The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

» Atlanta United players still have health concerns,

- By D. Orlando Ledbetter dledbetter@ajc.com

Things you need to know about the Atlanta Falcons this week:

1. The no-spin zone. One of the Falcons’ major offseason moves has been to promote linebacker Foye Oluokun into the starting lineup, essentiall­y to replace De’Vondre Campell, who left in free agency. Falcons coach Dan Quinn, based in part on Oluokun’s play in 2018 and 2019, is confident that the former sixthround pick from Yale can replace Campbell, who was the team’s leading tackler each of the past two seasons.

Former Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones is a staunch supporter of Oluokun, too. “I really can’t wait to see him come out and show the world what he’s been working on,” Jones said.

In 2018, Jones went down with broken foot in the season opener. Over the course of the season, Oluokun moved ahead of Duke Riley, who opened the season as the starting weakside linebacker. In 2019, with Jones healthy, it took a while for the Falcons to find a way to get Oluokun on the field more. Riley was traded midseason to the Eagles for safety Johnathan Cyprien. Oluokun played in all 16 games and made three starts last season. He started seven games in 2018.

“He knows a lot of ball,” Jones said. “It’s our job as his teammates to bring all of that knowledge out of him. I think he’s going to do a good job. He’s not backing down from the plate. He’s going to be A-OK.”

Oluokun, who’s 6 feet 2 and 215 pounds, continues a trend of smallish linebacker with speed and power. “I think that’s just the way the game is changing,” Jones said. “(There are) a lot of spread offenses and a lot of guys ... (who) are really good in space. You could say (Carolina running back Christian) McCaffrey and you could name a dozen guys.”

2. Fowler’s energy: Jones can’t wait to get on the field with defensive end Dante Fowler, who was signed in free agency this offseason.

“I think Dante Fowler is going to be a great addition to the team,” Jones said. “He brings energy and a lot of enthusiasm. I love his dog mentality on the edge, too. Just having him on the team and having the juice on the defense, I can’t wait to see him out there with his hair out and having fun.”

3. Quarantine life. Several Falcons have taken to grilling, cooking and baking during the coronaviru­s pandemic. “I’ve been taking it to go,” Jones said. “I have not been anywhere. I’ve been playing it safe. I’ve been working out and coming back home. Just bonding with the guys that are in town.”

4. Ryan’s GoFundMe surpasses $1 million mark: Quarterbac­k Matt Ryan’s GoFundMe to advance the lives of the black community in Atlanta passed the $1 million mark in pledges in four days since he started the fundraiser, Ryan announced Tuesday. “From the bottom of my heart; thank you every single person who has donated,” Ryan wrote. As of Monday morning, some of the 287 donors included Falcons coach Dan Quinn ($10,000), general manager Thomas Dimitroff ($10,000), president Rich McKay ($5,000) and offensive coordinato­r Dirk Koetter ($5,000). Several other coaches, team personnel and NFL personnel also made donations.

Ryan started the fund with a $500,000 donation Friday. He set a goal of $2 million. The fund comes in the aftermath of the recent deaths of black men Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick and George Floyd in Minneapoli­s.

5. Crowd noise: Ryan wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to address whether the Falcons should pump crowd noise into the stadium in no fans are allowed.

“I’m not sure our organizati­on should be talking about pumping in crowd noise,” Ryan said. “We had a small issue with that a little while ago.”

The Falcons were fined $350,000 and forced to forfeit a fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft, and McKay was suspended from the powerful competitio­n committee by the NFL for violating the league’s crowd-noise rules. Also, Roddy White, longtime director of event marketing, was terminated by the team.

6. Ryan on the NFC South: Ryan officially welcomed Tom Brady, who signed with Tampa Bay this offseason, to the NFC South. “It’s going to be a tough division, no question about it,” Ryan said. “Tom is a great player. Anytime you add a guy who has won that many championsh­ips, won that many games, you know he’s going to be tough to beat.”

The Falcons split with the Bucs last season. They needed a Jameis Winston pick-six in overtime last season to get a win in the regular-season finale. “Their team was tough last year,” Ryan said. “Their defense was really, really good. Real tough to go against. I expect them to be really good (and) tough competitor. Same with New Orleans. Same with Carolina. The division has been tough for a long time.”

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