Good morning, Atlanta Falcons fans. We are just over a week away from training camp, so there is plenty of buzz around the camp battles. Who will emerge as the starting running back? How is the defensive line looking? That and more is featured in today’s Dirty Bird Daily.
Evan Mathis: Should Falcons sign him? — John Buhler of ATL All Day
"At 33 years of age, would it be wise for the Atlanta Falcons to bring Mathis to Flowery Branch for the next two seasons?"
Brooks: Freeman among rising second-year pros — Andrew Hirsh of AtlantaFalcons.com
"NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks recently named 10 second-year pros on the rise, and Atlanta’s Devonta Freemanmade the list at No. 9."
Countdown to camp: A look at Falcons’ running backs — D. Orlando Ledbetter of AJC.com
"The Falcons appear set to pick between Devonta Freeman, a fourth-round pick in 2014 and Tevin Coleman, a third-round pick in 2015. Freeman appears to be the front runner, but Coleman is a strong contender. Perhaps, Coleman can take the run downs and Freeman, who caught 30 passes in 2014, could be used as the third-down back."
Falcons training camp preview: Defensive line — Brian Jones of 247Sports.com
"If there is one area where the Falcons have struggled the last few years, it would have to be the defensive line. Even when John Abraham was with the team, the Falcons could not generate a consistent pass rush from the defensive tackle or defensive end position."
ESPN survey says Matt Ryan is NFL’s 11th-best QB — Mark Bradley of AJC.com
"In sum: We’ve come to regard he Atlanta Falcons’ centerpiece not as a top five quarterback, but definitely top 10."