FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The last time the Falcons went to the Super Bowl they suffered a disappointing loss following an embarrassing and distracting incident the night before: safety Eugene Robinson’s arrest on a charge of soliciting a prostitute.
The Falcons are returning to the Super Bowl for the first time since that 1999 game. Coach Dan Quinn said he’s not concerned about any of his players getting into trouble next week in Houston before the Falcons play the Patriots on Feb. 5.
“I recognize the question,” Quinn said at his Monday news conference. “Honestly, on some other teams I’ve been a part of, you might have worried, but not this team. This team is so tight and the accountability they have for one another is so strong and so, to me, that’s why (there is no worry).
“They totally rely on one another. This brotherhood is so strong, they care about one another and they are playing for something bigger than themselves. For this team and this group, I totally trust them.”
The Falcons lost 34-19 to the Broncos in the 1999 Super Bowl. Robinson was arrested the night before after Miami police said he offered an undercover officer $40 for sex. The arrest came hours after Robinson had been presented with the Bart Starr Man of the Year Award for high moral character.
Robinson, now a radio analyst for the Panthers, cautioned that team’s players before they traveled to play in last year’s Super Bowl.
“I told them I cried all night,” Robinson said, according to the Charlotte Observer. “Dude, I cried all night. … How did I get way over here when I was way over here? Well, it is easy to lose your way when you’re selfish, and you’re thinking about yourself, and that’s what I did.”
WASHINGTON: Washington turned to internal candidates to fill two critical vacancies, promoting Matt Cavanaugh to offensive coordinator and Greg Manusky to defensive coordinator.
Cavanaugh was the team’s quarterbacks coach and Manusky its outside linebackers coach last season.
PATRIOTS: A New England Patriots fan entered a not-guilty plea Monday in East Boston Municipal Court to charges stemming from an incident in which he allegedly pulled a fire alarm early Sunday inside the Boston Hilton Logan Airport hotel in which the Pittsburgh Steelers were staying.
“I’m drunk, I’m stupid, I’m a Pats fan,” Dennis Harrison told Massachusetts State Police, according to the Boston Globe, after he allegedly set off the alarm about 15 hours before kickoff of the AFC championship game. Harrison, who was released on his personal recognizance, was charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and setting off a false fire alarm.
The idea for the prank was hatched when friends at a housewarming party Harrison was attending dared him to pull the alarm. A friend drove the 25-year-old to the hotel in his car and he went in through the main entrance and pulled the nearest alarm on the second floor at 3:40 a.m., according to the state police. He ran out to his car, but it and his keys were gone. As Harrison walked away from the hotel, he was stopped by state police and told them he was waiting for an Uber car. After a few moments of questioning, he admitted to pulling the alarm and expressed regret, according to Trooper Bryan Erickson’s report.
PRO BOWL: Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins was named to the Pro Bowl and will participate in the exhibition game on Sunday in Orlando. Cousins was initially picked as an alternate but will replace Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
BROWNS: The team announced it agreed to a blockbuster contract with Jamie Collins, securing a versatile linebacker the organization believes can be a vital piece to the defense led by new coordinator Gregg Williams.
Collins agreed to a four-year contract worth $50 million, including $26 million guaranteed.
Expected to play outside linebacker in the 4-3 base defense Williams uses, Collins is the fourth-highest paid linebacker in the NFL with an average annual salary of $12.5 million.
Collins, 27, started all eight games for the Browns after they acquired him Oct. 31 by trading what’s expected to be a third-round compensatory pick in April’s draft to the New England Patriots. His 69 tackles with the Browns ranked third on the team. He also had two sacks and a forced fumble. Coaches and teammates praised his ability, intelligence and practice habits.
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