Tag: atlanta falcons

Falcons fly ‘top candidate’ Bill Belichick in on private jet

Bill Belichick got the VIP treatment in Atlanta.

The Falcons chartered one of team owner Arthur Blank’s private planes to fly Belichick to Atlanta, where he is set to have a second interview this weekend for their head coaching vacancy, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

Belichick, who agreed to part ways with the Patriots after 24 seasons together on Jan. 11, reportedly had dinner with Blank on Thursday and is Atlanta’s “top candidate” as they continue conversations with the future Hall of Fame coach.

The six-time Super Bowl winner will meet with Falcons CEO Rich McKay and general manager Terry Fontenot sometime this weekend, according to Sports Illustrated, which reported that Belichick is the only candidate the Falcons have interviewed twice.

Belichick, 71, was also the only candidate to interview in person for the head coach job in Atlanta, while the other interviews were conducted virtually, per The Athletic.

Bill Belichick’s final press conference as head coach of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Getty Images

The Falcons have also interviewed Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, Ravens assistant head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

Blank and McKay reportedly are confident the Falcons can win with their current roster but think they need help at quarterback.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank discusses the decision to dismiss head coach Arthur Smith during a news conference Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Atlanta.
AP

CBS NFL insider Josina Anderson reported Thursday that she’s “expecting Belichick to become the Falcons’ next head coach … barring a snag in negotiations or a future development.”

The Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith just hours after the team’s embarrassing 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints in the season finale on Jan. 7.

Smith had a 21-30 record over three seasons with zero playoff appearances.

The next week, Fontenot was named GM, and McKay said he expected him to retain a 50 percent power share in the organization, “depending on the coach,” according to The Athletic.

It’ll be interesting to see what comes out of Belichick’s second meeting with Atlanta.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on in the first half at Gillette Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Getty Images
Bill Belichick’s final press conference as head coach of the New England Patriots with team owner Robert Kraft at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. AP

The 71-year-old coach had complete control over personnel and the roster during his entire 24-year tenure with the Patriots.

The Patriots finished this season at the bottom of the AFC East with a 4-13 record, the franchise’s worst since 1992.

During his end-of-season press conference, Belichick sounded open to considering conceding control over the team’s personnel in Foxborough to focus on head coaching responsibilities.

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Falcons block Giants’ interview with ST coordinator Marquice Williams

The New York Giants’ request to interview Atlanta Falcons assistant Marquice Williams for their special teams coordinator vacancy was blocked by the Falcons, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith on Monday but are reluctant to let some of the assistants go until they figure out what direction they are headed.

Earlier this week, the Falcons reportedly blocked the Giants from interviewing their offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford.

D. Orlando Ledbetter, the veteran Falcons beat reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reported on the stonewalling tactic on Thursday.

Firing the head coach also has hurt the 22-member coaching staff and effectively put them in limbo. Most of the assistants are under contract, and the new coach likely will want to bring in his own staff.

“They are blocking, but they are full of (expletive),” the person said. “They aren’t saying we’re keeping you, either. This is not what you do.”

The fear among the remaining Falcons coaches is that by the time they bring in a new coach, many of the opportunities will have dried up if the incoming coach does not wish to retain them.

The Giants, on the other hand, are still without defensive and special teams coordinators, as well as several other assistant positions.

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Tom Brady hit with $11,000 fine for kicking Falcons’ Grady Jarrett

Tom Brady is being fined for allegedly trying to kick Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett during Tampa Bay’s 21-15 win over Atlanta on Sunday.

CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones confirmed an ESPN report that the NFL is hitting Brady with a $11,139 fine for the kick, the price for a first offense. If he does it again, Brady will be fined another $16,444.

The kick in question came on the same play of the week’s most controversial call. Jarrett sacked Brady but was flagged for roughing the passer, a call that gave the Buccaneers a new set of downs and allowed them to run out the clock to preserve the victory.

The kick by Brady after the play was the second of the day for the QB. The other came in the first quarter, although Brady is not being fined for it.

Grady Jarrett (97) of the Atlanta Falcons sacks Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter Sunday in Tampa.
Getty Images
Tom Brady was fined more than $11,000 for kicking the Falcons’ Grady Jarrett on Sunday.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Kicking opponents isn’t anything new for Brady. The last time he was fined was for kicking Ravens safety Ed Reed during the AFC Championship. That cost him $10,000.

The fine of course is barely a blip for Brady, who has made over $330 million throughout his 23 seasons in the NFL.

Next up for Brady and the Buccaneers are the Steelers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.



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