Falcoholinks: All the Falcons news you need for Thursday, Dec. 20

Well, the week’s almost out, and Christmas is right around the corner.

The Atlanta Falcons are wrapping up this maelstrom of a season, all for the better of them and us. It’ll be nice to get this debacle behind us, but before we do that, we’ve got links to sort through.

Let us link in to the day’s news, shall we?

Pro Bowl Birds

The Falcons had a handful of players make the 2018 Pro Bowl. Okay, by handful, we mean two. And they’re the usual suspects.

Julio Jones and Alex Mack will represent the team in Orlando in January. You could make sound arguments for guys like Matt Ryan, Grady Jarrett and Jake Matthews, but that’s about it. It’s been a rough year, which doesn’t usually translate to Pro Bowl success.

But the Pro Bowl is stupid, so who cares?

At least Jarrett got the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week honor for his Arizona annihilation.

Carolina Countdown

We’re prepping for the penultimate game of the season with a trip to Carolina to see the Panthers, and we’ve got the rundown of what you need to know beforehand. And here are the odds for how this thing could go.

And, if you didn’t hear, Carolina QB Cam Newton is being shut down for the year with a shoulder injury.

Health, or a Lack Thereof

Well, it looks like Devonta Freeman’s 2018 season was never meant to be.

Dan Quinn confirmed Wednesday the star running back will not return this season. It’s a smart move by the team to keep him sidelined so he’s ready for 2019, and it might be excellent for Freeman’s long-term health that he, essentially, took a year off to rest.

Also, it looks like Julio Jones might miss Sunday’s action with a hip ailment.

CB Desmond Trufant didn’t practice Wednesday, either. It would not be advantageous for the team should either miss, depending on who you talk to. Our tanking battalion rejoices.

Knapptime’s Over

With rumors swirling that Falcons QBs coach Greg Knapp could get considered for the potentially-vacant offensive coordinator job for 2019, Dave Choate writes a spirited argument for why that should not be the case.

It’s hard to stomach that the team isn’t looking further than in their own building and into Quinn’s Seattle past for a new coach, so let’s hope these early reports are just teases for what’s to come in regard to coordinator news.

Breaking Down Bevell

If you’d like some optimism for the potential for Darrell Bevell being hired as the new OC, then check out Adnan Ikic’s breakdown of his stats over the years.

It seems like the better the personnel, the better the Bevell. That’s the case for a lot of coordinators, and indicates he could succeed in Atlanta if the team patches up a few places on the offensive line.

It’s not the worst idea out there, admittedly.

Well, those are the links. Yeah, things aren’t great, but they’re also almost over. Be happy we’re near-done with this fracas, and wish for happier days ahead.

Enjoy the day, friends, and thanks for linking in with us.