FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Today's Early Bird Report includes an in-depth piece on Grady Jarrett's mindset heading into his fourth NFL season.
Enjoy!
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SI.com: In his fourth season, Grady Jarrett insists it's only the beginning
Grady Jarrett has quickly become one of the top disruptors at defensive tackle in the NFL. Lightning quick, Jarrett has a knack for making plays behind the line of scrimmage. Jarrett has also shown he can be relied upon in big moments, as evidenced by his record-tying three sacks in Super Bowl LI.
Now entering his fourth season, Jarrett is focused on continuing his high level of play and building on a strong third year in the league. According to Pro Football Focus, Jarrett's 16 tackles for loss or no gain were the most by any interior defender in the league.
"We had a sense that would happen with him because he has such quickness," head coach Dan Quinn told SI’s Jonathan Jones. "Really good traits for a 300-pound guy that he can beat you to the punch. Get-off at an inside position is really one of the attributes that make him hard to block because he's kind of coiled up, coiled up and then he's ready to go.
"You saw those tackles for loss that he makes, which are disruptive, that's also him being on the move. We had the sense that he had the traits to become that."
To read the rest of Jonathan Jones' detailed article on Jarrett, click here.
Here are more articles for Falcons fans:
BIGGEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE NFL
ESPN: Sources: Bucs' Jameis Winston faces suspension for first three games
The Buccaneers could be without their starting quarterback for the first three games of the 2018 season, according to an ESPN report. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday that the league is planning to suspend Winston following an alleged incident with an Uber driver in Arizona in 2016.
According to Schefter, Winston is expected to be notified in the next week or so about the NFL's decision, which would put the Bucs in a tough position to start the upcoming season. If Winston is indeed suspended, Ryan Fitzpatrick would presumably start the year at quarterback.
A three-game suspension wouldn't have any impact on the Falcons, as they aren't set to face the Buccaneers until Week 6.
Here are some more articles from around the league:
- NFL.com: Schein’s final ‘top 100’ ranking
- NFL.com: NFL official Gene Steratore retires after 15 years
- CBS Sports: Can Bucs deal with Winston’s absence?
