Atlanta Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, head coach Dan Quinn and assistant General Manager Scott Pioli confer during Pro Day at the University of Georgia Wednesday March 16, 2016. Players, who have wrapped up their college careers, participated in a set of predetermined skills designed to test their strength, speed and agility in hopes of...

Falcons coach Dan Quinn answering questions from the media on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017. (By D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com) FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons coach Dan Quinn said that running back Devonta Freeman had his right shoulder examined and will be limited in practice this week on Monday. Also, defensive end Takkarist McKinley will also be limited...

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Memo to the Falcons and coach Dan Quinn,  when you lose three straight — one to Jay Cutler —  and don’t show up for your Super Bowl rematch, there’s going to be some noise. Lots of noise. That’s all. Ignore the noise. pic.twitter.com/rRlU9GzXNr — Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 30, 2017

  Falcons backup quarterback Matt Schaub throws a pass during the first day of training camp on Thursday, July 28, 2016, in Flowery Branch. Curtis Compton /ccompton@ajc.com FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons backup quarterback Matt Schaub can help pull the offense out of its play-calling rut. Schaub, 35, spent significant time with former Falcons offensive...

  New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles reacts after a Jets’ turnover during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun) Good morning! Welcome to The Cover 9@9 blog. It’s our weekly blog of nine things at 9 a.m Wednesday that  you need to know...

New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead, front, runs from Atlanta Falcons defenders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) FLOWERY BRANCH — If the Falcons don’t stop the run, nothing else will matter in 2017. They have given up 117, 138 and 162 yards rushing in the...