FLOWERY BRANCH, Georgia: After a Super Bowl championship was ripped from his grasp, MVP Matt Ryan needed some time to grieve.
He was not alone on the Atlanta Falcons.
This one hurt.
A lot.
“There’s no getting around it,” Ryan said Wednesday. “You hang on to it for a little bit. You’re in kind of your spot, whatever that is, your dark place for a little bit. Then you realize life goes on.”
For the Falcons, that reality began to sink in this week when they returned to their training complex in Atlanta’s sprawling northern suburbs to begin nearly two months of offseason workouts.
Being together again, with a new goal to shoot for, put a bit of salve on their epic collapse at the Super Bowl, where the Falcons squandered a 25-point lead in the second half and lost in overtime to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots .
“We addressed it. We talked about it,” Ryan said. “And I felt like it was very clear that everybody was focused on what’s in front of us.”
Coach Dan Quinn, who coined the mantra “brotherhood” to illustrate the closeness of his team during its drive to the title game , has already come up with a new catchphrase to stress where the Falcons are at heading into the 2017 season.
He calls this “base camp” — as in, the point where his team will regroup and start climbing again after coming up just short of the summit.
“In the Everest world of the climbers, where they go to base camp, they take a shot, get acclimated, come back, and keep going for it,” Quinn said.
The Falcons return largely the same team, built around a dynamic offense led by Ryan at quarterback and a young defense that showed enormous promise until Brady pulled off his unprecedented comeback.
But there have been some big changes in the past couple of months, most notably on the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan left to become head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and was succeeded by former Washington and Southern Cal coach Steve Sarkisian . Richard Smith was dumped as defensive coordinator, replaced in house by secondary coach Marquand Manuel .
“We’ve got different guys in the building now. We’re going to be a different team than we were last year,” Ryan said. “Our focus needs to be in front of us.”
And how’s this for timing: While the Falcons were talking about moving on, the Patriots were at the White House being congratulated again for their stunning victory.
It will be interesting to see how the Falcons cope with such a monumental disappointment.
There’s no set template to draw guidance from, since some athletes who’ve been through a similar ordeal seemed to carry it with them the rest of their careers (golfer Jean van de Velde never came close to another major title after throwing away the 1999 British Open on the 72nd hole).
Others have used it as motivation to reach greater heights (the Boston Red Sox won the World Series in 2004 after a brutal meltdown in the playoffs the year before).
The Falcons are determined to follow the latter path.
“This is the team that wants to prove things — prove how strong they are, how tight they are, how connected they are,” Quinn said. “Obviously, we addressed (the Super Bowl). But we also talked about, now, no more looking back in the rearview. 2017 is officially here, and let’s go for it like we never have before.”
While Quinn stresses competition at every position, there won’t be any major holes to fill going into training camp.
The most notable battle will be for an offensive guard spot after Chris Chester decided to retire. He’ll likely be replaced by either Ben Garland, a backup on the offensive and defensive lines, or Wes Schweitzer, who didn’t play during his rookie season but was cited by Quinn as showing tremendous improvement in practice and workouts.
Several players will be limited during the offseason. Star receiver Julio Jones is recovering from foot surgery, while top cornerback Desmond Trufant is coming back from a season-ending pectoral injury that didn’t stop the Falcons from signing him to a $69 million contract extension.
Both should be ready to go at full speed when training camp opens in late July.
Safety Ricardo Allen can’t wait to get back on the field. As disappointing as the Super Bowl was, he believes it taught the Falcons some valuable lessons about giving just a little bit more during the offseason so they don’t wilt again with a championship on the line.
“We’ve been in that moment. We got tired,” Allen said. “Everybody had plays to make. This just pushes us up to another level to be able to go make those plays when they need to be made.”
Falcons look to move on after epic Super Bowl collapse
Falcons look to move on after epic Super Bowl collapse
Fakhar Zaman eyes international return as he prepares for DP World ILT20 start with Desert Vipers
- 100% he will play for Pakistan again, says 34-year-old top-order powerhouse
DUBAI: Pakistan top-order powerhouse Fakhar Zaman is getting ready for the DP World ILT20 with the Desert Vipers, but he believes he still has plenty to offer Pakistan.
The 34-year-old has not played for his country since the ICC T20 World Cup in June of 2024, but he told the Vipers Voices podcast he has not turned the page on his international career.
“Hundred percent I will play for Pakistan (again),” he said. “Actually, many people do not know about that, but after the T20 World Cup I got sick and because of the medical condition I was not fit, so I was not a part of the team.
“But now I recovered a 100 percent, and you will see me in the next international series which Pakistan plays.”
The next major white-ball tournament for Pakistan is the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, hosted by Pakistan, and it is an event that in 2017 saw Zaman announce himself on the world stage, with a match-winning 100 against India in the final at The Oval in London.
“My plan has been around the Champions Trophy (in 2025),” he said. “I did not play in the Australia tour or in the South Africa tour, so my whole plan was just to play in the Champions Trophy to make myself available and to be fully fit for the tournament.
“That was in the back of my mind, and I am thankful, and I am lucky to be fit right now. I started from the Champions Trophy 2017 and that went really well for me and now I am very excited for the next edition also.”
Incumbent Pakistan opener Saim Ayub was recently injured during Pakistan’s tour to South Africa, potentially opening up a spot for Zaman. But the Pakistani batter said he expected to stay with the Desert Vipers for the whole tournament while wishing for Ayub’s speedy recovery.
“I hope and I believe that he will recover quickly, and I was thinking yesterday to call Saim just to talk to him about this injury,” he said. “Believe me, he is such a great player that if he continues to play for the next four to five years, he will be at the top and he will be amongst the top three players in the world.”
Zaman was a top target for the Desert Vipers’ Director of Cricket Tom Moody for this year’s tournament in the UAE, with the Australia ICC Cricket World Cup winner calling the left-hander “a true match-winner.”
From Zaman’s perspective, the opportunity to link up with the Desert Vipers required little thought.
“There are many Pakistani players who have played for the Desert Vipers including Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Azam Khan and Mohammad Amir. And they talk really highly about this team, the environment, the management, the way they play the cricket and the way their mindset is,” he said.
“So, when I got the offer, without any discussion with anyone, I said ‘yes, I would love to play for this team.’
“I was really excited and, to be honest, I was supporting this team even before I was a part of this, so I am really excited to be here and I am very happy.”
Zaman has more than 5,000 international runs and over 7,000 runs in Twenty20 cricket, but although he is best known as an opener, he has batted from one to six for Pakistan in the shortest international format.
And although he wants to open, he is willing to slot in anywhere. “Of course, my preference is always to open for any team, like if I play in the T20 matches or 50-over games, but you know it also depends on the team requirement,” he said.
“In Pakistan we have three of the best players in the world in Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub, so sometimes I feel lucky to be in the team even if I am not able to make my place in the team as an opener.
“If the team has faith in me and they want me to bat at number four or five, so that totally makes sense, because for me the team is always first and I play wherever the team wants me to play, but I always prefer to open.”
Looking ahead to the DP World ILT20, Zaman said that while he was relishing playing with every single member of the Vipers squad, there was one player in particular that he could not wait to line up alongside.
“I know he does not know about it, but I am very excited to play with Sherfane Rutherford because he is one of the best cricketers in the T20 format and I really enjoy seeing him batting,” he said.
“I am very excited to be part of this team, and I want to share the crease with him. He is one of the best players, so I am very excited to play with that guy.”
And as for the prospects for the team in the upcoming tournament, Zaman said he was confident the group would be successful.
“If you see our team, the team is very balanced,” he said. “We have a good mix of young players and experienced players. We have good players, and we have strength in both our bowling and batting.
“So, if we play as a team — and you know in cricket you need luck also —then hopefully, if luck favors us, you will see us in the finals.”
The Desert Vipers’ first match of the 2025 DP World ILT20 is on day two of the tournament, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
We will ‘do our best’ for Barcelona’s Saudi fans, says Raphinha ahead of Spanish Super Cup start in Jeddah
- Barcelona face Athletic Club in Wednesday’s first semifinal, with winners tackling either Real Madrid or Mallorca in the final at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah
JEDDAH: Raphinha says Barcelona are determined to repay local fans for their support by winning the Supercopa de Espana in Jeddah.
La Liga runners-up Barcelona and Copa del Rey winners Athletic Club will contest the first Supercopa semifinal on Wednesday at King Abdullah Sports City, with kickoff at 10 p.m. local time.
The winners will face either La Liga champions Real Madrid or Copa del Rey finalists Mallorca in Sunday’s final at the same stadium.
Barcelona have an enormous fanbase in Saudi Arabia, a country with a thriving football culture that has been the hosts of the Supercopa de Espana since 2020.
The Catalans are sure to enjoy the majority of the support in Jeddah on Wednesday evening and Raphinha wants to ensure their fans are treated to a spectacle.
Raphinha, 28, said: “I would like to thank them for the love. We know how difficult it is for fans to be able to go to Barcelona and watch one of our games there, so to be able to come here, play in a semifinal and (possibly) a final is great, it’s exciting. What we can do is appreciate the love and do our best to try and win two matches.”
Raphinha arrives in Jeddah as one of Barcelona’s standout players this season, scoring 17 goals and creating 10 assists in 25 matches in all competitions.
The team, however, enter the Supercopa in mixed form. Following a blistering start to the season, Barcelona have lost three of their last seven matches, including consecutive defeats in La Liga.
Barca’s pedigree in the Supercopa is unrivalled, though, having won a record 14 trophies. They last won the competition in Riyadh in 2023, and Raphinha believes success in Jeddah this week can provide a vital boost for the rest of the season.
“A title gives confidence to any team,” the Brazilian forward said. “We have to be ready to fight for everything. We have the opportunity to win the first title of the year. It will give us a lot of confidence.”
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick echoed Raphinha’s comments by insisting his players are raring to go and are fully focused on achieving more Supercopa success in Saudi Arabia.
Flick said: “I can feel with the team everyone is ready for this tournament. The semifinal against Athletic is a tough match and we focus on that and not think about the days after that, only focus on this match.
“Of course, when you win titles, it’s very good for the club, very good for the team, for every player and also for us coaches, because we all work hard and train hard.”
If Barcelona are to add to their 14 Supercopas, they will need to get past extremely tough opposition, starting with semifinal opponents Athletic Club.
The Catalans edged the Basque club 2-1 in their most recent meeting at the start of the Spanish Liga season, although Athletic enter the tie with the better overall form, going unbeaten in their last 15 matches in all competitions and winning 11.
Athletic have also won their last two Supercopa matches against Barca, claiming a 3-2 victory after extra time in the 2021 final, and a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate win in 2015 before the format was expanded to four teams.
Athletic captain Oscar De Marcos is aware of the task against Barcelona, but insists they are ready for the challenge.
“We’re looking forward to being in another semifinal,” he said. “We know we’re facing a very tough opponent, but whenever you’re close to a title you have the hope of being able to win it. We need a great game to be able to win it.”
Athletic also have stellar Supercopa experience in the dugout. Manager Ernesto Valverde has been in charge for two of Athletic’s three Supercopa triumphs, while he is familiar with the tournament in Saudi having led Barcelona in the inaugural four-team tournament in 2020.
“We are excited about the Supercopa,” the Spanish coach said. “Our intention is to make the most of our chances. We are not favorites from the start, but we have to play like it. We will give everything to win it because we have travelled here for a reason.”
On the fans in Saudi Arabia, Valverde added: “There are more Barcelona fans than our own. That’s for sure. There will be a good atmosphere and we hope people can enjoy a good match. I know it well because it was my last match with Barcelona.”
The Supercopa de Espana is being staged in Saudi Arabia as part of a long-term partnership with the Royal Spanish Football Federation, which will keep the competition in the Kingdom until 2029.
Football chiefs set dates, name the eight stadiums for 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: Football chiefs on Tuesday set the dates and named the stadiums for the 2027 Asian Cup tournament in Saudi Arabia — a dress rehearsal for the jewel in the crown, the 2034 World Cup.
Matches will take place from Jan. 7 to Feb. 5, 2027, in Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar.
Five stadiums in the capital will host Asia’s football elite: King Fahd Sports City Stadium, King Saud University Stadium, Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud University Stadium, Kingdom Arena and Al Shabab Stadium.
The two Jeddah venues will be King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City, and a new stadium will be built in Alkhobar.
“Confirming the dates and selecting the stadiums ... is a strategic milestone in our journey to host the tournament,” said Yasser Al-Misehal, president of Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
“We are confident that we will deliver a comprehensive sporting experience that extends beyond the matches themselves, creating a unique and integrated event that showcases Saudi Arabia’s status as a hub for major international sporting events.”
Isak strikes again as Newcastle beats Arsenal 2-0 in League Cup semifinal 1st leg
- Isak struck in the 37th minute to continue his outstanding scoring run with his 14th goal in 15 games
Newcastle moved a step closer to a first major domestic trophy since 1955 with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of the English League Cup semifinals Tuesday.
Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon at the Emirates Stadium put Newcastle within reach of the final at Wembley Stadium in March. The second leg is at St. James’ Park on Feb. 5.
It was Newcastle’s first win at the Emirates since 2010 and Arsenal’s first home defeat since April.
Isak struck in the 37th minute to continue his outstanding scoring run with his 14th goal in 15 games. The Sweden international was involved in Newcastle’s second in the 51st, when his shot was saved by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and the rebound was converted by Gordon.
Despite being bought by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in 2021, Newcastle hasn’t won a major domestic trophy since lifting the FA Cup almost 70 years ago. But it is close to second League Cup final in three years after losing to Manchester United in 2023.
Newcastle is also pushing for a return to the Champions League after missing out last season — sitting fifth in the Premier League standings and one point outside of the automatic qualifying places for European club soccer’s elite tournament.
Victory against Arsenal was a seventh straight win in all competitions for Eddie Howe’s team, which has been inspired by Isak’s brilliant goal-scoring form.
He fired in off the underside of the crossbar from close range after a long free kick was played into his path by Jacob Murphy.
It was Isak’s seventh goal in his last five games.
Despite in-stadium referee announcements being trialed for the match, an apparent push in the buildup to his goal did not result in referee Craig Pawson reviewing the sideline monitor.
It was Isak’s sharpness that led to Newcastle’s second. His effort from inside the box six minutes into the second half was parried by Raya, but Gordon was the quickest to react at the far post to fire home.
Arsenal was unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions and is second in the Premier League standings.
It had the chance to take the lead when Gabriel Martinelli burst through in the 29th and fired against the post.
Kai Havertz wasted a golden opportunity to pull a goal back when his attempted header from directly in front of goal came off his shoulder and went wide.
Tottenham plays Liverpool in the other semifinal, with the first leg being staged at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday.
Rajkovic, Benzema star as Al-Ittihad dump Al-Hilal out of King Cup
- Thriller goes to penalties after sides finish level
- 120 minutes of football saw the sides end all-square at 2-2
RIYADH: Al-Ittihad defeated Al-Hilal 3-1 in a penalty shootout on Tuesday to move into the semifinal of the King Cup after 120 minutes of action in Riyadh had ended 2-2.
Predrag Rajkovic was the hero for the Jeddah club, saving three of Al-Hilal’s penalty kicks.
The first half was an even affair, although it started badly for Al-Hilal with the Saudi Pro League’s top goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic leaving the pitch after 13 minutes with what seemed to be a hamstring injury.
Three minutes later, Al-Hilal almost took the lead but Salem Al-Dawsari’s shot from just inside the penalty area hit the foot of a post.
After 26 minutes, Karim Benzema started asking questions, forcing a good save from Yassine Bounou with a curling shot from outside the area.
The French striker had the ball in the net just before the break, shooting home after Bounou had got a hand to a low shot from N’Golo Kante, but he was ruled offside.
There was still time in the first half for Benzema to shoot tamely at the Moroccan goalkeeper from close range.
The former Real Madrid star finally broke the deadlock just after the hour, just moments after Malcom had hit the post for Al-Hilal. Benzema controlled a right-sided cross from Muhannad Al-Shanqiti and then fired home from close range.
Al-Hilal were back on level terms with 18 minutes remaining. The ball fell to Salem Al-Dawsari just inside the area and the 2022 Asian Player of the Year made no mistake to shoot past Rajkovic.
The game went into extra-time and after 101 minutes Al-Hilal moved ahead for the first time. Moteb Al-Harbi produced a perfect diagonal low cross from the left to find Marcos Leonardo at the far post and the Brazilian did the rest.
However, it did not take long for Benzema to equalize, sweeping the ball high into the net from close range to take the game to penalties.
A dismal effort from Al-Hilal followed from the spot as they scored just once.
Mohamed Kanno took the first, which was saved by Rajkovic, and when Benzema scored, Al-Ittihad were in the driving seat, especially as the Serbian goalkeeper also blocked Leonardo’s attempt.
Fabinho made it 2-0 to The Tigers and after Danilo Pereira scored to make it 3-1, Malcom had to hit the back of the net for the match to stay alive but Rajkovic saved once more.
Al-Ittihad and their traveling fans celebrated as they joined Al-Qadsiah, who defeated Al-Taawoun 3-0 earlier on Tuesday, in the last four. They join Al-Shabab and Al-Raed in the semis.
