Richie Grant recalls the week that changed his life's trajectory | Falcons in Focus Podcast

Join Derek Rackley, Dave Archer, & D.J. Shockley as they react and share their thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons 2024 draft class.

Tori, Derek and Terrin discuss the Falcons' selection of QB Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick overall in 2024 NFL Draft.

Former Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan joins Wes Durham and Dave Archer to take a look back through some of the moments that created the legacy of #2 in his career with the Atlanta Falcons.

Derek, Dave and D.J. discuss who they think the Atlanta Falcons may target in the 2024 NFL Draft, as well as talk position groups they believe the Falcons should consider.

Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Kirk Cousins joins Terrin Waack and Tori McElhaney to discuss his years in the NFL, making the move to Atlanta, and being your own critic.

Tori, Dave, and D.J. discuss the moves so far in Atlanta Falcons' Free Agency and how these roster additions help set the Atlanta Falcons up for success.

Tori McElhaney and Dave Archer discuss Atlanta Falcons' Free Agency, as well as breaking news on Rondale Moore. The Falcons agreed to terms on a trade of quarterback Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore, pending physicals.

Tori McElhaney, Terrin Waack and Amna Subhan take a look back at Raheem Morris' first (public) day as the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. They discuss what was -- and wasn't -- said at Morris' introductory press conference, and they also take a look ahead at what's next for the Falcons.

Derek, Dave and D.J. dive into Raheem Morris' first press conference, discuss the Zac Robinson and Jimmy Lake hires, and talk all things Atlanta Falcons football.

Scott Bair, Tori McElhaney and Terrin Waack discuss the news of Raheem Morris becoming the 19th head coach in Falcons history. They talk Morris' background, his previous years in Atlanta and what brought the Falcons to this decision. Also on the docket: Falcons announce changes to the organizational structure with owner Arthur Blank, Morris, general manager Terry Fontenot and team CEO Rich McKay.

Scott Bair, Tori McElhaney and Terrin Waack discuss the news of Raheem Morris becoming the 19th head coach in Falcons history. They talk Morris' background, his previous years in Atlanta and what brought the Falcons to this decision. Also on the docket: Falcons announce changes to the organizational structure with owner Arthur Blank, Morris, general manager Terry Fontenot and team CEO Rich McKay.

Scott Bair, Tori McElhaney and Terrin Waack discuss a 2023 Falcons campaign that ended with the team parting ways with head coach Arthur Smith. They break down the reasons for that dismissal and what owner Arthur Blank and team CEO Rich McKay said about it, plus a look ahead to what's important during the coaching search and why this offseason is as important as any in recent memory.

Derek, Dave, and DJ discuss Arthur Smith's departure as Atlanta Falcons head coach, reflect on the 2023 season, talk NFL draft and opponents, and what is next for the Falcons in 2024.

Falcons tight end MyCole Pruitt joins Scott Bair and Tori McElhaney to discuss the origin of his unique name, his strong bond with his mother, being pushed by his sister (who is a fitness trainer and his unusual road traveled from high school to Southern Illinois to his multiple NFL stops before finding a home in Atlanta.

D.J. Shockley and Dave Archer talk all things Atlanta Falcons, breakdown the Chicago Bears matchup and what is ahead vs the New Orleans Saints.

Scott Bair and Tori McElhaney discuss a difficult, all-three-phases loss to the Bears and why it showed the inconsistencies that have plagued the Falcons all season long. They also take a close look at the state of the quarterback position, including Taylor Heinicke, Desmond Ridder and possible changes coming this offseason. Scott and Tori wrap things up by detailing how the Falcons can still emerge with an NFC South title despite finishing with a losing record.

Timestamps

(00:00:10): Intro, why the Falcons got beat handily in snowy Chicago

(00:05:16): Inconsistency, turnovers define Falcons season

(00:07:58): Taylor Heinicke, Desmond Ridder and QB inconsistencies over three-year span

(00:14:25): Why quarterback position will define Falcons offseason

(00:17:33): How Falcons can still win NFC South despite Bears loss

Falcons rookie cornerback Clark Phillips III joins Scott Bair and Tori McElhaney to discuss the unbreakable bond with his brother (also a cornerback), growing up in a church his family founded and the source of his confidence on the field. He also talks about his choice to attend Utah over Ohio State and how he got super into roller skating.

Derek, Dave, and DJ discuss Taylor Heinicke's performance as the starting quarterback in the Falcons vs. Colts game and shine a spotlight on exceptional players, highlight the keys to a Falcons victory against the Bears in week 17, the stakes, and the State of the NFC South. Bringing it all together with NFL Christmas memories!

Terrin Waack, Tori McElhaney and Scott Bair break down the best Falcons performance of the season, a 29-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. They break down Taylor Heinicke's standout performance and why the Falcons were able to put together a clean, four-quarter game with contributions from every phase of the game. Amna Subhan also joins the podcast to discuss how the Falcons defense was able to control the game up front and how Jessie Bates has become such a valuable player

Timestamps

(00:00:10): Intro, why Falcons performance felt so complete

(00:03:55): Is this potential realizing performance too little, too late?

(00:06:53): How the Falcons were able to generate so much QB pressure

(00:15:37): How Taylor Heinicke set the tone for this Falcons win

(00:20:24): What comes next vs. Chicago and New Orleans; and why Falcons fans should root against Tampa Bay

Derek, Dave, and DJ breakdown the Falcons vs. Panthers week 15 matchup, discussing the errors that cost the Atlanta Falcons this game and how to avoid making the same mistakes in the future. Derek, Dave, and DJ also pinpoint the keys to a Falcons victory against the Colts in week 16.

Tori McElhaney, Terrin Waack and Scott Bair detail what went wrong in a rain-soaked loss to the Carolina Panthers, a game where the Falcons didn't give up a touchdown yet still came up on the wrong end of the result. They discuss how that happened and what this development means for their playoff chase and their evaluation of Desmond Ridder and the long-term quarterback situation, in addition to some parallels between what happened last year at Carolina and what happened on Sunday.

Timestamps

(00:00:10): Intro, chronic issues show up against Panthers

(00:06:28): Why Falcons defense continues to struggle late in games

(00:11:00): Parallels between this loss at Carolina and what happened last year

(00:15:20): What caused a change in outlook over the course of eight days

(00:16:40): Desmond Ridder's critical INT; what his turnovers mean in QB1 evaluation

(00:21:34): Putting this loss in the context of the NFC South

Falcons legend Tim Dwight joins Scott Bair and Tori McElhaney to talk NFC championship vs the Minnesota Vikings, the 1998 season, and what makes Atlanta special.

New Falcons receiver Van Jefferson joins Scott Bair and Terrin Waack to discuss a wild Super Bowl experience with the Rams, where his wife went into labor in the middle of the game. He also breaks down what it was like growing up while his father Shawn Jefferson played receiver in the NFL and then was a position coach in the league, plus the impact of having a dad who played the same position.

Derek, Dave, and DJ break down the Falcons vs. Buccaneers week 14 matchup and discuss how the Falcons weathered the injury storm with the "next man up" mentality, identify the keys to victory against the Panthers in week 15, and discuss the beauty of playing in the National Football League.

Scott Bair, Terrin Waack, Tori McElhaney break down why the Falcons loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14 was such a big deal within the context of the NFC South title chase. They explain why this loss falls on offense, defense and special teams, and why missed opportunities are becoming too common this season. Special guest Amna Subhan stops by to discuss why the Falcons depth is being tested before the crew discusses the response required after the Falcons lost a game they really wanted to win.

Timestamps

(00:00:00): Intro, why Bucs loss was a three-phase defeat

(00:05:45): Why NFC South gets jumbled up and remains wide open

(00:07:30): Younghoe Koo takes blame for Falcons loss

(00:11:45): Falcons depth being tested by injury issues

(00:16:00): Why this counts as a missed opportunity, maybe more

(00:23:21): How Falcons must respond after big defeat