As members of the Falcons' social justice committee, Matt Ryan and Ricardo Allen have made efforts to help better the Atlanta community and tackle some of the bigger problems surrounding race and other social issues. While their paths to the NFL were very different – Ryan the No. 3 overall pick in 2008 and Allen a fifth-round pick who initially was placed on the practice squad – they've both developed into captains on the field and leaders off of it.
Throughout the years, Ryan and Allen's relationship has developed. That growth has also included conversations about race and some of the issues that Allen has experienced first-hand – issues that have now compelled Ryan to get involved. In an in-depth piece for The New York Times, Ken Belson detailed the growth of the relationship between the two Falcons captains and how they’ve sought to make an impact.
"During their seven years together, Allen and Ryan have obsessed over the minutiae of their sport," Belson writes. "Before every game, Ryan stops at Allen's locker for a pregame pep talk. After practice, they chat about parenthood in the hot or cold tub. In the off-season, the pair organizes workouts in Florida for veteran players. Only occasionally did they discuss tougher topics like race relations and police brutality.
"In the past three years, though, Allen and other Black teammates began speaking out publicly against police brutality. Few white teammates joined them, including Ryan, who said he didn't have the vocabulary to speak up and said his support 'was always in the background.'
"That changed for Ryan this summer when the Falcons held virtual meetings about Floyd's killing. Hearing players, including Allen, describe instances of being racially profiled by police, Ryan recognized he could no longer sit idly by."
Falcons preparing a master plan for Taysom Hill
One of the key differences between the Falcons' first meeting with the Saints just two weeks ago and their upcoming rematch is that Atlanta has a much better notion of the quarterback it will be facing. Taysom Hill's first game as a starter came against the Falcons in Week 11, and he looked much sharper than many expected.
The Falcons remain steadfast that they will be prepared for any possible situation, but it helps having at least two games to study with Hill as the main quarterback for the Saints. As D. Orlando Ledbetter writes for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta will have a plan in place for Hill.
"This time going into it preparing, Taysom has played two games now and played really well," Raheem Morris said Wednesday. "He's 2-0 as a starter. He's done a good job going out there and executing their offense. Like I told you, when they beat us, they were able to dictate terms. He was able to do the same thing this weekend versus the Broncos, so we have to go out and change the narrative and do the things that are good for us. As a coaching staff, we're put together a game plan yesterday. Feel good about it moving forward and let's go practice."
NFL's best origin story belongs to Younghoe Koo
Younghoe Koo is on a tear in 2020. He is coming off of a game in which he made five field goals, including one from 54 yards out, and all four of his extra-point opportunities. Koo is currently the leader among all kickers in field goals made, total points and field goal percentage, and he looks to be the kicker of the future for Atlanta.
Koo's journey to the Falcons as the successor of team's all-time leading scorer, Matt Bryant, is quite the story, which Nick Toney detailed for NFL.com. Koo is one of just four Korean-American players in NFL history, and his long road to the league began back in Seoul.
"There's a lot to unpack here," Toney writes. "In summary: Koo went from Korea to Georgia, then shot a viral kicking video that got him to California and back to Georgia in time to lead all pro kickers in made field goals (29), total points (109), and field goal percentage (96.7%) in 2020.
"An even quicker summary goes like this: There might be equally improbable NFL journeys out there, but there aren't any better than Younghoe Koo's."
Falcons defense putting it all together
While the offense has largely defined the Falcons during the Matt Ryan Era, it's the defense that has begun to win games of late. Often maligned through the years, Atlanta's defense is now receiving praise and attention. ESPN writer Paul Gutierrez wrote about how well the Falcons’ defense played on Sunday against the Raiders, a major factor in the team's decisive victory.
"I feel like everybody has taken notice," defensive lineman Jacob Tuioti-Mariner said after the game. "The defense has taken a step forward these past couple weeks. It is a good feeling. We all trust each other with our jobs. It is just a good feeling to be out there and flying around with each other."
We're now seeing the Falcons we expected
Part of the reason Sunday's game was so noteworthy for the Falcons is because there were those who expected it to be a much more common occurrence in 2020. That there have now been two such games under Raheem Morris is a good sign for the team's interim head coach, and it showed the potential that Atlanta still has. In one of his few positive columns of the season, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Mark Bradley praised the Falcons for their play Sunday.
"The Falcons stopped themselves from having a realistic chance to do anything of significance this season," Bradley writes. "They showed Sunday what can happen if they keep the pressure on an opponent and step aside as that opponent falls to pieces. They made a decent Raiders team look downright indecent. Even as the lead was mounting and we were starting to make jokes about how even the Falcons mightn't be able to blow this game, they kept building on it. They built until Jon Gruden took pity on his addled quarterback and pulled Carr with 10 minutes remaining."
More headlines for Falcons fans
- AtlantaFalcons.com: Tuioti-Mariner named NFC Defensive Player of Week
- AtlantaFalcons.com: Matt Ryan discusses rematch with Saints
- AtlantaFalcons.com: Falcons 10 best defensive plays vs. Raiders
- AtlantaFalcons.com: What’s changed with the Saints
- ESPN: Raheem Morris showing he’s a serious candidate
- PFF.com: Falcons-Raiders ReFocused
- AJC.com: Falcons brace for rematch with vaunted Saints
- AJC.com: Foye Oluokun keeps focus n forcing turnovers
- AJC.com: This we know: NFL won’t cancel anything
From the Equal Justice Initiative to Operation Underground Railroad, Atlanta Falcons players are supporting causes important to them in Week 13. More than half of the Falcons roster will wear specially designed cleats against the New Orleans Saints to raise awareness.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen #37 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Equal Justice Initiative.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen #37 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Equal Justice Initiative.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen #37 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Equal Justice Initiative.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen #37 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Equal Justice Initiative.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst #81 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention/Hayden Hurst Family Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst #81 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention/Hayden Hurst Family Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst #81 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention/Hayden Hurst Family Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst #81 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention/Hayden Hurst Family Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst #81 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention/Hayden Hurst Family Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst #81 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention/Hayden Hurst Family Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst #81 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention/Hayden Hurst Family Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst #81 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention/Hayden Hurst Family Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst #81 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention/Hayden Hurst Family Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst #81 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention/Hayden Hurst Family Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst #81 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention/Hayden Hurst Family Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons punter Sterling Hofrichter #4 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Uplifting Athletes.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons punter Sterling Hofrichter #4 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Uplifting Athletes.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons punter Sterling Hofrichter #4 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Uplifting Athletes.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun #54 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Lift for Life Academy.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun #54 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Lift for Life Academy.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun #54 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Lift for Life Academy.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun #54 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Lift for Life Academy.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for #EndSARS.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for #EndSARS.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for #EndSARS.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for #EndSARS.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for March of Dimes/NICU Babies.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for March of Dimes/NICU Babies.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for March of Dimes/NICU Babies.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for March of Dimes/NICU Babies.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for March of Dimes/NICU Babies.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for March of Dimes/NICU Babies.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for March of Dimes/NICU Babies.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for March of Dimes/NICU Babies.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for March of Dimes/NICU Babies.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Cominsky #50 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Operation Underground Railroad.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Cominsky #50 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Operation Underground Railroad.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Cominsky #50 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Operation Underground Railroad.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons tight end Jaeden Graham #87 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons tight end Jaeden Graham #87 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons tight end Jaeden Graham #87 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons tight end Jaeden Graham #87 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Set the Expectation.
Portraits from the MY CAUSE, MY CLEATS shoot at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday November 30, 2020. (Photo by Dakota Williams/Atlanta Falcons)
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Set the Expectation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Jared Pinkney #89 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Set the Expectation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Jared Pinkney #89 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Set the Expectation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Jared Pinkney #89 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Set the Expectation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Jared Pinkney #89 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Set the Expectation.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Partnership Against Domestic Violence.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Partnership Against Domestic Violence.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Partnership Against Domestic Violence.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Partnership Against Domestic Violence.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Partnership Against Domestic Violence.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Partnership Against Domestic Violence.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Black Lives Matter.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Black Lives Matter.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Grady Health Foundation/Grady Gives/Hughes Spaulding Children's Hospital.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Grady Health Foundation/Grady Gives/Hughes Spaulding Children's Hospital.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Grady Health Foundation/Grady Gives/Hughes Spaulding Children's Hospital.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Grady Health Foundation/Grady Gives/Hughes Spaulding Children's Hospital.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Grady Health Foundation/Grady Gives/Hughes Spaulding Children's Hospital.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Grady Health Foundation/Grady Gives/Hughes Spaulding Children's Hospital.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Grady Health Foundation/Grady Gives/Hughes Spaulding Children's Hospital.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Deadrin Senat #94 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Black Lives Matter.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Deadrin Senat #94 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Black Lives Matter.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Deadrin Senat #94 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Black Lives Matter.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Autism Speaks.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Autism Speaks.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Autism Speaks.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Autism Speaks.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Autism Speaks.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Autism Speaks.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 for the 2020 My Cause, My Cleats campaign raising awareness for Autism Speaks.
