Feb. 07, 2012 2:42 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - 2011 Falcons position review: RBs -- Cox FB Mike Cox was signed on Oct. 25 after FB Ovie Mughelli was injured and placed on injured reserve. Cox performed admirably in a fill-in role and was lauded for his intelligence for picking up the playbook quickly. He never quite jelled with RB Michael Turner like Mughelli did, however. Falcons RapidReports
Feb. 07, 2012 2:40 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - 2011 Falcons position review: RBs -- Rodgers RB Jacquizz Rodgers scored a touchdown rushing and one receiving in his rookie season with Atlanta. The coaching staff was very pleased with his progression throughout the season and Rodgers was praised more than once on having the ability to be an every-down back in the future. Falcons RapidReports
Feb. 07, 2012 2:38 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - 2011 Falcons position review: RBs -- Turner RB Michael Turner finished third in the NFL with 1,340 yards rushing and was hobbled throughout the second half of the season with a groin injury. The injury sapped some of his explosiveness but he still played in every game and even set a career high with 17 receptions. Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 31, 2012 8:47 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - Weidinger was assistant to coach before promotion New offensive assistant Andrew Weidinger spent the last four seasons as head coach Mike Smith’s assistant. He was responsible for providing administrative help and assisting with managing data, research, daily practice scripts, schedules, calendars and assisting with the running backs. He joined the Falcons in 2007 as a personnel scout. Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 31, 2012 8:45 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - QB coach had OC experience at Midwestern State New quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas was an offensive assistant with the Falcons for the past four seasons. He was an offensive coordinator at Midwestern State University for three seasons before joining the Falcons. Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 31, 2012 8:41 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - Falcons complete 2012 coaching staff Atlanta hired Joe Danna to serve as defensive backs coach Tuesday. Danna was the assistant DB coach in Miami under Mike Nolan for the last two seasons. The Falcons also promoted Glenn Thomas to quarterbacks coach and Andrew Weidinger to offensive assistant, finalizing the coaching staff for 2012. Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 30, 2012 1:22 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - Falcons Pro Bowl wrap-up TE Tony Gonzalez led all receivers in Sunday's Pro Bowl in Hawaii with seven receptions for 114 yards receiving and was targeted 12 times. WR Roddy White caught two passes for 25 yards and was targeted nine times. The NFC lost 59-41 to the AFC. Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 28, 2012 11:06 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - Falcons hire offensive line coach Pat Hill was hired Saturday as Atlanta’s offensive line coach. Most recently, Hill spent 15 seasons as head coach of Fresno State. Before that he spent one year with Baltimore coaching the tight ends and offensive line and five seasons with Cleveland under then-head coach Bill Belichick. Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 27, 2012 8:24 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - Georgia DB Boykin says he'd be good fit for Falcons Georgia DB Brandon Boykin on fitting in with Mike Nolan's scheme: “I fit fine, it's pretty much the same thing I came from college, with the 3-4. Man (coverage) is something I do pretty well. With my added ability to do special teams, I feel like I can contribute right away.” Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 27, 2012 11:38 a.m. - by Knox Bardeen - 2011 Falcons position review: QBs -- Wilson QB John Parker Wilson didn't take a snap in 2011 but was added to the 53-man roster to block Minnesota from acquiring the third-year passer. Just ask the Houston Texans how valuable a third-string quarterback can be. Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 27, 2012 11:31 a.m. - by Knox Bardeen - 2011 Falcons position review: QBs -- Redman QB Chris Redman saw action in just four games and attempted only 4.7 percent of Atlanta’s passes (28) this season. But Redman was a huge asset. He knows the system intricately after playing under Mike Smith for the last three seasons and was a more-than-able backup. Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 27, 2012 11:30 a.m. - by Knox Bardeen - 2011 Falcons position review: QBs -- Ryan QB Matt Ryan continued his growth as a passer in his fourth year in the league, setting career-high marks in passing yards (4,177) and touchdown passes (29). His yardage mark set a franchise record and over his last seven games he only threw two interceptions. Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 24, 2012 2:28 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - Report: Falcons interview pair of seniors WR Brian Quick (Appalachian State) and DB Brandon Boykin (Georgia) are two of the players Atlanta has interviewed this week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 23, 2012 1:55 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - Falcons release DB coach The Falcons released defensive backs coach Alvin Reynolds from his contract Monday. Reynolds had been with the Falcons since 2008 but the defense never finished higher than No. 20 in pass defense during his tenure. Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 20, 2012 5:45 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - RB Nance re-signs reserve/future contract with Falcons RB Dimitri Nance signed a reserve/future contract with Atlanta on Friday. Nance made the Falcons' practice squad in 2010 and was later signed by Green Bay for its active roster. He played in 12 games, mostly on special teams that year. He didn’t play in a regular-season game in 2011. Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 18, 2012 12:47 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - New DC Nolan thinks rest of coaching staff will be retained New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said that while the decision ultimately isn’t his to make, he thinks the current Falcons coaching staff will remain in place: “That’s Mike’s [Smith] area, but it’s my understanding that Mike would like to keep everybody and keep this staff intact.” Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 18, 2012 12:16 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - Nolan will build scheme to fit players Atlanta has drafted players for a 4-3 defense throughout Mike Smith’s regime. New DC Mike Nolan said he’s not looking to switch Atlanta from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4: “It’s my philosophy that you build your scheme around the players not the other way around.” Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 18, 2012 12:03 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - DC Nolan looking at using five DBs While not ready to make personnel or scheme decisions yet in the secondary, new DC Mike Nolan did mention a shift in philosophy in general: “There's typically four starting DB's. The future looks like it's going to be five starting DB's if these quarterbacks keep doing what they're doing." Falcons RapidReports
Jan. 17, 2012 3:45 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - Offensive line coach Boudreau won't be back for 2012 Offensive line coach Paul Boudreau will not return for the 2012 season, the team announced Tuesday. Boudreau joined the Falcons coaching staff as offensive line coach in 2008 and spent four seasons with the team. Falcons RapidReports