Falcoholinks: All the Falcons news you need for Friday, Dec. 7

The battle for five wins continues into Week 14. Man that feels strange to say. It is what it is, and the Atlanta Falcons are set to take on the Green Bay Packers in frigid weather so the traveling fans can feel their noses begin to freeze off while potentially witnessing another loss. Great stuff.

It’s the never-ending winter of a season, so it’s perfectly poetic that the Falcons are heading to Green Bay on Sunday. Here’s Falcoholinks for Friday.

A leadership vacuum to blame

2018 has been packed with pitfalls for the Atlanta Falcons, but according to Jeff Schultz of The Athletic, this dark timeline of a year began before the initial kickoff in Philadelphia. In Schultz’s eyes, a lack of leadership when building the current roster is a prime reason a number of Falcons have regressed, and the energy level on the field has seen a visible drop.

That all starts and stops with Thomas Dimitroff and Dan Quinn.

Vic Beasley has been a shell of his 2016 self since the departure of Dwight Freeney, and Takkarist McKinley has experienced a drop-off since the Falcons allowed Adrian Clayborn to walk. At the end of the day, the initial roster construction was the deficiency, Schultz argues.

Deion the Communicator

We wondered if Deion Jones would actually see the field again in 2018, but he made his triumphant return against the Ravens. The result wasn’t what we would’ve hoped, but DC Marquand Manuel elaborated a bit on what Deion brings to the field — specifically in terms of communication.

First DQ, Now Julio

Coach Quinn was as honest as we’ve seen him in yesterday’s press conference, and Julio Jones followed suit with his comments today. Playing for pride? Nah. Julio wants the Falcons to “whoop somebody’s ass.” Appreciate the honesty, Julio.

Julio Jones sat out of Thursday’s practice due to a foot issue, but all signs point to him ready to fulfill that proclamation against the Packers on Sunday.

Congratulations, Grady

Grady Jarrett is the key cog on the defensive line. He was the steal of the 2015 NFL Draft, and he’s been nothing but phenomenal for the Falcons since he joined the team. His exploits on the football field are well-documented, but his commitments away from it are just as — if not more — important.

It was announced yesterday that Grady Jarrett is the Falcons’ nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and it would be superb if he took home the top honor in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Jeanna on FOX 5

According to the voters she was not bossed on The Falcoholic Crossfire Podcast, and Jeanna carried her win into her segment on this week’s edition of FOX 5’s ‘Thursday Night Kickoff’. For Week 14 she wanted to know what makes Matt Ryan better than Aaron Rodgers.

Aaron has a pretty solid mustache so I’ve got some qualms with the first entry, but be sure to watch it below.