2015 Atlanta Falcons season

Head coach

Dan Quinn

General manager

Thomas Dimitroff & Scott Pioli (assistant)

Owner

Arthur Blank

Home field

Georgia Dome

Uniform

Timeline

Previous season		Next season
< 2014		2016

The 2015 Atlanta Falcons season will be the franchise's upcoming 50th season in the National Football League and the first under new head coach Dan Quinn.

Offseason

Coaching staff changes

On December 29, 2014 head coach Mike Smith was fired after back-to-back losing seasons.
On January 8, 2015, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the hiring of Dirk Koetter as their new offensive coordinator.
On January 15, 2014, the New York Jets announced the hiring of Joe Danna as their new defensive backs coach.
On January 16, 2015, the Oakland Raiders announced the hiring of Mike Tice as their new offensive line coach.
On January 18, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Kyle Shanahan as their new offensive coordinator.
On January 23, 2015, the Chicago Bears announced the hiring of Glenn Pires as their new linebackers coach.
On January 24, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Raheem Morris as their defensive backs coach and assistant head coach.
On January 26, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Richard Smith as their defensive coordinator.
On January 25, 2015, the Falcons promoted Wade Harman Tight Ends Coach, formally the assistant offensive line coach.
On January 29, 2015, the San Diego Chargers announced the hiring of Mike Nolan as their linebackers coach.
On January 31, 2015, the San Francisco 49ers announced the hiring of Tim Lewis as their defensive backs coach.
On February 2, 2015, Dan Quinn was hired as the Falcons' 16th head coach.
On February 2, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Chris Morgan as their offensive line coach.
On February 3, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Bobby Turner as their running backs coach.
On February 3, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Mike LaFleur as their offensive assistant.
On February 3, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Marquand Manuel as their defensive backs coach and senior defensive consultant.
On February 4, 2015, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the hiring of Andrew Weidinger as their offensive assistant.
On February 4, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Steve Scarnecchia as their assistant to head coach coach.
On February 8, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Jeff Ulbrich as their linebackers coach.
On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Matt LaFleur as their Quarterback coach.
On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Doug Mallory as their defensive Assistant & Linebackers coach.
On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Mike McDaniel as their offensive assistant.
On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Chad Walker as their defensive assistant & defensive backs coach.
On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Keith Carter as their assistant offensive line coach.

Free Agents


Number	Player	Position
28	Javier Arenas	Cornerback
71	Kroy Biermann	Defensive end
3	Matt Bryant	Kicker
19	Drew Davis	Wide receiver
42	Patrick DiMarco	Fullback
30	Charles Godfrey	Free safety
79	Mike Johnson	Offensive guard
20	Dwight Lowery	Free safety
98	Cliff Matthews	Defensive end
27	Robert McClain	Cornerback
86	Bear Pascoe	Tight end
91	Corey Peters	Defensive tackle
32	Jacquizz Rodgers	Running back
64	Jonathan Scott	Offensive tackle
35	Antone Smith	Running back
52	Nate Stupar	Linebacker
50	Osi Umenyiora	Defensive end
56	Sean Weatherspoon	Linebacker
14	Eric Weems	Wide receiver
26	Josh Wilson	Cornerback
13	T.J. Yates	Quarterback
68	Gabe Carimi	Offensive tackle

Re-signings


Date	Player	Position	Contract	Source
February 24, 2015	Cliff Matthews	Defensive end	2 years / $1,505,000	^[1]
February 24, 2015	Patrick DiMarco	Fullback	2 years / $1,495,000	^[1]
February 25, 2015	Matt Bryant	Kicker	3 years / $8,500,000	^[2]
March 3, 2015	Nate Stupar	Linebacker	1 years / $585,000	^[3]
March 5, 2015	Charles Godfrey	Safety	1 years / $1,500,000	^[4]
March 6, 2015	Eric Weems	Wide receiver	2 years / $3,000,000	^[5]
March 9, 2015	T.J. Yates	Quarterback	1 years / $1,500,000	^[6]
March 10, 2015	Antone Smith	Running back	1 years / $1,400,000	^[7]
March 18, 2015	Kroy Biermann	Linebacker	1 years / $1,925,000	^[8]

Team additions


Date	Player	Position	Previous team	Contract	Source
February 13, 2015	Allen Bradford	Linebacker	Seattle Seahawks	1 year / $660,000	^[9]
February 24, 2015	Nick Williams	Wide receiver	Washington Redskins	2 year / $1,100,000	^[1]
March 10, 2015	Brooks Reed	Linebacker	Houston Texans	5 year / $22,000,000	^[7]
March 10, 2015	Justin Durant	Linebacker	Dallas Cowboys	3 year / $10,800,000	^[7]
March 10, 2015	Mike Person	Guard	St. Louis Rams	3 year / $3,350,000	^[7]
March 10, 2015	Leonard Hankerson	Wide receiver	Washington Redskins	1 year / $1,000,000	^[10]
March 12, 2015	Adrian Clayborn	Defensive end	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1 year / $3,000,000	^[11]
March 12, 2015	Phillip Adams	Cornerback	New York Jets	1 year / $745,000	^[11]
March 12, 2015	O'Brien Schofield	Defensive end	Seattle Seahawks	1 year / $1,700,000	^[12]
March 18, 2015	Jared Smith	Offensive guard	Seattle Seahawks	1 year / $440,000	^[13]
March 19, 2015	Jacob Tamme	Tight end	Denver Broncos	2 year / $4,000,000	^[14]
March 19, 2015	Tony Moeaki	Tight end	Seattle Seahawks	1 year / $745,000	^[15]

Departures


Date	Player	Position	Note	New Team	Source
February 26, 2015	Steven Jackson	Running back	Released		^[16]
February 27, 2015	Harry Douglas	Wide receiver	Released	Tennessee Titans	^[17] ^[18]
February 27, 2015	Justin Blalock	Offensive guard	Released		^[19]
February 27, 2015	Jonathan Massaquoi	Defensive end	Waived	Tennessee Titans	^[20]^[21]
March 10, 2015	Sean Weatherspoon	Linebacker	Signed	Arizona Cardinals	^[22]
March 10, 2015	Corey Peters	Defensive end	Signed	Arizona Cardinals	^[23]
March 10, 2015	Drew Davis	Wide receiver	Declined option		^[24]
March 18, 2015	Robert McClain	Cornerback	Signed	New England Patriots	^[25]
March 31, 2015	Jacquizz Rodgers	Running back	Signed	Chicago Bears	^[26]
April 2, 2015	Zeke Motta	Safety	Waived		^[27]
April 3, 2015	Dwight Lowery	Safety	Signed	Indianapolis Colts	^[28]
April 3, 2015	Josh Wilson	Cornerback	Signed	Detroit Lions	^[29]
April 23, 2015	Bear Pascoe	Tight end	Signed	Chicago Bears	^[30]

2015 draft class

Main article: 2015 NFL draft

2015 Atlanta Falcons Draft
Round	Selection	Player	Position	College
1	8	Vic Beasley	Linebacker	Clemson
2	42
3	73
4	107
5	146
6	185
7	225
7	249

Notes

The Falcons acquired an additional seventh-round selection (No. 249 overall) as part of a trade that sent the team's 2013 first-, third- and sixth-round selections to the St. Louis Rams.
The Falcons were not rewarded any compensatory picks this year.

Staff

Atlanta Falcons staff

Front office

Owner/Chairman – Arthur Blank
President/CEO – Rich McKay
General Manager – Thomas Dimitroff
Assistant General Manager – Scott Pioli
Director of Player Personnel – Lionel Vital
Director of Football Administration – Nick Polk
Director of Pro Scouting – DeJuan Polk
Director of College Scouting – Steve Sabo
Consultant – Joe Banner

Head coaches

Head Coach – Dan Quinn
Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Passing Game Coordinator – Raheem Morris
Assistant to the Head Coach – Steve Scarnecchia

Offensive coaches

Offensive Coordinator – Kyle Shanahan
Quarterbacks – Matt LaFleur
Running Backs – Bobby Turner
Wide Receivers – Terry Robiskie
Tight Ends – Wade Harman
Offensive Line – Chris Morgan
Assistant Offensive Line – Keith Carter
Offensive Assistant – Mike LaFleur
Offensive Assistant – Mike McDaniel

Defensive coaches

Defensive Coordinator – Richard Smith
Defensive Line – Bryan Cox
Linebackers – Jeff Ulbrich
Defensive Backs/Senior Defensive Assistant – Marquand Manuel
Defensive Assistant/Defensive Backs – Chad Walker
Defensive Assistant/Linebackers – Doug Mallory

Special teams coaches

Special Teams Coordinator – Keith Armstrong
Assistant Special Teams – Eric Sutulovich

Strength and conditioning

Head Strength and Conditioning – AJ Neibel
Strength and Conditioning Assistant – Jacob Peden

→ Coaching staff
→ Management
→ More NFL staffs

AFC East: BUF; MIA; NE; NYJ
North: BAL; CIN; CLE; PIT
South: HOU; IND; JAX; TEN
West: DEN; KC; OAK; SD

NFC East: DAL; NYG; PHI; WAS
North: CHI; DET; GB; MIN
South: ATL; CAR; NO; TB
West: ARI; STL; SF; SEA

Current roster

colspan="10" style="background-color: #bd0d18; color: white; border:2px solid black;" text-align: center;" |

Atlanta Falcons roster

Quarterbacks

12 Sean Renfree
2 Matt Ryan
13 T.J. Yates

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

75 Jon Asamoah G
72 Sam Baker T
74 Reid Fragel T
69 Harland Gunn G/C
61 Joe Hawley C
76 Lamar Holmes T
66 Peter Konz G/C
70 Jake Matthews T
68 Mike Person G
67 Adam Replogle G
73 Ryan Schraeder T
64 Jared Smith G
62 James Stone C

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

59 Joplo Bartu OLB
53 Allen Bradford MLB
52 Justin Durant OLB
56 Brooks Reed OLB
91 Prince Shembo OLB
45 Jacques Smith OLB
51 Marquis Spruill MLB
41 Tyler Starr OLB
54 Nate Stupar MLB
55 Paul Worrilow MLB
-- Vic Beasley OLB

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists

Currently vacant

Unrestricted FAs

Rookies in italics
Roster updated April 28, 2015
Depth Chart • Transactions
69 Active, 0 Inactive, 6 FAs

→ AFC rosters → NFC rosters

AFC East: BUF; MIA; NE; NYJ
North: BAL; CIN; CLE; PIT
South: HOU; IND; JAX; TEN
West: DEN; KC; OAK; SD

NFC East: DAL; NYG; PHI; WAS
North: CHI; DET; GB; MIN
South: ATL; CAR; NO; TB
West: ARI; STL; SF; SEA

Schedule

Preseason

Week	Date	Kickoff	Opponent	Game site	TV
1	August 14	7:00 p.m. EDT	Tennessee Titans	Georgia Dome	WUPA
2	August 21	7:30 p.m. EDT	at New York Jets	MetLife Stadium	WUPA
3	August 29	7:00 p.m. EDT	at Miami Dolphins	Sun Life Stadium	WUPA
4	September 3	7:00 p.m. EDT	Baltimore Ravens	Georgia Dome	WUPA

Regular season

Week	Date	Kickoff	Opponent	Game site	TV
1	September 14	7:10 p.m. EDT	Philadelphia Eagles	Georgia Dome	ESPN
2	September 20	1:00 p.m. EDT	at New York Giants	MetLife Stadium	Fox
3	September 27	1:00 p.m. EDT	at Dallas Cowboys	AT&T Stadium	Fox
4	October 4	1:00 p.m. EDT	Houston Texans	Georgia Dome	CBS
5	October 11	1:00 p.m. EDT	Washington Redskins	Georgia Dome	Fox
6	October 15	8:25 p.m. EDT	at New Orleans Saints	Mercedes-Benz Superdome	CBS/NFLN
7	October 25	1:00 p.m. EDT	at Tennessee Titans	LP Field	Fox
8	November 1	1:00 p.m. EST	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Georgia Dome	Fox
9	November 8	4:05 p.m. EST	at San Francisco 49ers	Levi's Stadium	Fox
10	Bye
11	November 22	1:00 p.m. EST	Indianapolis Colts	Georgia Dome	CBS
12	November 29	1:00 p.m. EST	Minnesota Vikings	Georgia Dome	Fox
13	December 6	1:00 p.m. EST	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Raymond James Stadium	Fox
14	December 13	1:00 p.m. EST	at Carolina Panthers	Bank of America Stadium	Fox
15	December 20	1:00 p.m. EST	at Jacksonville Jaguars	EverBank Field	Fox
16	December 27	1:00 p.m. EST	Carolina Panthers	Georgia Dome	Fox
17	January 3	1:00 p.m. EST	New Orleans Saints	Georgia Dome	Fox

Notes

Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Networks and times for Sunday games from Weeks 5–17 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.

References

↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Jay Adams (2015-02-24). "Falcons Extend Two Vets, Sign WR Williams". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams (2015-02-25). "Falcons Sign K Bryant to Contract Extension". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams. "Falcons Sign LB Stupar to Extension". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams. "Falcons Sign Veteran S Godfrey to Extension". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams. "Falcons Sign Weems to Contract Extension". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams. "Falcons Sign QB Yates to Extension". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Atlanta Falcons on Twitter: "The Falcons have agreed to terms with LB Justin Durant, G Mike Person, LB Brooks Reed and RB Antone Smith. #RiseUp"". Twitter.com. 2015-03-10. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams (2015-03-18). "Biermann Returns to Falcons with New Contract". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams (2015-02-13). "Falcons Add Linebacker Bradford to Roster". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams (2015-03-11). "Falcons Add Wide Receiver Hankerson". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ 11.0 11.1 "Falcons free agency: Adrian Clayborn, Phillip Adams sign with Atlanta Thursday". The Falcoholic. 2015-03-12. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams (2015-03-12). "Falcons Agree to Terms With LB Schofield". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams (2015-03-18). "Falcons Add More Depth to OL With Smith". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ "Falcons Sign TE Jacob Tamme". Atlantafalcons.com. 2015-03-19. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams (2015-03-19). "Falcons Continue to Add to TE Position". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams. "Falcons Part Ways with Veteran RB Jackson". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams (2015-02-27). "Falcons Release Veteran WR Douglas". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Agree-to-Terms-with-Former-Falcons-WR-Harry-Douglas/369c4658-b34f-45c2-9be4-6064b252d7ab
↑ Jay Adams (2015-02-27). "Falcons Release Veteran G Blalock". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Jay Adams (2015-02-27). "Falcons Trim Roster Further, Waive DE Massaquoi". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Fann, Joe (2015-03-03). "Titans Release S Bernard Pollard; Claim OLB Jonathan Massaquoi". Titansonline.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ Getlin, Rand (2015-03-06). "Source: LB Sean Weatherspoon, Cardinals agree on one-year deal - Yahoo Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ "Source: Corey Peters to Cardinals on three-year, $10.5 million deal". Nationalfootballpost.com. 2015-03-09. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasyfootball/update/25101581/falcons-decline-to-tender-wr-drew-davis
↑ "Robert McClain on Twitter: "Thankful to have the opportunity to continue my career with the @Patriots"". Twitter.com. 2015-03-18. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
↑ "Bears ink Rodgers to one year deal". Chicago Bears. 2015-03-31. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
↑ "Falcons waive former seventh round pick". Atlanta Falcons. 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
↑ "Colts reach deal with S Dwight Lowery". Pro Football Talk. 2015-04-03. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
↑ "Lions sign cornerback Josh Wilson". detroitlions.com. 2015-04-03. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
↑ http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-sign-veteran-tight-end-Pascoe/44223d08-1683-4677-9654-0fd21200061f

External links

Official website

Atlanta Falcons

Founded in 1966
Based in Atlanta, Georgia
Headquartered in Flowery Branch, Georgia

The franchise

Stadiums

Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
Georgia Dome
New Atlanta Stadium (under construction)

Culture

Rivalries

Division championships (5)

Super Bowl appearances (1)

XXXIII

Ring of Honor

Current league affiliations

League: National Football League
Conference: National Football Conference
Division: South Division

Seasons (50)

1960s	1966 · 1967 · 1968 · 1969

1970s	1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979

1980s	1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

1990s	1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

2000s	2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

2010s	2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Atlanta Falcons seasons

1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

2015 NFL season

East	North	South	West	East	North	South	West
Buffalo	Baltimore	Houston	Denver	Dallas	Chicago	Atlanta	Arizona
Miami	Cincinnati	Indianapolis	Kansas City	NY Giants	Detroit	Carolina	St. Louis
New England	Cleveland	Jacksonville	Oakland	Philadelphia	Green Bay	New Orleans	San Francisco
NY Jets	Pittsburgh	Tennessee	San Diego	Washington	Minnesota	Tampa Bay	Seattle