Latest news with #Falcons
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Business
- USA Today
Rams GM Les Snead had 3 words to say about rooting against the Falcons for a better draft pick
The Los Angeles Rams will be hoping for two things in 2025: That they do well and that the Atlanta Falcons do poorly. That's because L.A. owns Atlanta's first-round pick in 2026 after they traded out of the first round this past season. The Falcons took edge rusher James Pearce with the Rams' No. 26 pick, while the Rams took tight end Terrance Ferguson with the Falcons' No. 46 pick. The bittersweet part of all this is that former Rams' defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is the head coach of the Falcons. That isn't lost on Rams general manager Les Snead, but he told the "NFL Daily" podcast this week that "business is business" when it comes to rooting against other teams when you have their draft pick. The Rams can go in a few directions with their two first-rounders in 2026. They could keep both and make two selections in the first round, trade one or both to move up in the first round (perhaps to take Arch Manning if he declares) or even trade one or both picks away before the draft for veterans that can help their 2025 plans. The world is the Rams' oyster, but a worse season from the Falcons will help the Rams' draft pick as well as their push for playoff contention in 2025.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Congratulations Pouring In For NFL Legend Michael Vick
Congratulations Pouring In For NFL Legend Michael Vick originally appeared on The Spun. It's the start of a new era for legendary NFL QB Michael Vick. After changing the game with his dynamic running ability and opening the door for players like Lamar Jackson to thrive, the former Falcons/Eagles quarterback is continuing his redemption arc by going back to school — only this time as a coach. Back in December, the four-time Pro Bowler was named the head football coach at HBCU Norfolk State — a 40 minute drive from his hometown of Newport News. Taking to social media on Monday, Vick shared a portrait in his new team colors with the caption: "Year 1." Fans were hyped in the comments. "Let's go! Chess not checkers!!!" Cynthia Frelund replied. "Crazy how this played out," a user said. "I still remember sitting at the lunch table discussing your rookie year when I was young." "Lets Go Vick!!!" ex-wideout Jacquez Green exclaimed. "Best of luck to you this season Coach Vick🫶🏽" a fan posted. "I will be at Norfolk homecoming this year. 100%" an alum commented. "We all rooting for you 🫡" a student saluted. "Go Be Great. 🐐" "I'm so happy for him🥹" another person shared. Vick retired from pro football in 2017 where he continued his advocacy against the animal cruelty that derailed the prime of his career and served as an analyst for FOX Sports. He also interned with Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs later that year where he was able to see the team at the beginning stages of its dynasty. "A prestigious HBCU with a rich athletics history, NSU provides a tremendous environment for students to reach their full potential on the field and just as importantly, in the classroom," Vick said after taking the job at Norfolk. "I am honored to join the Norfolk State family." Best of luck to Mike in his first stint as a head coach!Congratulations Pouring In For NFL Legend Michael Vick first appeared on The Spun on Jul 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Washington Post
a day ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Eddie Goldman is here reconnect with mumbo sauce and stop the run
This wasn't necessarily Eddie Goldman's goal, but his mother calls it full circle: It would be impossible for either of them to forget about the pictures of Goldman as a boy wearing Washington's football jersey. 'I don't look at the baby pictures too much, but I could tell you I was a die-hard fan,' Goldman said. 'When we played the Cowboys, my heart would be racing.' The goal, really, was just to get to the NFL. It didn't matter where. Goldman completed that in 2015, when he was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round. Now, the 31-year-old defensive tackle is living out his childhood dream wearing a Washington helmet as he takes the field at training camp. Goldman signed with the Commanders this offseason to add an experienced presence to the defensive line. Goldman grew up in Washington's Trinidad neighborhood, attended Friendship Collegiate Academy, a charter school in Southeast, and received more than 50 scholarship offers. He was a first-team All-Met pick (as an offensive lineman) and was rated as a five-star recruit. He picked Florida State and later played six seasons with the Bears. But Goldman's career has been jagged this decade. Goldman opted out of the 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic and played 14 games in 2021. He signed with the Falcons ahead of the 2022 season but retired 13 days later; he did not say why. He came back to the Falcons and practiced during the offseason before leaving the team again in July 2023. Last year he relaunched his career with the Falcons and played in all 17 games. Why did Goldman come back? He couldn't stand watching NFL games from afar. He realized he still wanted to play. While in his short-lived retirement, Goldman said he played with his two Rottweilers, Kane and Nala, on Sundays. It was something to avoid seeing games. But when he peeked over at his TV, he missed football. 'I found myself at home watching the season go by, and I'm thinking about what I would be doing at this moment,' Goldman said. ' … I just couldn't stay away from it too long.' One strong season was enough to convince Washington that Goldman could contribute. So here he is, trying to do so for his hometown team. Goldman is frequently asked what it's like to be home, and he says it's 'surreal.' Goldman hasn't lived in the area since he was in high school. When he returned this spring, his mother, Sharon Davis, said he noticed many changes around the city from what he remembered as a kid. 'I know he missed some of the food that he couldn't get wherever he plays,' Davis said. Goldman was particularly excited about a reunion with mumbo sauce, she said. Quinn expects him to be a relied-upon part of the rotation, especially for his ability to stop the run. The Commanders allowed the third-most rushing yards in the NFL last year, not including the 229 they gave up in the NFC championship game loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Commanders released defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and saw Dante Fowler Jr., who led the team in sacks last season, go to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency. In addition to Goldman, Washington brought in Javon Kinlaw and Deatrich Wise Jr. to sure up its line. Goldman, Kinlaw, Daron Payne and Carl Davis, who the team resigned, each weigh more than 300 pounds. The Commanders list Goldman at 332 pounds and hope more mass can help them compete against rugged teams such as the Eagles. Payne will play inside along with Goldman and second-year defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, who led all Commanders defensive linemen in tackles as a rookie. In training camp, Goldman has played mostly with the first- and second-team defensive lines. Quinn believes the team has several options on the line, which allows flexibility with Goldman's role. 'In the first six practices here: Square, strong, really committed that way in the run game,' Quinn said. 'That was our vision, him coming here to add things to the defense on the early downs. As we're getting started, we've only had one padded practice, but I've been impressed by what I've seen.'
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former standout Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts already shining with the Atlanta Falcons
Former Notre Dame star safety Xavier Watts is already making a name for himself in the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons rookie has already been given a nickname by teammates and fellow rookies Cobee Bryant and Billy Bowman Jr.: the X Factor. Watts was selected in the third round with the 96th overall pick by the Falcons in this past spring's NFL Draft. The 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner was the second Notre Dame player drafted in two years by the Falcons (JD Bertrand) and the 13th Irish player all-time to be drafted by Atlanta. During his time in South Bend, Watts had 13 interceptions, which were the most by a Notre Dame player since 1996. There is a lot of intrigue surrounding Watts in his first pro camp because he was considered one of the steals of the draft. Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is already giving Watts reps with the first-team defense, and All-Pro teammate Jessie Bates III has already called Watts "a hell of a football player." A standout rookie season could be on the horizon for the Golden Domer. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions. Follow Dave on X: Miller_Dave
Indian Express
a day ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Magnus Carlsen praises Nihal Sarin: ‘Saw how incredibly good he is with very little time on clock'
World No. 1 chess player and five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen will be in action at the ongoing Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, representing Team Liquid. Ahead of the event, Carlsen spoke about the unique time format (10 minutes with no increment), which creates additional pressure with no increment, unlike the many rapid and blitz events played online. Carlsen said his mouse speed is slow, and if he runs into someone like young Indian Nihal Sarin, it might turn into a dangerous match-up. 'I only played the two qualifier events to get here with this time control, but for me, it worked out okay. My mouse speed is not necessarily the best, but I play fast and well enough that it doesn't usually bother me,' said Carlsen to Chessbase India ahead of the Esports World Cup. 'We will see, however, you could run into really dangerous matchups here. For instance, we saw in the qualifier how incredibly good Nihal (Sarin) is with very little time on the clock. There could be certain players like him and Alireza (Firouzja); I think, especially if they have a good event, they can use that mouse speed to their advantage,' he said. Speed demon, Nihal carries a moniker for being one of the best players when it comes to speed chess. 'But overall, it is entertainment, but it's also esports, and therefore, motor skills should matter a little bit more in over-the-board play. I generally like events that are unforgiving in terms of time control, where time management actually is an important part of the game. So overall, it may make the players uncomfortable at times, but that's part of the game, and overall, I like it.' Speaking on the players he should be wary of in the 16-player event, Carlsen said: 'I think the Falcons players, Hikaru and Alireza, are on paper the most dangerous. Hikaru is probably quite clearly the most consistent among the others. But there are many players who could make a dent. I would say practically all the players here have some sort of chance to make a deep run. There really isn't that much in between them. I might have personal preferences about whom I would like to play, but if you talk to one of the other top players, they might be different. So, it's a really stacked field, and everybody's very strong.' Nihal and Arjun Erigaisi are the two Indians who will feature in the EWC 2025.
