 We'll take a look back and a look at what's to come for the Falcons. Desmond Ritter might be a big part of Atlanta's future. We're going deep with the rookie QB. Then we'll crunch the numbers of the NFL Draft order. Plus we'll get you ready for the dogs and the frogs with a national title on the line. That more ahead on early birds. Grab a cup of your favorite Joe and let's talk Falcons football on early birds presented by Mercedes Benz. Oh good morning and welcome into the season finale of early bird shock. You're going to miss seeing me every Saturday morning? Every single Saturday morning I'm going to miss you brother. I'll just stop by the house. I'll bring donuts. Don't worry about it. Let's get things started with the opening drive. Falcons in Buccaneers tomorrow here on Fox 5. So shock I'll start with the big question. Is Desmond Ritter the quarterback of the future? We're not going to figure it out right now Falcons. So they're going to have a high first round draft pick. So DJ my question is what goes into making that decision if Ritter's the guy or not? You know I just I think there are a lot of things that go into account when you're thinking about can this guy lead our team, lead our organization. And still you think about he's missing one of the best players in Cowboys so you don't know what that relationship is like. He hasn't had a full season in his last ball game. You may not be going against the top quality competition. But the best thing to know is over the last two games he has continued to improve. So that's a positive step in the right direction. If you're thinking about Ritter being your guy going into next season. Here's a little bit more about the rookie quarterback. Just give me what they take me. Not forcing it. Not trying to do too much. Just going out there and playing my game and being loose and free. And for us to come back you know whenever we come back in April, June, July to look back and say okay how did we finish last season? Did we finish it on a high note or a low note? You know if we finish it on a high note obviously everyone's going to be feeling good and you know juiced up to get back to it. Alright as we continue on in the opening drive we'll put quarterback aside for a moment because that's just one rostered decision of many for Arthur Smith and Terry Fonno. You got right tackle Caleb McGarry leading tackleer Rashawn Evans, Lorenzo Carter on and on players whose contracts are up this year. And Shaq there could be a lot of change in the next few months. Yeah no doubt about it. You're talking about all these guys who are on one year deals and that's the most important thing is do these guys come back? Do you bring some of those guys back as well as your rookies played this year? Do they play a bigger role? But then you think about they're going to have a lot of money in cap space so they're going to be a lot of new faces a part of this team. It's going to be interesting to see how this change over for this team happens next season. And here's Arthur Smith on how he views the falcus transition from last year headed into this offseason. This year was a lot younger team and as we made kind of the second transition. So I think you're seeing more of the foundation now Jeff guys after two years and there'll be a lot of things that open up that we haven't had in the offseason. Things that we got a strategically plan ahead and which we have it'll certainly be different going on this year than any other offseason we've had. But we feel the foundation strong habits. A lot of the young guys we've invested in I recall that stuff's been positive. And as we wrap up the opening drive the Falcons are going to finish this season with either six or seven wins. Okay that's a far cry from people saying they were only going to win two or three before the year. But we also all know what could have been some of those close losses. So DJ whatever happens tomorrow do you feel like this season was a success? I say a resounding yes. And it goes back to what we just talked about so many guys on one year deal. So many rookies playing this year. And then you got Arthur Smith in the second season getting these guys playing to a higher level. Everybody thought they'd be two wins and had a pretty tough schedule here throughout the year and was able to get to this point. You mentioned it there were a lot of times where they could have won those games that they lost being in every single ball game set for the Cincinnati game. This was a Falcons team that played really hard this season. We'll see if they can end on an even higher note. Tomorrow we're welcoming to Early Birds alongside DJ Shockley. I'm Justin Felder and let's pick up that last point. So you said you feel like the season is a success. What's the next step? Will it be playoffs or bust? I think so. I think you got to get to the next level which is playing in the playoffs. You think you were almost good enough to be in that this year with the losses you had. So I think absolutely this is a season where hey next year it's all about the playoffs. Well Shock we are leaving ground. Will things ever be the same again? It is the final countdown to the final film room. Bars, that's all I'm talking about. I love it. Last show of the year on a final countdown. I thought it worked. But first only appropriate our final sit down interview of the year is with the longest tenured member of the Falcons. Been quite a ninth season in the NFL for Jake Matthews which included a mad dash to a game after being there with his wife as they had their first child. Matthews also a guy that we know in the locker room is always open and honest about the only NFL team that he's played for. He spoke one on one with our Victor Prieto this week. Now you're looking at, you're staying at this Sunday 144 consecutive starts and you would tie Todd McClure for second in franchise history. First off, do you remember the last time you didn't start a football game? Week two of 2014 I had a high ankle sprain. My first start and my left ankle went in at half time, missed the second week at Cincinnati and then haven't missed since. What's that like? What's that mean to you to be able to play basically every single game you've been in as a line of falcon? Yeah, I mean it's pretty amazing. It's hard to take credit for it. I mean honestly, the good Lord kind of blessed me with a body that can take a beating. I'm working just as hard as the rest of the guys and doing the same stuff they're doing but it's humbling too. It also, a little surreal makes me feel old. I can't believe I'm setting records for consecutive games here. Sometimes I feel like I just got here. And you guys have just been all sorts of good this season. I mean you're one of the top ranked O-Lines in the NFL. What was it about this year that you guys just were able to click? You know, when Art First got here, we had all the same fundamentals and things we wanted to bring to this offense and as a team. And I think just going into this second year and really understanding the scheme, exactly what we're looking for and plays and how we wanted things to look, everyone bought in and it's hard to come out every Wednesday and practice hard and do things the right way and we've made a commitment as a group that we're going to continue to push ourselves and we haven't taken days off and I think all that work and chipping away, it's added up and thankfully carried over into games. And when you're walking off that field and the clock hits zero, how do you assess how this season went? I think some of the stuff you mentioned, the statistics of how we've improved as an offensive line, just speaking in regards to that, I think Algiers is getting close to hitting a thousand yards on the air so that would be pretty amazing and you try to take some of the good but at the same time we're going to find plenty we need to fix and that's the same every year that if you're not feeling that, it's probably time for you to retire so we'll have plenty to work on this offseason and hopefully we'll keep trending up like we have. I just heard Jake Matthews talking right there and he talked about this offense and how good they're playing. Algiers close to a thousand yards but they're the details and the things they do in the run game that helps this offense be so successful. Let's jump into it. Now, this is the fourth and one call from the last ball game and watch this motion. This motion is very critical. By this motion, him going across, it forces these linebackers to bump over. Now, that's important because Caleb McGarry, your right tackle has to get all the way over here to seal block this linebacker and without this motion, he would stay here and be hard to get to that block. So, you're going to get a reach block on the outside here, then you're going to get a double team on this guy and the second most important block is our pro bowler here. He has to seal this guy right here who's already on the inside. So, you see the motion come across, now you see these guys jump over. Here's the nice block here. Here's the double team coming off the edge here and you see Lystham get around and get his butt turned this way so he forces this hole and now the next biggest block is Caleb McGarry going around and is sealing this guy here on the outside on that second level which gives our Jir the opportunity to run right through this. Look how big that hole is. Nice job of crease blocks and nice job of these guys doing a great job on a second level. This is what it's all about for this Falcons offensive line. They did such a great job all year of pushing the line of scrimmage and now you're looking at a bat in our Jir, Justin, who's looking to get a thousand yards in the last game. And Shaq, how about Chris Lindstrom? Looks like he took three steps for the defender, was even out of his stance. No doubt. Shaq, more to come in a bit. We are two days from Georgia playing for their second straight national title. We have promised to be nice to our resident Ohio State Buckeye after the break, plus. For me, it's all about, you know, you got to be able to think fast but also think slow. Desmond Ritter has a lot more on his plate than just perfect passes. He will break it down next and go in deep. The Falcons fans score a touchdown with low tire prices that made these tires and brakes. The official tire retailer of the Atlanta Falcons. Visit MavisTire.com to find a store near you. This is presented by Mercedes-Benz, the best or not. And brought to you by Georgia Lottery. Today could be the day. By Truist, committed to a better future. And by Home Depot, how doers get more done? I'm a switch gears and talk a little college ball. Bought to you by Truist. BB&T and SunTrust are now Truist. Here we get it's Fox Fives, Justin Felton. Welcome back into Early Birds. We welcome in former Falcons and Ohio State wide receiver, Michael Jenkins. We DJ promised to be nice. We kept him in the other studio so we can ask you, how you doing a week after? I'm all right. I'm all right. Obviously wanted to win, but I think we earned a lot of respect for Georgia fans in the job that Coach Day and CJ Stroud did in that game. So we gave them all we could have and, you know, just didn't make enough place to win. I know you were there. In the Peach Bowl, Georgia Ohio State, instant classic. What were your big takeaways from that game? And you said, hey, respect for your Buckeyes and Georgia gets challenged. Yeah, I think we saw the depth of Georgia. Because we, you know, we kind of shut down Jalen Carter. We kind of shut down Brock Bowers a little bit. You know, McConkie didn't really do anything. But the other receivers, you know, Smith and Jackson and Mitchell and those guys stepped up and made good plays. And I think that's positive for Georgia fans and this team going forward to see those guys playing big. Certainly have to feel better on the offense. And especially if they can get guys like Darnell Washington back. All right, let's talk about the national championship game, Georgia and TCU. We're going to go deep on it. We'll start with when Georgia is talking about TCU a little bit in this one. They gave up 45 points. Excuse me. They gave up some points to Ohio State. Does that give you some worry if you're a dog stand before they take on TCU? A little bit. You know, I think Georgia struggled a little bit with mobile quarterbacks. And next dug in, we all know that he can run the ball and make plays so they're going to have to really contain him, keep him in the pocket and make him throw, hopefully, not to Quentin Johnson, who is a special talent on the outside. Right, but just getting tested. Does that give them a load? They've got the experience, but does that make them feel better confidence wise? I think Kirby's doing a good job making sure these guys get past this Ohio State game and realize, hey, we have a chance to go back to back when we need to refocus and do what we do as dogs. Dog sound focused to us. Take a listen. Did not play our best football game. A lot of that had to do with Ohio State. I have a lot of respect for them. I have a lot of respect for these players that are on this podium with me and the ones in the locker room. And if we want any chance of winning a national championship, we have to play a lot better football. Okay, other side of things. I remember I was at the Benz last week. Every time TCU scored against your buddies from Michigan, all your Ohio State fans went crazy. But that was a big upset. A lot of people learned a little bit more about TCU. What did you learn about the Horned Frogs? I mean, those guys are gritty. I mean, every game has been close this season and they've earned the right to be able to play for a national championship. So with a Heisman finalist and Max Duggan, Quentin Johnson on the outside, a Thorpe winner, the best DB in the country and Tomlinson on the other side, they have the players to have the right to be in this game. As exciting as the Peach Bowl was, this one was just as good here, the Cinderella Horned Frogs. It's up to us to prove those guys wrong. And it still is. I mean, that's just the way it is. And then when this season ends, you know, the bigger challenge now is how are we going to react to being, you know, kind of the favorite? How are we going to react to having that target on our chest? Howard Jackson is an indescribably good game of the week. We thought long and hard about this one. We're going to go with Georgia and TCU, of course, Monday night national championship game. It should be fun. And Jank, I got to tell you, awesome being with you on the college football segments all season long. I love it. You did a great job. Great insight. And DJ, you've been nice all day. We'll send it over to you. Just keep it civil. Jank sees my smile. He knows everything I'm thinking. Jank, great game, man. No doubt. All right, there's a lot that goes on in the mind of a quarterback before the ball is snapped. It doesn't just end there either for gun slingers. They have to go through all their progressions as well before throwing the rock. Now, Desmond Ritter has his own process for that. He explains that this one's going deep. And when, you know, when you're in a game, I'm obviously not out there giving the head bob or anything. But, you know, you just see a subtle reset with your feet. You know, whether it's kind of across the board or whatever it may be. But, you know, you usually see that with your feet and your hips and then your shoulders come after. But, you know, a lot of the times we like to call it, you know, a sprinkler head on some reeds where you kind of just, you know, right across the board. And sometimes you just get up there and it's just, you know, run the play and run the play. You know, sometimes it's a pass, sometimes it's a run, but it's just get up there and go. And so, you know, for me, it's all about, you know, you got to be able to think fast but also think slow. And have your body move fast, but also have it move slow at the same time. So there's an equal balance to it all with the mind and the body and keeping everything kind of calm and cool, but also speed it up at the same time. Well, the Falcons could, could maybe think quarterback again in the draft this year, but where will they be picking? Miles and Victor will break it all down ahead on Early Birds. Well, it's something no football fan ever wants to see. A player having to leave a stadium and go to a hospital. Of course, we were all watching last weekend as that happened in the game involving the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals. Should that ever happen involving the Atlanta Falcons, the team certainly has a plan. And that's the focus of this week's Emory Road to Recovery. We utilize Grady being a level one trauma center, being a premier hospital to evaluate and take care of anything that could come through their door. And then also being affiliated with Emory. So we have a relationship with them. And so we have staff that are here, EMS staff that are here full time to help us with a player who may need to go to Grady. And that's both for the visiting team and for our home team because we're, you know, appropriately responsible for both. And we have visiting team doctor, what's called a visiting team medical liaison, or we call them the VTML. And they use our affiliate with Grady. So they can help with both teams. We have an ambulance on site. So like I said, God forbid we have to go to the hospital. We're going to the hospital. Somebody from my staff will go, one of the doctors from my staff will go along with the athlete. One of our training staff will go along with the athlete. The VTML will go along with the athlete. And then the EMS personnel will go along with the athlete. And then we have Grady doctors who are here to help coordinate that athlete getting in. All right, thanks, Dr. Falcons. We'll take a look at where they are picking and they didn't fail to drive after tomorrow. We'll take a look at the possibilities next on Early Birds. This has been presented to you by Mercedes-Benz. The best or nothing. Falcons fans, score a touchdown with low tire prices at Mavis Tires and Brakes. The official tire retailer of the Atlanta Falcons. Visit MavisTire.com to find a store near you. All right, time for our play of the day presented by Lucra, the new friendly competition app. Shocked. The question, Tyler Algier has exactly $900 rushing yards on the season. Can he get 100 or more tomorrow to crack a thousand? Ooh, Justin, I think so. He's been around 80, 90 every single game. I think he does it and gets the 1,000. You heard Jake Matthews. They want to do it for him. If you want to compete head-to-head with your friends, just scan the QR code on your screen. Well, barring a trade, the Falcons are all but certain to make a third straight top 10 pick in the NFL Draft & Shock. We know that's not where they want to be, right? No. It's where they are right now, though. Might as well make the most of it in the meantime. Still some possibilities to sort out before we get the exact draft order. Miles and Victor broke out the calculator to explain. Justin, DJ, NFL Draft coming up just a few short months away. Let's talk draft positioning for the Dirty Birds. We saw the impact they had on offense from these rookies. Same thing happened on defense as well. Three starters at this point in the season. So we're going to bring in our Victor Prieto to talk about draft positioning for this year to win or lose on Sunday. Victor. Miles, it comes down to this week, right? The Falcons against the Bucks. So right now the Falcons are in a three-way tie with the Braiders and the Panthers all standing at 6 and 10. So the Falcons in terms of draft-wise can fall anywhere between the sixth pick and the ninth pick. There's another team, too. The fourth team entering that fray, the LA Rams who sit just above them at 5 and 11. Now, there's a whole lot of things to consider here, including strength of schedule, right? Oh, yeah. So the factor between all these teams is opponent strength of schedule. So you're looking for the weaker number or smaller number so that you can see the Falcons actually are currently leading but it is so close, 0.4%, that it really has potential to change. So here's the result. The Falcons lose to the Buccaneers. What happens for their draft order? Well, the Falcons lose. Then it's going to come down to the Rams' matchup. The Rams beat the Seahawks. They will put themselves in that best situation to finish with that sixth pick. The Seahawks then they'll stay at where they are currently projected, which is the seventh pick. Okay, so let's talk good things. The Falcons finally beat Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. What does that do for their draft? It probably goes a little bit farther back, right? That's right. Well, the Falcons, they pull it off and close out the season with the win against the Bucs and it comes down to the Raiders and the Panthers' games. So either the Raiders or the Panthers lose. The Falcons will fall into that eighth slot. But if that or changes to an end and both the Raiders and Panthers lose, then they get to that ninth pick. So that would be the worst-case scenario in terms of the Falcons' draft. So not the worst thing in the world. Have the ninth overall pick if you win on a bad consolation prize, guys. Guys, Miles and Victor, well done. And Shock, we want to take a moment and say those two guys that you just saw right there, they do so much great work on this show, our other Falcons programming, as well as our excellent studio crew here at Fox 5 DJ. We appreciate them so much. Absolutely. We are blessed with the best crew. No doubt about it. Everybody works hard. It's been a great year. So kudos to everybody. And a lot to look forward to next year. Shock, been another good season. You looking forward to some downtime or are you focused on the dogs? Justin, you know, I'm going to LA, baby. Let's go. All right. Enjoy that trip. I'll be out there with you. That's it for another season here on Early Birds for DJ Shockley. I'm Justin Felder. Have a good morning and a great rest of your weekend.