Falcons Interview Raheem Morris
The Falcons are giving Raheem Morris a chance to take off his coat and stay a ‘while. On Friday, Atlanta’s interim head coach interviewed for the full-time position, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. 
[RELATED: Falcons Impressed With Morris]
Morris began the year as the Falcons’ defensive coordinator before taking over for Dan Quinn in the fall. The Falcons have been fared better since then, even if the record doesn’t exactly show it. The Falcons, on track for a top-five draft pick, will at least consider Morris for the job in 2021.
Morris may not the clubhouse leader for the job, but he definitely has fans in the building. The Falcons have been impressed with his work, and his strong ties with team president Rich McKay are a definite plus. Morris has been with the Falcons in a number of different roles since 2015. He was also one of the youngest head coaches in NFL history when he led the Buccaneers from 2007-09.
Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy may be the Falcons’ top choice and other candidates may get priority over the 44-year-old Morris. But, even if things don’t work out in Atlanta, Morris could easily wind up as a head coach elsewhere.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/31/20
Here are the minor moves from 2020’s final day:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Chris Banjo
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: C Alex Mack
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed off Chiefs’ practice squad: P Johnny Townsend
- Activated from IR: DB Terrell Bonds
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on reserve/NFI list: C B.J. Finney
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: TE Jake Butt
- Placed on IR: DL Shelby Harris
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: DL Anthony Rush
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Logan Cooke
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Keenan Allen
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: WR Kirk Merritt, QB Jake Rudock
- Placed on IR: LB Elandon Roberts
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: DE Tashawn Bower, LB Josh Uche
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Jalen Mills
Falcons Could Be Interested In Daboll
- Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has guided Josh Allen to a near MVP-level season, and has rightfully been earning a lot of praise. As such, La Canfora writes that he’s the “hottest coordinator candidate” for head coaching jobs this cycle. It’s not a major surprise, but sources told La Canfora that Daboll “will have no shortage of opportunities to interview for jobs.” La Canfora notes that the Jets, Falcons, and Jaguars could all be suitors for the former Alabama assistant. Daboll of course also spent many years on Bill Belichick’s staff with the Patriots. Still only 45, Daboll has also had a couple of stints as an NFL OC prior to Buffalo with the Browns, Dolphins, and Chiefs. Interestingly La Canfora also connects the dots between the Chargers and Daboll should they fire Anthony Lynn, noting that Los Angeles GM Tom Telesco went to high school with Daboll.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/28/20
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Greg Dortch
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Cordel Iwuagwu
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from PS-IR: C Corey Linsley
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: OL Patrick Omameh
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/26/20
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: OL Sean Harlow, WR Chris Rowland
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: CB Pierre Desir, QB Tyler Huntley
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: LB Clay Johnston, T Matt Kaskey
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: DB Xavier Crawford
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from IR: CB Tony Brown
- Promoted: WR Trenton Irwin, LB Keandre Jones
- Waived: S Trayvon Henderson
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: C Javon Patterson
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: FB Sewo Olonilua
- Placed on IR: DT Antwaun Woods
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: RB LeVante Bellamy
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: DL Brian Price, RB Dexter Williams
Houston Texans
- Promoted: Steven Mitchell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: CB Quenton Meeks, FB Bruce Miller, RB Craig Reynolds
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: CB Deandre Baker, LB Omari Cobb, WR Gehrig Dieter, OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms
- Placed on IR: CB Sidney Jones
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: DT Maliek Collins
- Promoted: CB Rashaan Gaulden, LB James Onwualu, DB Javin White
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: DE Joe Gaziano, TE Matt Sokol
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: OL Jamil Demby, S JuJu Hughes
New England Patriots
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Jordan Thomas
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: RB La’Mical Perine
- Promoted: LB Noah Dawkins, LB Sharif Finch, LB Brady Sheldon
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: RB Jordan Howard, DT T.Y. McGill, DE Joe Ostman, TE Caleb Wilson
- Placed on IR: CB Kevon Seymour, DE Josh Sweat
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: LB Tegray Scales, K Matthew Wright
- Waived: OL Derwin Gray
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: DL Bryan Mone
- Promoted: WR Penny Hart
- Placed on IR: G Phil Haynes
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: LB Brooks Reed
Washington Football Team
- Activated from IR: WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
- Promoted: QB Steven Montez
- Waived: WR Dontrelle Inman
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/22/20
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad decisions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on practice squad injured list: WR A.J. Richardson
- Released: DL P.J. Johnson
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Anthony Edwards
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: WR Gary Jennings
Carolina Panthers
- Activated off practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Ishmael Hyman
Chicago Bears
- Signed: RB Spencer Ware
- Activated off practice squad injured list: WR Thomas Ives
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Elijah Benton
Detroit Lions
- Signed: C Jon Toth
- Released: OL Marcus Martin
- Placed on practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Anthony Pittman
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: K J.J. Molson
- Released: OL Anthony Fabiano
Houston Texans
- Signed: DL Willie Henry, CB Brandon Williams
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: RB Elijah McGuire
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: DE David Irving
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DB Dee Virgin
- Placed on practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Marquise Copeland, LB Derrick Moncrief
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Marcus Kemp
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: TE Garrett Griffin, QB Trevor Siemian
New York Giants
- Signed: S Montre Hartage
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: RB Tyler Gaffney
- Placed on practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Josh Johnson, WR Kevin White
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: OL Andrew Jones
Washington Football Team
- Signed: WR Jeff Badet
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/22/20
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released from IR: CB Jordan Miller
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: TE Eric Tomlinson
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Zach Kerr
- Placed on IR: OL Dennis Daley
Chicago Bears
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR DeAndre Carter
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: OL Chris Hubbard
Detroit Lions
- Activated off IR: DE Julian Okwara
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Anthony Hitchens
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated off IR: LB Tanner Muse
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated off IR: DB Nick Scott
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S JuJu Hughes
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: WR Isaiah Ford
New York Jets
- Activated off reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Folorunso Fatukasi
- Placed on IR: LB Harvey Langi
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated off reserve/COVID-19 list: T Donovan Smith
- Waived/failed-physical: S Justin Evans
Morris Not Likely To Be Kept
- Former Texans GM Rick Smith looks like a hot candidate this cycle. Smith recently interviewed with the Falcons, and sources told Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports that he’ll interview with the Lions soon. That’s not all, as sources also told La Canfora that Washington is interested in having Smith run their football operations. We heard back in January that Washington almost hired Smith before electing not to hire a front office head for the time being, so this isn’t too surprising. VP of player personnel Kyle Smith is currently overseeing things for Washington, but sources told La Canfora that the team is “very likely to fill a traditional general manager spot” this offseason. Smith left Houston after the 2017 season when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, and is generally well regarded around the league.
- Finally, a few notes via Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork.com. The Falcons managed to turn their season around a bit after firing Dan Quinn, although things have started to go off the rails again in recent weeks. The initial success led to some buzz that interim coach and former Bucs head coach Raheem Morris could be a candidate for the full-time job, although Pauline throws some cold water on that. Pauline says there’s a “very slight chance” they keep Morris, noting people who he has talked to won’t completely rule it out. That being said, he hears that Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy is still at the top of their list.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/19/20
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: CB Delrick Abrams Jr.
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: CB Pierre Desir, QB Tyler Huntley, TE Eric Tomlinson
- Waived: TE Luke Willson
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: CB Xavier Crawford
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: G Michael Dunn
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: CB Trevon Diggs
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Chidobe Awuzie
- Promoted: T Jordan Mills, RB Sewo Olonilua, CB Chris Westry
- Placed on IR: CB Deante Burton, LB Justin March-Lillard
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: T Halapoulivaati Vaitai
- Promoted: LB Kareem Martin, OL Marcus Martin, CB Alex Myres
- Placed on IR: DL Da’Shawn Hand
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: LB Brennan Scarlett
- Promoted: CB Anthony Chesley, WR Chad Hansen, DT Auzoyah Alufohai
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: OL Joey Hunt
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from IR: CB Chris Claybrooks, G Andrew Norwell
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Tre Herndon
- Promoted: CB Quenton Meeks, OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Isaiah Johnson
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: DB Jake Gervase
New England Patriots
- Activated off IR: LB Shilique Calhoun
- Waived: DT Isaiah Mack
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted: OL Will Clapp, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, WR Juwan Johnson, WR Tommylee Lewis
- Waived: TE Garrett Griffin, QB Trevor Siemian
- Placed on IR: WR Deonte Harris
New York Giants
- Activated off IR: S Adrian Colbert
- Promoted: QB Clayton Thorson, QB/WR Joe Webb, DB Jarren Williams, DB Quincy Wilson
- Waived: DB Montre Hartage
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: K Sam Ficken
- Promoted: LB Noah Dawkins, LB Sharif Finch, DL Tanzel Smart
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: S Blake Countess, CB Jameson Houston
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: LB Mark Nzeocha
- Promoted: TE Daniel Helm, OL Dakoda Shepley, OL Isaiah Williams
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Charlie Woerner
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from reserve/suspended list: DE Damontre Moore
- Placed on IR: RB Travis Homer, OL Jamarco Jones
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: LB Brooks Reed, OL Daniel Munyer, LB Wyatt Ray
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Kalif Raymond
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: QB Steven Montez, RB Michael Warren
Falcons Interview Rick Smith, Anthony Robinson
The Falcons are off and running on their first GM search in 12-plus years. In addition to interviewing ex-Texans GM Rick Smith and eyeing meetings with Saints exec Terry Fontenot and Rams staffer Brad Holmes, the Falcons met with one of their own staffers.
Falcons director of college scouting Anthony Robinson joined Smith in interviewing for the position Friday, the team announced. Robinson is in his second year in his current position but has been with the team much longer.
With the Falcons since Thomas Dimitroff‘s arrival in 2008, Robinson worked through the ranks as a scout with the franchise during most of Dimitroff’s tenure. Prior to his 2019 elevation to the scouting director post, Robinson worked as a Falcons area scout.
Smith is the highest-profile name connected to this search thus far. He is expected to draw interest from multiple teams, though the former Houston front office boss has yet to be mentioned as a candidate for the other GM vacancies. Smith has been out of football since stepping away from his Texans post after the 2017 season, but the longtime GM has been eyeing a return to the league for a bit now. The Texans’ GM from 2006-17, Smith was there for the franchise’s first four playoff berths and swung the 2017 trade for Deshaun Watson.
It will be interesting to see if the Falcons join the Lions and Texans in meeting with ESPN’s Louis Riddick. The Jaguars are also interested in the first-year Monday Night Football analyst, though they have not set up an interview.