FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — I always say this time of year is tricky to truly evaluate.
We see flashes and moments in practice — a gaping run lane here, a would-be sack there — but we're still piecing these teams together. We trying to discern what's real and what's training camp mirages.
For the Falcons even through two days of joint practices with the Titans, their cards are still held tightly to their check. However, I like where your questions are heading and I think you're on the right track: How real is this run game? Should there be concerns about rookie performance? Who's rising up the secondary ladder.
Let's unpack it all as the second week of the preseason rolls on.
From @BobGlec on X/Twitter
How is the Falcons (starting unit) run game looking or is it difficult to tell in the joint practices? I'm a bit worried that Drew Dalman was more important for that run game than people realize.
It is difficult to tell right now. When defenses can't tackle to the ground and linemen can't go 100% in either run blocking or stopping, you can't truly tell what a run would yield. Sometime there's a hole that manifest large enough to where you can tell without a shadow of a doubt the team would've broken a run. But even those I try not to overhype, either. I don't think any team knows what they've got in their run game until Week 1 arrives and the chains are loosed. Still, the Falcons should have a leg up in knowing what they have. With so much continuity amongst this offense line and running backs, if the Falcons run game doesn't start hotter than most I would be shocked.
Regarding your second point, let's break it down.
Dalman made nine starts in 2024. During those nine starts spanning from Week 1 through Week 3 and then again from Week 12 to Week 17, the Falcons' run game averaged 31 carries per game, 138 rushing yards per game with a 4.4 yards per attempt average.
Neuzil made eight starts in 2024. During those eight starts spanning from Week 4 through the Week 11 bye week, the Falcons' run game averaged 27 carries per game, 121.7 rushing yards per game with 4.4 yards per attempt average.
On first blush, yes the Falcons ran the ball less during Dalman's stint. But if you recall, that is when Kirk Cousins was lighting up the league, leading all quarterbacks in passing yards in October. That is happening right in the chunk of Neuzil's starts. When the Falcons did run the ball during that time period, though, they were no less productive in yards per attempt average than they were with Dalman.
The crux of the Falcons' run game has been Chris Lindstrom, and usually Kaleb McGary beside him. Does the center have a role in that? Absolutely, but if you watch the tape, it's Lindstrom who is often the lead blocker for Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. And there is no reason to think that won't continue to be the case.
From @Ryan56461572 on X/Twitter
Wide zone in the bread and butter for the offense we know but a lot of Bijan's explosives come off inside zone changeups. Are you seeing Z-Rob mix it in a bit more, or still vast majority outside zone?
The Falcons have been working a lot more through the gaps throughout training camp and the preseason. Now, that's not to say they are going to become a gap style run team and completely go away from the spread, outside zone butter to their bread. Nah. If that works like it did in 2024, there's no reason at all to go away from it just for the sake of doing so.
However, I do think the Falcons offense is looking to evolve it's run game if — and only if — it needs to. Let's say early on teams are finding ways to shut down Robinson bouncing to the outside. If that's the case, the Falcons will have to take to a new strategy. I think it is good to see a new wrinkle in the run game from time to time in training camp and the preseason. It shows the Falcons are preparing for a day their bread and butter is burnt. Still, I stand by not going away from it until teams start stopping it. And throughout 2024, they didn't do so consistently.
From @CarsonBest20970 on X/Twitter
I've seen plenty of worry about Jalon Walker. Obviously, rookies need time to develop. Any thoughts on how he's looked?
I am not worried about Jalon Walker. And I don't think anyone else should be, either. And look, I get the concern because everyone is seeing James Pearce Jr. absolutely eat up some offensive tackles in training camp and get double-teamed and chipped in preseason games. But you have to understand that Pearce is being asked to do something that comes naturally to him. He is a traditional edge rusher who is being asked to be... a traditional edge rusher. See quarterback. Get quarterback.
What Walker is being asked to do is dramatically different from what he was asked to do at the University of Georgia. Despite the fact Atlanta and Jeff Ulbrich are giving Walker time to master being a traditional edge rusher, the truth is that he isn't a traditional edge rusher. And even more truth be told? That's not why you get someone with Walker's skillset. You get it because of the versatility and off-ball linebacker stuff he has in his repertoire — which, let's be real, is more in line with what Smart was asking of him at Georgia.
If this is a leveling system out of 10 levels, Pearce is starting at Level 7. Whereas Walker finds himself on Level 3. There are going to be growing pains in that, development time in that. So, no, because of that, I am not at all concerned with where he is. He is still showing run-stopping prowess, and pass rush will come along, especially if the Falcons do what I think they need to do which is get creative with where they line Walker up. And that is something Ulbrich seems ready to get going once we get through the vanilla of the preseason.
"Jalon Walker — a guy who throughout his career at Georgia did a lot of different things but we are really trying to develop him as an edge rusher," Ulbrich said this week. "Now, saying that, we're still going to take advantage of his versatility and we are going to have packages that will feature some of the special stuff that he does."
From @treynolimit5 on X/Twitter
Outside of Jessie Bates and A.J. Terrell who will be the projected starters Week 1 in the secondary?
Alright, here's what I am thinking right now...
Safety: Jessie Bates III, Xavier Watts (potentially a package or two for DeMarcco Hellams as a big safety look)
Outside corner: A.J. Terrell, Mike Hughes (with Natrone Brooks being first off the bench if he is needed)
Nickel: Dee Alford
Am I ready to take this to the bank? Not yet. I still want to see a bit more of Billy Bowman Jr. But this feels like a safe bet to make with the information I feel like I have right now.
Take a look at the best photos of joint practice as the Atlanta Falcons battle against the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp in Flowery Branch, Ga.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts #31 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Nathan Carter #38 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
f4 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver David Sills V #87 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes #21 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Nick Nash #80 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jordan Fuller #29 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford Jr. #28 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes #21 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 and Calvin Ridley during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 and Calvin Ridley during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes #21 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. #8 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford Jr. #28 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 and Calvin Ridley during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews #70 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Joshua Gray #67 and Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Jordan Williams #62 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson #71 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington #82 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Natrone Brooks #35 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford Jr. #28 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 and Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
