The Atlanta Falcons introduced Raheem Morris as the 19th head coach in franchise history on Monday afternoon. Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot met with the media for about an hour, discussing the hiring process and their shared vision for the team.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank was absent from the press conference, leaving Morris and Fontenot to answer the majority of questions. The vibe was noticeably more upbeat than it was under former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith.
Let’s check in on Twitter to see how Falcons fans responded to Morris’ introductory presser.
Listening to Arthur Smith’s press conferences for 3 years, felt depressing.
Listening to Raheem Morris talk for one hour today, felt so refreshing.
The difference in personalities.
I’m really excited for Raheem to be our head coach, he has so much positive energy.
Ready…
— Bryce Lewis (@Bryce_Lewis86) February 5, 2024
Raheem Morris would be a fantastic cult leader. I'd drink his kool aid any day baby
— Carlton (@CrispyCarlton) February 5, 2024
D. Led asked Arthur Smith what they liked about Drake London and asked his 40 time, and FedEx Boy gave a snarky response.
Raheem Morris was asked about addressing the quarterback position and he gave a candid answer.
Simple stuff.
— K (@projectjax) February 5, 2024
https://t.co/J8EUSNolKr pic.twitter.com/0lKG3R50MV
— Tre'Shon (@tre3shon) February 5, 2024
What stands out to Raheem Morris about the Falcons offense?
1. Drake London
2. Bijan Robinson pic.twitter.com/72Tw3ZMnoz— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) February 5, 2024
Raheem Morris and Arthur Smith are polar opposites. Morris is direct, yet charismatic. Incredible football IQ, and most importantly, he understands his role as the HEAD coach.
— Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) February 5, 2024
Raheem Morris says Terry Fontenot was “an important factor” in him coming back to Atlanta. He says the Falcons’ GM has done nothing but build this team up since Morris departed. He says he’s ready and excited to work with Fontenot.
— Will McFadden (@willmcfadden) February 5, 2024
This duo is going to be special!
pic.twitter.com/sR8RZjIzDn— Carrie (@carrielynnxox) February 5, 2024
Don’t really get moved by coach speak anymore, Raheem clearly has a different approach than Smith. Just get a QB and start winning some games.
— Tre'Shon (@tre3shon) February 5, 2024
What was the official count on how many times the word or the derivative of “collaboration” was used? I got distracted after 14 by the YouTube ads. @MCunninghamAJC @GabeBurnsAJC @ksugiuraajc @MarkZinno pic.twitter.com/9Z6x79ZWK1
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) February 5, 2024
The difference in tone between Raheem Morris and A. Smith is huge. Two very different approaches.
— Welp DW (@NFLDw) February 5, 2024
Notably did not say anything about staying with the qbs on the roster. Elite hire. https://t.co/zRO3RO2dSz
— Carlton (@CrispyCarlton) February 5, 2024
Raheem Morris says new Falcons OC Zac Robinson "made a lot of sense." Reminds him of a young Kyle Shanahan, a young Sean McVay. "I see him growing, I see him developing … those are the things that lit me up."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 5, 2024
“Wide open. You look at free agency, a trade or the draft. We know Des & Taylor did their best but we didn’t hit our marks. We’re going to look at our marks at every position.” Falcons GM Terry Fontenot to us on the QB situation
— DukesandBell929 (@DukesandBell929) February 5, 2024
"Finding our next quarterback."
RIDDER AIN'T IT! YES!!!
— K (@projectjax) February 5, 2024
How much like Matt Ryan are we talking? https://t.co/RF7aZWOD4p
— Andy (@AndySGallagher) February 5, 2024
#Falcons HC Raheem Morris said he told Sean McVay he was jealous of his relationship with GM Les Snead, and it was a cool process to see their collaboration.
Morris on what he learned from the first time he was HC: "When you're 32 years old, you've got all the answers. … What… pic.twitter.com/2lbRqT7RSk
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 5, 2024
VIDEO: "I don't have to be the smartest person in the building."
Raheem Morris very heavy on the collaborative process he wants to bring to the #Falcons. Heavy on the relationship with coordinators and others.
Morris mentions he's now been hired by Rich McKay 3 times now. pic.twitter.com/05IcLusBlx
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) February 5, 2024
Raheem Morris goals for his first year " The clear goal for us is to win the South and get to playoffs. You get into the playoffs anything can happen. Why not us."#dirtybirds #falcons #riseup
— Alison Mastrangelo (@AlisonWSB) February 5, 2024
He seems like a really underrated hire
— The Rational Football League Show (@TheRFLShow) February 5, 2024
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on why this won't be a repeat of last time he was here: "It's less about telling people what's going to be different. It's about showing people what's going to be different."
— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) February 5, 2024
Terry Fontenot definitely didn’t like Arthur Smith, whole different dude up there with Raheem (joking)
— Damski 🫶🏽 (@Damski32) February 5, 2024
Bruh we get real football answers from our Coach now 🥹🥹🥹 https://t.co/auX5jhFwhK
— DirtyBirds (@ATLVsTheWRLD) February 5, 2024
Raheem Morris: It's less about telling people it's going to be different and more about showing people what's going to be different.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) February 5, 2024
This comment from Raheem Morris later in the presser was very interesting: He watched first-hand new #Falcons OC Zac Robinson get the best of QB's like Jared Goff, Matt Stafford, Baker Mayfield in LA. Also goes back to his core tenet of surrounding themselves with good people. https://t.co/Q2PB9AYEJO pic.twitter.com/tG49wOusyU
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) February 5, 2024
Falcons GM Terry Fontenot — the decision-making was always his & Arthur Smith's in the prior power structure.
Obviously it's a different power structure now (report to Blank, not Rich McKay).
Fontenot said the decision making will be his & Raheem Morris' now.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) February 5, 2024
Terry got to pick his guy. Straight from the horse's mouth.
— King's Landing (@___theKing___) February 5, 2024
Falcons HC Raheem Morris said they've had "some conversation" about quarterbacks — but they've been more focused on trying to build out a staff so far.
Said they could look at free agency, trade, the draft. Basically anything.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) February 5, 2024
Hey guys! Dan Quinn is fired up. Where have I heard that before? 🤔 https://t.co/29g90QgFLw
— Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) February 5, 2024
Quite possibly the best dressed head coach and general manager in the game.
I say this with no bias whatsoever (Terry and I shop at the same suit store)
📸: @AtlantaFalcons pic.twitter.com/z1gyoKxIKH
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) February 5, 2024
10 quotes from Falcons head coach Raheem Morris' press conference https://t.co/OZO3a2MQjE pic.twitter.com/PsSEXKYPHJ
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) February 5, 2024
