Falcons Look To Bounce Back this Season

Close to home, Georgia’s own NFL team the Atlanta Falcons is kicking off their season with training camp in Flowery Branch. Around a thousand patrons were in attendance for last Friday’s practice as the Falcons look to bounce back from consecutive 7-10 seasons and will look for their first winning season since 2017.

This year, the pieces seem to be there for the Falcons to achieve that long awaited winning season. The offense looks to improve immensely with stars like wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts returning to the team. Joining the offense is star running back prospect from Texas, Bijan Robinson, who will look to add a boost of speed and resiliency to this offense.

But the big question for this offense is how new starting quarterback Desmond Ridder will be for a full game slate. Ridder took all of the first team reps at practice and has been looking to work on his consistency. The former third round draft pick took over as the starter last year over the struggling Marcus Mariota, who has since been released. In four starts last season, Ridder threw for two touchdowns in his debut start, but he has yet to throw one since. To that, he has yet to throw an interception. Ridder’s performance will be directly crucial to the success of this team, as the Falcons look to find the long term solution at quarterback.

Defensively the Falcons will look to improve from the 2022 campaign. Big free agents such as safety Jessie Bates III and veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell have been brought to fortify the defense. Additionally the Falcons traded for former number three overall pick, defensive back Jeff Okudah. Unfortunately, Okudah was carted off the field in practice last Friday with what is believed to be an ankle injury. Head Coach Arthur Smith said that Okudah’s injury was not as serious as previously thought and that he should be ready to return early in the season.

One of the more positive highlights from Friday’s practice didn’t happen on the field but off of it. Former longtime starting quarterback Matt Ryan was in attendance for Friday’s practice as a spectator with his two children. This marks the first time that Ryan has been affiliated with the Falcons since his trade to the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. Ryan has since been released from the Colts and is now a free agent. He has signed on to work as an analyst for CBS this season, while making it clear that he has not retired.

For the Falcons, this season will be a test of will. It’s a defining point for Coach Smith in particular, as it looks like this will be his best team on paper that he’s had in his tenure with the Falcons. It’ll ultimately be up to him and the rest of the coaching staff to get the most out of the players for the 2023 season. If he fails to do so, Coach Smith may be on the hot seat heading into the 2024 season.

The Falcons kick off their preseason this Friday, August 11 against the Miami Dolphins. They kick off their regular season on Sunday, Sept. 10 against the Carolina Panthers.