Falcoholinks: All the Falcons news you need for Monday, Apr. 6

Happy Monday, Falcoholics. Read on for all the news and notes on your Atlanta Falcons from over the weekend.

Backloaded

The Falcons brought in Dante Fowler to provide a boost to their pass rush — a move that many of us were surprised they were able to make given their cap space situation. By back-loading his base salary, they were able to finagle some financial flexibility to make moves for 2020.

For his part, Fowler is motivated to make the most of that money.

A season in jeopardy?

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered our everyday life, and the norms as we knew them have been replaced by quarantines, cloth masks, Zoom calls, and beer for breakfast. All of the major sports leagues have delayed their starts, postponed seasons, or canceled them entirely.

While the NFL season does not begin until September, important offseason workouts and training camps take place in the summer. With no clear sign of this abating in the near future, it’s possible that the NFL season takes place in a different fashion — if it takes place at all.

The 2020 NFL Draft format has already been changed, and now EA Sports is looking to simulate players walking out and meeting Roger Goodell, and with teams operating virtually, more time may be allotted for trades. Strange times, indeed.

A toss-up for a team

Defensive end Robert Quinn recently signed a contract with the Chicago Bears, and according to reports, it ultimately came down to a metaphorical coin flip between Chicago and Atlanta.

Roster needs

Our staff recently weighed in on the Falcons’ most pressing roster need as of early April, and we’re all unified that the defense needs upgrades. and this mock draft roundup sees Atlanta snag a defender in the first round of the draft.

Filling the void

The lack of sports of late is one of the more visible aspects of this pandemic, and it’s something we miss dearly. ESPN is looking for creative ways to fill the void, and tonight they will be airing Atlanta’s loss to New Orleans in 2006 — if you want to relive that one.

If you’re looking for some Falcons-centric viewing on the sunnier side, just re-watch Devin Hester’s record-breaking return on repeat.