Latest news with #LennyKrieg
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons provide update on kicker competition ahead of Titans game
The Atlanta Falcons have several position battles worth monitoring over the final two preseason games. One competition that has received plenty of attention throughout training camp is the battle for the team's starting kicker job. Former Pro Bowl kicker Younghoe Koo is the favorite, but the Falcons signed Lenny Krieg following his impressive showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. Koo had a rough season in 2024, playing hurt and missing time due to a leg injury. While Koo has the obvious experience advantage, Krieg has the stronger leg. In Atlanta's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions, Krieg converted a 57-yard field goal but missed his second attempt to finish 1-for-2. Head coach Raheem Morris provided an update on the plan for Friday's preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. After Krieg took all of the reps in the opener, Morris said Koo will handle the kicking duties. Aside from Koo, we wouldn't expect to see many starters on Friday night. Morris has consistently taken a cautious approach to the preseason since taking over as head coach in 2024. On the other hand, the Titans are expected to play the majority of their starters against Atlanta. "Everybody is going to play, similar to last week," Titans head coach Brian Callahan told reporters ahead of Wednesday's joint with the Falcons. This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Kicker Younghoe Koo to start vs. Titans
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons' kicking competition heats up with monster field goal by German-born Lenny Krieg vs. Younghoe Koo
Falcons' kicking competition heats up with monster field goal by German-born Lenny Krieg vs. Younghoe Koo originally appeared on The Sporting News It's still a bit wild that the Atlanta Falcons are considering replacing Younghoe Koo. But the kicking competition is certainly on now. The Falcons' other option is Lenny Krieg, a German kicker. And on his first preseason field goal attempt, Krieg drilled a 57-yard field goal. "Lenny Krieg, the German kicker Atlanta signed through the International Pathway Program, hits a 57-yarder with plenty of room to spare to start the scoring and make his first NFL kick," wrote The Athletic's Josh Kendall on X. MORE: Seahawks legend Marshawn Lynch went Beast Mode as a sideline photographer There's reason for the Falcons to at least consider this move. "After several seasons as one of the most consistent kickers in the league, including a Pro Bowl selection in 2020, Younghoe Koo missed nine field goals last season and ended the campaign on injured reserve due to a hip injury," ESPN's Marc Raimondi writes. "The Falcons signed German-born kicker Lenny Krieg this offseason to compete with Koo for the starting role. Krieg, who turns 23 in August, impressed at the combine as a part of the league's International Player Pathway Program. He was the only kicker to make all 14 field-goal attempts without a miss." MORE: Eagles have big plans for Saquon Barkley as a receiver There is video footage of Krieg making a 73-yard field goal in a practice. Koo is due to make $4.25 million this season, the fourth-highest for a kicker in the league. That could be another reason he's a cut candidate. Krieg is ready for the battle. "There's 32 jobs in the league, and my job is to just perform to my level and improve every day," Krieg told Fox Sports before the preseason. "And whatever happens, happens. I try to control what I can control, and whatever is out of my control is just something that's going to happen." MORE NFL NEWS: Shilo Sanders sets big goals for his rookie NFL season Geno Smith broke out a rude gesture toward a fan Baker Mayfield isn't like other quarterbacks Jamal Adams is making a strong case for his position change Raiders fans blaming the same issue for Ashton Jeanty's poor start A.J. Brown reveals a wild reason he didn't play college football at Georgia
USA Today
09-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Falcons vs. Lions live updates: NFL preseason game score, highlights
The Falcons are hosting the Lions in Friday's preseason opener. Follow along for live updates. The Atlanta Falcons are making their 2025 preseason debut against the Detroit Lions tonight at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. While we don't expect to see many starters on either side, the Falcons are playing their five-player rookie draft class, including first-round picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Atlanta ruled out Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins earlier this week, so it will be Easton Stick and Emory Jones splitting the reps at quarterback. The Falcons have a few position battles worth keeping an eye on, including one between kickers Younghoe Koo and Lenny Krieg. The Falcons Wire is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along. Watch Falcons vs. Lions on Fubo (free trial) Falcons WR Chris Blair makes 3 straight grabs, scores TD Blair hauled in a 29-yard reception and came back even stronger on the next two plays. Easton Stick hit Blair on a 13-yard touchdown to give the Falcons a 10-7 lead before halftime. Lions finally get on the board, Isaac TeSlaa scores TD Lions finally score late in the second quarter when Kyle Allen connected with third-round pick Isaac TeSlaa for the touchdown. Lions lead 7-3. 2nd Quarter: Falcons force 2nd fumble While the offense may be struggling, the Falcons forced their second fumble of the game in the second quarter. Defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham recovered the fumble to give Atlanta the ball with 10 minutes left in the half. Falcons LB Josh Woods making plays Woods leads the team with four tackles, including one TFL, and forced a fumble on the Lions' opening drive. The veteran linebacker is making a strong case to make the 53-man roster. Falcons rookies Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr. enter game on 2nd drive Both of the Falcons first-round picks entered the game midway through the first quarter. Right away, the team got good pressure on Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker. The Falcons let the Lions off the hook though as Hooker escaped the pocket and rushed for a first down two plays later. DeMarcco Hellams flagged for targeting (controversial call). Falcons' 2nd drive: Lenny Krieg hits 57-yard field goal The Falcons completed back-to-back passes to wide receiver Dylan Drummond before kicker Lenny Krieg came on for a 57-yard field goal. Atlanta takes a 3-0 lead with 8:32 left in the first quarter. Lions take over, give ball right back to Falcons The Falcons defensive line was more than the Lions could handle on Detroit's first drive. Quarterback Hendon Hooker attempted to evade a collapsing pocket and ended up fumbling the ball right back to Atlanta. Nickel back Dee Alford recovered the fumble. The Falcons took over around midfield. 1st quarter: Falcons receive ball first, Stick in at QB The Falcons received the ball first. Easton Stick is starting at quarterback with Elijah Dotson starting at running back. Stick avoided a sack and made a nice throw to wide receiver David Sills for a 15-yard gain and first down. Stick missed Sills on third down and the Falcons were forced to punt. Key Falcons who are active vs. Lions Falcons rookie James Pearce takes the field Falcons WR Casey Washington warms up What time does Falcons vs. Lions start What TV channel is Falcons vs. Lions on today? Falcons preseason schedule 2025
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Younghoe Koo's 6-year hold on Falcons' kicking job on the line after 9 missed field goals in 2024
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA. (AP) — Younghoe Koo's six-year hold on the Atlanta Falcons' kicking job is on the line after his career-high nine missed field goals last season. Koo entered training camp with a strong vote of confidence from coach Raheem Morris. Koo made 25 of 34 field goals last season, and Lenny Krieg was added to the roster for training camp to provide competition. Krieg, a rookie from Berlin, Germany, has the leg strength to make the competition interesting, so accuracy will be important beginning with Friday night's preseason opener against Detroit. Koo's nine misses last season almost doubled his previous career high of five in his seven-year career. Koo, signed by the Falcons in 2019, was a 2020 Pro Bowler. His 2024 misses included some crucial field goals that could have led to wins for Atlanta, which finished 8-9 with two straight overtime losses to close the season. In a 20-17 loss to the Saints on Nov. 10, Koo missed three field goals, including one which was blocked. It was the first career game with three missed field goals. Koo also battled a hip injury and landed on the injured reserve list on Dec. 18. 'It wasn't the best season,' Koo said Monday. 'That's the motivating factor. I'll just move on. Mentally and physically I feel great. It's just like any other offseason.' Enter Krieg, who played for the European Football League's Stuttgart Surge for two seasons (2023-2024) and made 19 of 26 field goal attempts with a career long of 52 yards. On Tuesday, Krieg said training camp has been 'really enjoyable" and 'a great experience.' 'I have a lot of fun,' Krieg said, adding he is determined to 'keep working hard.' Koo said Krieg is "a great dude.' 'He works hard. I try to help him any way that I can,' Koo said, adding his goal is to "do my part and be the best version of myself.' Krieg is looking to learn from Koo's experience. 'He's been great,' Krieg said. 'He's a great resource for me to give me insights about his routines, his work ethic and his way of thinking about kicking. It's a great relationship. I really appreciate him for being so open and so welcoming to me.' Despite the competition, Koo does not feel any more pressure that he had in years past. 'It's the same thing,' Koo said. '(When) Week 1 comes, it doesn't really matter what you've done or what you haven't done in the past. It's what matters right there so I just try to get ready for that.' Morris was the secondary coach in 2019 in his first stint with the Falcons when Koo signed with Atlanta. Morris says he still believes in Koo and that confidence makes the veteran the favorite in the preseason competition. 'I am really excited to see Younghoe have a bounce-back year and really excited to watch him come back,' Morris said. 'I've got so much confidence in Younghoe because I started with him.' When he's not serving as the mentor to Krieg, Koo's new role off the field is helping quarterback Michael Penix Jr. learn how to play golf. Penix has been critical of his lack of consistency in his new hobby but Koo says he sees potential in Penix's swing. 'He's got something that you can't teach, which is speed,' Koo said. 'He hits the ball harder than anybody I've seen. The ceiling is very high.' ___ AP NFL:
Associated Press
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Younghoe Koo's 6-year hold on Falcons' kicking job on the line after 9 missed field goals in 2024
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA. (AP) — Younghoe Koo's six-year hold on the Atlanta Falcons' kicking job is on the line after his career-high nine missed field goals last season. Koo entered training camp with a strong vote of confidence from coach Raheem Morris. Koo made 25 of 34 field goals last season, and Lenny Krieg was added to the roster for training camp to provide competition. Krieg, a rookie from Berlin, Germany, has the leg strength to make the competition interesting, so accuracy will be important beginning with Friday night's preseason opener against Detroit. Koo's nine misses last season almost doubled his previous career high of five in his seven-year career. Koo, signed by the Falcons in 2019, was a 2020 Pro Bowler. His 2024 misses included some crucial field goals that could have led to wins for Atlanta, which finished 8-9 with two straight overtime losses to close the season. In a 20-17 loss to the Saints on Nov. 10, Koo missed three field goals, including one which was blocked. It was the first career game with three missed field goals. Koo also battled a hip injury and landed on the injured reserve list on Dec. 18. 'It wasn't the best season,' Koo said Monday. 'That's the motivating factor. I'll just move on. Mentally and physically I feel great. It's just like any other offseason.' Enter Krieg, who played for the European Football League's Stuttgart Surge for two seasons (2023-2024) and made 19 of 26 field goal attempts with a career long of 52 yards. On Tuesday, Krieg said training camp has been 'really enjoyable' and 'a great experience.' 'I have a lot of fun,' Krieg said, adding he is determined to 'keep working hard.' Koo said Krieg is 'a great dude.' 'He works hard. I try to help him any way that I can,' Koo said, adding his goal is to 'do my part and be the best version of myself.' Krieg is looking to learn from Koo's experience. 'He's been great,' Krieg said. 'He's a great resource for me to give me insights about his routines, his work ethic and his way of thinking about kicking. It's a great relationship. I really appreciate him for being so open and so welcoming to me.' Despite the competition, Koo does not feel any more pressure that he had in years past. 'It's the same thing,' Koo said. '(When) Week 1 comes, it doesn't really matter what you've done or what you haven't done in the past. It's what matters right there so I just try to get ready for that.' Morris was the secondary coach in 2019 in his first stint with the Falcons when Koo signed with Atlanta. Morris says he still believes in Koo and that confidence makes the veteran the favorite in the preseason competition. 'I am really excited to see Younghoe have a bounce-back year and really excited to watch him come back,' Morris said. 'I've got so much confidence in Younghoe because I started with him.' When he's not serving as the mentor to Krieg, Koo's new role off the field is helping quarterback Michael Penix Jr. learn how to play golf. Penix has been critical of his lack of consistency in his new hobby but Koo says he sees potential in Penix's swing. 'He's got something that you can't teach, which is speed,' Koo said. 'He hits the ball harder than anybody I've seen. The ceiling is very high.' ___ AP NFL:
