Associated Press Photo by Michael Conroy /Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn, shown during the team’s 27-24 loss to the host Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, has taken extra measures to show his players the importance of avoiding penalties after struggling to do so through the first three games this season.FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Looking for clean play in real games, the Atlanta Falcons welcomed additional enforcement to practice Wednesday.
For the first time under Dan Quinn, who is in his fifth season as Atlanta’s head coach, a full crew of seven on-field officials worked the session, six in their black-and-white-striped shirts and the head official in a black shirt.
The Falcons normally have three officials at practices. A change was needed after they were called for 16 penalties, including 10 on defense, in this past Sunday’s 27-24 road loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Quinn said he talked to players before practice about eliminating mistakes, including turnovers, ahead of Sunday’s game against the visiting Tennessee Titans – a matchup of expected playoff contenders off to 1-2 starts.
“Let’s make sure we’re only fighting one team,” Quinn said. “No more self-inflicted wounds that derail us. We’re fighting Tennessee and only Tennessee. I wanted to make sure we got the point across.”
The Falcons have 35 penalties through three games, tied with the Cleveland Browns for worst in the NFL so far this season. So it was time for more whistles – even if quarterback Matt Ryan said he barely noticed the additional striped shirts.
“You focus on other things out there than the refs,” he said.
Quinn said there is a “100%” sense of urgency for Atlanta against the Titans and that one measure to address repeat violations of penalties will be “in-house discipline, so to speak.” The in-house discipline may be administered in players-only meetings, possibly including fines.
“We all have a lot of money, so $100 is not going to mean much,” defensive end Adrian Clayborn said.
Offensive guard Jamon Brown said multiple penalties are “definitely going to cost you a pretty penny.”
“It makes you more aware about playing clean,” Brown said before explaining any fine levied by veteran players wouldn’t be the most painful punishment because “it’s more the dishonor of being called out.”
Added Clayborn: “Nobody wants to get called out by your teammates.”
Penalties are not Atlanta’s only problem. Another factor in the slow start is a minus-4 turnover ratio.
Associated Press Photo by Michael Conroy / Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kemal Ishmael tackles Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton during the first half of last Sunday’s game in Indianapolis. The Falcons host the Tennessee Titans this Sunday in a matchup of expected playoff contenders off to 1-2 starts.Quinn is coming off a 7-9 season in 2018 that was his first losing record in Atlanta. Injuries were a major problem last year, and now the Falcons have lost another key starter. For the second straight opening month of a season, the Falcons must overcome a season-ending injury to strong safety Keanu Neal, who tore his left Achilles’ tendon against the Colts.
The Falcons have fresh memories of how to adjust to losing Neal, who injured his knee in the 2018 opener. As was the case last year, Kemal Ishmael will move up as Neal’s primary replacement. There will be different combinations in the secondary on third down and other passing situations.
Jamal Carter was signed from the practice squad to provide depth at safety. Carter had 11 tackles in 16 games as a rookie with the Denver Broncos in 2017. He was signed to Atlanta’s practice squad on Sept. 2.
Quinn said Carter “showed some of the traits” of speed and toughness the team liked through his three weeks of practice with the Falcons.
“Sometimes you need your shot, need your chance,” said Quinn, who added Carter has the talent to take advantage of the opportunity.
The Falcons had workouts for veteran safeties George Iloka and T.J. McDonald before bringing up Carter on Tuesday.
The team placed Neal on injured reserve, waived punter Matt Wile and signed offensive tackle John Wetzel. Wile was re-signed to the practice squad on Wednesday, when punter Matt Bosher had only limited participation because of the right groin injury that forced him to miss the game against the Colts.
Running backs Kenjon Barner and Ito Smith were held out with concussions – Barner also has a knee injury – and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (toe) was sidelined as well.