ESPN.com presents NFC South Pat Yasinskas http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth 60 en-us Tue, 21 May 2013 21:08:26 webmaster@espn.go.com http://assets.espn.go.com/i/espn/teamlogos/lrg/trans/espn_dotcom_black.gif 110 110 Atlanta Falcons Coach Mike Smith reveals the process of persuading Tony Gonzalez to return to the Falcons for one more season, including a personal visit to Gonzalez' home in California. Five finalists, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, are in the running to build the new $1 billion stadium for the Falcons. Which player is the wildcard to boost the Falcons' pass rush? Jay Adams, of the team's website, says look no further than Stansly Maponga.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/47969/nfc-south-links-revis-soaks-up-tampa Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:14 EDT 47969 Atlanta Falcons General manager Thomas Dimitroff tells D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the Falcons are not in a rush to get a contract together for quarterback Matt Ryan because, "We all know that Matt is going to be here for a long time." For those who are interested in the Falcons' new stadium, the Atlanta Business Chronicle presents two slideshows that illustrate the proposed designs, as well as an illustration of how the stadium could spur more development.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/47956/nfc-south-links-freeman-feeling-pressure Mon, 20 May 2013 10:45:45 EDT 47956 I’ll be off this week, but please keep an eye on the NFC South blog. Our editors will post links, videos and anything that’s relevant to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans Saints. We’ll have a pinch hitter for Friday’s Eight in the Box and I left one item that will post Thursday in connection with a project we’ll be running on our main NFL page. There will be no NFC South chat on Friday.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/47951/nfc-south-programming-notes-88 Mon, 20 May 2013 08:11:21 EDT 47951 We had all sorts of great questions in Friday's NFC South chat. Here's a team-by-team look at some of the highlights: ATLANTA FALCONS eric (arcata, ca) [via mobile]: the last time the falcons dropped 100 mill on a qb it didnt turn out as well. do you think this time is different with matty ice and do you think he deserves it? thanks pat and happy Friday. Pat Yasinskas: Yes, I think he deserves it. He's produced five straight winning seasons and I don't think there are any off-field concerns with Ryan.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/47940/film-of-the-nfc-south-chat-60 Sat, 18 May 2013 08:58:41 EDT 47940 The Atlanta Falcons jumped into the business of signing draft picks Friday. The team announced it has signed defensive ends Malliciah Goodman and Stansly Maponga, and safeties Kemal Ishmael and Zeke Motta. Goodman was a fourth-round pick and Maponga was chosen in the fifth round. Ishmael and Motta both were seventh-round picks. Cornerback Desmond Trufant (first round), cornerback Robert Alford (second round), tight end Levine Toilolo (fourth round), and quarterback Sean Renfree (seventh round) remain unsigned.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/47946/falcons-sign-four-draft-picks Fri, 17 May 2013 16:30:26 EDT 47946 Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs) will be a part of the cost of the Atlanta Falcons’ proposed stadium, but the cost to fans won’t be as high as it was at some other recently opened stadiums. That was the message from team president Rich McKay on Thursday night as he addressed fans during the team’s State of the Franchise event. “We’ve said from the very beginning that we do believe PSLs will be part of this program,’’ McKay said.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/47935/mckay-falcons-psls-will-be-reasonable Fri, 17 May 2013 16:07:23 EDT 47935 With the release of right tackle Tyson Clabo and the retirement of center Todd McClure, the Atlanta Falcons have a lot of uncertainty on their offensive line. Coach Mike Smith didn’t set forth any concrete plan Thursday night at the team’s State of the Franchise event. “There’s going to be an open, big competition with our offensive line,’’ Smith said. “We’ve got some young guys that we’ve drafted and they’re ready to step in and do it.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/47930/falcons-still-sorting-out-o-line Fri, 17 May 2013 14:34:03 EDT 47930 A look at key players for each NFC South team who are coming back from injuries: Atlanta Falcons: Bradie Ewing was ticketed for the starting fullback job as a rookie last season. But he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, and the Falcons were forced to juggle fullbacks. That’s one reason why the running game never really got on track last season. The Falcons want a more consistent running game this season, so they brought in running back Steven Jackson to replace Michael Turner.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/47879/eight-in-the-box-key-medical-concern Fri, 17 May 2013 12:00:28 EDT 47879 Without locking into any time frame, Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said he’s confident a contract extension will be worked out with quarterback Matt Ryan. Dimitroff was asked by a fan for a status update during Thursday night’s State of the Franchise event. “Obviously, Matt’s going to be with us here for a long time,’’ Dimitroff said. “We’re hoping to win many, many more games and many bigger games in the future.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/47924/dimitroff-confident-on-ryan-extension Fri, 17 May 2013 11:22:51 EDT 47924 When he meets with the media, Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith almost always comes across as polite and not very emotional. But he’s a football coach and you get the sense there’s a lot more inside of him. A glimpse of what a Smith pep talk to his team must look like emerged Thursday night as the Falcons held their annual State of the Franchise event. You can see the video here (skip ahead to about the 59-minute mark to see Smith get really animated).]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/47917/mike-smith-were-not-10-yards-from-super-bowl Fri, 17 May 2013 10:54:08 EDT 47917