By Michael Aprile
Cory and I were so thrilled for Devonta Freeman and his freshly-inked, five-year deal that we decided to record a special podcast (in addition to our weekly schedule) to talk about what this deal means for the Falcons. In this episode, we cover:
What’s the Deal?: We go over the numbers of Devonta Freeman’s new deal, specifically the ramifications for the Falcons’ salary cap in both the short and long term.
Who’s Next?: This contract has a ripple effect on players like Tevin Coleman, Taylor Gabriel, Jake Matthews, Dontari Poe, Ricardo Allen and others in the pipeline for new deals. We get into what the future looks like for each of these players and more.
Photo by Rotoworld

Episode 11: Devonta Freeman Extension Special—The Rise Up Reader Falcons Podcast

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Ahoy, Rise Up Readers!
Mike and Cory are back in action for their first podcast of the 2018 offseason — we’ve missed you! We’ve grown long beards and have learned to live off the land.
But, the woods can wait…we’ve got mock drafts to do! Our own Matt Karoly joins the show to help us break down our various mock drafts for Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s big decisions. 
Mock a Draft of New Birds: Mike, Cory and Mike go through a seven-round mock draft, all offering different picks as to where this could all go.
Be sure to follow Matt on Twitter @MattKaroly and follow his work here on Rise Up Reader.
Follow Mike at @RiseUpReader and Cory at @CoryWoodroof47.
Give us a “subscribe” on iTunes, and be sure to leave us 5-star review! We’ll give you a Twitter and podcast shout-out.
And, if you feel so inclined, donate to our Patreon page to help fund our efforts! We’d appreciate it!
Programming Note: Cory is hosting Story Birds, a new Atlanta Falcons storytelling podcast over at The Falcoholic. Subscribe to their iTunes account or follow along at their Soundcloud page to follow that new series. 
Mike and Cory will be back after the draft to break down where the Falcons go from there.
 

Falcons Podcast Episode 33: 2018 Mock Draft

by Michael Aprile
Welp, that’s all she wrote. With the Falcons’ season ending at the two-yard line, it’s time to put the 2017 season into perspective and ponder what lies ahead for this team.
Mike and Cory are back for the final edition of this year’s Rise Up Reader podcast, joined by RUR contributor and fantasy guru Evan Birchfield to talk about what happened in Philly and how the Falcons can get back on track next year.
On this week’s pod: 
Flying Too Close to the Sun: The Falcons’ season bounced between close wins and mind-numbing losses, but their fatal red-zone flaw was their ultimate undoing. We discuss how they can improve with Sark and what personnel moves are needed this offseason.
A Falcon-y Free Agency: With key players like Dontari Poe, Taylor Gabriel, Adrian Clayborn, and Matt Bryant hitting the open market, we discuss the futures of each player and who we’d like to see back in red and black.
You Reap What You #SKOL: The guys laugh at the Saints and give their predictions for who will be playing in Super Bowl LII. Hint: we’re not pulling for the Patriots.
Be sure to follow Evan on Twitter at @evanbirchfield and check out his fantasy football write-ups here on Rise Up Reader.
You can also follow along Mike at @RiseUpReader and Cory at @CoryWoodroof47.
Give us a “subscribe” on iTunes, and be sure to leave us 5-star review! We’ll give you a Twitter and podcast shout-out.
Programming Note: Mike and Cory are hosting The Falcoholic Postgame Show this season, presented by Rise Up Reader. Subscribe to The Falcoholic on iTunes to give it a listen, or visit their website. 
Mike and Cory will be back on a bi-weekly cadence to talk free agency and the draft.
Photo from the AJC

Falcons Podcast Episode 32: Season Recap and 2018 Outlook

The Atlanta Falcons just made it to the divisional round of the playoffs, and we’re here to pod about it the best we can.
Mike and Cory are back for another edition of the Rise Up Reader Podcast, joined by RUR staff writer Matt Karoly to break down the team’s upcoming matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. 
On the Docket: 
Birds of a Feather: The Falcons and Eagles both have playoff-ready defenses — can Atlanta’s offense get the best of Philly’s stout defenders?
Gonna Fly Now: After rocky moments in the season, the Falcons defense seems to be soaring. Can they stifle a Nick Foles-led Philly O?
The City of Predictionly Love:  The guys give their thoughts on if the Falcons can advance to the NFC Championship for a second-straight year.
Be sure to follow Matt on Twitter at @mattkaroly and read his Falcons First Takes column and other articles here on Rise Up Reader.
You can also follow along Mike at @RiseUpReader and Cory at @CoryWoodroof47.
Give us a “subscribe” on iTunes, and be sure to leave us 5-star review! We’ll give you a Twitter shout-out with your review.
Programming Note: Mike and Cory are hosting The Falcoholic Postgame Show this season, presented by Rise Up Reader. Subscribe to The Falcoholic on iTunes to give it a listen, or visit their website. 
Mike and Cory will be back next week for…whatever’s to come for our Dirty Birds…
Photo from AtlantaFalcons.com

Falcons Podcast Episode 31: Eagles Preview with Matt Karoly

Your 2017 Atlanta Falcons are playoff bound, headed to sunny Los Angeles to take on the upstart Rams, and we’ve got the podcast to prove it.
Mike and Cory are joined on this edition of the Rise Up Reader Podcast by none other than staff writer and fantasy guru Evan Birchfield.
On the Docket: 
Stop the Battering Ram: The guys discuss how this Falcons defense can slow down RB Todd Gurley and the Rams’ explosive offense.
City of Fast Starts: The Falcons have to take a leap on offense, and the podcasters ponder on how this Atlanta O can find success against a stout Rams D.
A Hollywood Fantasy: Evan uses his fantasy expertise to try to size up which individual players could carry over their regular season production to have big evenings.
Lights, Camera, Predictions: The group offers their take on if the Falcons will advance to the Divisional Round, of if they’re bound to head home after Saturday.
You can find Evan on Twitter at @EvanBirchfield and find his work here on Rise Up Reader.
You can also follow along Mike at @RiseUpReader and Cory at @CoryWoodroof47.
Give us a “subscribe” on iTunes, and be sure to leave us 5-star review! We’ll give you a Twitter shout-out with your review.
Programming Note: Mike and Cory are hosting The Falcoholic Postgame Show this season, presented by Rise Up Reader. Subscribe to The Falcoholic on iTunes to give it a listen, or visit their website. 
Mike and Cory will be back next week for…whatever’s to come for our Dirty Birds…

Falcons Podcast Episode 30: Rams Preview with Evan Birchfield

Atlanta Falcons fans near and far, you know what time it is.
Mike and Cory are here once more to break down the Dirty Birds on this most recent edition of the Rise Up Reader Podcast. This week, Mike and Cory talk Falcons/Saints, Round 2. 
On the Docket: 
Falcons On Black and Gold Ice: Mike and Cory talk about how hard it is for the Falcons to get this one over New Orleans, who are getting RB Alvin Kamara back in the lineup this time around.
Big Uneasy: The Falcons defense has a test with this Saints offense. What can they do to slow down Kamara and Mark Ingram?
Don’t Offend Us Anymore: The guys talk about how this offense can get back on track against a formidable New Orleans defense.
New Predictions: Mike and Cory come to an impasse on where the Falcons end up in their trip to Louisiana.
You can follow along Mike at @RiseUpReader and Cory at @CoryWoodroof47.
Give us a “subscribe” on iTunes, and be sure to leave us 5-star review! We’ll give you a Twitter shout-out with your review.
Programming Note: Mike and Cory are hosting The Falcoholic Postgame Show this season, presented by Rise Up Reader. Subscribe to The Falcoholic on iTunes to give it a listen, or visit their website. 
Mike and Cory will be back next week for a preview of the regular season finale against the Carolina Panthers.
 

Episode 11: Devonta Freeman Extension Special—The Rise Up Reader Falcons Podcast

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