tackle, 493 00:26:45,080 --> 00:26:49,359 Speaker 1: or even some other position that just my that just 494 00:26:49,440 --> 00:26:51,879 Speaker 1: may be the best player on the on the on 495 00:26:51,920 --> 00:26:55,159 Speaker 1: the Falcons board. Yeah, I think I think something that 496 00:26:55,200 --> 00:26:58,639 Speaker 1: stands out to me what Rich McKay actually said in 497 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:02,560 Speaker 1: when I talked with him in four of the seasons started. 498 00:27:02,600 --> 00:27:04,640 Speaker 1: I don't know that was September August, one of those 499 00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:08,280 Speaker 1: lifetime He said, one of the mistakes that we've made 500 00:27:08,280 --> 00:27:10,240 Speaker 1: in the past is that we've tried to get I'm 501 00:27:10,280 --> 00:27:13,040 Speaker 1: paraphrasing here, but he said, we've tried to we've tried 502 00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:15,720 Speaker 1: to pick the guy we wanted versus picking the top 503 00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:18,600 Speaker 1: guy on our board. In this draft, we just grab 504 00:27:18,680 --> 00:27:21,400 Speaker 1: the top guy on our board, even though we kind 505 00:27:21,400 --> 00:27:24,960 Speaker 1: of that wasn't necessarily a need. So Kyle wasn't necessarily 506 00:27:25,440 --> 00:27:27,240 Speaker 1: a gaping hole, but he was the best player on 507 00:27:27,240 --> 00:27:29,200 Speaker 1: our board. So we're taking the best player on our board. 508 00:27:29,480 --> 00:27:31,560 Speaker 1: I think the Falcons should continue to take the best 509 00:27:31,560 --> 00:27:35,879 Speaker 1: player on their board, so however that looks, continue to 510 00:27:35,880 --> 00:27:38,800 Speaker 1: take the best player on your board and figure out 511 00:27:38,840 --> 00:27:41,600 Speaker 1: a way to make that player work, if that makes sense. 512 00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:43,840 Speaker 1: So I think, like Tori said, I think they need 513 00:27:43,840 --> 00:27:45,280 Speaker 1: to hit on all their picks. I think they need 514 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:47,520 Speaker 1: to figure out a way to make all their picks work. 515 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:50,240 Speaker 1: Especially with the salary cap situation. You want to make 516 00:27:50,280 --> 00:27:53,600 Speaker 1: these guys on rookie deals that you can get for 517 00:27:54,119 --> 00:27:56,520 Speaker 1: cheaper than than other players. You want to make sure 518 00:27:56,560 --> 00:27:58,800 Speaker 1: they could come in and contribute. And you want to 519 00:27:58,800 --> 00:28:01,080 Speaker 1: make sure that you know all these guys that we 520 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:04,520 Speaker 1: did stories on, you know, a rob and positive and yeah, 521 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:06,840 Speaker 1: the list goes on, and make sure you trust them 522 00:28:06,880 --> 00:28:10,439 Speaker 1: and and and what and who they've scouted. Um And 523 00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:12,679 Speaker 1: I think there's a bunch of talent in the in 524 00:28:12,720 --> 00:28:15,119 Speaker 1: this draft. Um, you know people have talked about like 525 00:28:15,200 --> 00:28:17,320 Speaker 1: the Kobe Dane from Georgia, the linebacker from Georgia or 526 00:28:17,359 --> 00:28:19,840 Speaker 1: even Georgia Davis, or there's a bunch of edge rushers 527 00:28:19,880 --> 00:28:22,960 Speaker 1: in this draft as well, Lineman. Um, there's a bunch 528 00:28:22,960 --> 00:28:25,000 Speaker 1: of players they could get, but I think the importances 529 00:28:25,359 --> 00:28:27,760 Speaker 1: just take the best player on your board, don't overthink it, 530 00:28:28,280 --> 00:28:31,560 Speaker 1: and things seem to work out like they have Kyle Yeah, 531 00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:33,960 Speaker 1: and they've got that number eight pick, and while we 532 00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:37,440 Speaker 1: still don't have draft slots for a lot of other 533 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:40,440 Speaker 1: selections deeper into the draft, they do have two second 534 00:28:40,520 --> 00:28:42,520 Speaker 1: round picks. They have their own and they're finally going 535 00:28:42,560 --> 00:28:45,520 Speaker 1: to get paid back for trading Julio Jones that that 536 00:28:45,600 --> 00:28:48,160 Speaker 1: pick probably won't be super high in the second round, 537 00:28:48,160 --> 00:28:51,160 Speaker 1: but nonetheless you can expect, or you should expect, to 538 00:28:51,200 --> 00:28:55,160 Speaker 1: get a player of real quality in the second round 539 00:28:55,400 --> 00:28:59,320 Speaker 1: and that discipline to pick the best player available with 540 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:02,320 Speaker 1: all these that we're talking about. Sure, look, I could 541 00:29:02,320 --> 00:29:06,360 Speaker 1: say edge rusher an eight period. Right. I covered the 542 00:29:06,440 --> 00:29:09,520 Speaker 1: Raiders and I saw them at number four say we're 543 00:29:09,520 --> 00:29:13,080 Speaker 1: gonna take a defensive end here, live or die. And 544 00:29:13,120 --> 00:29:16,760 Speaker 1: then they took Cleveland Furral and that's a right. So 545 00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:20,000 Speaker 1: at some point, I mean that wasn't wasn't defensive end though, 546 00:29:20,400 --> 00:29:24,280 Speaker 1: Yeah it was. You're right, they got Crosby though in 547 00:29:24,320 --> 00:29:28,040 Speaker 1: that draft, right, Yeah. Eventually, you know, fourth rounders. Fourth 548 00:29:28,120 --> 00:29:32,360 Speaker 1: rounders are people too. Nonetheless, I do think, I do 549 00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:36,280 Speaker 1: think that the Falcons have have a golden opportunity here. 550 00:29:36,360 --> 00:29:38,840 Speaker 1: And I think just in talking to all these scouts, right, 551 00:29:39,040 --> 00:29:42,440 Speaker 1: Kyle Smith very disciplined, uh you know, Terry Fontno, very 552 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:44,440 Speaker 1: disciplined in terms of getting the best player, and if 553 00:29:44,480 --> 00:29:46,400 Speaker 1: they continue to hit on getting the best player on 554 00:29:46,440 --> 00:29:49,080 Speaker 1: their board, eventually this team will be deep enough and 555 00:29:49,120 --> 00:29:52,640 Speaker 1: strong enough to to compete. So I think that's important. 556 00:29:52,720 --> 00:29:54,880 Speaker 1: We're going to talk about this forever, guys, over the 557 00:29:54,960 --> 00:30:00,400 Speaker 1: course of the weeks and months coming up. But I'm 558 00:30:00,440 --> 00:30:02,680 Speaker 1: not sure to play some sad violin music right now 559 00:30:02,720 --> 00:30:06,240 Speaker 1: because this is technically the season finale of Falcon's Final whistle. 560 00:30:06,800 --> 00:30:13,200 Speaker 1: Also weeks we did for those be Bene listening. Yeah, 561 00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:22,200 Speaker 1: season one is wrecked. Uh you know, but I think 562 00:30:22,200 --> 00:30:25,880 Speaker 1: there's gonna be plenty of opportunities for us to talk 563 00:30:25,920 --> 00:30:28,480 Speaker 1: down the road over the course of this offseason. As 564 00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:30,440 Speaker 1: we get towards free agency, as we get towards the 565 00:30:30,520 --> 00:30:34,280 Speaker 1: NFL Draft hack, as we all just have questions about 566 00:30:34,320 --> 00:30:40,200 Speaker 1: what comes next. That's a little boy, what so many questions, 567 00:30:40,280 --> 00:30:44,000 Speaker 1: so many questions. It's gonna happen, right, so the questions. 568 00:30:44,200 --> 00:30:46,800 Speaker 1: Are we going to address some of those questions? Yeah? 569 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:50,640 Speaker 1: We probably will, so gosh, thank you guys so much 570 00:30:51,320 --> 00:30:56,680 Speaker 1: for sticking through this seventeen game campaign. For for subscribing, 571 00:30:56,720 --> 00:31:00,480 Speaker 1: for all the nice reviews, for the comments. For the 572 00:31:00,560 --> 00:31:06,120 Speaker 1: man given Tory a Dean's favorite mug, Honestly, the real winner, 573 00:31:06,440 --> 00:31:09,240 Speaker 1: The real winner is the person who sent me the 574 00:31:09,320 --> 00:31:12,320 Speaker 1: Dean's favorite mug. If anyone wants to send me more 575 00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:16,479 Speaker 1: Dean's favorite mercher, I will take it. We'll take it. 576 00:31:16,520 --> 00:31:19,200 Speaker 1: But hey, man, set us up for next season. Give 577 00:31:19,240 --> 00:31:21,400 Speaker 1: us a five star rating. Inter review. Do the same 578 00:31:21,440 --> 00:31:25,360 Speaker 1: thing for Falcon's audible why don't you uh? And yeah man, 579 00:31:25,440 --> 00:31:29,760 Speaker 1: stay tuned Atlanta falcons dot Com. Chris Tori I said 580 00:31:29,800 --> 00:31:33,080 Speaker 1: it wasn't gonna cry, man, It wasn't gonna cry, but 581 00:31:33,280 --> 00:31:37,520 Speaker 1: it's been fun. Hopefully you guys have enjoyed all this 582 00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:40,880 Speaker 1: as much as we've enjoyed making it. And stay tuned, 583 00:31:41,240 --> 00:31:43,760 Speaker 1: keep that subscribe button on, and there's gonna be more 584 00:31:43,800 --> 00:32:06,720 Speaker 1: good content coming your way real soon never be