Three Overreactions to the first two days of Falcons Training Camp

Saivion Mixson

•
Three Overreactions to the first two days of Falcons Training Camp image

The Atlanta Falcons have started training camp, which also means that Falcons fans have their first looks at the 2024 iteration of the team. A lot is riding on this season, general manager Terry Fontenot looks to be on his last leg, fans are growing restless and the city of Atlanta is in desperate need of a spark from their NFL franchise that relies on Matt Ryan to Julio Jones highlights from over half a decade ago to remain relevant.

With all of these emotions and expectations surrounding the team, that could lead to some instant reactions, and overreactions, to every clip, report and nugget of this year's team available. Nobody wants to be known as the person who made the overreactions, so I've taken the time to do it for you. Consider it a weight off your shoulders, so you can overreact without consequence. As the team descends upon Seckinger High School tonight, you can keep these three overreactions in mind as you watch the first of two open practices for Atlanta.

1) Atlanta is fielding a top-five offense...or a bottom-five defense

The big story from the second day of training camp was how dominant the two offenses dismantled the defenses yesterday. The Falcoholic's Adnan Ikic, who does outstanding work every year at these training camps, reported that Kirk Cousins had one pass hit the ground during the 11-on-11 period...one. Cousins ended the period 14-of-15, including a beautiful 50-yard ball that hit fellow free agent acquisition Ray-Ray McCloud in the breadbasket over unsuspecting UDFA CB Jayden Price.

But Cousins was going up against the reserves, it's expected that he's going to dice them up, even if it is early in training camp.

Well, the starting defense didn't have much better luck against the likes of rookie gunslinger Michael Penix Jr. Penix ended the day 8-of-13 on the day, a reasonable efficiency for a rookie, only out of the five incompletions, three of them were reportedly drops, including a potential highlight reel deep ball intended for receiver Rondale Moore.

Now, we can take this information glass half-full and be excited that the offense is looking like it's expected to early. Cousins has been doing a lot of work with his guys, being that leader, building that chemistry with his weapons and it's expressing itself on the field in a major way. Before his Achilles tear last season, Cousins was leading the Minnesota Vikings to a top-five passing offense, and that was without the imminent threat of a running game. With this offensive line and backs like Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, defenses won't be able to commit as many resources to the passing game as they did in Minnesota. If Cousins and company can get the ball rolling quickly, the ceiling is high for this offense.

Or, we can look at this glass half-empty and be worried that this is the Matt Ryan-era Falcons all over again. Averaging 25 points a game on offense, but giving up 26 on defense. Where the offense can't rely on the defense to get a stop in crucial moments and the onus falls on them to win them games time and time again.

2) Fontenot's second-round picks continue to struggle

According to multiple sources, the player getting the most run opposite Lorenzo Carter is free-agent acquisition from the Washington Commanders, James Smith-Williams. The thinking going into training camp, with the loss of the top two sack guys from last year, Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree, was that the guy that was third on the board, third-year outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie, would take over the reins as the starting outside linebacker opposite Carter. That isn't what happened.

Now, Smith-Williams could very well just be the safer option, he's solid against the run and can make the occasional pressure here and there to keep the offense honest. However, Ebiketie being a designated pass rusher after three years isn't what you're looking for in a pick you traded up for.

Troy Andersen can't seem to shake Nate Landman for the starting interior linebacker job. Landman started the day as the linebacker opposite Kaden Elliss with Andersen rotating in. Now, this could end up being a moot conversation with Elliss moving around virtually everywhere in the front seven, but for now, Andersen not having a firm grasp on this second linebacker spot is not only an indictment on Andersen, but on general manager Terry Fontenot and his hit rate in the second round of the draft.

Right now, Fontenot's most reliable piece from the second round is safety Richie Grant, who is on the last year of his rookie contract with minimal production to show for it. If I'm Fontenot, one of Ebiketie, Andersen, Grant or even Orhorhoro have to show their mettle this season.

3) This year...feels different

Chris Lindstrom said it.

Kyle Pitts said it.

Jessie Bates says it's time to put the A back on the map.

There is a different feel around the Falcons this season. There's an optimism that this is the staff that can do it. This is the staff that can get us to make a deep run in the playoffs. Whether that's with Cousins or not, there looks to be a different feel, a different optimism surrounding this team...and it feels good.

Saivion Mixson

Saivion Mixson Photo

Saivion Mixson is a graduate of the University of North Florida’s Sports Management program. He was previously a staff writer/content creator for LastWordonSports, Around The Block Network, Fansided’s Blogging Dirty and USA Today’s Vikings Wire. Mixson resides in the Charlotte Metro area and is an avid Atlanta Falcons fan. You can find him on Twitter/X @MixsonS_NFL.