Atlanta Falcons News: What if Matt Ryan doesn’t improve?

Can the Atlanta Falcons still make strides in the right direction even if Matt Ryan continues to struggle? Which member of the NFC South is on the hottest seat? That and more in the Dirty Bird Daily.

Good morning, Falcons fans. Do you like to see Cam Newton get sacked and fumble the football? In just eight weeks, you’ll get to see it happen live. We’re just eight weeks away from the regular season curtain raiser between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers.

Three days later the Falcons will be in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the very last time inside the Georgia Dome. That game is just 60 days away.

As you sip your coffee this fine Thursday morning, enjoy these Falcons articles from around the internet.

Does Matt Ryan have to improve for the Falcons to improve? — Dave Choate of The Falcoholic

It’s certainly a question worth pondering. What if Matt Ryan doesn’t improve from his struggles last year? Will the Falcons still be able to make strides in the right direction, or is their immediate success directly tied to Ryan’s right arm? Dave Choate gives his take.

Falcons position group reviews: Is running back better in 2016? — Jeanna Thomas of The Falcoholic

If Tevin Coleman can get his act together and learn how to secure the football safely, the Falcons could boast one of the better 1-2 punches at running back in the league. The key is for both Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman to play consistently at their best while staying healthy. Achieve that and the Falcons will have plenty of success moving the ball on the ground.

Next: Atlanta Falcons: Top 20 games in franchise history

NFC South Q&A: Who is on the hottest seat in the division? — ESPN

Thomas Dimitroff, of course. Ding ding ding. Top answer. Two of the four ESPN analysts agree that Dimitroff is indeed on the hottest seat in the NFC South this season, although Matt Ryan was also mentioned.