We've had the opening weekend of training camp, with the first practices that have been open to the public. First observation is that the fan turnout was incredible, especially for yesterday's practice session. It caused a bit of a local traffic jam, but at least it's the weekend. Possibly the most important story so far is that Matt Hennessy left one of the earlier practices with a knee issue and was scheduled for an MRI. Second round pick Matthew Bergeron has been "filling in" at left guard in his place. That's in quotes because I don't buy that he's merely the second string guy stepping up as a replacement. The starting left guard role has been Bergeron's spot to lose all along. Listing the more experienced Hennessy ahead of him on the depth chart during the non-contact portions of the offseason is merely tradition - you don't just hand the rookie the starting job on day one of camp, no matter how obvious it is that he's the guy. And he's the guy. Let's get rid of any pretense that this is a battle. Unless he gets hurt, Bergeron is the starting left guard. The offensive line is Matthews, Bergeron, Dalman, Lindstrom and McGary. But... Hennessy is still the leading contender for the active interior backup role, as he's a natural center. So if it turns out that he needs surgery, it will be significant. The other top options are Ryan Neuzil and late rounder Jovaughn Gwyn. It's the other backup spots that are up for grabs in camp. The swing tackle role will be an interesting one to watch in the preseason games. But there's also going to be insane competition for the inactive depth spots, and those guys are also going to be competing with the backup WRs, TEs, and defensive linemen for those last at-large roster spots. Plus side is that the entire offense seemed to have stepped it up with Bergeron taking over. It doesn't make much sense and there probably isn't any causal relationship given that we're still in the non-contact portion of camp. But there's no doubt that the offense cranked it up this weekend. It's the only thing the media cares about, so I'll go ahead and say that Desmond Ridder has been on target consistently on the intermediate and short throws. On the long throws, it kinda depends - I've noticed that he opens the first sessions (regardless of whether they're one-on-ones or seven-on-sevens) with some deeper throws, basically just warming himself up. First deep throw or two of the practice = off target, as you'd expect. But at least for the two practice sessions this weekend, once he got into a rhythm, he was at least adequate on deep stuff (over 20 yards) and flat out good on the intermediate stuff (12-20 yards). If he can be that accurate in the regular season, the media pundits that have been bashing him will be eating a lot of crow. The highlight battle of the day - every day - is quickly becoming Bijan Robinson on pass routes against second year linebacker Troy Andersen in coverage. Robinson has shown perfectly well why the team took him at #8. He figures to be a weapon in the passing game as well as on the ground. He runs pass routes better than most tight ends. His breaks are sharp and clean. If you've heard about this "positionless football" idea and just thought that Arthur Smith was blowing smoke, now you know. Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson and obviously Cordarrelle Patterson can all split out and be weapons as receivers. On defense, the secondary is looking really, really good. I'm not going to focus too much on the pass rush much until we get to preseason games and it's fair game to HIT the opposing QBs. But the big picture for pass rush is that what happens up front and what happens in the secondary are connected, and the lineup on defense this year is far different from last year or 2021. The one absence in the pass rush is that Calais Campbell is currently out, listed on the Non Football Injury list. No idea how soon he'll return to action, but it doesn't appear to be an IR type of situation at this point.
Arthur Smith is “pretty damn pleased” with Bijan Robinson The Falcons made running back Bijan Robinson the No. 8 pick of this year’s draft and while he’s yet to play a snap, he’s certainly made an impression. "[P]retty damn pleased with Bijan so far,” head coach Arthur Smith said during his Monday press conference. By all accounts from Atlanta’s training camp, Robinson has been lining up all over offensive formations and making consistent plays. “The way we use him, I think, is different than most, just philosophically with guys all over,” Smith said. Robinson himself noted that his versatility can be a difference-maker as he prepares for his first season. “Obviously, I do a lot of different things that maybe a lot of running backs are starting to do,” Robinson said, via Michael Rothstein of ESPN. “For me, I’m a player that loves to give an opportunity to my offense, whether it’s me lining up out wide or me lining up in the slot or trying to it off to get an opportunity to maximize ourselves.” Robinson should be one key aspect of a group of skill players that also includes Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Cordarrelle Patterson. But Desmond Ridder must also come through as a viable starting quarterback for the offense to reach its maximum potential in 2023. NBC ________ _________________ I cant wait to see him play.
Falcons Training Camp: Drake London’s Outlook, Bijan Robinson’s Hype and a Sleeper Pick Atlanta’s second-year receiver and its 2023 first-round pick have the team feeling confident about its offense along with an improved offensive line. Drake London has come back moving like a more confident player—and the Falcons are seeing a more complete player in camp, too, one who’s ultracompetitive and who’s been excellent playing away from the ball (he flashed what he can do with the ball last year). And he, obviously, is expected to be the key guy in a group with more players capable of playing multiple spots, and excelling as blockers, which is, of course, a direct reflection of what coach Arthur Smith and GM Terry Fontenot have worked to build in Atlanta. The competition’s been fierce in the secondary, too, where the depth at both corner and safety has been bolstered. One spot that’s still open a week into camp is the nickel corner position, where Dee Alford, Mike Hughes and rookie Clark Phillips III are fighting for one. Safety Jaylinn Hawkins—one of the pleasant surprises in camp who has made a steady stream of plays on the back end—can also moonlight in that position, so Atlanta has options there. The offensive line figures to be a strength with four of five starters back, including right tackle Kaleb McGary, who is having a very strong summer (the Falcons signed the former first-rounder to a big contract in March). The one open spot is left guard. Matt Hennessy got the first crack at it, but he’s banged up. And that opened an opportunity for rookie Matthew Bergeron, who has quickly earned the respect of vets on both sides of the ball with his strength and toughness. The Falcons have tried to temper the hype on running back Bijan Robinson, but what they’ve seen from a talent perspective is enough to have the staff pretty excited. And it’s not just what he brings as a movable piece who can catch the ball as well as he can run inside—it’s also his athletic makeup. Early in camp, he’s shown unique balance and stop-start ability. Pairing him with London and Kyle Pitts should make the Falcons a bear to contend with offensively and make quarterback Desmond Ridder’s job a lot easier. If there’s a camp sleeper, it might be linebacker Nate Landman. He’s had a nice summer after making the team last year out of camp as an undrafted free agent (he spent part of the year on the practice squad). SI
Kyle Pitts: Desmond Ridder more vocal, grabbing team by the reins Tight end Kyle Pitts was out for the season by the time the Falcons moved quarterback Desmond Ridder into the starting lineup last season, but the two players have had a lot of time to work together this offseason and in training camp. During an appearance on NFL Network Thursday, Pitts said he has seen changes in Ridder over that time that bode well for his transition into the lead role on offense. “I mean, now as he’s the starting quarterback, he’s definitely stepping into that role,” Pitts said of Ridder. “He’s been more vocal to the team and grabbing us up when our heads are maybe down. Kind of like those regular camp things, but just to see him step into this new role and grab his team by the reins, that’s what we’ve all been waiting on.” Pitts isn’t the first to share the feeling that Ridder is developing into the player the Falcons want him to be. Team owner Arthur Blank has shared similar sentiments and the Falcons will likely feel good about the direction of the franchise if the glowing reviews continue into the season. NBC ___________ _____________________ This is good to hear. A QB needs to take charge and set things straight.
The Falcons announced four roster moves Thursday. They include waiving tight end Feleipe Franks with an injury designation. Franks signed with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He played quarterback in college at Florida and Arkansas. He played nine games as quarterback in 2021, seeing 14 snaps on offense and 36 on special teams. Franks had three carries for 6 yards. The Falcons moved him to tight end before last season, and Franks played 11 games. He had one rushing attempt for no yards and was targeted twice but didn’t make a catch. He played 54 offensive snaps and 91 on special teams last season. Franks appeared to injure his ankle during punt coverage drills earlier this week. In other moves, the Falcons placed offensive lineman Ethan Greenidge on injured reserve and waived/injured wide receiver Chris Blair and defensive lineman Ikenna Enechukwu. Greenidge played 15 games with the Saints in 2020 but has had season-ending injuries each of the past two seasons. PFT
Update... the "waived / injured" guys don't have tenure, so waiving them is the required first step before putting them on IR. They all cleared waivers, so Feleipe Franks, Chris Blair and Ikenna Enechukwu are all on Atlanta's IR list now. They aren't out of the organization. The Falcons are now in Miami and had the first of two joint practices with the Dolphins ahead of Friday's exhibition game. The one true bit of bad news from camp so far is that CB Jeff Okudah is banged up. He's not on IR, but there's no timetable yet for his return. He may miss all of preseason and a few weeks of th The good news is that Calais Campbell passed his physical and is off of the Non-Football Injury list. He hasn't practiced in pads yet, so odds are the team will limit him tomorrow and either hold him out of the game or just get him a quick cameo appearance.
