The Falcoholic Sep 12, 2019
After being overwhelmed in Minnesota, Isaiah Oliver is going to be tested going forward
Photo by Adam Bettcher/ The 2018 second-round pick made several mistakes in coverage and run support. With Philadelphia on the horizon, the pressure will intensify for the young cornerback. For all the expectations surrounding Dan Quinn’s defense, there weren’t many personnel changes. Talent was added across the defensive line. The linebacker group remained the same, while Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal returned from season-ending injuries to reform one of the better safety tandems in the league. The one major personnel change came at the cornerback position. Robert Alford was...
The Falcoholic Sep 9, 2019
Falcons vs. Vikings: Who was the defensive player of the game?
Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports Yeah, I know. Just roll with it. The Falcons’ first game with Dan Quinn as defensive coordinator saw them give up 28 points. It was not an inspiring performance, but it’s important to keep in mind that guys like Keanu Neal, Ricardo Allen and Deion Jones are playing their first real football in a long time. Some level of rusty play should be expected. That said, cast your vote for the tepid defensive player of the game. Grady Jarrett What can you say about this guy at this point? He was a wrecking ball again, constantly getting through the Vikings...
The Falcoholic Sep 9, 2019
Pressure is on Dan Quinn, Falcons after all-around abysmal showing vs. Vikings
Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports A complete inept performance leaves the Falcons already searching for answers. For all the buzz about their roster talent, the glaring holes and inconsistency remain. As NFL preview articles were being established and podcasts were being recorded, there was a common viewpoint about the Atlanta Falcons. They are going to contend for a playoff spot based on their high-powered offense and key players returning from long-term injury. To have Devonta Freeman, Deion Jones, Ricardo Allen, and Keanu Neal for a full season obviously bolsters their chances of...
The Falcoholic Sep 7, 2019
Dan Quinn opens up about importance of having Keanu Neal, others back on defense
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports He’s happy. Very happy. It goes without saying that the Falcons defense was destroyed by injuries last year. It’s nearly impossible to replace guys like Keanu Neal, Ricardo Allen and Deion Jones without a significant drop-off in performance. That’s not a knock on the guys who stepped up in their absence — I absolutely love what Damontae Kazee and Foye Oluokun did last year and their potential going into this season. Yet guys like Neal, Allen and Jones are special talents. Dan Quinn is excited to have these guys back for another key reason:...
The Falcoholic Sep 5, 2019
Keanu Neal says Dan Quinn ‘will let the players play’ in 2019
Photo by Scott Cunningham/ Fact: Keanu Neal has an extensive paperclip collection Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal can and should bounce back in decisive fashion this season. By all accounts the knee is completely rehabbed, and Neal is eager to jump back into meaningful game action. But truth be told, Neal has a secret weapon. And it’s not his hard-hitting style or unparalleled leadership. It’s head coach (and defensive play caller) Dan Quinn. Quinn made the hard decision to take over defensive play calling this season. It’s a move that was arguably well overdue. With Quinn...
FOX Sports Sep 5, 2019
Falcons expecting boost from return of 3 defensive stalwarts
Deion Jones, Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal have all returned from serious injuries that helped ruin the Atlanta Falcons' season in 2018
The Falcoholic Sep 4, 2019
Falcons S Keanu Neal on rehabbing with Ricardo Allen
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/ Fact: Keanu Neal keeps several large bags of unopened fortune cookies in his garage A lot can happen in a year. You can grow a lot of tomatoes. Or make it through an entire “cat of the day” calendar. If you’re Keanu Neal, you can dig in, do the hard work, and bounce back from a season-ending injury. It’s been nearly a year since Neal tore his ACL during the 2018 season opener against the Eagles. Lucky for us, Neal appears to be at or near 100 percent. In fact, both starting safeties are fully rehabbed and looking forward to a productive 2019. Last week...
Daily Norseman Sep 3, 2019
Skoldiers - 056 - Cleaning up the Dirty Birds - Falcons Preview
Photo by Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via Week 1 preview of the Atlanta Falcons Mike and Ed preview the week 1 match-up against the Atlanta Falcons: Vikings v. Falcons history: Vikings lead series 19-11 Last home game for the Vikings was in 2014 at TCF bank stadium Mike Zimmer is undefeated vs the Falcons as a head coach The last two meetings of this team, the Vikings have surrendered no more than 10 points in either game. Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/ Breaking down the Falcons: Healthy after a disappointing 2018 campaign riddled with injuries S Keanu Neal and...
The Falcoholic Sep 1, 2019
Keanu Neal fined $28,075 for unnecessary roughness
Todd Kirkland/ It’s a rough way to start the season. The NFL has fined Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal $28,075 for a tackle which resulted in Washington’s tight end Jordan Reed sustaining a concussion. #Falcons S Keanu Neal was fined $28,075 for unnecessary roughness for a penalty during the Aug. 22 game vs. Washington. This is the play that led to a Jordan Reed concussion.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2019 Keanu Neal is one of the hardest hitting safeties in the league, there’s no arguing that. The hit which he was fined for took place in the exhibition game...
ClutchPoints Sep 1, 2019
Report: Falcons’ Keanu Neal fined $28,075 for hit on Redskins TE Jordan Reed
The NFL isn’t going to let Keanu Neal’s hit on Jordan Reed fly. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the NFL has fined the Atlanta Falcons safety $28,075 for his hit on the Washington Redskins tight end in preseason Week 3. Neal hit Reed head-on in the exhibition game. Jordan Reed took a BIG shot […] The post Report: Falcons’ Keanu Neal fined $28,075 for hit on Redskins TE Jordan Reed appeared first on ClutchPoints.
The Falcoholic Aug 30, 2019
Keanu Neal responds to hit on Jordan Reed, Duke Riley’s progression, and his health
Photo by Todd Kirkland/ After missing 15 games in 2018, Atlanta’s hard-hitting safety is back. Keanu Neal is healthy and excited to get back to leveling people. I really wish Jimmy Graham was still in the NFC South so we could see so much more of this. Here Comes The BOOMMMMMM What A Hit By @Keanu_Neal pic.twitter.com/1HxUaV1jZa— Jared Coalmon (@jared_coalmon93) November 21, 2017 Fans desperately missed Neal’s speed and tone-setting tackling in 2018. He should be a big part of what is hopefully a transformed defense. Asked about the defense, he refused to tip too much of what...
