Tori McElhaney
@tori_mcelhaney
Senior reporter for the @AtlantaFalcons | Co-host #RiseUpTonight on @FOX5SPORTS with @thekellyprice | UGA alum
Finding the right words is more difficult than I thought — such irony. I am deeply honored. Not just for me, but for what this represents for the industry moving forward: the first female (and first team-affiliated) recipient of this honor from Georgia. Grateful 🤍
Our very own @tori_mcelhaney has been named @NSMASportsMedia Georgia Sportswriter of the Year! Congrats, Tori! 👏
This is a HEAVILY rotating DL, so they are getting a lot of work with the 1st and 2nd team. Same with Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, David Onyemata, Zach Harrison, Leonard Floyd, Arnold Ebiketie, etc. The pairings and groupings are ever changing almost play in and play out.
What about walker and pierce?
"I feel strongly about where we are compared to the last few years," owner Arthur Blank. Said he feels this way because of the "proven youth" of the roster.
"If we get a duplicate run out of (Michael Penix Jr.) as we did for Matt Ryan? I will be happy." Arthur Blank asked about Penix and how he feels about where the QB room is.
"We'd love to play our 17 games, plus — that's the expectation of our organization." Owner Arthur Blank on the state of the team, thoughts heading into 2025.
Main takeaway from practice today was the reps Xavier Watts was getting with Jessie Bates/the first team defense. We all know the goal is to get Watts into that starting role. The sooner they can get him in lock step with JB3 the better.
Missing from Falcons’ open practice 2-11: Quarterback Emory Jones and offensive tackle Kaleb McGary. To be fair, head coach Raheem Morris said McGary will have “modifications” to his training camp plans, but McGary is healthy. Said yesterday he feels better than ever.
Also used the term "unbothered," too, which made me laugh because it is sooo accurate.
Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith called quarterback Michael Penix Jr. "cool, calm and confident." Penix gets those descriptors A LOT.
Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith said wide receiver DJ Chark came in for a workout before wide receiver Darnell Mooney even sustained his injury.
Programming note: Even though today's practice is sold out, you can still catch a lot of the action on our LIVE Training Camp Show. @taylorvismor and @archerqb16 will be your guides through practice so make sure to tune in if you're at home this AM‼️ youtube.com/watch?v=KdDK2O…
Signing now official — Assistant GM Kyle Smith is expected to speak to media here in the next 10 minutes. Curious to see how this signing came together.
Welcome to Atlanta, @DJChark82!
Darnell Mooney has a shoulder injury and will miss "a few weeks," the team announced Friday night. Follows reports of signing WR DJ Chark to a one-year deal. More from @TerrinWaack ⤵️ atlfal.co.nz/4o5nuD6
I wouldn't immediately draw a connection to this reported signing and Darnell Mooney leaving practice early yesterday. Can never have too many receivers, but still, will be good to get more info on Mooney's status tomorrow.
REPORT: The Falcons signed wide receiver DJ Chark, according to @RapSheet & @MikeGarafolo. Chark, a 2nd-round pick who clocked a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the 2018 combine, has played for 4 different teams since getting drafted by the Jaguars. 🔗 MORE: atlfal.co.nz/4l0KbWp
The Falcons Mailbag is back for another year, just with a new look. 📨 We're talking Raheem Morris (+MPJ) in Year 2, a spotlight on the center position and what to know for training camp attendance this weekend. atlfal.co.nz/44Nm4Wl
📬 Getting my mailbag together for an afternoon pub — after one day of Falcons' training camp practice, what questions do you have?