1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:02,800 Speaker 1: What's up, everybody. Tory macahemy here checking in from the 2 00:00:02,840 --> 00:00:05,640 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three NFL combine. Scott bar and I have 3 00:00:05,720 --> 00:00:07,880 Speaker 1: been here all week in Indianapolis, and we've had a 4 00:00:07,880 --> 00:00:10,959 Speaker 1: lot of conversations from national media about where they think 5 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 1: your Atlanta Falcons are in twenty twenty three and what 6 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:16,640 Speaker 1: this draft could hold for them. Now, as a special 7 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:19,400 Speaker 1: edition of the Falcons Final Whistle podcast, we wanted to 8 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:22,240 Speaker 1: bring you those conversations so that you could hear from 9 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:25,400 Speaker 1: them what they think the national perspective of your team is. 10 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:30,639 Speaker 1: So let's get into it. It's Scott Barre, Atlanta Falcons 11 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:33,720 Speaker 1: dot com digital managing editor here with Ben Solak from 12 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:36,760 Speaker 1: The Ringer. Then it's going to be a fascinating offseason 13 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:39,239 Speaker 1: for the Atlanta Falcons. They have more than sixty six 14 00:00:39,320 --> 00:00:41,479 Speaker 1: million dollars in cap space, they have a top ten 15 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:44,559 Speaker 1: draft pick. They have a lot of needs too. What 16 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: do you expect from this franchise over the course of 17 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 1: the next weeks and months. I'm interested to see what 18 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: happens with key free agent. I think Kale McGary is 19 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:54,800 Speaker 1: a big conversation for them, because if you keep McGary 20 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 1: in the building offensively, you feel really good about what 21 00:00:57,800 --> 00:00:59,880 Speaker 1: you got. The question mark is quarterback. How much you 22 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 1: want to trust Desm what sort of leash you want 23 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 1: to give him relative to the quarterbacks might be able 24 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:05,600 Speaker 1: to get early. I like Ridder, I've like Ridder for 25 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:07,040 Speaker 1: a long time. I think what you saw over that 26 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 1: last quarter of the season makes you feel like he's 27 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:11,680 Speaker 1: getting it. He's coming up to NFL speed. You can 28 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:13,920 Speaker 1: see it starting to click. I would imagine they feel 29 00:01:13,959 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 1: good about trying to see what that looks like in 30 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:17,560 Speaker 1: the first half and next year. And so if you 31 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 1: can close the book on offense and say we like 32 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:22,000 Speaker 1: Arthur Smith, we like some of our talent, We'll fill 33 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 1: in some gaps here and there, you can turn to 34 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:26,680 Speaker 1: that defense, where there were some issues last season, and 35 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:28,480 Speaker 1: you obviously have a big change of defensive coordinator. You're 36 00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 1: going from danps and it's an odd front. It's blitzen 37 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:33,560 Speaker 1: and it's crazy to Ryan Nielsen, who I don't know 38 00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:35,360 Speaker 1: if you saw those Saints defensive ends are a little 39 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:37,280 Speaker 1: bit bigger than the guys that Atlanta have it. Oh yeah, 40 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:40,240 Speaker 1: slightly different approach playing defense. I think they'll start to 41 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:41,560 Speaker 1: see a lot of resources to get poured in there, 42 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 1: and it's a pretty good defensive draft. It's a bit 43 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:45,200 Speaker 1: of a quiet free agency class of raw, but there's 44 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:47,319 Speaker 1: good defensive options. I think you've got the chance to 45 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 1: see a big turnover on that side of the ball. 46 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 1: Try to get that up to the speed of the offense. Yeah, 47 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:53,120 Speaker 1: and when you look at the state of the NFC 48 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 1: south right, I think I think Desmin Ritter might be 49 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 1: the senior quarterback. What do you see from the entire 50 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 1: four teams in that spot? It seems like it could 51 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:05,520 Speaker 1: be wide open. I mean, I remember the graphic in 52 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:07,320 Speaker 1: the middle of the season. The folbums like five and four. 53 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:09,119 Speaker 1: Everybody else is like five and five, four and five, 54 00:02:09,160 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 1: And it was like, that's where we're around at right now. Man, 55 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:13,799 Speaker 1: everybody it's it's it's neck and neck. The Bucks are 56 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:16,800 Speaker 1: so talented, but huge quarterback question mark. And then they 57 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:18,640 Speaker 1: have a ton of free agents, so you don't really know. 58 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: Are they gonna try to reload and let some of 59 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:22,359 Speaker 1: these guys walk and maybe take a year off, or 60 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:23,760 Speaker 1: are they just gonna try to hit it with Kyle 61 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 1: tras khit it with a veteran and goes there's a 62 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:28,640 Speaker 1: question mark there. The Saints are the Saints. I mean, like, 63 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 1: the Saints are gonna try to contend independent of whether 64 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:32,919 Speaker 1: or not that's a good idea. The Sceints are gonna 65 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:35,079 Speaker 1: be put in guys on the field and attacking, and 66 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 1: they've got good coaches, they're smart team, and so the 67 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 1: scenes are gonna be around that five hundred mark. And 68 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:41,639 Speaker 1: then there's Carolina, who came down nicely across the stretch 69 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:44,120 Speaker 1: of the nlast season. Frank Rice put together a great staff, 70 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:47,200 Speaker 1: like a lot of the Carolina grassroots type. I feel 71 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:48,799 Speaker 1: myself getting swept up into you know what I'm saying. 72 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:52,440 Speaker 1: They're likable there in Carolina. I was big on Atlanta 73 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 1: to win the division last year. I was feeling great 74 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 1: in like end of October, beginning November. I was loving it, 75 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: and we couldn't get the hay in the barn as 76 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:01,440 Speaker 1: it were. I'll like Atlanta again this year, though, Like 77 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:04,080 Speaker 1: Arthur Smith, I think is the best offensive mind that 78 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:07,240 Speaker 1: you've got in the division. And this is a offensive 79 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:09,560 Speaker 1: football driven league and I think that Arthur Smith's on 80 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:11,120 Speaker 1: the cutting edge of that, and so that to me 81 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 1: is the that's the edge, that's the advantage. It's filling 82 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 1: in the gaps it's handling the free agency. Stop's handling 83 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 1: the defense bringing that up to speed. But with what 84 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:20,800 Speaker 1: Smith does offensively, Atlanta is in a bit of a 85 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:23,519 Speaker 1: leading point as of right now. Lot can change Nancy South. 86 00:03:23,919 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 1: It's so interesting though, because if you look at his 87 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 1: offense in twenty twenty one, it was Matt Ryan centric, right, 88 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:31,120 Speaker 1: and they were throwing the ball down field, and then 89 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:33,800 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty two it was ground and pound and 90 00:03:33,919 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 1: run ten times in score. What do you think about 91 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:41,600 Speaker 1: that kind of model? He really seems to mold his 92 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:44,800 Speaker 1: scheme to the players that he has. But do you 93 00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 1: think that we're going to keep seeing that that rushing 94 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 1: foundation from Arthur Smith as we move forward. Yeah, because 95 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:52,680 Speaker 1: defenses are gonna stay light and they're a light personnel. 96 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:54,280 Speaker 1: They're gonna have an extra defensive back on the field. 97 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 1: They're gonna have lighter pass rushers. And Arthur Smith is 98 00:03:57,440 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 1: a what don't you like? Coach? Right, He looks at 99 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 1: a defense over the course of a week, he looks 100 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 1: at defense over the course of the year, and he says, 101 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:04,960 Speaker 1: all right, what do you not like today? Who are 102 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 1: you trying to hide from me? What area of the 103 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:08,320 Speaker 1: field are you trying to keep me from I'm gonna 104 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:09,880 Speaker 1: find my way there, right, And that's when you start 105 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: to see, like, hey, I got an x Iowa linebacker 106 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 1: playing fullback while I can just ram into a gap 107 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 1: and he's bigger than your middle linebacker is, and we're 108 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,080 Speaker 1: gonna you know, I've got a big back in Cordell Patterson, 109 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 1: a real big back in Tyler Algier who was great 110 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 1: for them down the stretch, Like I have size of physicality, 111 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:26,360 Speaker 1: I can do this, I can I can beat you 112 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:28,760 Speaker 1: on the ground. And then it's Marcus Mariota all two 113 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: hundred and twenty pounds him on a boot throwing ten 114 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:33,120 Speaker 1: yards like average of eleven and eight oft right, like 115 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:35,040 Speaker 1: led the league in depth of target. That's sort of 116 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:37,360 Speaker 1: an approach works with a personnel that you got it. So, okay, 117 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:39,360 Speaker 1: now it's Desmond Ritter. And then okay, maybe you know 118 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 1: Kyle Pitts starts to be used a little bit different way. 119 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:42,800 Speaker 1: Maybe they draft the receiver early, and now I've got 120 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:45,720 Speaker 1: a different guy, and you'll see stuff change. But fundamentally, 121 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:48,280 Speaker 1: like Arthur Smith, this goes back to his Tennessee days. 122 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:50,159 Speaker 1: He knows how to be bigger than the other guy. 123 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:51,600 Speaker 1: And if you're gonna let him have that. I mean, 124 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:53,400 Speaker 1: he's gonna hold the ball forty minutes and he's gonna 125 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:56,680 Speaker 1: make it physically hurt. And that's the development. The NFL's 126 00:04:56,680 --> 00:04:58,840 Speaker 1: a pendulum, right. We saw last ten years everything swings 127 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:01,600 Speaker 1: towards passing being wider and Arthur Smiths now starting to 128 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 1: anticipate the swing back where Okay, if I can put 129 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:04,640 Speaker 1: a heavy personnel in the field and win, I'm gonna 130 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:06,400 Speaker 1: do that and it'll be to my advantage. Yeah. And 131 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:09,480 Speaker 1: when you look at this defensive front, which does need 132 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:12,159 Speaker 1: some help, and you look at what the Saints employ, 133 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:15,200 Speaker 1: they got defensive ends who are like two eighty five. Yeah, 134 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 1: that's it's a different breed. So would you anticipate some 135 00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:22,240 Speaker 1: personnel changes up front, you know? Or or will it 136 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 1: continue to be that multiple front hybrid model and trying 137 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:28,880 Speaker 1: to manipulate personnel on the defensive side of the football 138 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:31,120 Speaker 1: to a degree. I think you're gonna see some personnel changes. 139 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:33,640 Speaker 1: The Saints are trying to solve a problem with their 140 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:36,599 Speaker 1: defensive fronts. Dennis Allen has been the DC there for 141 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 1: a long time now. As the head coach wants to 142 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:40,040 Speaker 1: play with two safeties deep everybody wants to play with 143 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 1: two safety step now, right, So okay, if you're gonna 144 00:05:42,320 --> 00:05:43,839 Speaker 1: take a guy out of the box and play them deep, 145 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:45,720 Speaker 1: now you have a box count problem. You have one 146 00:05:45,800 --> 00:05:48,760 Speaker 1: less dude. How're gonna solve the problem? The Vic Fangio defense, 147 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 1: they you know, play these odd fronts and they add 148 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:53,719 Speaker 1: guys DMPs and you go to Highwood blitz right, add 149 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:56,440 Speaker 1: guys from depth. The Saints solution was, let's just have 150 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:59,240 Speaker 1: four enormous dudes up front, right, and it works for 151 00:05:59,279 --> 00:06:00,919 Speaker 1: them great for a while. They'd run into some rushing 152 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 1: quarterbacks and have some trouble, right because those you know, 153 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:05,240 Speaker 1: cam drawn against Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson's space. It's 154 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:08,360 Speaker 1: not what you like. So your solutions are they got 155 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:10,200 Speaker 1: problems that they solve, and then they also have weak points. 156 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:11,960 Speaker 1: And so what you're hoping with Ryan Nielsen, a guy 157 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:14,719 Speaker 1: who's you know, got college background. We're hoping with Arthur Smith, 158 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:16,400 Speaker 1: the guy who's just a good football mind in general, 159 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 1: is okay, we want to play with two deep safety. 160 00:06:18,440 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 1: Scots league is going, but that's going to present problems. 161 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:23,039 Speaker 1: Box count problems, run defense problems. We need to have 162 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 1: different solutions. So there's solutions that involve let's go get 163 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:27,880 Speaker 1: a two hundred and eighty pounds, let's go get town class, 164 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:30,240 Speaker 1: and let's get a big defensive end. Right. There's also 165 00:06:30,320 --> 00:06:33,080 Speaker 1: solutions that's like, how can we use Dangelo Malone creatibly? 166 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:34,240 Speaker 1: You know what I'm saying? How can we use some 167 00:06:34,279 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 1: athletes in space a little bit better? There's there's a 168 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:38,839 Speaker 1: lot of a lot of ways to skin a cats. 169 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 1: What do you say, right, grub Pennsylvania. A lot of 170 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:42,040 Speaker 1: different ways of skin a cat. And so they're gonna 171 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:44,560 Speaker 1: come up with hopefully dynamic solutions that's not just relying 172 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 1: on one thing to solve the problems you have on 173 00:06:46,360 --> 00:06:48,000 Speaker 1: the defensi side of the ball. There's no way that 174 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:50,159 Speaker 1: I can let you out of here without one more question. 175 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 1: They have the number eight overall pick. There's lots of options. 176 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:57,000 Speaker 1: We could see quarterback chaos at the top that pushes 177 00:06:57,080 --> 00:07:00,920 Speaker 1: edge rushers. Maybe the first cornerback taken still there at eight, 178 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 1: What do you anticipate being available to the falcons around 179 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,760 Speaker 1: that number eight cluster? Absolutely, I think you're gonna see 180 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:10,040 Speaker 1: the peak of the cornerback class, which is really strong 181 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 1: this year, be right there at that eight pick. And 182 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:13,800 Speaker 1: that's where I'm really interested in with the Falcons right 183 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 1: now because A J. Trell is so good. But you 184 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 1: don't want to be in a position where teams can go, Okay, 185 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:20,560 Speaker 1: we don't want to throw at that guy. We're gonna 186 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:22,120 Speaker 1: throw the guy over there. Yeah, we're gonna throw it 187 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:24,600 Speaker 1: over there. Right. And when you saw the Saints defense 188 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 1: be successful in the last few years, like Marshall Lattimore 189 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 1: incredible obviously, but they had a pulse in Adiva that 190 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: they could cycle in who was good for them, the 191 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 1: outside of Ken Crawley, who was good for them, and 192 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:34,480 Speaker 1: they had a Lante Taylor. Right, they did a great 193 00:07:34,520 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 1: job of filling that corner two spot. And don't you 194 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:38,160 Speaker 1: play man coverage, which is the golden goose in the NFL. 195 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 1: You play man coverage, are good on So I think 196 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:41,560 Speaker 1: you're to see that at a top of the corner position. 197 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 1: Joey Porter, Junior, Penn State, de On Witherspoon, Illinois, Christian 198 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:47,840 Speaker 1: Gonzals Orregan. You see those guys available, you're gonna see 199 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 1: the second tier of edge rushers. We talked a lot 200 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:52,160 Speaker 1: about getting those big defensive ends, Lucas van Ness out 201 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 1: of Iowa was the guy who's got that size. You're 202 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:56,040 Speaker 1: gonna starting to see those guys come into play. Other 203 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:57,680 Speaker 1: than that, Yeah, you're gonna get like the edge of 204 00:07:57,680 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 1: the quarterback class as well. And you have to have 205 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:00,920 Speaker 1: an honest conversation about that. How much do you like 206 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:02,559 Speaker 1: some of these guys who can develop? Who's a project? 207 00:08:02,640 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 1: We do you want to get into the building, but 208 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:07,400 Speaker 1: that the corner position specifically Atlanta is really well suited 209 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: for that right now. So that's where my mind goes. First. 210 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 1: Fascinating conversation heading into a fascinating offseason. Been so like 211 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 1: from the Ringer, thanks for stopping by her. Chay Man, 212 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:21,360 Speaker 1: thank you. We're here catching over with NBC Sports NFL 213 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 1: analyst Chris Simms to get his thoughts on the Falcons 214 00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:27,960 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty three. So we're here at the combine. 215 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:30,200 Speaker 1: If you're the Falcons, if you're Terry Fano, if you're 216 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 1: Arthur Smith, what are you looking at as you are 217 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:35,720 Speaker 1: kind of going into this week? Well, there's a few 218 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 1: things I think you could you know, certainly look at 219 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:40,640 Speaker 1: the defensive side of the ball. Pass rusher certainly one 220 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:43,680 Speaker 1: area look out of the Falcons can improve the quarterback 221 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 1: situation I think is maybe still on the radar, right, 222 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 1: I mean, where you guys are picking, this group looks 223 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: pretty good as far as that positions concerned. I know 224 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:53,960 Speaker 1: Desmond ritterd did some good things too, but I would think, 225 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 1: you know, some evaluations are going to be done there 226 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 1: in that department as far as what they want to do. Rookie, 227 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:01,640 Speaker 1: maybe a veteran some but they're gonnad somebody to the mix, right. 228 00:09:02,559 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 1: So I think those are two that probably, you know, 229 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:07,559 Speaker 1: jump off the top of my head. I always think 230 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:11,080 Speaker 1: with Arthur Smith, you know, hey, offensive alignment at some point, 231 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:14,040 Speaker 1: but that's they got some damn good offensive alignment. Two, 232 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:17,560 Speaker 1: but I guess that you know, pass rusher quarterback, that's 233 00:09:17,559 --> 00:09:19,320 Speaker 1: probably the two I think about it the most. Here. 234 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:23,120 Speaker 1: This is kind of a very different offseason than these 235 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:25,360 Speaker 1: two guys, Arthur Smith and Terry Finally have had over 236 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:28,160 Speaker 1: the last two years. I mean, what can you kind 237 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 1: of say about the work that they did over those 238 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:32,400 Speaker 1: two years to get to the point where you have 239 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 1: sixty six point six seven six million dollars in cap space. 240 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:39,000 Speaker 1: I like it what they have done. First off, you know, 241 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 1: Terry has built the team with what I what I 242 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 1: would say, you know, not to like a lot of 243 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:48,520 Speaker 1: good meat and potatoes guys, right, and you know, maybe 244 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:50,520 Speaker 1: now there's some sizzle that's got to be added to 245 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:52,240 Speaker 1: it with these all this money, right, because that's how 246 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:54,079 Speaker 1: you get the you know, at the really expensive steak 247 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 1: that sizzles, you got to face some money for it, right, 248 00:09:56,320 --> 00:09:58,959 Speaker 1: So I would think that's the thing they look at. 249 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,679 Speaker 1: And then Arthur's Smith. I'm a huge Arthur Smith fan. 250 00:10:01,840 --> 00:10:04,080 Speaker 1: I just you know, I'm a huge Mic ray Boat fan. 251 00:10:04,280 --> 00:10:06,160 Speaker 1: I know what that coaching culture is like. I know 252 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:08,680 Speaker 1: Arthur Smith has brought that there as well. It's tough, 253 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 1: it's hard nosed, as detailed. Every game I watch, I go, 254 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 1: this is the right game plan for them against this team. 255 00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:18,040 Speaker 1: This is what they should do, you know. So I 256 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 1: like their cohesion and mix here and you know, hey, 257 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:24,600 Speaker 1: offensive lineman, there is some size on the defensive front. Right, 258 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:28,320 Speaker 1: you gotta aj Terrell at corner, the Drake London, the 259 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:31,880 Speaker 1: tight end. All of that. Now, I think it's time for, yeah, 260 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:34,520 Speaker 1: some difference makers, some guys that Hey, it doesn't always 261 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:36,240 Speaker 1: have to be the most perfect drive. This guy can 262 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:39,080 Speaker 1: catch a slant and run for sixty yards or you know, 263 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:41,679 Speaker 1: get a big sack to close out a close football game. 264 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:43,960 Speaker 1: There we come out on top. I feel like that's 265 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 1: where we're at with Atlanta right now. I mean, let's 266 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:49,839 Speaker 1: just talk about quarterbacks for a second. I mean with 267 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:53,080 Speaker 1: Desmond Ritter, I mean only a four game sample size, 268 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:55,440 Speaker 1: but what did when you're watching what he did in 269 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:58,400 Speaker 1: that four games? What are you kind of taking from that? Right? Yeah, 270 00:10:58,400 --> 00:10:59,680 Speaker 1: I mean he does a lot of good things. I 271 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:02,120 Speaker 1: love first off, the Desmond Ritter of the person, the leader, 272 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:04,360 Speaker 1: the worker. You know, I've heard so many good things 273 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:06,160 Speaker 1: about him. I've gotten to be around him a little 274 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 1: and he really popped to me in that way. Right. 275 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:12,520 Speaker 1: He plays with size. You know, his arm is not 276 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:14,719 Speaker 1: a big time arm, but he can make all the 277 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 1: throws right, And we saw him the athletic ability pop 278 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:19,960 Speaker 1: you know from time to time as well. So those 279 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:22,920 Speaker 1: are the things I like, you know, now, are they sold? 280 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:26,080 Speaker 1: Am I sould that he's definitely the guy for the future. No, 281 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:28,360 Speaker 1: I'm not like you said. It's four games. It's early 282 00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:31,080 Speaker 1: and there's some things that questioned about his game. And 283 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:33,360 Speaker 1: so that's where I go, like, I think all doors 284 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:36,400 Speaker 1: are open for Atlanta in that department. I mean, I 285 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:39,920 Speaker 1: don't know, I'm crazy, and hey draft, you know, hey, 286 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 1: we know there's gonna be some free agent quarterbacks out there. 287 00:11:42,840 --> 00:11:45,600 Speaker 1: I still I don't am I crazy to think Lamar 288 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:48,400 Speaker 1: Jackson in Atlanta makes sense. I continue to throw that 289 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 1: out there. So, you know, no disrespect to Desmond Ritter, 290 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:53,480 Speaker 1: got great respect for him. But yeah, I don't think 291 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:56,719 Speaker 1: he's nailed down that spot quite yet. So what is 292 00:11:56,760 --> 00:11:58,520 Speaker 1: it going to take for I guess the Falcons to 293 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:01,679 Speaker 1: take the next step and where Terry and Arthur want 294 00:12:01,679 --> 00:12:03,640 Speaker 1: to take. I think it's kind of what we talked about, 295 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:05,920 Speaker 1: you know. It's it's it's an old line that we 296 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 1: know can open up some holes and just impose their 297 00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: physical will on you. Right, Drake London looks like he's 298 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:14,280 Speaker 1: going in the right direction all that. You know. I 299 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 1: think it's just kind of rounding out the roster. Now, 300 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:20,800 Speaker 1: let's get another receiver along with Drake London. Right, Let's 301 00:12:20,840 --> 00:12:24,839 Speaker 1: maybe add another game breaking type. You know, Algiers great 302 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:26,840 Speaker 1: between the tackles all that. Let's get a speed guy, 303 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:29,079 Speaker 1: you know when we throw screens or third down, He's 304 00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:31,520 Speaker 1: a real viable option in the pass game. Right, and 305 00:12:31,559 --> 00:12:33,800 Speaker 1: then I think when you get into that pass rusher, 306 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:38,599 Speaker 1: maybe big time middle linebacker conversation. Those are kind of 307 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:40,400 Speaker 1: the things I guess I look at with Atlanta, but 308 00:12:40,920 --> 00:12:44,079 Speaker 1: not far off. They've exceeded my expectations the last two 309 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:46,679 Speaker 1: years as far as wins or losses. And I think 310 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 1: that's because the job you know, Terry has done with value, 311 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:54,640 Speaker 1: value picks, value free agents to get that meat and potatoes. 312 00:12:54,679 --> 00:12:57,000 Speaker 1: And then Arthur's you know, ability to coach the team 313 00:12:57,080 --> 00:12:59,480 Speaker 1: is damn good. Last question, and then I'll let you 314 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:03,880 Speaker 1: get on with Arthur and kind of establishing an identity 315 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:06,000 Speaker 1: even kind of when we're talking about the meat potatoes, 316 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 1: guys rotating in and out. I mean, when you look 317 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 1: at the Atlanta Falcons offense, do you see an identity 318 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:16,080 Speaker 1: forming and something that's there? Definitely? Yeah. I think it's close. 319 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 1: It really is. I mean, first off, the identity is 320 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 1: just hey, we're gonna line up and whoop your ass. 321 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,440 Speaker 1: I mean that that's the identity. And it's just like, hey, 322 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:24,160 Speaker 1: we're gonna run it. You know, we're gonna run it, 323 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:26,000 Speaker 1: and we're still gonna get five yards up the middle. 324 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:28,760 Speaker 1: That's there's something to say about that. There is they're 325 00:13:28,800 --> 00:13:30,800 Speaker 1: well coached. Up front, they got the type of guys 326 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 1: that makes sense, and then he makes them tougher. I 327 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:36,680 Speaker 1: feel like with you know his Mike very bilish type culture, right, 328 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 1: you know, you get around Arthur, He's tough, there's no nonsense. 329 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 1: He never cracks a smile. I'm always like, I think 330 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:43,480 Speaker 1: he hates me, but maybe he likes me. I'm not sure. 331 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 1: But that's a good coach, right. I think my dad 332 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:48,600 Speaker 1: would probably say Bill Parcels was like that. I don't 333 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:50,360 Speaker 1: know if he hated me or like me on a 334 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: certain day. So yeah, I think what was the original question? 335 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:58,000 Speaker 1: I actually yeah, I think there is an identity there. 336 00:13:58,040 --> 00:14:00,840 Speaker 1: I think the NFL knows their identity. I think the 337 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:03,040 Speaker 1: public because they are not and enough of a national 338 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:07,040 Speaker 1: stage games yet haven't realized they yet. But I'm guessing 339 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:08,840 Speaker 1: this is going to be the year that, you know, 340 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:11,120 Speaker 1: people kind of realize what they got going on down there. 341 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:18,560 Speaker 1: Senior NFL reporter for Sports Illustrated and author of the 342 00:14:18,679 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 1: MMQB in a thousand other titles, Albert Breer is here 343 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 1: with me to talk a little Falcons football. Now, the 344 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:26,200 Speaker 1: Falcons have a lot of cap space. They have a 345 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:29,280 Speaker 1: top ten draft pick. What is your outlook for what 346 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 1: can be accomplished over the course of what's going to 347 00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:35,360 Speaker 1: be a very important offseason for this organization. Yeah. I mean, 348 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:37,400 Speaker 1: I think what's really interesting is they've got a good 349 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:39,840 Speaker 1: group of young core players now, and you know, you 350 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:42,280 Speaker 1: look at the Chris led Strums and the Kyle Pitts 351 00:14:42,280 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 1: and Drake London's and the Aj Terrell's, Archie Grant like 352 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:48,920 Speaker 1: they I feel like they feel like now they've got 353 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:52,680 Speaker 1: a good core players where now they can sort of 354 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 1: go into go into the draft, going to free agency 355 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 1: with their options open, just looking to add more good players. 356 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:00,960 Speaker 1: And you know, look, I think last year was tough 357 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:02,880 Speaker 1: for them logistically for a lot of different reasons, but 358 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:05,000 Speaker 1: they had to do it. And I think it's you know, 359 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:07,239 Speaker 1: similar and I'm sure you guys have used this comparison 360 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 1: a million times, but it's like what what Brandon Being 361 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:12,560 Speaker 1: and Sean McDermott did their second year in Buffalo, where 362 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 1: they cleared the decks in that one year and then 363 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:18,640 Speaker 1: they were aggressive building around Josh Allen going into twenty twenty. 364 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:21,120 Speaker 1: I think you're going to see a similar approach this here, 365 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:25,680 Speaker 1: where they're going to be maybe not targeting specific positions 366 00:15:25,680 --> 00:15:28,720 Speaker 1: as much. It's just looking to bring in good players 367 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:30,920 Speaker 1: both in free agency and the draft and being aggressive 368 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 1: and doing it. Yeah, they really had to make some 369 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:38,320 Speaker 1: tough choices and some sacrifices to create this financial flexibility. 370 00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 1: What was the national perception of how they went about 371 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:44,360 Speaker 1: their business? And they I mean Arthur Smith and of 372 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:47,240 Speaker 1: course the Falcons GM. Yeah. Well I'll start with Arthur 373 00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 1: And I think one thing you noticed about Arthur's teams 374 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:54,680 Speaker 1: the last two years are very well defined identity, Like 375 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 1: they're tough, they're creative in the run game, and they 376 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:01,240 Speaker 1: play hard. They may not be winning all the time yet, 377 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 1: but they play really really hard. UM. And so the 378 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:06,880 Speaker 1: national perception is that it's like a really well coached 379 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:09,920 Speaker 1: team and that they're being patient building UM, and that 380 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:12,960 Speaker 1: Terry Fonte is taking a very methodical approach and the 381 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 1: way he's doing it and UM, you know look like 382 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:17,880 Speaker 1: you know, we saw Chicago do it last year too. 383 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 1: Now they didn't year one with that either Flus and 384 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,600 Speaker 1: Ryan Poles. UM. But that's what happens a lot of 385 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:25,440 Speaker 1: times in these situations where you know on the back end, 386 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:28,440 Speaker 1: whether again Rex Ryan and Buffalo or UM, you know, 387 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 1: Dan Quinn in Atlanta or um you know, or or 388 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:34,880 Speaker 1: Matt Naggee and Chicago the end. A lot of times 389 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:38,440 Speaker 1: with you know, a coach or a general manager who's 390 00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:42,560 Speaker 1: hanging on cap issues arise because you see the team 391 00:16:42,560 --> 00:16:44,640 Speaker 1: trying to hold on and trying to make it work 392 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:47,880 Speaker 1: with the core players that maybe they won with earlier. 393 00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:52,360 Speaker 1: And you know, like, I think it's interesting when you 394 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:54,880 Speaker 1: see the kind of cleanup crew come in these places 395 00:16:54,920 --> 00:16:57,240 Speaker 1: and they have to do that one year where they're 396 00:16:57,280 --> 00:17:00,080 Speaker 1: where where they're really taking on the dead money and 397 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 1: clearing the decks, and so, you know, I think it 398 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 1: wasn't a matter of if, it was a matter of 399 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:07,119 Speaker 1: when they did it. And so you know, obviously the 400 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:10,879 Speaker 1: Falcons hung on to Matt for that extra year and 401 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:13,080 Speaker 1: try to establish something in year one, which again is 402 00:17:13,119 --> 00:17:15,520 Speaker 1: just what Buffalo did. And then a year two was 403 00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:17,479 Speaker 1: there clearly the decks year. But you know, I think 404 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:19,359 Speaker 1: it was going to have to happen sooner or later. 405 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:23,480 Speaker 1: As you look at this young foundation that the Falcons have, 406 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:25,640 Speaker 1: and you also look at what they need, how would 407 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:30,879 Speaker 1: you prioritize their offseason needs and where or if quarterback 408 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:33,760 Speaker 1: fits into that list. Yeah, I think quarterback is going 409 00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:35,760 Speaker 1: to be interesting because I think that they'll pull multiple, 410 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:39,760 Speaker 1: multiple lovers there. I also think, like I mean, I 411 00:17:39,800 --> 00:17:43,959 Speaker 1: don't think Desmond Ritter is like guaranteed to be the starter, 412 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:46,040 Speaker 1: but I think it's gonna get an opportunity. You know, 413 00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:49,760 Speaker 1: it's sort of similar to Kyle Trask and Tampa, where 414 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:52,760 Speaker 1: you know they're gonna look around at all their options. 415 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:54,479 Speaker 1: I think that Falcons will look around at all their 416 00:17:54,520 --> 00:17:57,560 Speaker 1: options and probably sign a free agent and probably draft 417 00:17:57,600 --> 00:18:01,080 Speaker 1: another one. You know they're gonna give Dea. I think 418 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:02,960 Speaker 1: Das is gonna have a legitimate shot, and there's a 419 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,680 Speaker 1: lot of things to like about Daz, both tangibly and intangibly. 420 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:08,159 Speaker 1: And I'm sure you know Scott who he is as 421 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:11,280 Speaker 1: a guy. So I think quarterbacks near the top of 422 00:18:11,840 --> 00:18:13,720 Speaker 1: the priority list. Now does that mean they're gonna take 423 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:15,600 Speaker 1: a massive swing, Maybe not, But I think they're gonna 424 00:18:15,640 --> 00:18:18,680 Speaker 1: do multiple things at the position, you know, and then 425 00:18:18,680 --> 00:18:21,040 Speaker 1: outside of that again, like I think there's just sort 426 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:23,600 Speaker 1: of in this position where they can they can sort 427 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:25,560 Speaker 1: of add where they need to add because they've got 428 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:29,399 Speaker 1: good pieces in a bunch of different position groups to 429 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:34,439 Speaker 1: build around without I think a crying need anywhere. And 430 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:36,200 Speaker 1: so if you look at like where they're picking, for example, 431 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:38,480 Speaker 1: they're picking eighth, I think, right, so they're picking the 432 00:18:38,520 --> 00:18:40,040 Speaker 1: eighth overall. Well, you know, if you look at the 433 00:18:40,040 --> 00:18:42,119 Speaker 1: makeup of the draft class, that puts them right in 434 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:44,240 Speaker 1: front of the cliff where there's really supposed to be 435 00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:46,679 Speaker 1: a drop off around the eleventh of twelfth pick. And 436 00:18:46,720 --> 00:18:50,040 Speaker 1: the players who are above that cliff are more or 437 00:18:50,119 --> 00:18:53,640 Speaker 1: less defensive pressure players. So like, could you be looking 438 00:18:53,680 --> 00:18:55,680 Speaker 1: at like the Iowa pass russure, could you be looking 439 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 1: at one of the Clemson kids, whether it's Brazil or Murphy. 440 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:02,040 Speaker 1: Youre probably not gonna get Jalen Carter or Will Anderson, 441 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:04,320 Speaker 1: but like you've got a chance to get a really 442 00:19:04,359 --> 00:19:06,399 Speaker 1: good defensive player up there. So I think that's going 443 00:19:06,440 --> 00:19:09,160 Speaker 1: to sort of That's where illustrates the way I think 444 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:11,920 Speaker 1: they're going to approach this, where it's they don't. I 445 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:14,040 Speaker 1: think they go both into free agency and the draft 446 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:16,400 Speaker 1: without a feeling that they need to press a certain need. 447 00:19:16,720 --> 00:19:18,880 Speaker 1: Then that allows them to just go get good players. 448 00:19:19,280 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 1: And I have one more question for you. There is 449 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:24,679 Speaker 1: a new defensive coordinator in town. Ryan Nielsen comes from 450 00:19:24,720 --> 00:19:29,680 Speaker 1: the Saints is well known for developing a solid pass rush. 451 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:31,800 Speaker 1: What is your take on that move and what do 452 00:19:31,840 --> 00:19:34,720 Speaker 1: you think he can bring to the Falcons defense. Ryan's 453 00:19:34,920 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 1: incredibly well respected and was one of the more well 454 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:41,920 Speaker 1: respected people in the in the Saints building, and obviously 455 00:19:42,040 --> 00:19:44,959 Speaker 1: Terry knows him, and I think, you know, like having 456 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:49,000 Speaker 1: the background with him helps you know. And I think 457 00:19:49,359 --> 00:19:51,880 Speaker 1: when you look at the physical edge that Arthur's brought 458 00:19:51,880 --> 00:19:54,240 Speaker 1: to the offense, and the idea is Ryan will bring 459 00:19:54,280 --> 00:19:56,320 Speaker 1: that to the defense. And he's got a lot of 460 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 1: head coach qualities and I think you guys will find 461 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 1: that out about him when he around him a little 462 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:04,720 Speaker 1: bit more. But yeah, I mean like creative because Sean 463 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:07,399 Speaker 1: Payton demanded that and building his staffs in New Orleans. 464 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:09,600 Speaker 1: So I think you're going to see a defensive coordinator 465 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:13,560 Speaker 1: who's creative and a defensive coordinator who's going to prioritize toughness, 466 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:16,520 Speaker 1: which sounds a lot like what the Falcons have been 467 00:20:16,560 --> 00:20:18,920 Speaker 1: doing the last couple of years on the offense. Albert Beera, 468 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:21,200 Speaker 1: thank you so much for the time and for previewing 469 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:23,359 Speaker 1: what is going to be a fascinating off season for 470 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:29,040 Speaker 1: the Falcons. Thanks God, I'm here with Robert May's, the 471 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:31,200 Speaker 1: host of the Athletic Football Show, to talk a little 472 00:20:31,240 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 1: Falcons football, kind of just looking at where the Falcons 473 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:36,840 Speaker 1: are right now in comparison to kind of what they've 474 00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:39,640 Speaker 1: had the last couple of years. Let's just talk salary cab. 475 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:41,639 Speaker 1: I mean, what do you see when you're looking at 476 00:20:41,640 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 1: the opportunity that the Falcons have going into this Offseason's 477 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:46,680 Speaker 1: chance to build. I think that over the last two years, 478 00:20:46,720 --> 00:20:48,480 Speaker 1: you're just trying to get out from under the financial 479 00:20:48,520 --> 00:20:50,720 Speaker 1: boulder that the last regime created for you. And you 480 00:20:50,840 --> 00:20:53,040 Speaker 1: understand how you get there, right. You have Matt Ryan, 481 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:55,240 Speaker 1: you have Julio Jones, you have ownership that's willing to 482 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:57,639 Speaker 1: spend to the cap every single year. I mean, Thomas 483 00:20:57,640 --> 00:21:00,480 Speaker 1: Demitroff did what he did, did squeeze everything you could 484 00:21:00,520 --> 00:21:02,800 Speaker 1: out of those rosters. But eventually the bill comes due 485 00:21:02,920 --> 00:21:05,600 Speaker 1: and Terry Fondau had to clean up that over the 486 00:21:05,680 --> 00:21:07,840 Speaker 1: last couple of years. And now you get a chance 487 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:10,240 Speaker 1: to build the team that you envision. They've been able 488 00:21:10,280 --> 00:21:12,560 Speaker 1: to do it slowly through the draft and the patients 489 00:21:12,600 --> 00:21:14,639 Speaker 1: that they've shown there. But now if you want to 490 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:16,320 Speaker 1: go out and get a top of market free agent 491 00:21:16,560 --> 00:21:18,760 Speaker 1: at safety, at corner, and some of those positions of 492 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:21,560 Speaker 1: need that's on the table now, So it just creates 493 00:21:21,560 --> 00:21:23,720 Speaker 1: a little bit of a different sense of urgency. I 494 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 1: like what they did with the two extensions that they 495 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:27,840 Speaker 1: handed out so that Jake Matthews great a Jarret. They 496 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:30,120 Speaker 1: obtained both of those guys, because you want to have 497 00:21:30,240 --> 00:21:33,400 Speaker 1: these kind of beacons in your locker room even when 498 00:21:33,440 --> 00:21:35,520 Speaker 1: you're in sort of a rebuild tear down mode, and 499 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:38,320 Speaker 1: I think on offense and defense, they had those guys like, 500 00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:40,879 Speaker 1: this is what we want the Falcons to be. So 501 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:43,199 Speaker 1: having those two guys under contract while also trying to 502 00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:46,480 Speaker 1: skimp and save other places and giving yourself flexibility to 503 00:21:46,480 --> 00:21:48,760 Speaker 1: move on from Marcus when it was time. They've just 504 00:21:48,760 --> 00:21:51,560 Speaker 1: done a good job of never cutting off pathways to 505 00:21:51,720 --> 00:21:54,640 Speaker 1: different versions of the team and different team building options. 506 00:21:54,840 --> 00:21:57,160 Speaker 1: So that's how you end up with seventy million dollars 507 00:21:57,160 --> 00:21:59,600 Speaker 1: in cap space and the eighth overall pick to choose 508 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:02,000 Speaker 1: your own venture sort of offseason for them, and they 509 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:05,879 Speaker 1: could go any direction positionally financially, and that's all you 510 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:08,280 Speaker 1: can ask for as a general manager. I'm not painting 511 00:22:08,280 --> 00:22:11,000 Speaker 1: myself into any corners. We can go wherever we want 512 00:22:11,040 --> 00:22:13,280 Speaker 1: to with a roster that has a ton of needs 513 00:22:13,320 --> 00:22:15,520 Speaker 1: all over the place. So they're in a really good spot. 514 00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:17,840 Speaker 1: But like he said yesterday at the podium, when you 515 00:22:17,840 --> 00:22:19,879 Speaker 1: have seventy million dollars in cap space, that means you 516 00:22:19,920 --> 00:22:21,520 Speaker 1: have a lot of work to do, and the Falcons 517 00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:28,000 Speaker 1: have a lot of work to do. CBS Color Commentary 518 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:31,840 Speaker 1: guy on Sunday's NFL Network analyst Charles Davis, and we're 519 00:22:31,880 --> 00:22:33,680 Speaker 1: here to talk a little Falcons, and they could be 520 00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:36,120 Speaker 1: a very interesting team over the course of this offseason. 521 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:38,280 Speaker 1: They have plenty of cap space, they have a top 522 00:22:38,320 --> 00:22:41,480 Speaker 1: ten pick. What are you expecting out of this franchise 523 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:44,720 Speaker 1: over the next couple of weeks and months. I'm expecting 524 00:22:44,760 --> 00:22:46,720 Speaker 1: all of us to enjoy watching with Terry Fontono and 525 00:22:46,760 --> 00:22:49,000 Speaker 1: the front office are going to do. Because all the 526 00:22:49,040 --> 00:22:52,960 Speaker 1: things you just lined up perfect right then you take 527 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:56,720 Speaker 1: into account the division right now, Tampa Bay won the division, 528 00:22:57,320 --> 00:22:59,560 Speaker 1: but they don't scare anyone. And when you have a 529 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:02,560 Speaker 1: divisions as wide open as you have right now, plus 530 00:23:02,560 --> 00:23:05,040 Speaker 1: it certainly looks like you found your quarterback. And you 531 00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:07,520 Speaker 1: know a lot of times we analyze divisions by quarterbacks 532 00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:10,960 Speaker 1: in the NFC South right now, the ranking quarterback is 533 00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:13,399 Speaker 1: one Desmond Ritter, which is just wild to me. It 534 00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 1: is absolute wild for all of us because just a 535 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:19,119 Speaker 1: couple of seasons ago we were talking about Cam Newton 536 00:23:19,240 --> 00:23:23,040 Speaker 1: was at Carolina, Tom Brady was in Tampa Bay. So 537 00:23:23,240 --> 00:23:25,640 Speaker 1: this is what we're looking at right now. Desmond Ritter 538 00:23:25,760 --> 00:23:27,959 Speaker 1: looks to be the guy that's who they'll build around. 539 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:31,920 Speaker 1: I like how they they've played under Arthur Smith because 540 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:34,480 Speaker 1: it looked like a three or four win team. Yeah, 541 00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:37,080 Speaker 1: every game they're in, they're bad, Like they're still there 542 00:23:37,280 --> 00:23:40,000 Speaker 1: and down the stretch there was still an opportunity didn't 543 00:23:40,080 --> 00:23:42,200 Speaker 1: quite get there. But I certainly love what they're doing. 544 00:23:42,320 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 1: I really like the fact that Ritter already has a 545 00:23:44,359 --> 00:23:47,119 Speaker 1: number one receiver in London and now you've got to 546 00:23:47,119 --> 00:23:49,439 Speaker 1: found yourself a runner, A pretty good runner last year 547 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:53,080 Speaker 1: Tyler Al's year. Yeah, and my favorite Desmond stat was 548 00:23:53,119 --> 00:23:55,760 Speaker 1: that he was forty four and six in college. The 549 00:23:55,880 --> 00:23:58,680 Speaker 1: guys just a gamer. What did you learn about him 550 00:23:58,680 --> 00:24:03,159 Speaker 1: studying his tape entering you know, the professional leagues, and 551 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:06,000 Speaker 1: what do you think he did during his you know, 552 00:24:06,119 --> 00:24:08,440 Speaker 1: his first four NFL starts, Scott, I think you brought 553 00:24:08,480 --> 00:24:10,640 Speaker 1: up the biggest one right there, forty four and six 554 00:24:10,680 --> 00:24:13,680 Speaker 1: in college. Now, look, it's not like a professional pitcher 555 00:24:13,720 --> 00:24:17,080 Speaker 1: in terms of record, but there is an element of 556 00:24:17,119 --> 00:24:19,479 Speaker 1: how did he drive a football team and help elevate 557 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:22,000 Speaker 1: a program to a level where they were playing in 558 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:25,680 Speaker 1: a college football playoff against Alabama. There's something to that, right, 559 00:24:26,040 --> 00:24:28,640 Speaker 1: There's something to him getting better each and every year 560 00:24:28,680 --> 00:24:31,600 Speaker 1: in consistency and throwing the football, the ability to run 561 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:34,879 Speaker 1: the football and have consistency there, and toughness which he 562 00:24:34,960 --> 00:24:37,760 Speaker 1: get helped give that ball club because Cincinnai built themselves 563 00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 1: on being a tough group. That group of Bearcats. Take 564 00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:43,800 Speaker 1: that to what we saw this year in San Francisco 565 00:24:43,840 --> 00:24:46,480 Speaker 1: with Rock Party, who had about forty six forty eight 566 00:24:46,480 --> 00:24:49,359 Speaker 1: college starts, who elevated a program at Iowa State that 567 00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:51,480 Speaker 1: was never supposed to be that great to where they 568 00:24:51,480 --> 00:24:53,560 Speaker 1: were playing for a Big twelve championship where they were 569 00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:56,320 Speaker 1: a preseason top ten the next year, and he goes 570 00:24:56,359 --> 00:24:58,720 Speaker 1: to a ready made team and I say ready made 571 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:01,840 Speaker 1: meaning all the element in front, really good offensive one, 572 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:04,639 Speaker 1: excellent runners, trade for McCaffrey to make them even better 573 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:08,720 Speaker 1: wide receivers. Do you both, Samuel, you name it. Plus, 574 00:25:08,880 --> 00:25:11,119 Speaker 1: Kyle Shanhon does a great job running offense. He fit 575 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:14,800 Speaker 1: in perfectly. Desmond Ritter would have been a perfect candidate 576 00:25:14,840 --> 00:25:17,280 Speaker 1: to have been that same Rock Purty type, but his 577 00:25:17,359 --> 00:25:19,680 Speaker 1: team wasn't ready for him yet They're going to come 578 00:25:19,680 --> 00:25:23,040 Speaker 1: along with him. So tell Falcons fans what they can 579 00:25:23,080 --> 00:25:26,359 Speaker 1: expect around that number eight overall pick. There's definitely some 580 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:30,160 Speaker 1: intriguing talents pass rushers, cornerbacks. Falcons need a lot of help, 581 00:25:30,280 --> 00:25:34,159 Speaker 1: especially on defense. What can they expect within that draft 582 00:25:34,200 --> 00:25:38,280 Speaker 1: cluster around that number eight spot? The quarterbacks always drive 583 00:25:38,320 --> 00:25:42,760 Speaker 1: a draft, good, bad, or indifferent. This year's not superstar 584 00:25:42,840 --> 00:25:44,800 Speaker 1: power like we've had in the past, but plenty of 585 00:25:44,920 --> 00:25:47,679 Speaker 1: really really good ones. Does Bryce Young come off the 586 00:25:47,720 --> 00:25:50,879 Speaker 1: board first? Right? Does CJ. Stroud come off the board first? 587 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:55,000 Speaker 1: How deep do we go with Will Levis? Right with Kentucky? 588 00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:57,560 Speaker 1: So once all that kind of gets taken care of, 589 00:25:57,680 --> 00:25:59,760 Speaker 1: and do people come up to get the guy that 590 00:25:59,800 --> 00:26:02,800 Speaker 1: they absolutely want? That could drive things for Atlanta as well, 591 00:26:02,840 --> 00:26:06,960 Speaker 1: because then if it's more quarterbacks and defenders, does Jalen 592 00:26:07,040 --> 00:26:08,960 Speaker 1: Carter go from maybe being the top player in the 593 00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:11,040 Speaker 1: draft to sliding to a point where Atlanta may have 594 00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:13,680 Speaker 1: a shot. Does Will Anderson from Alabama, who may be 595 00:26:13,760 --> 00:26:16,119 Speaker 1: the top player in the draft, does he slide quote 596 00:26:16,200 --> 00:26:19,359 Speaker 1: unquote to where Atlanta has an opportunity. Those sort of 597 00:26:19,400 --> 00:26:22,800 Speaker 1: questions will play themselves out, But the quarterbacks will drive it. No. 598 00:26:22,920 --> 00:26:25,080 Speaker 1: If Sands and Butts, I don't think we have the 599 00:26:25,119 --> 00:26:27,120 Speaker 1: receivers that come all the way up this year, it's 600 00:26:27,160 --> 00:26:28,680 Speaker 1: not the same. We'll have a lot of good ones, 601 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:31,240 Speaker 1: but not quite the same. I really think it's gonna 602 00:26:31,240 --> 00:26:34,080 Speaker 1: be the quarterbacks and then we're gonna have the elite defenders. 603 00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:36,520 Speaker 1: They'll be the ones in the top cluster. Yeah, the 604 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:38,800 Speaker 1: Falcons have made no secret that they want to get 605 00:26:38,840 --> 00:26:42,400 Speaker 1: better rushing the passer and they want to get more 606 00:26:42,440 --> 00:26:46,040 Speaker 1: explosive on offense. If we're focusing on the defensive side 607 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:48,240 Speaker 1: of the ball, talk about the depth of this edge 608 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:52,439 Speaker 1: rusher and maybe defensive tackle class that everybody focuses on 609 00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:55,720 Speaker 1: number eight. But can you get some sneaky good players 610 00:26:55,720 --> 00:26:58,760 Speaker 1: down the line at those two spots? You certainly can. 611 00:26:58,800 --> 00:27:01,280 Speaker 1: And what's gonna be in rescuing is I can get 612 00:27:01,359 --> 00:27:03,840 Speaker 1: him all the way through, really, and what people are 613 00:27:03,840 --> 00:27:06,040 Speaker 1: going to look at, Obviously, the higher the draft pick, 614 00:27:06,080 --> 00:27:08,480 Speaker 1: the more of the expectations the lord of the draft pick. 615 00:27:08,680 --> 00:27:11,080 Speaker 1: Are we sure about this guy? I said the senior 616 00:27:11,119 --> 00:27:14,360 Speaker 1: ball and I'm watching guys plague and saying they may 617 00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:16,600 Speaker 1: not be first round guys, they may not be second 618 00:27:16,640 --> 00:27:19,600 Speaker 1: day guys, but these guys can play. I look up 619 00:27:19,600 --> 00:27:22,359 Speaker 1: and see this kid at Gerard Clark from Coastal Carolina, 620 00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:26,600 Speaker 1: This behemoth of a run, you know, space eater who 621 00:27:26,640 --> 00:27:28,760 Speaker 1: can flat out play, get up field a little bit. 622 00:27:29,480 --> 00:27:31,080 Speaker 1: He might be a third day guy, but he might 623 00:27:31,119 --> 00:27:32,880 Speaker 1: be a guy who could plug in right away. I'm 624 00:27:32,880 --> 00:27:35,920 Speaker 1: looking at Will McDonald, the outside linebacker defensive end from 625 00:27:35,920 --> 00:27:39,520 Speaker 1: Iowa State. Size might be an issue because he's not 626 00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:42,320 Speaker 1: the thickest guy. But if you have a plan for 627 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:44,560 Speaker 1: him and make him a designated pass rusher early as 628 00:27:44,600 --> 00:27:47,159 Speaker 1: he grows into his body, this guy knows how to 629 00:27:47,160 --> 00:27:49,639 Speaker 1: go chase quarterbacks. I think he has the Big twelve 630 00:27:49,640 --> 00:27:52,840 Speaker 1: record for quarterback sacks in a career. Again, I don't 631 00:27:52,840 --> 00:27:55,520 Speaker 1: think he's a first day guy. He's probably a second 632 00:27:55,520 --> 00:27:57,800 Speaker 1: third round guy. But again, you bet out a plan 633 00:27:57,840 --> 00:28:00,199 Speaker 1: because I don't think it's a full line starter right 634 00:28:00,200 --> 00:28:02,560 Speaker 1: out of the gate. And my equation for him as 635 00:28:02,600 --> 00:28:06,200 Speaker 1: Alden Smith coming out of Missouri. That's a pretty nice equation. Yeah, 636 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:08,840 Speaker 1: but Vic Banjoel had a plan in San Francisco. We're 637 00:28:08,880 --> 00:28:11,800 Speaker 1: not going to overload Alden early. So he hit fifteen 638 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:13,960 Speaker 1: and a half sacks while they didn't overload it. I'm 639 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:16,439 Speaker 1: not saying that's what will McDonald's going to do, but 640 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:18,639 Speaker 1: he has great potential coming off the edge. And I 641 00:28:18,680 --> 00:28:20,760 Speaker 1: just have one last question for you, Charles, and thank 642 00:28:20,760 --> 00:28:22,960 Speaker 1: you so much for taking the time with us. You 643 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:24,840 Speaker 1: look at the state of this NFC South, and you'd 644 00:28:24,840 --> 00:28:27,200 Speaker 1: already mentioned it. There are a lot of veteran quarterbacks 645 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:30,040 Speaker 1: who have left. It's wide open, and we see time 646 00:28:30,080 --> 00:28:32,160 Speaker 1: and time again that the NFL is built on parody. 647 00:28:32,240 --> 00:28:34,560 Speaker 1: You see worst to first thirds, to it to first 648 00:28:34,760 --> 00:28:37,000 Speaker 1: and the Falcons have all these assets. Now do they 649 00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:38,920 Speaker 1: have to get it right? Sure? But is there the 650 00:28:38,960 --> 00:28:42,960 Speaker 1: opportunity do you think for Arthur Smith and Terry to 651 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:46,520 Speaker 1: upgrade this roster and maybe get right into the playoff chase. 652 00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:49,000 Speaker 1: Here the opportunity is definitely there. And here's why I 653 00:28:49,120 --> 00:28:52,400 Speaker 1: say it, not just roster, not just upgrading that just 654 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:55,600 Speaker 1: what I saw them do over these first two years. 655 00:28:56,520 --> 00:28:59,120 Speaker 1: This is what you're seeing. What you're seeing on Sundays, 656 00:28:59,160 --> 00:29:01,680 Speaker 1: would you have to deal with the Falcons where people 657 00:29:01,680 --> 00:29:03,920 Speaker 1: would look at it normally it should be okay, and 658 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:07,320 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, it's tough. You're taken l that 659 00:29:07,400 --> 00:29:10,600 Speaker 1: you didn't expect to take. You escaped by this by 660 00:29:10,600 --> 00:29:13,480 Speaker 1: the skin of your teeth. They competed each and every week. 661 00:29:13,680 --> 00:29:16,760 Speaker 1: They got better each and every week with talent that 662 00:29:16,920 --> 00:29:19,640 Speaker 1: a lot of people say, that's so great. They've got 663 00:29:19,680 --> 00:29:21,960 Speaker 1: more than a chance, especially in this division, because it true, 664 00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:24,400 Speaker 1: it truly is wide open. You can't sit here and say, 665 00:29:24,600 --> 00:29:26,960 Speaker 1: I know Tampa won it last year. Are they truly 666 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:30,560 Speaker 1: the favorites or is everyone a favorite this year? Right? Good? 667 00:29:30,640 --> 00:29:32,400 Speaker 1: Going to reach out and grasp it and take it 668 00:29:32,440 --> 00:29:34,000 Speaker 1: because the league is built to your built to be 669 00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:37,240 Speaker 1: eight and eight. Well nowadays it's nine and eight. I 670 00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:40,520 Speaker 1: guess right, which way you're gonna go from nine and eight? Yeah, 671 00:29:40,800 --> 00:29:43,200 Speaker 1: plus or minus. They have a chance to elevate. It's 672 00:29:43,240 --> 00:29:46,240 Speaker 1: gonna be fascinating to see all of these developments around 673 00:29:46,280 --> 00:29:48,360 Speaker 1: the Atlanta Falcons. Charles Davis, thank you so much for 674 00:29:48,400 --> 00:29:50,320 Speaker 1: taking the time to talk about it. Thanks for spending time. 675 00:29:52,880 --> 00:29:54,640 Speaker 1: Well there you have it, everybody, Thank you so much 676 00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:57,480 Speaker 1: for joining us on this very special edition of Tompkins 677 00:29:57,560 --> 00:30:00,920 Speaker 1: Final Whistle Podcast. You can catch us on spotif, by YouTube, 678 00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:03,840 Speaker 1: all the things iTunes, even Go and give us a 679 00:30:03,840 --> 00:30:06,280 Speaker 1: five star review, and we'll be back throughout the remainder 680 00:30:06,320 --> 00:30:08,360 Speaker 1: of the twenty twenty three NFL offseason.