Of the Atlanta Falcons’ many problems this season, special teams play has been chief among the main issues. Still, head coach Raheem Morris maintains there will be no changing of the guard with the unit.
Atlanta (4-8) is on its third kicker after releasing Younghoe Koo and John Parker Romo, while the team ranks last in average kickoff return yards (22.2) and third-worst in yards per punt return (5.9).
The lack of production was on display in the Falcons’ 27-24 loss to the lowly New York Jets on Sunday. Former Pro Bowler Jamal Agnew muffed a punt and the Jets recovered at Atlanta’s 2 in the second quarter, directly leading to their first touchdown. Zane Gonzalez missed a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter, before the Falcons’ kickoff unit allowed Isaiah Williams’ 83-yard return, leading to New York’s game-tying field goal in the fourth.
Despite the hapless play, Morris is sticking with special teams coordinator Marquice Williams, who’s been in the position since 2021.
“No. Not at this time,” Morris told reporters on Monday when asked if he’d make a change. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in what Marquice does. I’ve got a lot of confidence in our coaching techniques. I’ve got a lot of confidence in our guys to go and execute. We just have not done it.
“… We played awful (Sunday) on special teams. I don’t know how to say it any other way. You can’t give up the kickoff return, and you certainly can’t muff it on the 2-yard line. We gave up 10 points on special teams.”
Offensively, veteran Kirk Cousins has assumed the starting quarterback role after Michael Penix Jr. suffered a season-ending partially torn ACL. Cousins passed for 234 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, despite throwing to a much different receiving core than Atlanta envisioned having entering the year.
Leading receiver Drake London has missed two straight weeks with a knee strain. Ray-Ray McCloud, who had a career year with the Falcons last season, was released in October after missing several games and then being sent home as a “healthy scratch.”
The inexperience at the position was highlighted on Sunday, with Dylan Drummond, Deven Thompkins and David Sills V combining for 88 offensive snaps in the loss. The three have just 11 total career starts to their names. Thompkins was elevated in place of Casey Washington on Sunday, as the receiving carousel continues.
“You’ve got to go out there and find out who’s going to give you the best chance to win,” Morris said of the receiving room. “We went with (Thompkins). He kind of outplayed (Washington) in practice so we put D.T. out there. Drummond has been able to play a little for us the last two weeks. It’s always going to be performance-based and trying to see who can give you the best chance to win.”
Ahead of Atlanta’s home meeting with the Seattle Seahawks, Cousins may be getting a massive piece back in London.
“Drake is certainly getting better,” Morris said. “He certainly has a chance to play. We’ll have to see him move around a bit this week and we’ll get more or a feel for that by Wednesday and Thursday.”
