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The Super Bowl is behind us, so it’s now officially the NFL offseason. That means a deluge of mock drafts, free agency ruminations and wish lists, and being mad about Dirk Koetter. We’ve got your Monday roundup of Falcons news and notes in today’s Falcoholinks.
Ricardo Allen has shoulder surgery
Falcons safety Ricardo Allen worked his way back from an Achilles tear last offseason, and this offseason he will be rehabbing from an injury as well. We learned last week that Allen underwent shoulder surgery and will reportedly miss “multiple months” as he recovers. That will impact his offseason work, but pending any setbacks in his recovery, he should be good to go for training camp.
Priced out?
Re-signing tight end Austin Hooper is on the top of the Atlanta Falcons’ list of offseason priorities, but owner Arthur Blank appears concerned that Hooper may not fit within the Falcons’ budget. Losing Hooper would be a massive blow to the offense, so let’s keep our fingers crossed that some creative cap management can free up some funds.
Our Jeanna Thomas was present on Radio Row prior to the Super Bowl, and she spoke with the AJC’s D. Orlando Ledbetter about Austin Hooper’s Atlanta future.
Secondary issues
Much attention has been paid to the Falcons’ issues on both sides of the trenches, but as we look to 2020, should we be concerned about the state of the secondary?
Our initial read is that the unit should be solid next season, but there are question marks after 2020.
Double Dirk
Why is Dirk Koetter back for another season? It’s a question that’s been rattling around in our brains since the announcement was made, as Koetter’s second stint as Atlanta’s OC has been worse than his first.
The greatest season for a Falcons QB
What quarterback put together the best season in Atlanta Falcons history? There’s a handful of options, and obviously Matt Ryan’s 2016 MVP year immediately comes to mind — but which year would be your choice?