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Summary from the Final Week of Camp
Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan talked to Scott Blair about his process in learning Arthur Smith's scheme: "I'm more on the field with the guys, and that's just for me. I know some people do it that way [reciting it over and over in private]. I learn better by doing it." Ryan also revealed himself to be a walking quiz bowl with teammates: "I quiz these guys all the time, just walking around the building. A lot of the quizzing isn't necessarily for them. It's for me, too." Blair notes that while Ryan started camp slowly, he has eased into regular-season form and performed well against the Dolphins in joint practices. The real story at the quarterback position revolves around the backups. The team lost A.J. McCarron for the season to a knee injury. They signed Josh Rosen this week and have been working hard to get him up to speed. Feleipe Franks played the entire first half of the final preseason game, has provided two of the team's few highlights and is fighting to earn a role as the primary backup.
Running Backs
The only clarity at the running back position is Mike Davis will be the lead back. There is a fundamental distinction between lead and feature back in this situation. Davis missed last Wednesday's practice due to a personal matter, and his absence granted a glimpse into the depth chart. ESPN's Michael Rothstein noted: "Cordarrelle Patterson received the first-team reps in practice, perhaps a sign he may have more of a role than initially indicated." The safest projection on Davis is as an early-down and goal-line back, though we need to see this situation in meaningful game action. The release of Javian Hawkins gave us some information on the backup role. Previously viewed as the primary handcuff, injuries have cost Qadree Ollison valuable touches.
Wide Receivers
Calvin Ridley dropped a big name this week in media sessions: "I like Jerry Rice a lot. I think he did it the right way. Speed, cutting, and just getting the defender to think (you're doing) something else is what I'm trying to do." The top four positions are locked in, with Calvin Ridley as the alpha. Russell Gage has comfortably locked up the number two spot and will play in the slot most of the time. Olamide Zaccheus rounds out the starting lineup as a field stretcher. Tajae Sharpe is the only receiver taller than 6-foot-1. The most likely outcome is that third-year wide receiver Christian Blake claims the fifth spot and sixth-round pick Frank Darby hits the practice squad.
Tight Ends
The most insightful quote of camp has come from Hayden Hurst: "It's not Hayden Hurst vs. Kyle Pitts. It's Hayden Hurst and Kyle Pitts." Tori McElheny from the team site confirms: "The two tight ends are frequently placed in personnel packages together. They're both favored targets." The drumbeat has been loud through the training camp period; the Falcons view Kyle Pitts as an offensive weapon capable of lining up inline and out wide. Pitts has a solid chance to deliver on his high ADP, but those playing in formats that start multiple tight ends or feature deep rosters should not write off Hurst. Lee Smith will be the third tight end, a veteran blocking specialist.
Defense
This defense struggled in 2020, but new defensive coordinator Dean Pees has a track record of success. Three out of four secondary starters are new arrivals, and the leading returning sacker Deion Jones had just 4.5 sacks. It’s hard to be optimistic about meaningful improvement. 2020 first-round cornerback A.J. Terrell has been a camp star, and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is a force on the interior. Still, this defense needs to increase the pass rush and force more turnovers.
Returners
Cordarrelle Patterson will return kickoffs; he’s one of the all-time best. On punts, rookie Avery Williams seems to have overtaken veteran Chris Rowland.
Summary from Week 3 of Camp
Quarterbacks
We will not see Matt Ryan until the final preseason game, but he seems to be rounding back into form after a rocky start to camp. From ESPN’s Michael Rothstein in Monday’s practice: “The quarterback threw a perfect pass to Calvin Ridley for a touchdown...It’s the best throw I’ve seen Ryan make all camp long and looked like he might be rounding into form.” There have been reports of interceptions and tipped passes from Ryan throughout camp, culminating in three interceptions against the Dolphins on day one of shared practices. Ryan has placed in the Top 10 in most interceptions thrown in the past two seasons; it is a situation worth monitoring. AJ McCarron started against the Dolphins but unfortunately tore his ACL, ending his season. Josh Rosen was signed this week to compete with rookie Feleipe Franks, but the team could add another veteran in the coming weeks.
Running Backs
Mike Davis is the unquestionable No. 1 and has been all summer, but we’re still trying to decipher how Arthur Smith intends to split the workload. On day one of joint Dolphin’s scrimmages, Qadree Ollison received all of the two-minute no-huddle work. On day two, that flipped back to Davis. His range of outcomes is vast. Is Davis a workhorse or the lead of a multi-back committee? Cordarrelle Patterson is the most versatile of the backs, having been an NFL wide receiver in years past. It’s unclear whether the coaches prefer Caleb Huntley or Javian Hawkins as the developmental youngster. They received near equal work against Miami, with Huntley opening eyes with a 30-yard touchdown.