Falcons’ Mike Smith changing playoff approach

Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith hasn’t exactly been successful in the postseason, despite winning an NFC South title. Now, Smith has done some soul searching and is ready to make some changes.
NFL.com

Peter Konz signs rookie contract with Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with their top draft pick offensive lineman Peter Konz, a league source told the Carroll County Times on Sunday.
NFL.com

Atlanta Falcons top pick Peter Konz adjusting to southern heat

Falcons rookie offensive lineman Peter Konz says he enjoys the 40-degree weather of his native Wisconsin and wants to know if they have air-conditioned helmets to cope with the heat and humidity of northern Georgia.
NFL.com

Roddy White insists former players ‘killing our game’

As yesterday’s NFL players are coming forward to describe the effects of years of violent play, today’s stars face more and more rule changes. Falcons WR Roddy White has had enough.
NFL.com

Falcons release former Pro Bowl fullback Ovie Mughelli

The Atlanta Falcons have released former Pro Bowl
fullback Ovie Mughelli in a move that clears salary cap space and
creates an opening for fifth-round draft pick Bradie Ewing.
NFL.com

Report: Former Atlanta Falcon Jamal Anderson owes $1.1 million

Former Atlanta Falcons’ running back Jamal Anderson reportedly owes $ 1.1 million for not paying his taxes in 2007 and 2008.
NFL.com

Atlanta Falcons’ top draft picks add beef to running game

Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff used his first three picks in the NFL draft to bulk up after the team was stuffed in several short-yardage situations last season.
NFL.com

Atlanta Falcons reportedly get $3M in cap credit for Vick debt

The NFL recently gave the Atlanta Falcons $ 3 million in salary-cap credit, fallout from money owed to the team by former Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, according to a report Monday.
NFL.com

Atlanta Falcons set to hire former Colts GM Chris Polian

The Atlanta Falcons are hiring former Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Polian to work in their personnel department, a knowledgeable source told ProFootballTalk.com on Sunday.
NFL.com

Atlanta Falcons to begin offseason workouts sans Brent Grimes

The Atlanta Falcons begin their voluntary offseason workout program Monday, and they’re expected to do so without cornerback Brett Grimes.
NFL.com

Falcons’ acquisition of Samuel raises more questions

The Falcons are about to have the most expensive cornerback trio in the league. That’s assuming Dunta Robinson sticks around this year, which appears likely.
NFL.com

Asante Samuel traded from Eagles to Falcons, takes 3-year deal

The Philadelphia Eagles traded cornerback Asante Samuel to the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday in exchange for a seventh-round pick in this week’s NFL draft.
NFL.com

Samuel rumor may have pushed Brent Grimes to sign tender

Cornerback Brent Grimes will not be a holdout. The Falcons’ franchise player joined the team on Tuesday when he signed his franchise tender.
NFL.com

Federal concussion lawsuit changes with death of Ray Easterling

The suicide of former Atlanta Falcons safety Ray Easterling will change the nature of the federal concussion-related lawsuit filed in his name. The case will change from a personal-injury suit to a wrongful-death case, his lawyer said.
NFL.com

Thomas Dimitroff won’t hesitate to trade Atlanta Falcons’ picks

The Atlanta Falcons won’t be afraid to move up in this week’s NFL draft despite having just six picks and none in the first round, general manager Thomas Dimitroff told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
NFL.com

Atlanta Falcons pass on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ to focus on game

The Atlanta Falcons will not appear on the next season of HBO’s “Hard Knocks”, league sources told NFL Network’s Albert Breer on Saturday.
NFL.com

Ex-Falcon Ray Easterling dies; part of federal lawsuit

Former Atlanta Falcons safety Ray Easterling has died at the age of 62. Easterling was one seven former players who filed a federal lawsuit in Philadelphia over the league’s handling of concussion-related injuries.
NFL.com

Roddy White expresses remorse for anti-gay tweets

It’s been a rough week for NFL players on Twitter. Falcons WR Roddy White is the latest to step into hot water with anti-gay comments he made online.
NFL.com

Bobby Petrino fired at Arkansas; coached Falcons in 2007

The University of Arkansas fired former Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino on Tuesday after he lied about his relationship with a 25-year-old female employee of the football program.
NFL.com

Bobby Petrino won’t find safe harbor in NFL

Bobby Petrino needs a job, but he shouldn’t expect to land with an NFL team, a la Jim Tressel. That’s what happens when coaches burn bridges, as Petrino did in Atlanta in 2007.
NFL.com

Falcons hope Abraham will have help rushing QB in ‘12

John Abraham had 9.5 of the Falcons’ 33 sacks in 2011. Atlanta brought back the veteran DE on a three-year deal, and Mike Smith hopes Abraham will see teammates pitch in on the pass rush.
NFL.com

Ex-Falcons coach Petrino hospitalized, stable after crash

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino veered off a two-lane highway and crashed his motorcycle over the weekend, sending him to a hospital and leaving him in what his family described only as “stable condition.” He is expected to make a full recovery.
NFL.com

Falcons owner: Ryan has qualities of a business CEO

Matt Ryan has helped guide the Falcons to four consecutive winning seasons to start his career, and team owner Arthur Blank says his signal-caller has the leadership skills to be a business CEO.
NFL.com

Ex-Falcons RB jailed for alleged failure to pay child support

Former Atlanta Falcons great William Andrews is in jail in Cobb County, Ga., after being arrested Thursday for allegedly failing to pay child support.
NFL.com

Falcons Smith says LB Weatherspoon can fill gap left by Lofton

The Atlanta Falcons currently have a hole to fill not just at middle linebacker, but they also have to replace an important voice inside the defensive huddle now that Curtis Lofton left to join the New Orleans Saints.
NFL.com

Falcons owner pleased with NFL’s discipline of Saints

Falcons owner Arthur Blank believes the integrity of the league cannot not be threatened. The Saints did that with the “bounty” system, and Blank believes the heavy punishment is deserved.
NFL.com

Lofton says Saints have ‘us vs. them’ mentality

As the after effects of the “bounty” investigation throttle the Saints, some players have headed toward greener pastures. New Saints LB Curtis Lofton isn’t one of them, and on Monday he explained why.
NFL.com

Saints agree to five-year deal with ex-Falcons LB Lofton

One of the Falcons’ most dependable players on defense has agreed to join a division rival. Linebacker Curtis Lofton will join the Saints on a five-year deal, the team announced Saturday.
NFL.com

Falcons, DE Abraham agree to terms on three-year contract

The Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms Friday on a three-year deal with John Abraham, the team’s top pass rusher and a key part of the defense last season.
NFL.com

Ex-Jaguars G Manuwai signs with Falcons, reunites with Koetter

The Atlanta Falcons have signed
offensive guard Vince Manuwai, reuniting him with his former
offensive coordinator.
NFL.com

White: Saints’ bounty was ‘unsuccessful’ if tried vs. Falcons

Falcons wide receiver Roddy White faces the Saints — his NFC South arch-rival — twice a season, but he said the alleged bounties issued by players and coaches to try and injure opponents don’t bother him.
NFL.com

Falcons agree to terms on deal with starting safety DeCoud

The Atlanta Falcons continued to solidify their secondary when they announced that they have agreed to terms on a new contract with starting safety Thomas DeCoud.
NFL.com

Grimes franchised by Falcons, but CB not ready to sign

The Atlanta Falcons have placed the franchise tag on cornerback Brent Grimes, the team announced Friday.
NFL.com

Falcons, Abraham’s agent to discuss contract this weekend

Rick Rosa, the agent for Atlanta defensive end John Abraham believes his client will become a free agent next month, but that hasn’t prevented him from continuing talks with the Falcons during the NFL Scouting Combine.
NFL.com

Falcons ‘wasting no time’ to lock up CB Grimes long-term

Re-signing cornerback Brent Grimes is one of the Atlanta Falcons’ top priorities this offseason, one that they’re wasting no time aggressively pursuing.
NFL.com

Caldwell, Polk move up in Falcons’ plans after Snead departure

The Atlanta Falcons filled the void left by Les Snead’s departure to St. Louis, promoting Dave Caldwell to director of player personnel and DeJuan Polk to director of pro
scouting.
NFL.com

Agent: Talks point to Falcons’ Abraham becoming free agent

Rich Rosa, the agent for Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham, said Wednesday that he believes the team will let his client become a free agent.
NFL.com

Did new UCLA coach Mora take swipe at Falcons?

New UCLA coach Jim Mora is proud of the recruiting roots he was able to plant in Atlanta during his three-year run as coach of the Falcons. He’s also quick to remind us the Falcons haven’t won a playoff game since he was fired.
NFL.com

Snead accepts Rams’ GM post, ending team’s long search

Atlanta Falcons director of player personnel Les Snead has accepted an offer to become the next general manager of the St. Louis Rams.
NFL.com

‘Retired’ Dolphins LB Crowder interested in playing for Falcons

Retired Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that he would “love to play in Atlanta,” adding that “(Falcons defensive coordinator Mike) Nolan is my guy.”
NFL.com

Falcons TE Gonzalez says next season likely will be his last

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez said Thursday that he will likely retire after next season in a Facebook video chat with fans hosted by ESPN.
NFL.com

Falcons hire Danna to coach secondary, make Thomas QB coach

Falcons coach Mike Smith has put the final touches on his staff by hiring defensive backs coach Joe Danna from the Dolphins and promoting Glenn Thomas to quarterbacks coach.
NFL.com

Falcons hire former Fresno State coach to lead O-line

Former Fresno State coach Pat Hill has agreed to become the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive line coach, the team announced in a release.
NFL.com

Falcons fire DBs coach Reynolds after four seasons

The Atlanta Falcons have made another change on their coaching staff, firing defensive backs coach Alvin Reynolds.
NFL.com

SNB LATEST NEWS UPDATES

• Jets, Quinton Coples agree to four-year deal
• Claiborne gunning for mid-June return in Dallas
• Appeals in Saints’ ‘bounty’ case to be heard
• Saints’ Vilma: What will haters say when I win appeal?
• Will the Saints embrace ‘Us against them’ mentality?
• Cowboys, Raiders, Tebow fans rated ‘most delusional’
• Jonathan Vilma sues Roger Goodell for ‘false’ statements
• Ed Reed quickly backs off initial hint at retirement
• Wes Welker says contract talks are getting worse
• No charges for Brandon Marshall in New York nightclub incident
• Ahman Green plots NFL return at age 35
• Saints’ Vilma files defamation suit vs. Goodell
• Bucks forward Jon Brockman loves wearing adult onesies (Ball Don’t Lie)
• Cavaliers’ Irving named NBA’s rookie of the year (Reuters)
• Kevin Durant rallies Thunder by Lakers with defense and a clutch shot (Yahoo! Sports)
• Paul Pierce says there is ‘nothing wrong’ with his knee, but it sure doesn’t look that way (Ball Don’t Lie)
• Coaches, owners have new voice in suggesting changes (AFP)
• Can the Chicago Bears Stay Healthy? Fan’s Look (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
• Paul Pierce dunks early, attacks often to set pace in Celtics’ Game 3 win (VIDEOS) (Ball Don’t Lie)
• The New York Knicks? Gone till November (Ball Don’t Lie)
• Colangelo thankful for more time to pick US Olympians (AFP)
• AP Source: Bobcats interviewing Ewing Thursday (The Associated Press)
• Report: Bobcats to interview Ewing (The SportsXchange)
• Harrington undergoes surgery on right knee (The Associated Press)
• NBA players set to lead Brazil’s Olympic team (The Associated Press)
• Mavericks Keep Title Hopes Alive with Rick Carlisle Signing: Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
• NBA appoints new Competition Committee (The Associated Press)
• Kobe Bryant’s late mistakes doom Lakers in their Game 2 loss to Thunder (Yahoo! Sports)
• The Spurs’ 15-game winning streak: A look inside the numbers (Ball Don’t Lie)
• James Harden elbows Metta World Peace in the face on the sneak tip (VIDEO) (Ball Don’t Lie)
• Andrew Bynum after 9-0 Thunder run beats Lakers: ‘We’re better than Santa Claus’ (Ball Don’t Lie)
• Lakers Blow Golden Opportunity: Fan Reaction (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
• Did Panthers find their Superman on defense?
• Kuchar suggests shot clock to curb slow play
• Jays’ Lawrie banned 4 games; plans to appeal
• Devils rebound, edge Rangers to tie series at 1
• Boston Celtics Finally Come Together on Offense and Take Series Lead Against 76ers: A Fan’s Reaction (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
• Titans’ Kenny Britt to undergo knee surgery
• With weight off, Josh Freeman still carries heavy expectations
• Fullback Owen Schmitt signs with Oakland Raiders
• Fullback Ovie Mughelli to visit with Miami Dolphins
• Matthew Stafford says Lions better in 2012
• Stephon Gilmore signs with Bills
• Injured McClure to miss second race
• Coach Rick Carlisle agrees to new deal with Mavs (The Associated Press)
• Pressure is on Matt Cassel to lead Chiefs back to playoffs
• Elway: Hillman brings Sproles-like threat to Broncos
• Report: Browns think Phil Taylor will return in 2012
• Thunder rally late to edge Lakers, lead 2-0
• Miami Heat Prepare for Crucial Game 3 Against Pacers: Fan Preview (Yahoo! Contributor Network)