Falcoholinks: All the Falcons news you need for Thursday, Nov. 5

The 2020 NFL trade deadline came with no moves by the Atlanta Falcons, but there were certainly waves made. More on that and a preview of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos in Thursday’s edition of Falcoholinks.

Falcons - Broncos on deck

The Falcons are poised to take on the Broncos on Sunday, a matchup of “plucky but lousy teams,” as Falcoholic EIC Dave Choate puts it. It’s the easiest game left on Atlanta’s schedule this season, and while the Broncos do sport a better overall record at 3-4, you should feel confident that the Falcons can work a win at home.

Atlanta had three players held out of yesterday’s practice — wide receiver Calvin Ridley among them — so we’ll keep an eye on their status for Sunday. One of them definitely will not play, and we’ll get to that momentarily.

While we look forward to Sunday’s tilt, we look backward a bit to reminisce on our favorite Falcons memories in previous Broncos games.

Takk goes rogue

Takkarist McKinley has made vague allusions to his displeasure with the Atlanta Falcons franchise for awhile now, but yesterday he made his clearest statements yet on Twitter.

Takk called out the team by tweeting that he requested a trade in 2019 and the Falcons turned down a second-round pick for him. Interim head coach Raheem Morris said that McKinley “will be held accountable” for his actions, and he’s already been declared out for Sunday.

The HC search

We’ve heard about the possibilities of both Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy and Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett, but here’s another option who the Falcons may be evaluating: Titans OC Arthur Smith. The Titans are one of the league’s top offenses this season, and after years of defensive-minded head coaches, Atlanta could look to a promising offensive coordinator to take the helm of their team as its new head coach.

Defensive Player of the Year at the midpoint

The Falcons’ defense is perpetually a work in progress, but there have been some clear standouts so far in 2020. With linebacker Foye Oluokun establishing himself as one of Atlanta’s top defenders and Grady Jarrett being Grady Jarrett, who is the Falcons’ Defensive Player of the Year through eight games?

The Falcoholic Live Episode 121

With no moves before the trade deadline, The Falcoholic Crew discussed Takk McKinley’s future and previewed Week 9’s game against Denver. If you didn’t catch the live broadcast you can watch the entire thing right here.