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****Atlanta Falcons**** And The NFL In General

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Report: Bruce Irvin plans to play in Atlanta next year http://wp.me/p14QSB-9LWH

10:51 AM - 14 May 2015

Report: Bruce Irvin plans to play in Atlanta next year
There’s been talk for weeks that Seahawks pass rusher Bruce Irvin could end up in Atlanta. Irvin is doing nothing to silence that talk. Irvin, who is from Atlanta, was quoted by Black Sports Online...

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Falcons DE Adrian Clayborn refining pass rush skills for 2015 season

New Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn is taking the necessary steps to help improve the team's pass rush in 2015.

Clayborn has spent time this offseason working out with former Falcons defensive end Chuck Smith, a well-respected pass rush guru who trains numerous professional and amateur athletes. Smith had 58.5 sacks in eight years with the Falcons and reached double-digit sacks in three different seasons, including his last (1999) at the age of 30.

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"I've always wanted to work out with Chuck," Clayborn said. "I've heard nothing but good things about him. Being in the same city, I've got the opportunity to now. The first person who told me about him was Gerald [McCoy]. Then I asked Michael Johnson because he's worked with him. Again, nothing but good things about him."

Clayborn completed three sessions with Smith in between offseason workouts with the Falcons. FOX 5 Sports Atlanta has video of Clayborn's workout.

"Just getting off the ball better and being more violent," Clayborn said of what he's improved thus far. "It's just about being a better pass-rusher."

Whatever Clayborn learns from Smith is an added bonus to the instruction he'll get from his head coach, Dan Quinn. Remember, Quinn earned his reputation in the league for his expertise along the defensive line.

"It's just about being nasty as a pass-rusher and using different moves," Clayborn said of Quinn's philosophy. "It's been good so far."

Clayborn, who turns 27 in July, has just 13 career sacks but also has missed significant time due to injury. He had 7.5 sacks as a rookie in 2011.

Quinn tinkered with playing Clayborn, a defensive end, inside along with Jonathan Babineaux in the nickel defense during voluntary minicamp.

"I think it will be good," Babineaux said of playing alongside his fellow Iowa Hawkeye, Clayborn. "It's the first time in a long time that we've have depth on the defensive line. The competition going into camp this year is going to be off the roof. I'm just looking forward to the vet guys and the young guys competing for the same positions. Hopefully in the end, we'll put forth one of the best D-lines for the season."

The Falcons need to improve drastically. They pressured opposing quarterbacks on 22.3 percent of dropbacks last season, which ranked 29th in the NFL and worst in the NFC, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
 
NFL changes PAT rule for 2015

SAN FRANCISCO -- As expected, NFL owners on Tuesday voted 30-2 to approve a change in the rule governing extra points after touchdowns.

The owners considered three proposals but ultimately approved a rule change endorsed by the competition committee. The new rule pushes the kick back to the 15-yard line and leaves the two-point conversion at the 2-yard line.

Seifert: Why this PAT change is no big deal
Don't expect coaches to alter their strategies now that the NFL has moved extra points back, Kevin Seifert writes, and don't be surprised if there are more changes in the future.

It also makes the play "live," meaning the defense could return a blocked kick or a turnover on a two-point play for two points.

The New England Patriots proposed snapping the ball from the 15 for a one-point kick or placing the ball at the 2-yard line for a two-point try. According to the Patriots' proposal, a team's choice was not final and was subject to change following a timeout or penalty.

The Philadelphia Eagles proposed snapping from the 15 for the kick but moving the ball to the 1 for a two-point conversion. The Eagles also wanted the defense to be able to score points if it returned a turnover on the two-point conversion to the other end zone.

Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith pointed to the high rate of success of extra points as a reason for the change.

Washington and Oakland were the only teams to vote no. The rule change will be reviewed after one year.

NFL place-kickers have converted at least 98 percent of their extra points since 2000. That figure has hovered above 99 percent since 2010, providing little incentive to go for two-point plays. Coaches attempted them after just 4.9 percent of touchdowns last season; they were converted at a rate of 47.5 percent.

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NFL owners voted to move extra-point kicks to the 15-yard line and allow defenses to score on two-point conversion turnovers. Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

There were 41 field goal attempts last season from 33 yards. Only two were missed. The conversion rate for 33-yard field goals over the past five seasons is 92.8 percent (154-of-166). Extra-point kicks are currently from the 2-yard line.

Although it has been proposed as a one-year rule to see how it plays out in 2015, Smith says the intent from the competition committee is that rule change stays a part of the game for the long haul.

"We tried to add some skill to the play, which is the reason why we moved it back to the 15," Smith said. "And then the other element is how do we create a more exciting play? And so to give the defense an opportunity to score, it adds an element there, as well as obviously incentivizing teams to go for two.

"So our hope is what we've done is we've added skill to the play, and then we will also see some increase in the attempts to go for two. We just felt like it was a play that was almost a ceremonial play, the way it has languished here recently."

And Troy Vincent, the league's vice president of football operations, noted that placekickers can handle such an alteration.

"The feedback that we got when we adjusted the field goal at the Pro Bowl didn't go over too well," Vincent said. "But they understand. The kicker is a skill position now. They are extremely accurate. We are not trying to remove the foot out of the game."

NFL kickers are not necessarily on board with the change.

"What did the NFL really accomplish?" said kicker Jay Feely, a 14-year NFL veteran, via Twitter. "It's still nearly automatic (90%vs 99%) but greater risk of injury to Oline."
 
Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, Tampa eye 2019, 2020 Super Bowls

Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans and Tampa will be in the bidding to host the 2019 and 2020 Super Bowls, the NFL confirmed Tuesday night.

In addition, Los Angeles will be eligible to bid for the 2020 game provided a team is playing in a new stadium there by the 2018 season.

The host cities will likely be voted upon during the league owners meetings in May 2016.

The Saints made the announcement that New Orleans was invited to bid against the three other cities.

St. Louis Rams to a 23-16 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Although Atlanta is the least experienced of the four contenders, it could be considered a front-runner since the Falcons are set to open a new $1.5 billion stadium in 2017.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank previously announced his intention to bid for the 2019 Super Bowl.

"Atlanta is one of the most vibrant and progressive cities in America,'' Blank said. "We are thrilled to once again be part of the process to potentially show off our great city and host the world's greatest sporting event."

The NFL has often rewarded cities with new stadiums with Super Bowls in recent history, including two of the next three host cities, San Francisco and Minneapolis.
 
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